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Message 1 of 133
sbsaint
16657 Views, 132 Replies

I hate Revit

Ive been required to learn Revit, Ive been at it for 6 months now, I started on a trial version of 2009 then my company purchased 2010 and they changed so much in the two releases that I had to learn where everything was all over again, many for the worst. I find myself using other programs to model components in order to avoid the labourious and impractical procedures in Revit.

Using Revit to draft and model is like driving a car using a boatload of of push buttons rather than a steering wheel.

Ive been using 3D programs since 1995, starting with FormZ and have been using AutoCad since 2000. I think that Revit is a terrible modeler and a mediocre drafting tool. I admit that it does alot, but I have to jump through the hoops and mindset of a team of programmers who think this is the practical approach of what creating architecture should be, If this is a program that screams design, then Id rather go back to a leadholder and a Mayline. The program is NOT intuitive, and instead of me VISUALLY creating a building component with numerical parameters, Revit seems to operate in the reverse manner. Im constantly battling the Revit Gustapo dialog box that says something to the effect that my model is an illegal operation. Ever try to do a 2 path sweep? FormZ had this nailed 15 years ago, and I could easily draw any profile and the computer would do the calculations for me. Revit seems to make you work harder and not the other way around.

The interface sucks, edit parameter controls buried deep within two to three dialogue boxes. The steering wheel is a joke. Why would you make a virtual controller to replace something that your mouse already does? Its like going back to the time before they invented the joystick, and Im using the keyboard to play pac-man.

My bottom line, Revit is a chore to use, It doesnt think for you, it makes you do all the thinking. Its not fun to use at all, and it takes the wind out of your sails when trying to come up with concept designs, and has me scrambling to find a pencil. Edited by: sbsaint on Mar 24, 2010 10:53 PM
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132 REPLIES 132
Message 61 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

Thanks!

On 4/7/2010 1:29 PM, paul.ashley@us.mcd.com wrote:
> So as not to hijack the thread, I sent you an email.
Message 62 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

Hey! No whispering. Didn't your mother teach you that's rude. 😉

I'd like to know also as we are starting to jump on BIM and most of our work
consists of Hospital renovations.

wrote in message
news:6368882@discussion.autodesk.com...
> So as not to hijack the thread, I sent you an email.
Message 63 of 133
paul.ashley
in reply to: sbsaint

Was sort of a long post not really relating to "I Hate Revit".. Email me and I can copy you.
Message 64 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

We can put it in a Wave...
Or start a new thread...
.-)

On 4/7/2010 2:49 PM, paul.ashley@us.mcd.com wrote:
> Was sort of a long post not really relating to "I Hate Revit".. Email me and I can copy you.
>

--
Anthony Mason
http://dailyoccurrence.wordpress.com/
Message 65 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

gee... if only you knew someone who knew a lot about hospitals and (a
little about) bim... and was willing to telecommute...

On 4/7/2010 4:40 PM, Ric Hammond wrote:
> Hey! No whispering. Didn't your mother teach you that's rude. 😉
>
> I'd like to know also as we are starting to jump on BIM and most of our work
> consists of Hospital renovations.
>
> wrote in message
> news:6368882@discussion.autodesk.com...
>> So as not to hijack the thread, I sent you an email.
Message 66 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

winner must be present to claim prize. 🙂

"Wanderer" wrote in message
news:6369414@discussion.autodesk.com...
> gee... if only you knew someone who knew a lot about hospitals and (a
> little about) bim... and was willing to telecommute...
>
> On 4/7/2010 4:40 PM, Ric Hammond wrote:
>> Hey! No whispering. Didn't your mother teach you that's rude. 😉
>>
>> I'd like to know also as we are starting to jump on BIM and most of our
>> work
>> consists of Hospital renovations.
>>
>> wrote in message
>> news:6368882@discussion.autodesk.com...
>>> So as not to hijack the thread, I sent you an email.
Message 67 of 133
Anonymous
in reply to: sbsaint

😕 one day you'll cave, my friend... one day...

On 4/8/2010 10:23 AM, Ric Hammond wrote:
> winner must be present to claim prize. 🙂
>
Message 68 of 133
Kayrondad
in reply to: sbsaint

i agree!  HATE REVIT!! and carpal tunnel from using a mouse and keyboard is hog wash!!  just sayin.

Message 69 of 133
sbsaint
in reply to: cparvez

I agree.

