What are the various keyboard shortcuts in Revit and how useful are they?

Autodesk Revit is an essential tool for architects, engineer, designers and contractors. Its use as a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software is crucial for those involved in Virtual design and construction. However, a tool is only as good as its user and the full power of Revit can only be unleashed with a better understanding of its several functions which can be done through online revit training.

Picking up and starting Revit is quite simple enough and maintaining functionality is possible when you know its shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts don’t make use of the Enter key and they appear in the tooltips when the mouse is hovered over a function. Using keyboard shortcuts is an intuitive approach to Revit use and understanding the fundamentals would jumpstart your projects.

Shortcuts related to Element Selection

Initially, you will need to know element selection shortcuts. Shortcuts will lessen time selecting several areas, saving time during long and complex projects. Following are the element selections:

·         Shift + an arrow key will nudge a selected element 10 times

·         Arrow keys, alone, will nudge a selected element once

·         CTRL will select multiple elements

·         TAB will cycle through overlapping elements

·         Shift + TAB will reverse the TAB cycle’s order

Shortcuts related to Element Creation

Creating and placing elements takes more time, however, harnessing Revit shortcut tools will lessen overall effort when creating multiple detail lines, doors and properties. CAD Forum hosts outstanding element creation topics, creating an environment Revit users can discuss creation tactics in. Your element creation shortcuts are vital for multi layered projects and they are as following:

·         M + Spacebar will match element properties

·         C + S will create a new, similar element when one is previously selected

·         D + L will generate detail lines

·         D + R will generate a door

·         M + V will move

·         U + P will unpin an element

·         R + M will generate a room

·         R + T will create and insert a room tag

·         S + L will split selected elements

Look for Shortcuts

Navigating through several elements in a view can be difficult; however, several shortcut key combinations will speed up the process.

·         H + H will hide a selected element

·         H + I will isolate a selected element

·         H + C will hide categories

·         T + L will switch to thin lines

·         S + D will switch to shaded with edges

·         W + F will change an element to wireframe mode

·         V + V will generate graphics dialog for a current view

·         Z + E will zoom the project to fit

Creating Personalised Shortcuts

Every project’s requirements are different; however, Revit’s remarkable flexibility can create a highly personalised space. By creating ‘quick actions’, you can program your own Revit shortcuts for the processes your project demands the most. Custom Revit commands are quite helpful resources and their overall utility enhances project creation speed while creating a truly comfortable environment. A single command might be tailored to execute multiple shortcuts, also single shortcuts might be accessed through multiple commands.

Grey Edge’s Authorised Training and Recruitment Centre offer state of art online CAD training to those who have a tight schedule and cannot attend classroom trainings. The Centre, best known for providing outstanding online Revit training is equipped with exceptional facilities, outstanding Autodesk certified faculties and learning environment for its students. Do visit www.grey-edge.com to know more.

Challenges of BIM Manager

Build information modelling (BIM) is evolving at a rapid pace as more and more companies begin to adopt and utilise BIM for their projects. From the conceptual stage, through to design, implementation and the entire project lifecycle, BIM facilitates better decision making. The new BIM concept guarantees faster project building, improved communication and better problem solving, all whilst being more cost effective than the earlier versions.

When BIM was introduced in the architectural world, it was challenging for the companies to incorporate BIM due to unskilled professionals, who had little or no experience to work on BIM. As it gained popularity and with increasing number of companies realising its worth, the demand for having a BIM manager superseded all other requirements. Prime prospect of a BIM manager is understanding how and when to apply different BIM workflows in projects.

Few years back the construction industry witnessed an evolution of CAD Managers becoming BIM Managers, a transition which was necessary for advancement of BIM processes. The fundamental role of a BIM Manager remained similar to that of a CAD Manager – ensuring timely delivery of the projects without exceeding the budget constraints. But it was the core responsibilities that were more importantly redefined which included maintaining coordination of modelling work, maintaining the integrity within the project and reporting and managing the BIM process. However, a BIM Manager’s role was not limited to such tasks; it had to cover larger avenues than just managing the BIM related tools and software. The role demanded them to be more versatile and quick thinkers so as to adapt to the ever changing work environment. They had to ensure seamless coordination with the companies who do not utilise BIM at the same time maintain integrity of the models used in the project.

What helped BIM Managers to flourish was the acceptance of BIM as an industry standard over the world with governments beginning to mandate BIM in their projects resulting in BIM becoming a pre-requisite for major tenders. Industry professionals soon realised the ability of BIM was to significantly reduce cost and increase the over-all quality of the work. But the BIM Manager’s role demands quick learning because of the ever evolving construction and architecture industry especially in the past decade. Listed below are three prime challenges faced by BIM Managers:

1. People Management – 

The digital 3D BIM model facility requires specially trained personnel as the processes change constantly and therefore the contracts need to be updated accordingly. The role of a BIM Manager had to grow parallel to such an evolution of construction industry and with the acceptance of BIM. The BIM manager’s role is that of a multipurpose one in the construction industry at present. In BIM-supported construction projects the BIM Manager’s role is responsible for defining the roles and responsibilities, imparting knowledge, instilling trust amongst the team members and facilitating and fostering effective, supportive team culture.

