Here’s a question I’m frequently asked.  I thought I would create a blog about it using a recent ‘Revit for Interior Designers’ email and share my reply regarding the merits of Autodesk Revit as compared to the use of other Autodesk products (Autocad and 3D Studio Max) and Trimble’s SketchUp.  These are the software applications most frequently used in the architecture and interior design world, but how does Autodesk Revit fit into the mix?
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I’m interested in taking your Revit training. I’m an interior designer using Autocad and 3DMax. I’m looking for work and it seems a lot of offices use REVIT.  Can you tell me what’s the difference between using revit and what I’m already using? (Autocad and 3DMax)
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Revit is similar to parametric modeling programs like 3ds Max, not 2D drafting programs like Autocad.  Although Autocad does include some 3D modeling tools, they are not parametric.  This means that there are menus that record all information (parameters) of a given 3D model (i.e. height of a wall and its materials to name a few).  This information can be retrieved and quickly changed without having to erase the original model.

The biggest difference is that Revit is programmed exclusively for creating buildings, therefore all of the tools create building objects (walls, windows, and doors) not generic objects (polygons, plines, rectangles) like 3ds Max, Autocad and SketchUp, etc.  Try it for yourself here: students.autodesk.com

Does Revit make renderings as realistic as 3DMax?

Revit does create some good renderings, this comes with practice like any other program, however Revit does not include many of the special effects and modifiers available in 3ds Max.  Max also has a better camera for creating perspective views.

Register yourself on the https://gallery.autodesk.com/a360rendering website and review some of the gallery samples of Revit renderings.  Once registered, you can send Revit rendering projects to the Autodesk cloud using credits and it no longer requires your computer to process the images.

To my understanding Revit is similar to SketchUp for getting 2D drawings that you can use for presentation.

Revit is vastly more sophisticated than SketchUp when generating 2D images and produces superior results (plans, sections, elevations, RCP, etc).  These types of 2D drawings are created automatically.  Basically, everything is created as a 3D model in Revit and 2D drawings are generated automatically as a result.  I believe the process of using Revit actually makes you a better designer as you have to constantly test the result of your designs three-dimensionally.

My Revit for Interior Design students routinely ask me for a list of websites containing 3D models for use in their projects.
​These can be furniture, accessories, interior decor, etc.  The work required to create these 3D models is usually a big time commitment, therefore finding manufacturers that provide these assets online saves a huge amount of time.  Besides, manufacturer's 3D models are usually much more accurate than user-generated models like those found on revitcity.com, 3dwarehouse.sketchup.com, etc.  Why bother having students create these models when professional 3D companies like Animatedvision.com routinely create these types of accurate 3D furniture models for a variety of furniture manufacturers.

​I am also very impressed by smaller furniture manufacturers that are finally stepping it up and providing their 3D assets to the design community.  There is no reason furniture powerhouses like Knoll, Steelcase, and Herman Miller have to be the only resources for providing their 3D models (in 3D Autocad, Revit, 3d Studio Max or Sketchup formats) to the interior design and architectural community.  Lets face it, if clients see MANUFACTURER'S PRODUCTS in their interior design RENDERINGS and PRESENTATIONS, you can assume those manufacturers will get specified for the project and asked to supply the products.

Here's a series of sites that I found useful:

Generic Models: 
Bimobject:  https://bimobject.com/
Grabcad: https://grabcad.com/
Polantis (image above): https://polantis.com
Cad Details:   https://Caddetails.com
Cgtrader:  https://Cgtrader.com
Modlar:  https://www.modlar.com/
Revitcity:  https://revitcity.com
SketchUp: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=en 
​(additional formatting required to convert SketchUp models to compatible Revit file format)

These all have a variety of miscellaneous (grab bars, faucets, chandeliers, etc.) 3D models that are useful for interior designers.

In addition, I gathered a list of manufacturers that do a great job of providing 3D Revit models of furniture products (and great designs by the way!). Those include the following:

KI:  https://www.ki.com/products/category/files-and-storage/​
B&B Italia: https://www.bebitalia.com/en/resources-download
Hightower (see above): https://hightoweraccess.com/resources/files
Fritzhansen: https://fritzhansen.com/en/downloads

The trick with some of these websites is that the products are oriented incorrectly or the materials need to be reassigned in Revit. For example, the products are laying flat on the ground instead of standing. It is generally easiest to open these products in their original software (i.e. Autocad, SketchUp and 3D Studio Max) and fix the rotation of the product before importing into Revit. If using Autocad 3D models, assigning layers to each object that receives a specific material is critical to the success of your imported models into Revit. Materials can then be quickly assigned using this information in Revit. Same is true in 3D Studio Max, where objects can be assigned names, ideally by the material name, and exported as a .DXF or .DWG file for import into Revit.

In the case of SketchUp, it may be tricky to assign the appropriate materials to the 3D objects, there additional steps may be required. You can see the steps required in this helpful YouTube video:

​My very first blog post!

I’m John Manfredy and I’m an Autodesk Revit Instructor and owner of Revitforid.weebly.com. I’m passionate about Revit and how this tool can greatly benefit the interior design industry. I have taught the program for several years in Chicagoland colleges as well as online.  I am currently an instructor at Columbia College, Interior Architecture Program and Oakton Community College.  In addition, I have a degree in Architecture and worked for several years on projects throughout the U.S.

WHY BLOG?

This blog is my personal commitment to share answers to common questions I receive from current/past students and professional practitioners.  If you hit a wall, let me help you break through it!

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My Facebook Group Page (Revit for Interior Designers) contains my most useful advice on learning Revit. I really hope you find something that is useful.  The group is open to everyone and you can contact me there or via LinkedIn!  

bit.ly/revitFacebookGroup

or find me on my YouTube channel: 

​http://bit.ly/youTubeRevit

​Regards,
John