ArchiCAD VS Revit.Which Software to Use for BIM ?
BIM is one of the most popular topics in construction. We can define it as a process helping us to manage complexity and improve performance in construction projects.
Building Information Modelling – BIM
is one of the most popular topics in construction. We can define it as a
process helping us to manage complexity and improve performance in
construction projects. Simplified, BIM is a process for creating and managing all of the information on any project – before, during and after construction.
Revit by Autodesk and ArchiCAD by Graphisoft are the two biggest
players in the market. This comparison between ArchiCAD and Revit will
help architects, owners and contractors to make more briefed
decision.
ArchiCAD is the first BIM
software for architects, created in 1984. Offering a suite of tools for
building design and engineering, this software enables seeing the
project through engineering and visual design of building`s interiors
and exteriors. On the other hand, Revit is 4D BIM-capable
tool which helps us to plan all aspects of a building project, from
design to construction and beyond. Realized in 2002, this software can
be used by architects, builders, engineers, project managers and more.
User Interface
praising it for. Its clean and sleek and that`s maybe the reason why
ArchiCAD has an easier learning curve, especially for designers. While
the user interface can be customized in a number of ways, it has
slightly less flexibility than its opponent. Revit features a user
interface that is highly customizable, supporting multiple approaches
for using the software. It is a little bit complicated, because of its
medium learning curve. However, Revit offers greater level of
flexibility to designers and architects.
Concept design
in ArchiCAD is a fairly user-friendly, enabling push/pull modelling,
instant and customizable geometry and smart multiple extruding. Similar,
Revit features a conceptual design which provides flexibility in the
earliest stages of a project. This allows you to create geometry that
later can be integrated into your BIM project.
Revit features a wide range of views from which to approach your
design, such as wireframe and transparent surface. Each view can be
manipulated and controlled in a particular project and can be assigned
to the overall view or specified to a category or element. ArchiCAD has
similar visual styles as Revit, but don`t have the capacity for applying
views to specific elements.
Rendering
Both, ArchiCAD and Revit have intensely large suite of tools for
rendering. They can produce photorealist images of the interior and
exterior of your project. The Ray Trace is a photorealist rendering mode
that allows panning and zooming with your Revit model. When using this
visual style, the rendering starts at a lower resolution but quickly
increases its fidelity. Thus, you can set lightening, photographic
exposure and background. ArchiCAD features CineRender, similar tool to
Ray Trace which allows you to change the light, shadow, texture,
brightness and more.
Interoperability
Revit and ArchiCAD can both import and export IFC files. Furthermore,
they are capable of importing and exporting all common file types,
including 3D models, 2D drawings and other CAD file types.
Pricing
Revit 2018 costs $2.200 per year. ArchiCAD 21 is slightly cheaper;
however, it requires a number of add-ons you need to add manually to
achieve the same functionality as Revit.
What our colleagues said:
Borjana: “I prefer ArchiCAD rather than Revit. As an architect, I can
express my ideas better working in ArchiCAD and I can easily manage all
of the parameters. Also offers many tools that are useful to present
and develop the design, so the graphic presentation of the models,
projects and the documentation are at an excellent level.”
Ana: “Revit is very valuable software. It is made for architecture,
and will provide with every single tool you need to design a good
building. It is very precise and it provides very clean and accurate
drawings. But as an architect, I prefer ArchiCAD or 3D AutoCAD because I
think it offers more freedom to express as a designer.”
Both of these BIM
software tools are dynamic and powerful. Dedicated users of each will
naturally think their preference is better. They do most of the things
and both have different strengths and weaknesses. Which one do you use?
Which is better? ArchiCAD or Revit?
About author
Ameer Muhammed at BIMARC which is a leading BIM Services and
Architectural 3D Modeling Services provider to customers in the UK, US,
Australia, Canada, Europe, India and the Middle East.
Source: https://bimarc.co/2019/12/05/archicad-vs-revit-which-software-to-use-for-bim/
