AutoCAD vs Revit

Difference Between AutoCAD and Revit

Autocad was one of the first computer-aided programs that were executed on personal computers. It is currently vastly used by Architects, Engineers for a number of applications to create and modify geometric shapes into a design, for creating blueprints of buildings, bridges, computer chips, etc. The design can be created and modified on both web and mobile. On the other hand, Revit is a single application used to create geometry equipped with real-life information. It is, in other words, a 4D building information modeling (BIM) tool having features for architectural design, structural engineering, and construction.

AutoCAD

Autocad 2D and 3D design computer-aided design (CAD) drafting tool that was developed, released and marketed by in December 1982. There are a lot of features provided by Autocad. Some are as follows –

• DWG compare – Can compare and showcase the differences between 2 versions of a drawing.
• Web and Mobile Support – Drawings can be viewed and edited from web and mobile.
• 2D graphics – 2X faster zoom, change orders and layer properties
• Shared views – Design views can be shared through a web browser for commenting.
• PDF import – Import geometry, SHX font files, raster images into a drawing from PDF.
• Workspaces – save and restore workspaces with customized menus, toolbars
• Rendering – Lightening and materials can be applied to give 3D models a realistic appearance.
• DGN files – Import, export and attached DGN files to re-use data.

Revit

BIM, on which Revit is based, is a new CAD paradigm that allows for intelligent, 3D and parametric object-based design. The current version of Revit is only supported by windows but cannot be used in other operating systems like Mac OS. Revit is featureful, and some of the features are as follows –

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) – Models can be created with real-life information and is indivisible.
• Parametric components – Open graphical systems for design and form-making
• Work-sharing – Contributors can share and save their work.
• Schedules – Tabular display of the model can be extracted from the properties of elements.
• Interoperability – Imports, exports and links data with commonly used formats.
• Annotation – WYSIWYG editing allows you to control text appearance.
• Architectural Design – Add elements to the building model, including walls, doors, windows and components
• Cloud Rendering – Produce photorealistic visualizations on the cloud.

Autodesk owns both AutoCAD vs Revit.

Head To Head Comparison Between AutoCAD and Revit (Infographics)

Below are the top 10 differences between AutoCAD vs Revit

Key differences Between AutoCAD and Revit

Both are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major difference:

• Autocad works more like a drawing paper where you can create a 2D design representing real elements for your project, whereas Revit is more focused on considering the project as a whole and closet to the real thing. It is used to build 3D components equipped with real-life information.
• Autocad focuses on individual components of a project, whereas Revit considers the entire project as a whole, giving architects an advantage of considering design as indivisible.
• Making modifications and last-minute changes suggested by clients are easier to perform in Revit than Autocad, wherein the modifications are almost manual and time-consuming later.
• Autocad is more flexible as compared to Revit as it supports surface, mesh and solid commands of Autocad, whereas for later, it is stricter as the things require to be constructed correctly because, for this, we are building not only a 3D model but also a model that will enable coordination of the job and lot more.
• Autocad follows linear coordination involving a constant back and forth between all associated groups. On the other hand, Revit has an advantage as all models can be linked to the center architectural model to keep track of real-time clashes between them.
• Autocad is supported both by Windows and Mac and whereas Revit can only run on Windows currently.
• Autocad web app is available to create, edit and share CAD designs through the browser and mobile devices, whereas Revit is available as software that can be used after installation in windows.
• Both Autocad vs Revit requires a subscription from Autodesk, and based on the requirements; one can opt for monthly or yearly plans. The cost for a subscription for Revit is more as compared to Autocad for the same duration.

Comparison Table of AutoCAD vs Revit

Below is the top comparison

The Basis Of Comparisons	Autocad	Revit
Purpose	Draw 2D lines representing real elements	Create 3D components equipped with real-life information.
Design Tools	Professional drafting and documentation tools	Intelligent 3D model-based design tools
Flexibility	More flexible as it supports surface, mesh and solid commands of Autocad	Stricter as compared to Autocad.
Workflow	Each element is drawn separately ( The Freeform of a drawing )	Facets are made simultaneously (Design as an indivisible whole)
Modifications	Manual modifications and Time consuming	Instantaneous modifications and less time-consuming.
DWG Support	Can load .dwg extension files	Can load .dwg extension files
Processes	Linear approach	Streamlines repetitive drafting tasks
Documentation	Generates construction documents	Generates construction documents
Supported Platform	Windows and Mac	Windows
Price	Monthly and yearly subscriptions are available. The cost is as follows – Monthly : Rs 10,439 1 Year: Rs 84,379	Monthly and yearly subscriptions are available. The cost is as follows – Monthly : Rs 13,048 1 year : Rs 102,646

Conclusion

To conclude, both AutoCAD vs Revit is developed and marketed by Autodesk. AutoCAD vs Revit tools is used for commercial purposes to create 2D-3D blueprints for buildings, bridges, computers, etc. Both AutoCAD vs Revit require monthly or yearly subscription from Autodesk to create blueprints and models. The purpose of Autocad is to draw 2D lines representing real elements, whereas Revit can be used to create 3D components equipped with real-life information. Autocad focuses on the design and modifications of individual elements of a project, whereas, in Revit, the project is considered as indivisible.

The modifications and last-minute changes are easily done in Revit as compared to Autocad, where the modifications are manual and time-consuming. Autocad is available as both web and mobile app and can be used on Windows and Mac platforms. Revit can only be used on Windows operating system. Based on the requirements, available hardware and design requirements, one can choose between Autocad and Revit to create blueprints.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to the top difference between AutoCAD vs Revit. Here we also discussed the AutoCAD vs Revit key differences with infographics and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

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