Modern construction design involves a process of constant change and revision. The reach and accuracy of software tools that enable these revisions is part of the technical foundation of the industry. With 3D architectural modelling increasingly adding more depth to construction procedures, use of Revit Architecture for architectural services is quickly becoming a preferred software option.
A BIM (building information modelling) software, Autodesk’s Revit enables the design of a building, its structure and its components in 3D. Notes, parameters, comments or explanations can be added to the 3D model and also the 2D drawings and building information from the model’s database can be accessed. Revit is thought to be an abbreviation of ‘Revise It’. It enables the designing and documentation of architectural elements and structures with 3D modelling of geometric, non-geometric and construction information. Revit’s special features include processes where components, views, notes and comments are integrated seamlessly, so that any modification, addition or deletion would automatically update those changes throughout the model. This association between components is a key advantage of Revit.
In Revit Architecture, models of entire buildings can be worked on in the project environment or individual 3D components can be worked on in the family editor environment. Tools in Revit can be useful in designing prefabricated units/objects or imported geometric models.
Models can appear quite realistic with Revit’s rendering engine and renders can be produced quickly. This can be done with a prefabricated model of walls, floors or tools or by making one’s own models, walls and materials. With ‘generic’ material, the rotation, size, brightness, and intensity of textures, gloss maps, transparency maps, reflection maps, oblique reflection maps, hole maps, and bump maps can all be defined and modified as and when required.
Additionally, Revit can enable design, collaboration between disciplines and visualisation during each stage of the process. Building components can be used to design models. Revit tools can analyse and simulate structures, and documentation can be generated from these models.
Collaboration is enabled by Revit so that multiple project stakeholders can work on central shared models, hosted on cloud servers, created with high-definition 3D visuals, and thus, design can be communicated easily and accurately.
Revit architectural 3D modelling services enable a host of activities beneficial to the architectural and construction industries, as listed below:
A Glossary of Benefits:
Multi-discipline BIM Platform: Revit can be used to create BIM, an integrated platform that enables inter-disciplinary and inter-service collaboration, reducing data translation errors and streamlining the design process.
Coordination: Revit enables coordination between members of an extended project team in multiple locations. It imports, exports and links information.
For Architects: Revit travels through all the architectural stages, from conceptual design to construction documentation.
For Structural Engineers: Design-specific tools for structures are utilised by Revit to construct structural models integrated with other building components.
For MEP Engineers: MEP systems can be created with improved accuracy and more detailed coordination between architectural and structural components.
For Construction Professionals: The viability and design intent of the structure can be assessed. Materials, their quantity and quality, can be monitored by Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) professionals.
Why Revit Is Popular:
Well there are many reasons, the main reason is that it is a purpose-built building design programme. Some of the more popular reasons for its popularity include:
• Viewing future homes: Home designers can quickly sketch a layout of floor plans and even edit the design. Future homes can be viewed in advance and changes can be carried out accordingly.
• Easy to change: In the design and planning phase, there is always a likelihood of making numerous changes in structure and floor plans. With Revit modelling BIM software, these are done easily, automatically and accurately.
• Storing data: Revit offers a set of parametric components. This makes it easy to change design components. These parametric components can be stored or used as a reference for other projects.
• Creating high-quality construction documentation: Revit modelling software uses 3D technology which allows 3D models and plans, sections and schedules to be linked to the base 3D model, enabling accurate construction documents.
• Costing of project: With Revit, a builder can generate automatic bills of quantities. Also, since all changes, say from light fixtures to pipes, are associative and differences in expenses can be monitored as a result, it becomes an effective cost-control measure.
Revit embodies scope for further capabilities with Collaboration for Revit (C4R). What C4R does essentially is connect teams. C4R helps project teams from different disciplines, locations, or companies work together in the cloud, with centralised access to Revit models. This lets everyone in the team/s participate in the BIM process.
Therefore, Revit is not just a simple desktop-based client software. Revit is about connecting people, information and processes. With each new version, Revit reinvents itself and revitalises business processes, allowing users to work more flexibly with a design and, if the need arises, ‘REVise IT’ instantly and progress the design to the next phase.
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