Paul Grimston
There is no arguing the fact that Revit is a complex piece of software to use. But Architectural projects are complex too, with many different requirements through the stages of their design. If Revit were simple, chances are it would not be able to meet the requirements of an architecture project.
If we consider the different stages a design may go through, starting at feasibility and producing simple block models and areas, to developing an initial scheme for planning. The iterations and options that need to be produced, along with accommodation and area schedules for each option, as well as presenting the scheme through 2D drawings and 3D visuals, involves a lot of effort and coordination from the designers.
Taking the successful scheme through to construction then involves adding enormous amounts of detail to the model, as well as creating 2D construction details. Add in collaborating with external consultants and contractors, working to OS Coordinates, adding data to the model to create schedules for rooms, equipment, finishes, and more.
Managing the numerous sheets required for all the drawings, keeping track of revisions, generating photorealistic renderings. There is a long list of tasks that we require our CAD software to perform, and Revit does make a good fist at coping with it all, however, we need to know how to use the features to get the most from Revit.
The question is, how do you learn all the functionality of this complex program to enable you to take advantage of it and work as efficiently as possible? Struggling to carry out a task, learning from mistakes and not being sure if there is a better way to do something, will not give you the confidence you need to work efficiently.
It is universally agreed that attending a Revit Architecture Fundamentals training course is the best way to kick-start your learning journey with Revit. They are carefully structured to give you the essential skills you need to begin using Revit. You will gain an understanding of Revit workflow of models, views, annotation, information, and sheets. You will learn the quirks of the interface, editing tools, and getting a great introduction in how to create a project in Revit.
But we can only absorb so much knowledge before reaching saturation, and if we do not practice what we have learnt soon after the training, the knowledge fades away. Hence the fundamentals course deliberately does not go into lots of detail, its aim is to give you enough knowledge to be confident to start using Revit and to build on the skills you’ve learnt. Any more than this and it would detract from the aim of learning the basics.
Completing the Fundamentals course should not be seen as the end of your training, but the beginning of your learning. Make sure you continue building on those skills to get you to the next level.
While you may have no desire to become a Revit expert like our training consultants, you will need that intermediate level of training to ensure you can take full advantage of Revit’s capabilities on your projects.
Without further training you will waste a lot of time searching for the best way to carry out a particular task. You will spend countless hours looking at forums and videos online searching for the answer, or waste hours trying it one way, only to realise it doesn’t quite work that way and you need to redo it a different way. This all goes hand in hand with frustration and stress as project deadlines approach.
There are a number of courses covering different aspects of Revit once you get through the fundamentals. Whether you need to collaborate efficiently with external consultants using shared coordinates, create your own bespoke families, produce construction details, create early-stage conceptual models, or produce great renderings.
Taking a training course covering a specific area will give you the insight you need. The majority of these courses are only 1 day long and will drill down into the detail required to master the skills in a short space of time. The cost of the course will be easily offset by the increase in productivity and reduction of stress, giving you the confidence that you can meet deadlines and have the time to perfect the design rather than struggle with the tools.
So, if you are just starting your Revit learning journey, or if you have been battling to achieve something that should not be that difficult, look at the intermediate courses that follow on from the fundamentals. Learn the skills you need to progress in the most efficient way from our hugely experienced training consultants and save yourself from the lost time and frustration of endless searching for the solution to your Revit questions.
