March 23, 2007
An Open Letter Regarding Autodesk’s Revit Software & CADD Center’s Revit Implementation
It has been one year since PAG first decided to make the leap to the Building Information Modeling [BIM] platform. The initial reactions in this office were probably consistent with those of other design firms: what will this do to production, can we still work in AutoCAD, and how much will this cost? After evaluating several options, including competing BIM solutions, it was decided that PAG would move forward with the Autodesk Revit solution as demonstrated by CADD Centers. After the first demonstration, the opportunity to “test drive” Revit presented itself along with support during the evaluation period. After a few short weeks, the software won overwhelming support from PAG staff. The Revit Team at CADD Centers performed an evaluation of existing hardware needs, and made recommendations for hardware upgrades. The Revit team then handled the entire deployment of the software and any upgrades required for effective use.
During the hands on evaluation, PAG determined the value in database driven document coordination to be far and away the most compelling feature. In doing so, more time is dedicated to design quality control and the actual composition of information. The parametric underpinnings of Revit give PAG a longer window for quality control. Other crucial features for adoption included seamless integration with legacy work we maintain in older AutoCAD formats, simplified file structure, and finally, true ability to maintain drawing and project standards.
The new software’s “xyz” savvy brings the design sensibility across the production line, where key design moves can be analyzed earlier and to greater extent. This kind of “on the fly” study improves the end result, allowing the designer to keep investigating the solution longer than was previously possible in a 2D environment. Revit brings another interesting capability to the table; working inside out and outside in. By creating instant views and walkthrough, PAG is now better able to capture those “moments” and present them in a manner previously reserved for actual model construction or rendering.
Staff experienced initial drops in productivity at the hands of becoming acquainted with a new interface, and workflow methods. Although the office does not have enough data to determine actual percentages, a drop of 15-20% initially would be a good estimate. What we have also noticed however is a substantial but not quite equal drop in coordination time. With the increased confidence in properly coordinated drawings, comes an increased confidence in our ability to trim back RFI’s and streamline Construction Administration.
Members of the PAG staff have since gone on to take the Advanced Revit Training at CADD Centers, and attended several sponsored Revit User Forums. This training class utilized the more complex tool sets found in Revit, as well as providing experience with the rendering capabilities available to us within the software. In no time models were being rendered and solutions tested.
Revit has brought a sense of intrigue to Architecture again by becoming more and more comfortable with the understanding that we are working in the virtual environment in much the same way the structure will need to be understood in the real world. This kind of mirrored relationship forces a tighter understanding that our drawings reflect real world methods of construction.
The third party Green Building Studio has allowed PAG stand out from an already distinguished group of early adopters. This capability allows us to seriously undertake the task of sustainable design with far greater accuracy and with far reaching support from Green Building manufacturers.
PAG realized early on that this would be a learning experience for everyone involved, and that the relationship would need to be tempered with patience and support, and that this would be the measure by which to rate our successes. PAG has become part of a movement which elevates the profession and extends our reach as architects. With the continued support of CADD Centers, and the Revit community at large we hope to continue to not only grow our expertise but to help forge the future direction of BIM technology.
Thank you,
Charles Wilrycx
Software Coordinator/Project Management
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