Revit vs Vectorworks

[charlotte.van.de.ven]

Good afternoon, could an expert please give me a clear and simple overview of the differences between Revit and Vectorworks, and the benefits of buying Revit instead of Vectorworks? Cheers! 

[andrea.kikuchi]

Hi @charlotte.van.de.ven, 

Thanks for your question; I'd be happy to go through the benefits of Revit over VW for you. First, can you tell me a little bit about what kind of work you do, and what you are looking to accomplish with the software?

[charlotte.van.de.ven]

A Dutch customer of mine, Teken en Adviesbureau Zijlstra - TAZ, want to use it to draw private homes in 3D. He is now using Vectorworks to draw in 2D and wants to know what advantaged Revit has over Vectorworks 3D. Just the standard benefits like spead, functionalities, price etc. How can I convince them to choose us! 

[andrea.kikuchi]

Here are some major benefits of Revit over VW; others should feel free to add to this list.

• BIM capabilities are more advanced in Revit - utilizing the parameters to make "smart" objects
• Revit is capable of Collaboration via cloud network without the need for intermediary files (IFC) 
• Changes in Revit among views/schedules/sheets/elements are all performed at the same time, eliminating the need for manual checks for coordination
• The Revit interface is more user friendly and geared towards the needs of Architects
• This link provides information on pricing, including the subscription for which you can pay monthly. You can also consider Revit LT for smaller projects in which worksharing is not needed

[dgorsman]

All of the advanced features in Revit require the user to be properly trained, either self-trained or in a classroom.  A change in mindset is also helpful.  Most who approach the program as "just another drafting tool" and/or "it will do all the work for me" end up with substantial problems.  You won't get it 100% right the first time (or two, or three), be prepared to incrementally learn where the program will benefit you and where you need to take care.

You should also take into consideration what deliverables are needed.  If they require IFC/BIM or genuine Revit content, great; if they require something like 2D DWG files, not so much.

Revit is highly version dependent - everyone working on the same project must be on the same version.  Projects are forward-compatible only ie. a project started on Revit 2016 that is migrated to Revit 2017 cannot be "downsaved" back to the 2016 version.

[RDAOU]

@charlotte.van.de.ven

While it is true that using Revit one can do more than what is possible in VW; it remains a RELATIVE fact that it all depends on what one needs to do the first place. Lots of the catchy features could be useless if one isn't really using them (or need them to start with)

What @dgorsman mentioned is a bit closer to reality than just listening some goodies which one can get out of Revit. Your client will have a rough road up ahead and while the User interface might be user friendly (arguable) the learning curve is quite long and not easy till one can get things right. 

Price wise...well there is no comparison ...Revit is more expensive both on the long run as well as the short if one considers the investment one  needs to make in training the team to use the software, the added apps and add-ins to achieve one's country standards...among other minor things here and there which no one mentions in the promotion but do add up at the end of the day. I would refer you to threads on cost non-effectiveness but every time one of those threads comes up they move it that one either loses interest or lose track:)

if it is only 3D they are after; do not play Russian Roulette..there are more price effective, faster and more efficient ways to do that including VW 3D

[mikeshick]

@RDAOU, what factors would you state are relevant for one choosing revit. In my case, we've been using Architecture for 20 years.  The modeling is horrible compared to today's standards from a presentation view.  However, the bulk of our work is not presenting models, it's providing structural engineering for residence, which contains largely 2d annotation, with a model as background.  However, in our architectural projects, it's difficult to find what we need to make them presentable.  Any considerations you recommend for making a jump to another platform?

[Anonymous]

Hello:

I think it is only taste matters.

I use VectorWorks in BIM since 2006. And you may be sure experience matters.

Working with other colleges that use REVIT, I spend an incredibly less time than them. VectorWorks is very easy to use and compliant with a lot other CAD files and have better solutions to presentations.

You may see my work in www.arqvision.cl

All renders are made with VectorWorks only.

Regards

[alexlj]

I know it's an old post but I would like to chip in my experience because i have used both at work and this is the top search result on google.

In short, Revit is much smarter than vectorworks and vectorworks handels 2D lineworks better.

I found the older architects like vectorworks because it's similar to what they have been doing in the old days. they use it pretty much like autocad. they line up plans, secitons and elevations on the same design layer, just like a working on a drafting table but with computer instead of technical pencils

I did work for a larger firm using vectorworks to do full blown large buildings in 3D bIM but i found vectorworks is far behind on that field. Revit is so much smarter with a sketch - refine workflow. Everything is 3D and easy to adjust. it often gets frustrated with Vectorworks 

on the upside vectorworks' line drawing looks better. and the clay render looks pleasing. 

[youharbin]

I am an architect. 

I find Vectorworks easy to learn and use.

My conclusion is:

Vectorworks is suitable for architects to do creative works like making concepts to design drawing from 0 to 1;

Revit is suitable for drafts persons to do construction drawings from 1 to n.