Any new skill comes with a learning curve and becoming proficient in Autodesk® Revit® is no exception. Trial and error are inevitable, but lessons in the language and usage of Revit do not have to be self-taught in the digital age.
Support for new users is abundant. Revit’s parent company, Autodesk, has amassed its own “Revit knowledge base,” which is easily searchable. If you are employed by an architecture firm that utilizes Revit, there should be internal points of contact for guidance. And, although you should proceed with caution and verify Revit tips garnered from unofficial sources, social media sites (e.g., YouTube and Reddit) contain a wealth of information for beginners.
You can also find direction and simplification of the Revit platform by consulting software developers like CTC Software™. Our Revit supplements have been developed to make the platform more approachable, efficient, and cost-effective from the very start.
What Is Autodesk Revit?
Revit finds its origins in AutoCAD®, “Auto Computer-Aided Design.” AutoCAD is a software application created by Autodesk that transformed the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Architects have predominantly adopted this innovation, prompting these professionals to trade in their sketchbooks for a digital medium.
AutoCAD—similar to its historical analog, the blueprint—allows architects to render two-dimensional building designs, as well as their parts and fixtures. The digital forum took architects’ concepts to the next level by facilitating three-dimensional modeling. AutoCAD also has advantages for recordation, heightened detail, and shareability.
Then came Revit, a unification of AutoCAD and “building information modeling” (BIM). In essence, BIM is software that can incorporate computer intelligence and cloud attributes into existing applications. These two facets enabled automation and increased data accessibility within AutoCAD.
Now, with Revit, architects can automate tasks that were previously laborious, repetitive, and, therefore, expensive. Revit’s cloud collaboration further supports architects by connecting them with experts in engineering and construction, who can take a vision represented in Revit and actualize it.
Where Do I Start as a New User of Autodesk® Revit®?
When beginning your Revit journey, the best path may depend on why you embark on this odyssey.
Your employer could be expecting you to gain Revit competency; if this is the case, you should inquire into whether your firm has internal IT training or other specialized staff that offers Revit courses. Many architects learn on the job, getting more comfortable with Revit in the same way a carpenter’s apprentice becomes a journeyman.
If you have a personal interest in becoming Revit-savvy, Autodesk has a dedicated support page. This page includes a searchable database, topical articles, and an “Ask the Assistant” navigation tab. You can click that tab and have a live chat with Autodesk’s Assistant, an AI device that can answer questions and connect you with an Autodesk representative.
There are also third-party Revit courses into which you can enroll, although these typically come with a fee. And, of course, plenty of free content is available on informal platforms, particularly YouTube.
CTC Software Tears Down Obstacles for New Revit Users From the Start
At CTC Software, we are driven by the beginner–the person who encounters a program, such as Revit, with fresh eyes and inquiries. Any of the aforementioned resources for Revit education are valuable. We have also created add-ins that work within Revit to make the application more user-friendly.
These extensions–found in our Suites for Autodesk Revit–diminish the confusion caused by certain program elements. Through carefully curated Suites, we streamline Revit functionality so new users can dive in without any extra baggage.