Until buildings are made from CNC machines whats the big deal?  you still have to draw and edit and redraw and reedit, my right hand hurts even more at the end of the day than it used to using ACAD, im still working the same amount of hours as I did with autocad, and Im still not having any fun with this program.  

Message 70 of 133
sbsaint
in reply to: Anonymous

There are 
currently organizations requiring that a model be provided to them at the 
end of the project in an as-built form. As of July 2009, Wisconsin requires 
that BIM be used on most state projects and that a final model be provided 
to them. They allow a few different BIM software packages, but AutoCAD 
Architecture and AutoCAD MEP are not in the allowable list.


Texas now requires that state projects use BIM technology and only allows 
the Revit line of products

 

How unfortunate, Frank Lloyd Wright would be rolling over.    The Borg have taken control of the American Architecture Industry..."You Must Comply"   "Resistance is Futile!"  

 

Ill give the State of Texas a bunch dxf files and they wont even know the difference.   BIM reminds me alot of the 8-track tape movement....

 

 

Message 71 of 133
Backnblack
in reply to: sbsaint

Revit does nothing for a MEP Contractor that needs to Fabricate.

 

I'll stick with AutoCAD and Cad-MECH/DUCT. At least it's build-able.

Message 72 of 133
Matasovsky
in reply to: sbsaint

Just my 2 cents.

 

We've been LOOKING at Revit.  After looking into it and how it works, I've been able to simulate the same modeling environment w/ AutoCAD Architecture/MEP.  My multiview blocks/styles/ already have property definitions to extract information from.

 

The ONLY 2 things I've found it does better.  1.  Being able to lock things to each other so if, for example, a wall moves the casework along that wall goes with.  2.  Bidirectional Associativity.  Moving an object and seeing it AUTOMATICALLY move in another view.  Arch/MEP requires a Reload/Regenerate of views, schedules, etc...

 

Add to this the shortcomings it has on the Engineering side, it's not logical for us to switch.  Especially at an additional $2k per license.  Not saying upper management won't do it anyway, because it's the latest "buzzword" software.

Message 73 of 133
rmiller1973
in reply to: Matasovsky

@Matasovsky

 

I think you hit the nail on the head with your statement about the Engineering side. There is a movement by the Architectural side to bully everyone into using Revit. But they fail to understand that the MEP side is in it's infancy and it isn't flexible enough to allow most Engineering consultants to work effectively with all of the different software requirements they might have.

 

It is pretty sickening to see how Autodesk is pushing Revit at the detriment of the MEP community.

Message 74 of 133
jmcintyre
in reply to: Matasovsky

1.  Being able to lock things to each other so if, for example, a wall moves the casework along that wall goes with

 

Have you looked at anchors? AECANCHOR allows you to anchor one object to another.

 

2.  Bidirectional Associativity.  Moving an object and seeing it AUTOMATICALLY move in another view.  Arch/MEP requires a Reload/Regenerate of views, schedules, etc...

 

You can set schedules to auto-update. True, sections & elevations need refreshing, but if you're using project navigator this is a one-click process. You can also use viewports and live sections if you want the bi-directional, instant updating.

 

I'm not going to wade into the 'I hate this software or that', just want to add my 2 cents about 3D documentation. If it suits your workflow, then moving from 2D to 3D is definately worth it. I've been documenting in 3D for the past 10 years and going back to 2D is like drafting with one hand tied behind my back. I still use 2D for details of course, but for everything down to 1:20 I take off the model.

 

The big question is which software package do we choose? If we choose a package that is not going to be supported in the future then we waste our time (unless retirement is looming). We could debate the merits of one program over another, but in the end it comes down to industry standards. (anyone using OS2 operating system anymore, or word perfect?)

 

While I'm not using Revit at the moment, (I find autocad architecture does everything I need) I will have to remain flexible if I want to stay employed. Having to learn new software programs is a pain, as I just want to have the building finished on time and on budget, but it seems to be a necessary evil these days.

Message 75 of 133
sforsberg215
in reply to: sbsaint

From the MEP side of things . . . 

 

Revit is just bad.

 

I can teach someone with no Autocad experience to be productive in 2 days. With Revit, it will take at least 2 years to get someone to that level. With businesses moving at the speed of light these days, that kind of time period is unacceptable.

 

From the engineering side of things, Revit cannot be controlled to the level of precision I have in Cad. There is no way to create construction lines so I can locate piping, ductwork, equipment exactly 2 feet and 5/8 inches from anything. If the goal of Revit is to create installation drawings from a 3D model, this lack of precision placement of anything within an architectural model makes for one thing: pretty pictures.

