AutoCAD or Revit? Which one do you need?
Natasha Buswell, Revit Technician – April 25, 2023
When it comes to AutoCAD and Revit – there’s no head to head competition as they are fundamentally very different. They are both used by architects, engineers and contractors to generate or track a set of construction documents, but it’s important to understand their differences when considering which best meets your needs. It’s also important to understand that they are interoperable and can be used together.
Introducing AutoCAD
The biggest difference is that AutoCAD is CAD software (CAD stands for Computer Aided Design) and Revit is a Building Information Modelling (BIM) software. Both are owned by AutoDesk. AutoCAD enables the ability to draw 2D lines that represent real elements of a building. It replaced the old method of drawing on paper by hand and revolutionised the world for architects and engineers when it was first introduced in the 1980’s. It is predominantly used for 2D draughting – representing buildings based on their geometry with no component information attached or included. It is also used for 3D modelling and 3D line work – for example the creation of 3D topographical surveys.
Introducing Revit
Revit was developed in 1997 and acquired by Autodesk in 2002 with the aim of adding further dimensions to the AEC process. It’s a full design and documentation solution that supports all the RIBA phases and disciplines of a building project through a model that includes all the data related to the surveying, design, planning, construction and operation of a building. Revisions only need to be made to a model because Revit automatically updates all views and sheets, diminishing the need to update each drawing individually.
Which do I need? AutoCAD or Revit?
Whether you need AutoCAD, Revit or both, ultimately depends on what you need to achieve. If you have a large building project with multiple parties contributing and collaborating, and with multiple phases, then it would be sensible to consider a Scan to BIM solution, as Revit allows for each interoperability and collaboration. For example, if you have an office building that’s being renovated, then we would scan it and model it in Revit, pulling in any 2D drawings. The Revit model could then be used to generate BIM deliverables and enables collaboration between all parties engaged on the project.
Rescanning your asset, or in the case of our example, the office renovation, has many advantages. For example, if we rescan it post strip-out the model can be use for fit-out verification. Similarly, once fit-out is complete, creating an up-to-date model of the office provides a comprehensive model that can be used for asset management and maintenance purposes.
The information can stay within the model, or it can be exported to a universally formatted spreadsheet (COBie) that can be imported into most asset management platforms. The biggest advantage here, is that if a piece of information needs to be changed, it only needs changing once within the Revit model, and all exports can be automatically updated from this one change.
CAD comes with limitations on what can be draughted as it is purely geometry. CAD doesn’t recognise the difference between a door and a wall for example. They’re just lines to be interpreted.
The good news is, if you choose to go the AutoCAD route, but change your mind and require a Revit model of your built asset, the CAD drawings can be converted into a Revit model. This just requires processing and modelling time. Conversely, extracting AutoCAD drawings from a Revit model takes very little time.
So, as you can see, it’s not a case or question of which is better? It’s a case of which is best suited for what you need to achieve. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to manage a larger project, Revit is the tool that you need. However, if your project is less complex, or too unique for Revit’s categoric limitations, and does not require regularly updating, then it’s likely that AutoCAD drawings will do the job.
If you’d like to discuss a construction project and learn more about our AutoCAD and Revit capabilities, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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