SU “curves” display all their facets in Revit It makes an effort of importing SU “solids” as solid geometry. In Revit face geometry can be used mainly for reference. Models can be passed from one to the other only through IFC files, with some lost functionality in either direction.īoth can import SketchUp files (not the latest version v.8 is safest). Revit is a subscription only service, $2200/year+VAT (if you need other Autodesk software, a little more gives you a suite of them)Īrchicad has a purchase price (in our parts 6000€+VAT) and 880€+VAT/year for maintenance subscription Parametric objects require the use of GDL. Parameters can be added graphicallyĪrchicad components (“objects”) are either autogenerated from selected model geometry or generated by a script written in the GDL language. Revit components are created in a modelling environment. Revit is an integrated package with architectural, structural and MEP tools Revit is based on solid geometry generated by 3D and 2D drawing tools and operations.Īrchicad uses face geometry generated similarly. Revit is based quite strictly on a hierarchy of building elementsĪrchicad has a more loose model organization, partly layers familiar to those coming from CAD, partly on element naming. Some call it simplistic.Īrchicad has a proliferation of windows, toolbars, popup windows etc accumulated through its long existence, rather like something like Blender, with some important settings well hidden. Revit is simple, basically a row of icon tabs plus a properties window and a project content browser. I regularly use both, and I think that an unambiguous winner cannot be found. It also means more work to figure out your own working method.Ī programmer friend of mine some years ago made a comparison between Pascal and C++ which I could steal to compare BIM and SketchUp: With BIM you’re constantly asking, “Please let me do this, please let me do this?” while in SketchUp you’re constantly saying, “Ooops! I’m sorry I did that.” But at least it let me. SketchUp, on the other hand, is a general modeler that gives you the freedom to do whatever you like. If that isn’t exactly the way you like to think or do your job, too bad. The main thing is this: BIM software is some software engineer’s interpretation of how an architect does his job, and it’s rigidly built into the application. Once and a while, I’ve gone to presentations on ArchiCAD updates, and I have to say it has improved. In 2003, I picked up ArchiCAD and SketchUp and was experimenting with both, and, after a few years, dropped ArchiCAD altogether in favor SketchUp. ArchiCAD appeared on the scene right on the heels of Architrion, but it has survived to today. My first foray into BIM was with Architrion in the late 1980’s when I was trained to be a trainer, but by 1990~91 I gave up on it as not ready for real world projects. I think it would be better to pitch SketchUp as the choice for the star designer the student who stands out as the best designer in the class, and wants software with the greatest flexibility and design freedom that will carry through a career, not just a job. Sorry to say, but students learn REVIT primarily for the prospect of getting hired out of school, despite the fact that SketchUp’s advertising campaign is currently trying to make that claim. That’s not saying much about powers of design creativity. REVIT is most credited for helping to work out construction details with features like clash detection between structural and mechanical elements. General impressions: REVIT is the preference of large firms doing big projects, while ArchiCAD appeals to small to medium sized firms. In more recent years, I would say the use of REVIT among them has grown, and SU shrunk a little, and I’ve seen better design work done in REVIT, so I can’t say it’s such a striking contrast anymore. Several years ago, I would say it was quite consistent that the more creative designs were done in SketchUp (I could usually tell SU output before even asking), while the work done by by students in REVIT were, well, rather uninspired designs. Over the course of several years sitting on Masters of Architecture thesis juries, I often asked what software the students used. I’m not a current user of either program, so I can’t directly answer this, but I can make a few comments and throw SketchUp into the mix.
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