 

For correct MEP modeling, Revit must be able to mimic the actual construction processes and procedures used in the field, be simpler to use, and have a much less complicated user interface.

 

As for more or better training, I follow DeCamp's law: 90 percent of everything is crap. Revit MEP training right now is 100% crap because: 1) Autodesk admits Revit is not up to speed for engineers, 2) If Revit MEP is not up to speed for engineers, who, if anyone who doesn't want to keep their competitive advantage, can provide good, solid training, which employees can pass along to each other?

 

No one should be put in a position in which they will fail and fail and fail again. If you are an M&E firm, that is the position Autodesk Revit puts you into. That's why I hate Revit.

Message 76 of 133
TheRuinner13
in reply to: sforsberg215

sforsberg215

 

I'm getting ready to try and embrace Revit. I'm thinking it might be morelike a "Polar Plunge" than a nice day at the beaach now. 🙂

 

Everyone, Might it be advantageous to start a different thread - something along the lines of "What is completely different/how to get "X" to happen/what paradigm shift will be required" to get an experienced AutoCAD user to understand Revit?

 

Tx,

Bill

 

Windows 7 Pro, HP Z400 w/Dual Acer Monitors, 24G Ram, AutoCAD 2013~2015e
Message 77 of 133
embolisim
in reply to: TheRuinner13

I love Revit!

 

I started on Revit MEP in 2008 and the learning curve was steep and painful.

 

Now I lead a team of 5 other RevitMEP users & I think it's the best thing that could have happened to me and our industry.

 

Just sayin...

 

P.S. I havent read the other 8 pages of responses to this thread.

Message 78 of 133
embolisim
in reply to: embolisim

@BackinBlack

Cad-Duct accepts Revit MEP files too.

I've done shop drawings in RevitMEP and used them to have pipe spools manufactured on the other side of the world, without any additional software.

I'm sorry to hear it doesn't work as well for you.

Message 79 of 133
Matasovsky
in reply to: sbsaint

Just something else to add to the reasons.  WTF is it w/ not being able to plot to a scale?  Surely it is possible.

Been attempting this for 2 days straight now.

 

Zoom - 100%, drawing is set for 1/16" = 1'-0", on a title block.

Preview.....NOTHING.

No ability to print from window.

"Fit to page" and "Center"...get the title block and drawing.....but it's not to scale.

Message 80 of 133
matcoq
in reply to: sbsaint

I just want to express, too, my own disgust of working on Revit. To me, it is poorly designed, illogical, counter-intuitive, frustrating, badly organized, ugly, and so on. I just can't list here all the stuff that bothers me, there's way too many.

Some things cannot be forgiven as the program is paid thousands of dollars. I feel I work on a beta program when I use Revit.

A few examples and typical situations:

- Working full screen: the little filter icon at the bottom right of the screen shows only the 3 first columns of pixels of the number of elements selected (i.e., for 26 items selected, I only see the left part of the number "2". Baaad...)

- I select an item, enter the "move" command and click to set origin and destination: the "constraint" box is RANDOMLY checked! (I tried various combinations to find the "rule" that manages that strange feature, with no success so far)

- In plan view 1, I create a section view. In plan view 2, I place a REFERENCE of that section view (i.e., a simple 2D symbol with no linked view frame). Then, if I try to move that reference (the one in plan view 2) to make it fit better in the drawing, the program takes sooooo much time to make the adjustment! Now, besides a reference to its "mother view", what is behind that 2D symbol that asks Revit to refresh the whole **** project?

- The tools interface: what the hell is that? Why are management and analytical tools (used only by certain team members, on rare occasions) BEFORE the Modify tools (used by ALL, All the time)??? The icons are as big as if they were intended for visually impaired people, you have to travel through many levels to reach what you want (no, I won't remember shortcuts for commands I rarely use) and cannot reorganise in a satisfying way (using the rapid access bar is like taking something from behind a door to put it behind another door called "fast")

- In "General Plan View", I create a section view. When I put that section view on a sheet, the reference bubble says it was taken in the "Reversed Ceiling Plan". No way to "repair" the reference.

- I do modifications inside a view, lots of them! Then, for whatever reason, the modifications are refused by Revit, AFTER I spent 15 minutes doing it!

 

That's enough complaining for today. Feels good to let it out..... I could keep it going for many more pages, though.

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