Assignement 1 and BIM: Understanding Revit

It does not seem that long ago that I wasn’t even using computers to write papers. “Back in the Day” I was just using a pen and paper, but then again that seems like ages ago when you consider the technological advances in the past 10 years. Now you have IPods, IPads, MacBook Pros, Smart phones, touch screen, 3D TVs, and even devices that you can speak into that will record and write down everything you are saying. It all seems so surreal when you think about all the technology we have today. But seemed even more surreal a couple of years ago when they were developing the first stages of this technology back in the 70’s.  My boyfriend’s father has been in construction for over 40 years now and I remember him telling me about one of the first computer architecture programs for drawing construction files. He said that it was so finicky that if you misplaced a period or comma the whole program would freeze up and not allow you to work on the drawings anymore. He told the instructor that he would pick these programs back up when you could talk to the computer and tell it what to do. We are not quite there with that technology but we are quite close. 

BIM

From what I understand on parametric objects it seems to be any object with a standard equation. For example a table, it can be the shape but have different materials or a different look all together. A parametric object in Revit allows you to change the features without changing the dimensions of any other part of the table unless that function is desired. Where as other programs will change the proportion of everything leaving you with the tabletop you want but disproportionate legs.

How is Revit different from any other 3D modeling program? For me there is hardly any comparison. At first I was a little intimidated and defiant to use the program but then getting into it I found that it has many great features that are truly incomparable to programs such as CAD, Rhino, and SketchUp. For instance the interface is very clean and very user friendly. There is also an extreme advantage to Revit, it allows you to work on one set of drawings such as the floor plan and all the while it is creating your elevations, sections, and perspectives all at the same time. Plus any change you make to one document it then changes it on every other document. This feature is a true time saver and allows for better design. Then start adding windows and doors to the project and it begins to create the schedules associated with those objects. For now as a beginner I see no obvious flaw in the program, but maybe as I become more proficient it will arise. However, for the time being I AM HOOKED.