Revit vs. ArchiCad

[Anonymous]

I have been using Archicad for years and strongly considering switching to Revit. In my research, they appear to be pretty similar. Does anyone know how similar they are and how much training would be required to get up to speed on revit? 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice!

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[Anonymous]

I switched from ArchiCAD to Revit (job change) and I find Revit to be rigid, especially for design purposes.

1. Revit Detail regions are extremely rigid. Having to click on edit boundary to make the smallest change is frustrating. ArchiCAD Fills are much easier to work with, very dynamic. They act a lot more like Adobe Illustrator shapes.

2. Text editing in Revit is almost non-existent. There is no control of Kerning (spacing between letters). Editing text in Revit is painful. ArchiCAD allows control of Kerning.

Those are just two examples off the top of my head as to how Revit is rigid.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing!

[GFaustin]

ArchiCAD is far superior for architecture the true sense of architecture is still have a software that is able for you to use it a dynamic more organic way.

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the advice!

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the advice!

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[Anonymous]

After using Archicad for a year, I’m coming back with Revit. I can’t stand anymore the stack order issues (send to back, bring to front). Hello, Graphisoft, it’s a 3D software, for God’s sake! And what about no having 2d fill in beams? Does any AC user like this kind of issues?

It’s a pity. The 3D is really good and you can edit stuffs quickly in 3D mode, but the other features are poor. You don’t have full control of parametric objects in AC like in Revit. AC is pretty similar to SketchUp, with great 3D, but the full BIM you’ll can just achieve with Revit. 

[Anonymous]

Legend!

[Anonymous]

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@GFaustin wrote:

keep using both.

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Legend!

[afshin.bariMP9G6]

I've been using Revit for years, but have always been a Mac user. My architectural employer uses Revit, but if i had a very good, and compelling reason to switch, the office wouldn't question it. 

Unfortunately the two major obstacles are, as others have pointed out, employment requirement, and collaboration with others....

[martijn_pater]

Hi, I'm using both Archicad and Revit. Interoperability for Revit with other software is much better, but also to and from Archicad it's not so great although I do appreciate the track changes functionality similar to copymonitoring. I find Revit to be more precise however, but that might just be my own workflow there. If you want to create customizable window family i.e. Revit has my preference aswell. Stair funcionality for Archicad, I guess that scores some points... 🙂 Although Revit does have all the flexibility to you need to 'make anything'.

ps. I'm running both on Mac using parralels.

[Anonymous]

We ( https://www.team4bim.com/ ) are using both Archicad and Revit. We are using both because our clients that we are providing BIM modeling, drafting services use both of these BIM programs. Small architectural practices more often use Archicad, because it is cheaper and licensing policy is much friendlier to user, and big companies or manufacturing companies use Revit. As it gets to our own projects we use Archicad because of these main reasons:

- better cooperation with IFC files

- cheaper

- friendlier licence agreement ( you can use version that you have bought, no need to buy new version every  year )

- better hardware usage ( Revit needs more powerful hardware than Archicad )

[helenstar093]

If you are familiar with Archicad, you will notice that Revit is similar in terms of its fundamental BIM capabilities. However, the ways in which you work and interact with the software can vary significantly between the two platforms. Revit offers a more formula-driven and organized approach, particularly when designing families and integrating mechanical, electrical. You can anticipate a manageable ramp-up period: with dedicated practice, you'll be able to achieve proficiency within a month or so, although fully grasping the more complex features may require several months of experience. Having a background in BIM will be beneficial, but you should be ready to let go of some old habits and adjust to new ways of working. It is strongly advised to participate in practical training or enroll in a basic Revit course.

[HVAC-Novice]

if you should switch depends on:

- your need to collaborate

- your design needs. and even the needs of sub-consultants (i.e. MEP)

- what features you miss in ArchiCAD and what are you missing that Revit has? 

- what add-ins will you need and are available compared to what you use now? 

- what are your future needs? 

Obviously a lot of people here will favor Revit. I never used ArchiCAD. But my first complaint would be lack of collaboration and MEP (I'm an engineer). But your situation may differ. 

A lot also depends on what everyone else does (Windows isn't the best OS, but most professional software is compatible)

Someone above mentioned Revit not being at an exhibition. They don't need to, because they are used on almost every project already. Microsoft never goes to an exhibition to show us Windows and Excel, because everyone already uses that. 

Some things in Revit will appear harder. But there also are more opportunities. You will never end learning since Revit is extremely flexible and you can do a lot of things Autodesk never intended. Your fantasy is the limit!

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.