Learning Revit can be challenging, so it’s extremely helpful to know what resources are available to you to make your studying as easy as possible. From various course types (in-person, live online, self-paced, and on-demand) to which resources are best as supplemental support (free resources, YouTube, and message boards), this article will help you gain a better understanding of the various forms of support you can access throughout your learning journey.
What is Revit?
Revit is a commercial building information modeling (BIM) software by the company Autodesk. It’s generally used by architects, structural engineers, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers, designers, and contractors. Autodesk Revit allows users to create, edit, and review 3D models in exceptional detail. Revit is often compared to AutoCAD, Autodesk’s CAD software that is also used in the AEC industry. However, while most AEC professionals use Revit and AutoCAD at the same time, these two are quite different. Revit was originally called Charles River Software and was founded in Newton, Massachusetts, on October 31, 1997, by Leoind Razi and Irwin Jungreis.
How Can I Learn Revit?
There are five main ways to learn Revit virtually: live online courses, self-directed training, on-demand classes, and free resources. Each one has been outlined below so that you can consider the pros and cons.
Learn Revit
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
Live Online Classes
Live virtual courses are considered the middle ground between on-demand and in-person classes. You’ll attend scheduled class times from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose) to learn from an expert instructor. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment but perhaps don’t live near any in-person offerings. Or, if you simply prefer online learning, then a live virtual class could be for you.
Self-Directed Training
Self-directed courses are a flexible online option for those with complicated schedules. You can attend from anywhere you choose and complete each lesson on your own time, so you can speed through easy sections and spend more time on challenging ones. But, like a live online class, you’ll still have additional support and guidance from instructors or mentors, albeit with slightly more of a delay.
On-Demand Classes
On-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered.
These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class.
Free Resources
While not the best method for full mastery, free resources can be a great way to dip your toes into the world of Revit. If you’re unsure about if Revit is for you, free resources can be a great way to explore the basic concepts and tools of Revit before you commit to a time-consuming and costly training course. Additionally, you can use free resources as a supplement to your training course. Stuck on a specific topic? Free resources found on YouTube, Reddit, or blogs may provide helpful insight from professionals who have been in your shoes before. It’s important to note that free resources lack the accountability of a professional training course, so you’ll need to be very motivated and responsible if you choose to use free resources as your sole training source.
Advantages and Limitations of Online Resources
As previously mentioned, online learning has a lot of advantages. Gone are the days of sitting in traffic or paying for parking in order to attend a course. If you live in a more rural area, online classes and resources provide you with training options that aren’t dependent on living in a densely populated metropolitan area. And for those who simply prefer to learn alone, online classes offer the solitude and quiet that these students desire. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of online resource are discussed in more detail below.
Advantages and Limitations of Self-Paced Resources
The main perk of these classes is the flexibility. You can choose where and when you learn and control the pace at which your learning progresses. There’s no need to rush through challenging sections or linger on ones you’ve mastered easily.
When it comes to disadvantages, there are a few to consider. If you rely on the accountability of live online or in-person class schedules, you may struggle to stay focused in a self-paced course. Live online classes provide you with set class times and (usually) due dates for assignments, but self-paced courses typically don’t require these. (Some courses may come with an expiration date, giving you six months to complete, but this is rare for self-direc.)
These classes also lack the ability to ask questions and receive feedback in real time. Luckily, VDCI courses offer a 24-hour instructor response time and personalized assignment feedback to offset this disadvantage. Even in a self-paced learning environment, no student is left without support, thanks to the ongoing encouragement to ensure every student fully grasps the course material.
Finally, if you value a collaborative learning environment, online courses may not be the best fit for you. These classes can have limited to no contact with your fellow students, making any sort of learning collaboration your responsibility through chats and forums you may find online.
Advantages and Limitations of On-Demand Resources
On-demand classes have the same pros and cons as those listed above for self-paced. The one major difference between VDCI’s self-paced courses and on-demand courses is the additional support and resources. On-demand courses may not have speedy response times from instructors or offer additional benefits like one-on-one mentoring.
The main takeaway is this: if learning flexibility is your top priority, then an on-demand or self-paced class is the right choice for you. If you value collaboration or accountability though, you may want to think twice about attending a self-paced or on-demand class and instead consider live online or in-person courses.
Advantages and Limitations of Free Resources
There are many advantages to free resources. You could utilize free resources like Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel, making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Coursera also boasts hundreds of various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. Utilizing free resources can help you get different perspectives on a variety of subjects, creating a more well-rounded learning experience.
While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of Revit, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources. Typically, free resources are considered a great supplement resource, but aren’t a proper substitute for an online or in-person course.
What Supplemental Resources are Available?
As mentioned above, free resources can be great for supplemental learning. There are other sources to consider as well, like manufacturer websites for specific product families, BIMsmith for material libraries, Autodesk's online training platform, Dynamo for scripting, third-party add-ins for enhanced functionality, online forums and communities, and the Autodesk support website for technical assistance.
Additionally, if you attend a self-paced course through VDCI, you’ll also have access to one-on-one mentoring, one of the most valuable supplemental resources. Held in live online Zoom meetings, this mentoring can be used to gain expert guidance on portfolio development, job applications, and industry best practices to make the transition into the workforce less intimidating. During each 45-minute session, you can review portfolio work, polish your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and receive personalized advice to help you meet your goals. Mentoring sessions keep you on track, provide insights into job expectations, and make them better prepared for professional success.
Why Learn Revit?
Revit training can help you do many things. You can create detailed 3D models of buildings, including walls, floors, roofs, stairs, and other elements, and can manipulate and modify them parametrically. You can also create detailed and coordinated models that generate 2D drawings like floor plans, elevations, and sections, enabling efficient project documentation and collaboration across different disciplines (like structural, mechanical, and electrical) within the AEC industry.
