Revit

Autodesk Revit is Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that enables architects and engineers alike to model and design more efficiently.  There are currently three main versions of Revit: Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit MEP, and Autodesk Revit Structure.  Autodesk Revit Architecture is primarily for building design and was originally called Revit Building.  Autodesk Revit MEP focuses on the mechanics of the building; this software’s purpose is to help with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design with specific tools created with these purposes in mind.  Autodesk Revit Structure allows structural engineers to build and design structures more accurately and efficiently by presenting design tools specific to building structures and using intelligent models.  Autodesk Revit 2013 is a fusion of the above software, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit MEP, and Autodesk Revit Structure, in one comprehensive package, and will be what I will be using to design in.

Revit products save BIM models using .RVT files; these models are created using parametric objects or 3D objects and 2D objects called families, and can be imported into projects to create a building.  A family file is identified by a category such as furniture, plumbing fixtures, or generic models, and is created and grouped based on the characteristics of said category.  Once completed, families are saved in .RFA files that can be inserted into projects.  Projects are Revit’s equivalent of the Autodesk Inventor assembly file, if you are familiar with Inventor.  A project file cannot be inserted into a family or another project; they are the final model file and are saved in .RVT files.  Simply put, a project is where the building model is assembled with some new creations while families are the components placed in the project.