Making AutoCAD work like Revit

[benboggs2053]

Couple of things:  Why doesn't CAD work like Revit in that it has a central file?  Would help eliminate the multiple xrefs all referencing one another.  Also why doesn't Autocad have automatic keynote function like Revit?  It would be awesome if we could sheet note out a page, insert a new sheet note and then the whole sheet renumbers as needed.  IF CAD has this - where is it?  I have searched and searched and cannot find where CAD has this.  I see where Autocad Architectural does - but what about CAD and C3D?

[beyoungjr · Accepted solution]

Hi,

AutoCAD is not Revit!  That said, please understand that AutoCAD has several "flavors" so to speak.

Plain AutoCAD (vanilla) is just that.  It is a great CAD tool without an underlying database to manage the evolution of a project.  It is time-tested and provides great functionality for its audience.

As you progress through the vertical products, termed "Toolsets" these days, which are built atop of AutoCAD you get more functionality.  AutoCAD Architecture is a targeted toolset as is AutoCAD MEP, Civil3D, and more.

Understand that the new model for AutoCAD, subscription only for 2019 and forward, gives access to almost all of the toolsets.  Paying for subscription allows installation and use of any toolset >see here<.

If you need Revit then by all means subscribe to that product but if the present toolsets function to your needs then pick the right one.

Avoid bashing the base product simply because you need the vertical product.  That is why the additional functionality is built onto plain AutoCAD.

[pendean]

You are comparing apples to raisins 🙂

DO you need to be using AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE or AutoCAD MEP or other variants instead of just plain AutoCAD that has no specialty tools?

C3D forum is over here if you want to ask those fellow users https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d/ct-p/4003

[benboggs2053]

I wasn't bashing the products??!!!  I was simply asking a question if CAD has these functions and I wasn't aware....Good grief....

[beyoungjr]

It's cool my friend.

Just trying to emphasize what you seemed a little aware of but asked for more out of the lesser product.  Maybe "bashing" was harsh so sorry to offend.

I do hope that my info helped you see the product levels and targets.

Cheers,

Blaine

[benboggs2053]

It's fine. Maybe I could have worded the title better....I was simply trying to figure out how to make my CAD work smarter. Revit has some cool features - but it's built for architecture......I do site work. Yes I have used Civil 3D before - and I am thinking of going back to it.....but was trying to figure out if CAD had similar options. I really like the Automation in Revit...... I was not even aware there was AutoCAD Architecture until a few days ago.

[beyoungjr]

Not sure if it would be effective for your work but you could work with both Civil3D and Revit.  It would be a shame to retreat from Revit if you already have a handle on it.

Search "civil in revit" on Goggle and you will find many links to inter-operability between the two.  Some on topo maps and some on infrastructure.

[beyoungjr]

BTW... there are forums for both products here on AKN as well so maybe there would be some inter-operability discussions over there.

The discussions get much more targeted past this plain AutoCAD forum but this one is often the launch point for many users.

[RobDraw]

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@benboggs2053 wrote:

Why doesn't CAD work like Revit in that it has a central file? 

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It's probably not possible to add that functionality to it. AutoCAD has been around for a very long time and has been through many iterations and despite the many requests for it, it has never been added.

[pendean]

AutoCAD ARCHITECTURE is the version you need to be using, not plain AutoCAD, for Architecture, read all about it here https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/included-toolsets/autocad-architecture

Or Civil3D, not plain AutoCAD, if you already have it and are familiar with it.

HTH

[beyoungjr]

Hi again,

One last note... Visit the Autodesk Civil Engineering Community Center to investigate potential solutions to see if some of the content there can help you.

This webinar reminder from December just arrived in my email this morning and I thought you might want to have as look.

Cheers,

Blaine