2. Defining Policies - 

The BIM Managers must define clear technical policies which would form the base for the model development and exchange. A BIM Manager must be able to lay down clear policies on the project guidelines and contracts, the building standards of the respective region, the responsibility of deliverables and intellectual properties and risk and insurance implication during the duration of the project.

3. Technological Outlook – 

The fast and ever evolving construction industry demands new technologies to be imparted into the processes to keep pace with the competition or to overtake it. A BIM Manager must define an appropriate and cost effective hardware and software set up for utmost utilisation of 3D models, which would further enhance the data exchange, data storage and overall data management. A BIM Manager must also take charge of certification of suitable hardware and software, defining data structures and user specific workspaces and most importantly ensure uninterrupted high speed internet connectivity.

A BIM Manager’s role and challenges are not limited to the above specified ones but traverse the vast boundaries of the entire BIM process. There is no specific course that can train an individual to become a BIM manager, but there are a few leading training centers that provide online Revit training and AutoCAD courses in Mumbai, which can lead individuals to gain professional knowledge on BIM which can assist them in becoming successful BIM Managers.

Do I need to learn AutoCAD before learning Revit?

AutoCAD is an original Autodesk product, developed and sold by Autodesk. Revit was created by a small start-up company and was acquired by Autodesk over a decade ago. Since acquiring, Autodesk has enhanced Revit in several significant ways and along the way has even incorporated some features from AutoCAD. However, there are huge differences between the functions and tools of AutoCAD and many find it wise to learn it before learning Revit through online Revit training.

Revit is a computer-aided design and drafting tool that replaces the requirement for conventional drafting boards and methods. Revit is a modelling tool designed to create virtual simulations of building design projects on the computer. Similar to the physical models created by architects, Revit models are useful for design and visualization. However, computer models can go much further than conventional physical models. Initially, they can be created more rapidly and often more precisely. A single model can be used to generate any kind of drawing from plan to section to 3D view.

In addition, they can contain much more than physical 3D geometry. Everything, right from the properties of the materials used in the design to the performance and lifecycle of the facility can be included in the model and used in real time computations to optimize building performance, safety and function. The more nongraphical information that’s included, the more useful the model becomes to the other participants in the design and life cycle of a building facility including engineers, designers, contractors, subcontractors and owners. 

Such models are known as Building Information Models or BIM in the industry. BIM is not a specific product, but instead a description of the process and intent of the deliverables used to describe, construct and even maintain a facility. It’s thus possible to deliver BIM with any tool, even AutoCAD. For this one needs to undergo online CAD training to master AutoCAD. Revit is built in purpose to the task, however, and more suitable in nearly all ways. That being said, most companies continue to use a variety of tools in the design and production of building facilities. This proves that Revit and AutoCAD are often used side by side on similar project.

There are several ways wherein both software platforms can be used together. AutoCAD drawings can be included into Revit projects and even refreshed to show the latest changes when the AutoCAD file changes. One can export Revit projects to a number of file formats, including AutoCAD drawings, for easy partnership with outside firms not using Revit.

Grey Edge’s Authorised Training and Recruitment Centre offer state of art online CAD training to those who have a tight schedule and cannot attend classroom trainings. The Centre, best known for providing outstanding online Revit training is equipped with exceptional facilities, outstanding Autodesk certified faculties and learning environment for its students. Do visit www.grey-edge.com to know more.

Role of Revit in Developing Building Information Modelling Services

Revit purchased by Autodesk is a highly important software for the design development of multidiscipline building trades. After this highly result oriented software product was acquired by Autodesk, it made several alterations in it and released its several versions in the market. The software was launched by Autodesk in the year 2005, and this discipline of Revit is completely dedicated towards the empowerment of structural engineers and modellers when it comes to creating design for structural framework. Revit structure is integrated with high end structural modelling tools, which are effectually optimized by modelers during structural modelling.

Straight away after the release of Revit Structure, Autodesk launched Revit MEP in the year 2006. This specific Revit discipline was developed by Autodesk for the assistance of MEP engineers and modelers, when it comes to the execution of MEP modelling services. With the help of Revit MEP, modellers can create highly parametric 3D models for representing the design of MEP systems. On the contrary, Revit architecture came into the picture after the release of Revit structure and Revit MEP. Revit architecture was previously known as Revit building, and this specific Revit flavour is developed by Autodesk for empowering architects in enhancing their productivity.

If you consider the current building trends across architectural engineering and construction industry, development of 3D models for architecture, structure and MEP prior to the actual construction have become mandatory. This is because: 3D parametric model offers greater design clarity to design and construction professionals which is essential for seamless construction. Revit possesses highly unusual tools such as Revit Family Editor and Project Environment which assist engineers, architects and modellers in developing high quality families and superior 3D models for architecture, structure and MEP.

Since parametric models are developed by design and construction professionals for different building trades, it becomes exceptionally simple for them to implement change in the models. Another vital thing is that if in case a change is made by a modeller in 3D model, its entire design automatically gets updated. In this way superior BIM modelling services are provided to clients with the support of different Revit flavours. Today, in India, there are various institutes offering online Revit training to acquire the knowledge of Revit which plays an important role in developing BIM models.

Grey Edge's leading Revit and CAD training centre constantly strives to offer the best online CAD training to the aspirant. Backed by experienced and well trained faculty and the best infrastructure, including online and classroom tutorials, we offer the best Revit and CAD training in India.