At some point Autodesk will have two complete modelling packages, although the AutoCAD-based ADT is still more aimed at documentation-based design, than a modelling tool. However, Autodesk is developing a Structural package for ADT, as well as a building services package for Revit. This decision means neither product quite yet completes on the BIM concept of total building definition. The recent launch of Revit Structure now means that ADT can do architectural and services, while Revit can model architectural details and structural elements. To date Revit has only offered some dumb structural components for visual placement, while ADT has already seen a building services (HVAC) module be developed. However the greater goal for BIM is to have a single model which contains components of all the building assets, structural and building services.
#AUTODESK MAYA STUDENT LIMITATIONS SOFTWARE#
Previous revisions of the software have seen the complexity of components on offer mushroom, greatly enhancing the variety of architectural designs Revit can be used for. Instead of drawing out everything with lines, circles and arcs, Revit uses a component-based design system, where the designer places walls, doors and windows. There have been successes in small architectural practices and with SOM on the Freedom Tower in New York, but Revit’s architectural sales means it is going to take a long time to payback its purchase fee. The concept of Building Information Modelling (BIM), where a single 3D model provides all the 2D plans, elevations and sections, has still to catch on. Bought for the princely sum of $133 million, in 2002, the product has found it tough going against the core 2D products, on which the AEC community doggedly hold on to. Revit is Autodesk’s ‘next generation’ AEC design tool. Model courtesy of Brandow & Johnston Associates Still, I do have concerns that while the products aren’t probably designed to be US centric from the outset, the fact that the first two or three revisions are fuelled by US-customer feedback can’t help but lessen the flexibility when it’s time for release in the EU. I guess this make business sense, as the US is a very large market and while the EU may be as big, or larger, it is not homogenous. So, I will be teasing the structural engineers amongst us as yet again, Autodesk is developing products primarily within the USA, first for the home market and then adapting to the local conditions found in Europe and Asia/Pacific. I feel I should start off this article by first apologising that the product I’m about to write about won’t be available in Europe til next year. Autodesk has just released a product for Structures. So far the focus has been on architectural elements.
The BIM concept will always remain a pipe dream, so long as the tools are unable to handle the thousands of components that make up today’s buildings.