REVIT or AutoCAD for 2D drafts? 2

[Celia Sieber]

Hello,

I'm a Jr. modeler in a USA-based engineering CAD firm Silicon Engineering Consultants LLC. I'll be brief, experienced REVIT Architecture users, Do you prefer 2D drawings in AutoCAD or use REVIT for everything? What will be better if the ultimate goal is to produce only 2D shop drawings, with no intention of 3D modeling. Or should I stick to REVIT honing my skills further?

Regards.

 

[driftLimiter]

I use revit for everything. There are workflows for CAD to revit but its cumbersome and doesn't utilize the technology the way it should. You could explore 2d Detail components and annotations for options for detailing in revit. Revit is adept at making 2D plan from the 3D models.

 

[Celia Sieber]

Thanks for the reply. I too was thinking of sticking to Revit as its scope is far broader than CAD. I believe mastering Revit will be beneficial for my future career also.

 

[CDG31]

I don't think REVIT is a good software for shop drawings, I also think that 2D is dying out as 3D is taking its place. 3D is possible now since computers are much better. The reason I don't think REVIT is a good option for shop drawings is because it lacks detailing capability. I think a better software for detailing is TEKLA. I think it also depends on how big and complex the projects you work on are. If is a small house you could maybe get away with just CAD and not even REVIT. Anyways, I think you must learn REVIT and if possible TEKLA as it will help you a lot in your career.

 

[RobertHale]

Coming from a commercial structural prime consultant (read: I do not produce fabrication drawings), I use REVIT for everything. I have found there is a whole lot of "grinding the gears" when I try to shift out of REVIT and back into CAD. Additionally, the tools in REVIT for scaling and automatic detail numbering are so convenient. Even if a job is coming from an Architect as CAD. I can dump the CAD into REVIT and just draw detail lines on top of the CAD.

Robert Hale, PE, SE

 

[driftLimiter]

Yes and once you get good with revit, the 3D modeling just comes naturally. I can basically make plans and 3d model now in the same or less time than a CAD guy can draw 2d Plans.

 

[Brad805]

Revit is not good for shop dwg production. There is a reason Autocad introduced Advance to compete with Tekla. I hate 2D shops I see. It is a sign the fabricator lives in the dark ages, and wastes my time trying to check things.

 

[driftLimiter]

I can also agree that for shop drawings revit is probably not the right tool. Although integrations with Advance and their Precast module are attempting to push things forward.

 

[dbill74]

As a mechanical engineer that works with HVAC and plumbing systems I have mixed feelings about using REVIT as a design tool and creating 2D plans.
In HVAC systems it does great.
Plumbing (domestic water, drain and vent systems) it starts to come up short. The problem lies with the size and location of piping. More specifically, REVIT will locate piping exactly where is will end up in real life which doesn't always translate legibly to 2D plans. Traditionally these systems are drawn/designed diagrammatically so as to be readable when printed/plotted at 1/8" or 1/4" scales.

One of my many jobs is to review plans, 95% of the time I will have a comment stating to "make plumbing plan more legible". Isometric risers are the absolute worst offenders.

My recommendation would be to use REVIT where you can, but don't abandon your AutoCAD/2D skills.