Top 6 Reasons Why Interior Designers Should Use Revit

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.

Why is this software so popular?

Revit has been around for a while, originally released in 2000.  Revit includes some of the best features of programs like Autocad, SketchUp, and 3d Studio Max and combines all into a single program that is intended to create architectural projects only.  Sort of a 'one size fits all' approach.  It also includes commands that reflect the type of 3D models you are creating with simple to understand tools like floor, ceiling, and roof instead esoteric commands found in most CAD software applications (Does anybody know what an Editable Mesh is?)  In addition, it has an extensive database that manages all of the building data therefore lighting studies, schedules, takeoffs, square footage calculations are automatically generated.  The expectation is that Revit (can, should or will) ultimately replace most of these programs for anyone in the architectural community, therefore many firms are migrating to Autodesk Revit upon realizing its potential.

Is this software mostly used for commercial design? Retail, hospitality, and restaurant design?  Is it also used in residential and furniture design?

This program is used by any interior design firm creating projects of any type of design.  I believe commercial companies were among the first to adopt the software.  It also includes capabilities for other disciplines like Structural and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) engineers, all within the same program while producing files that can be shared between each of these disciplines and interior designers.  Coordination becomes much easier with a shared model.  Although it can create 3D models of furniture design, I find 3D Studio Max a better solution for creating those types of objects.  Almost 100% of the 3D furniture models for photorealistic renderings at my office are created in 3ds Max (see more here:  http://bit.ly/AnimatedVisionRenderings).

Sorry about all these questions, for me it’s a big investment since I am out of work presently. I want to work in a professional office and have the right tools to be hired.

Let's consider where the market is headed.  I started teaching Revit at my previous college’s interior design department about 10+ years ago. This was due to the demand the school was receiving from professional firms for this type of expertise.  I live in a large, metropolitan area with design firms competing locally, nationally and internationally.  I currently teach construction documents and digital media classes at another interior architecture college (both classes use Revit).  In my free time (lol), I also teach at a local community college which delivers three courses of Autodesk Revit, from beginner through advance levels.  Then there's that 'Revit for Interior Designers' introductory course I offer. My students have included college students as well as professional architects, interior designers, MEP engineers, civil engineers and GIS specialists.  Before my time at these latter institutions, they both were teaching the software for many years.  Believe me when I say the demand is there and growing.

I hope this answers any of your questions, but feel free to send more. 

John Manfredy