Revit training can also help you generate high-quality 3D renderings and virtual tours to effectively communicate design concepts to clients and stakeholders. The software helps connect you with all key partners in a project, allowing you to create easy to understand blueprints and renderings that can improve visibility, trust, and communication between you and those you work with. Finally, Revit training can help you create detailed schedules of building components (doors, windows, finishes) with quantities and other relevant information for project estimating and procurement. This level of detailed management helps ensure your projects are completed on time and within scope and budget.
How to Choose Your Ideal Learning Plan
It can be challenging to decide which learning method is right for you. It’s best to focus on your top priorities and preferred learning environment to guide your decision making.
Most learners reported that studying Revit through live coursework is the most interactive, engaging way to fully master this tool. Both in-person and live online training options afford the learner the power to ask questions in the moment and receive immediate guidance and support. You can ask yourself questions like “Do I learn best in person?” or “Do I prefer instant feedback and collaboration with other students?”
If you find out that you don’t learn best in person or that in-person classes don’t meet your preferences, the next question to ask is “What are my priorities for a learning environment?”
For some students, especially those who have busy schedules, flexibility is a top priority. In that case, an online class, whether it’s live, on-demand, or self-paced, is better suited for you.
Live classes can still provide instant feedback but if that isn’t a concern for you, you may be choosing between self-paced and on-demand. On-demand classes offer the most flexibility but with the least amount of accountability. Since no instructor is present for asynchronous coursework, it’s often a more cost-effective study method to live training (some classes are even available for free). Questions to ask yourself here are “How strong are my time management skills?” “Do I easily lose focus?” and “Can I hold myself accountable to complete the work in a timely fashion?”
If your honest answers show you that you lack the personal accountability for on-demand, then self-paced could be best for you. The self-paced classes at VDCI offer just as much flexibility but with additional benefits like a 24-hour response rate and one-on-one mentoring to help keep you on track.
Learn Revit with Hands-on Training at VDCI
CAD/BIM Certificate Program
This VDCI certificate program is a great option to help you develop these soft skills and learn two of the most popular tools in the AEC industry. You’ll start with foundational AutoCAD training before advancing into Revit’s Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities. This program includes specialization options in Revit MEP, Revit Structure, or AutoCAD Construction Documents, allowing you to tailor your expertise.
Revit Certification Training Bundle
VDCI’s training bundleis a compilation of five courses covering beginner to advanced skills, including these crucial soft skills. Courses are hands-on, real-world, and project-based. Using the Revit Architecture tools, you will learn how information is inter-related throughout the Revit (BIM) model. This course examines how Revit users design 3D models that simultaneously document the project and generate 2D architectural drawings containing floor plans, elevations, and 3D perspective views.
BIM Certificate Program
This course from VDCI will help you gain expertise in (BIM) by teaching you how to use Revit Architecture to create 3D models for commercial building projects. Professionals across architecture, engineering, and construction can enhance their career prospects by gaining expertise in BIM. This program is taught by experienced professionals who apply real-world workflows to help you develop practical skills. You’ll begin by learning the fundamentals of Revit and progress to advanced techniques, including modeling complex commercial projects, generating construction documents, and refining architectural details.
Revit Structure I
You could also attend individual structure-focused Revit courses. This one from VDCI can help you develop the highly desirable skills that you can add to your portfolio and resume. This course uses the Revit Structure tools to create an accurate structural model of a real-world, four-story commercial project. You will develop a structural project from the very beginning and see its completion through all aspects of BIM modeling. You will gain an understanding of real-world practices for the effective integration of an interactive project with other disciplines. Your work from this class can be added to your portfolio.
Revit Structure II
From there, you could explore this more challenging course and advance your skills in structural modeling. You will continue the structural project started in Revit STructure I using the Revit Structure tools. This course teaches you how to update the Revit Structure model elements, add annotations, set up detail sheets, create framing elevations and to create a completed set of structural construction documents for this four-story commercial project. Students complete project-based exercises that will teach them how to develop a structural model of a commercial project from the very beginning of the project to completion of the final 3D model. (You must complete Revit Structure I before attending this course.)
Revit Fundamentals Bundle
Consisting of two Revit classes, this VDCI program is designed to develop your understanding of Revit and its involvement in Building Information Modeling (BIM). You’ll be introduced to Revit and how information is interrelated throughout the Revit (BIM) model to design 3D models, generate 2D architectural drawings and create 3D perspective views. You’ll master Revit with the help of an expert instructor and hands-on, real-world, project-based training.
Revit MEP Professional Fast-Track Program
This VDCI program is geared towards students who want to pursue careers in the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) fields. You’ll begin with the fundamentals of Revit and BIM and progress into the MEP-specifics of using Revit MEP tools in the BIM process. These courses will also prepare you to take the Revit MEP Certified User Certification Exam. You will learn the skills and workflows which are practiced professionally by MEP engineers and support staff.
Revit Architectural Professional Fast-Track Program
This bundle from VDCI helps to prepare you for taking the Revit Architecture Certification Exam. Start at the beginning. You’ll learn how information is related throughout the Revit (BIM) model. This course examines how Revit users design 3D models that simultaneously document the project and generate 2D architectural drawings containing floor plans, elevations, and 3D perspective views.
Revit Structural Professional Fast-Track Program
Also from VDCI, this training is geared towards students who want to pursue careers in the Structural Engineering field. You’ll begin with the fundamentals of Revit and BIM, then progress into the structural specifics of using Revit Structure in the BIM process. You will also learn the professional workflows used in structural engineering offices. This series of courses will also prepare you for the Revit Certified User Certification Exam.