OK, let me get good word in for Revit. My projects are mostly custom residences with some commercial.
Current wisdom seems to be that BIM and Revit in particular are overkill for residential projects. Nothing is further from the truth. I began my career on the boards when " high tech" meant a Mayline parallel bar and an electric eraser. My dream then was for a quick way to model alternate massing and roof layouts. AutoCAD speeded things up a bit but it was of little use for three dimensional modeling. I moved to Auto Architect and then Architectural Desktop. Things were certainly getting better but I had to think more like a geek than an architect. When I jumped to Revit, I found the modeler that I had been looking for as well as the documentation software that would make my life lots easier and my time more productive.
With Revit, I can quickly lay out massing alternatives on a client's site using an imported site plan or Revit mapping. I can easily perform energy analyses on alternate massing forms and use the sun path utility to select a preferred orientation and investigate passive solar strategies. What part of this is not applicable to residential architecture? I can also use massing elements to lay out conceptual space/room arrangements then quickly convert mass elements to three dimensional building components to better communicate design ideas with the client. Lastly, I can create a set of highly accurate, well detailed and fully coordinated set of construction documents. Clients love me because I can easily express their wishes in a manner that they can readily understand. Contractors love me because I have a great set of construction documents and provide "freebie" material schedules that help with their estimating. Once again, what part of this is not applicable to residential architecture?
I admit that the price of Revit is expensive but I feel it is well worth it and my annual subscription costs are lower than the rates that I have seen quoted on this forum. In addition, I have pretty much done away with the need for Sketchup so I no longer have to upgrade that program. I have tried Archicad and found it to be a great program. I settled on Revit though because I found it to more robust and is rapidly becoming the standard for the AE world. In fact, both my PME and structural engineers are now using Revit and I can easily link their Revit models to mine. Revit even lets me now when something in their files has changed since the last link update. Lastly, many manufacturers are now providing parametric Revit files for their products which is a real time saver.
No matter which BIM program you use, I strongly urge getting away from the hybrid 2D/3D approach and fully model any elements that are going to be viewed in 3D, sectional or elevational views as well as plan views or need to be scheduled. Yes, it takes time to get going but you will build an extensive library of parametric parts that can be used over and over and you will find more time available for actual design.
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Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
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Show Original Message
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2012 07:45
From: Edward Shannon
Subject: Partner or Parasite: how do you feel about your software?
Here are a couple of posts from previous discussions that talk about some of my experiences with Soft Plan. Both of these responses were asked in the context of "Revit for residential projects". My point is not necessarily to endorse SP or trash Revit, but to encourage architects - especially small residential firms - to shop around before committing to a program. Don't just pick a program blindly because it you have been told it is the "industry leader".
Here's the first one....
I operate a one-person practice. Seven years ago I ditched AutoCad for SoftPlan. It took me six weeks to get up and running on SP. After six months I felt I knew the program better than Acad, which I had been using for about 10 years.
SP is relatively affordable, and comes ready to use out of the box. The tech support (that comes with the product) is fantastic! They have a very affordable price structure for additional seats too.
Five years ago I went back to work for a residential design/build company that had purchased Revit. In the three years i was there, we could not get fully up and running on it. We felt there was too much "programming" that needed to be done to get it functional for residential design. At the time, Revit didn't even have major window mfr. libraries. I understand they have come a long way since. and, I applaud you small firms that have been able to implement Revit in your practices.
SP and Chief are a lot alike. I have heard that Chief is better for 3D and SP is stronger in it's CD capacity. If you are doing single family homes, it is highly unlikely that you will need a program that is compatible with your consultants.
I urge and small practitioner to shop around and demo as many programs as you can. Take into account the price structure. Even at $2,400.00, SP is a big investment for a small firm, Revit even more so. Don't buy a program blindly, because you have been told it is the industry leader. Choose the program that is the best fit for you.
And another one....
I am a sole practitioner doing small residential projects. Six years ago I dumped my Autocad LT and switched to Softplan. It took me about six weeks to get up and running on SP. After about 6 months of SP, I felt I knew the program better - and was more comfortable than Acad LT, which I had used for about 10 years. I personally know of three small residential firms who purchased Revit, have had it for 4 or 5 years and cannot transition over. Simply put, While Revit is a more diverse program that SP, Revit requires too much customization and is not "Residential Friendly". If you have a dedicated CAD manager, who can spend his or her days creating "families", then Revit is for you. If you're a small or sole practice, you don't want to eat up the billable hours (of your already small design fees) programming your BIM program. I can remember three years ago when Revit did not have Marvin Windows available in its model libraries, while Soft Plan, Chief, Archi-Cad, Vector works and others did. Major mfr's like Marvin come standard on SP and Chief. You can used these programs "out of the box" and customize as need be. Revit claims to be "Residential Friendly" yet the tutorial that comes with the program is a (stunning!) Eurobox home with masonry bearing walls, curtain walls, mono-pitch shed roof, etc. It is not a typical residential project that a typical residential firm would undertake, but more of a Bill Gates' guest house.
I now teach at a community college. We teach Soft Plan for Residential (during the first year) and will be teaching Revit for commercial design during the second year. Revit is an excellent program for commercial design, in my opinion.
It saddens me to see so many small firms blindly buying into Revit - because it's the "industry leader". Shop around. Look at pricing as well as customer support (SP has free telephone support during normal business hours) Pick the program that is a good fit for you
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Edward Shannon AIA
Waterloo IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2012 08:27
From: Les McCormick
Subject: Partner or Parasite: how do you feel about your software?
for me this is an appropriate and timely discussion. i have used autocad for years and have always been disappointed with it for architectural use and have found the company not anywhere close to user friendly. most of my work is residential and small scale commercial/mixed use and i've been researching programs more suitable, multi-functional, BIM oriented, economical and with a user friendly product supplier. the 2 major programs that have come to the fore front are chief architect and soft plan. another designer pro + has been mentioned as well. is anyone familiar with the latter? do others agree with the previous chief architect(renderings) and soft plan(cd's) comparision?
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Les McCormick
Atelier 359
Asheville NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2012 07:48
From: Edward Shannon
Subject: Partner or Parasite: how do you feel about your software?
If you are doing residential, besides Chief Architect, the other program you might consider is SoftPlan. They are similar. from what I've been told, Chief is stronger in 3D presentation, SP is stronger for CD's.
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Edward Shannon AIA
Waterloo IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2012 11:41
From: Boyce Tucker
Subject: Partner or Parasite: how do you feel about your software?
I like this discussion. I have been with Autocad since the 80's and architectural desktop since it came out. This program is complicated, difficult to use and definitely not developed for residential projects. Does any one use Chief Architect? Would it be a good alternative for custom homes in the 9,000 sf to 12,000 sf range?
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Boyce Tucker AIA
Architect
Boyce Tucker Architect
Boerne TX
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