Best Revit Classes in Chicago

What is Revit?

Chicago residents interested in architecture, construction projects, mechanical engineering, and other trades may want to learn Autodesk’s Revit to advance their careers, improve their lives, and expand their skill set. But what is Revit, exactly? First introduced in 1997 by Charles River Software (before being purchased by Autodesk in 2002), it helps users to create and integrate 3D models, 2D annotations, and other design elements into attractive, detailed blueprints. 

Used heavily by experts like structural experts, all-purpose designers, mechanical engineers, architects, and general contractors, Revit includes design and visualization applications as well as accurate cost estimation tools that can gauge what a project will cost not only to build but to maintain throughout its lifetime. Apps like these give contractors the hands-on support that they need to produce appealing, attractive, and detailed work for their many Chicago customers.

Revit Classes in Chicagi

Chicago is an educational mecca, one with plenty of excellent Revit learning opportunities for serious learners. These include both in-person and online courses that make education easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few local providers that offer intensive Revit training. While they’re just a few of the options available to learners, they’re some of the best imaginable.

Learn Revit

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• Free student software
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• Authorized Autodesk training center

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VDCI

VDCI is a popular and acclaimed tech training team that offers courses on a variety of subjects. Its model includes personalized and self-directed lessons that provide support for learners when they need it the most. Programs typically last a few weeks and cost a reasonable amount of money to ensure that learners get the best experience possible for their training needs. 

Introduction to Revit

Introduction to Revit is a 30-hour course that includes 6.5 hours of on-demand video. Most learners can complete this class in about three weeks and can then try more advanced training afterward. They’ll study primary Revit concepts, master the user interface, and design a 3D building project. Attendance costs $580, which is an excellent deal for the value. 

BIM Construction Documents I

BIM Construction Documents I costs around $580 and teaches more advanced subjects (students should take BIM 101 and 201 before trying this course) to help polish a learner’s skills. Taking about 30 hours to complete, learners will study more advanced BIM modeling tools, master graphically differentiating phasing in a project, and build topography.

Business Computer Skills 

Business Computer Skills teaches multiple tech-related skills using either instructor-led or on-demand models. It works with companies like the United States Army, Air Force, and Marines, alongside New York City, the University of Michigan, and CISCO, to help students from all walks of life polish their skills further and feel more comfortable with their future careers.

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Novice Users

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Novice Users takes five days and costs $2,500, making it one of the costlier classes on this list. However, its comprehensive lessons help learners use Revit successfully. They’ll learn about the user interface, master essential control tools, practice with 3D modeling, and walk away with a portfolio showing their skills to potential employers.

What Can You Do with Revit Training?

Chicago readers interested in learning this design program might want to know “What can you do with Revit skills?” before signing up for a bootcamp. Most people who study this program are designers, architects, and other contractors who work to master this software tool to expand their professional abilities. However, even non-experts can utilize Revit skills in their day-to-day lives, such as planning in-depth home renovations for their Chicago house or condominium.

Furthermore, homeowners can use this software to estimate the total costs of their projects. Even non-professionals should quickly understand Revit’s user-friendly tools and use them to gauge things like basic material costs and total labor expenses. While some amateur homeowners might not be able to create line-by-line invoices, Revit can help them produce a reasonable ballpark estimate for their project, which they can then use when finding financing.

Lastly, Chicago residents can also use Revit to create sustainable design projects that reduce their energy usage and make their homes far more efficient. For instance, they could produce a solar panel layout in Revit and use its estimation tools to gauge how much power this system will make for them. In a city that’s getting more expensive to live in day after day, those kinds of cash-saving benefits are a great investment for homeowners trying to save a little money.

What Will I Learn in a Revit Class?

Chicago residents who want to learn Revit will study multiple topics, including theoretical design concepts and practical uses for this software. When they’re done, they should feel comfortable using Revit for personal or professional projects. While it’s a good idea to have some fundamental design experience before taking these courses (the more, the better), even people with little to no knowledge can tap into their Revit bootcamps to learn things such as:

• General Design Concepts: Revit bootcamps won’t make someone a design expert after a few weeks or months of lessons. However, they do teach basic concepts to help solidify a learner’s understanding and make it easier to use Revit for their many projects.
• Various Contracting Skills: Most Revit courses cover various contracting project types to help learners walk away with a broader market understanding. They may learn basic construction, interior design, mechanical, and architectural techniques in their classes.
• 3D Modeling: Revit’s many apps focus primarily on producing accurate and high-quality 3D models. These help users create realistic blueprints and project walkthroughs that give them a better understanding of how their project will turn out when it’s done.
• 2D Annotation: Though most people use Revit to make 3D models, this software also lets them produce 2D annotations and patterns. These design elements help learners add flair to their projects while increasing their understanding of their overall scope.
• Budgeting: Learning Revit teaches Chicago students many “soft” skills they can use in their day-to-day lives, no matter their careers. For example, Revit’s estimation tools make it easier for students to balance their personal budgets and spending patterns. 

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn Revit?

As one of the largest cities in America, Chicago offers multiple ways to learn Revit. These include in-person and online classes that both provide several benefits. For example, in-person programs include hands-on training support from expert professors, learning materials (including computers and Revit software), and peer-building workshops. That said, they’re usually a little costlier and force Chicago residents to fight their way through downtown traffic.

By contrast, live online programs let students study at home and usually cost a little less than in-person sessions. During their intensive training, students work in real-time with their professors and even meet new friends along the way. In this way, these classes offer a balanced blend of in-person learning and online education benefits. However, students must attend at set times each day, which might be hard for people with busy and on-the-go lives. 

Those active individuals might benefit more from on-demand or asynchronous learning opportunities. These resources let students study whenever they want and provide a suite of videos, exercises, and projects that build their Revit skills quickly and efficiently. In fact, many learners cruise through these courses in a few days or take their time and practice to sharpen their abilities. Unfortunately, they receive little to no professorial input during their learning. 

As a compromise, they can try self-directed classes that use a similar setup while offering more teacher support. For example, learners can watch videos, complete their exercises, and finalize a portfolio of work while getting feedback from expert instructors or mentors. This approach gives students a little more flexibility in their scheduling while also providing hands-on support from professional professors. That said, they usually cost a bit more than on-demand programs. 

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

Students ready to master Revit in Chicago must choose carefully to ensure they find the high-quality programs that make the most sense for their needs. While reading a company’s FAQ section about their unique programs might help navigate some confusion, it’s a good idea to know more about each training type before signing up for a class. Here are a few prominent pros and cons of the most popular career education models on the market today:

• In-Person Training: The main advantages of in-person training include hands-on support from a professor and the materials provided by the school. Downsides, like limited physical spacing and higher costs, should be considered before signing up.
• Live Online: Getting the chance to study from home without a lot of traveling makes live online courses a great experience. Learners also get hands-on and personalized support from their teacher. However, these programs often require a heavy time investment. 
• Self-Directed: The unique balance of on-demand and directed education makes self-directed a substantial opportunity for many learners. Their combination of resources makes learning easier but might be neither “fish nor fowl” for some serious students.
• On-Demand: People who want to work their training around busy lives and schedules love on-demand education because they can take classes at their own pace. However, those who need a little extra support will struggle without a real-time professor to help.

How Hard is it to Learn Revit?

Mastering Revit is an easy to mid-level challenge, depending on an individual’s experience. For example, those who’ve worked with design software may find it reasonably easy to understand. By contrast, those with none will struggle with it. However, Revit is designed to be user-friendly and mostly pretty easy to pick up and start using right away. That said, basic knowledge doesn’t equate to professional expertise, and practice is required from most people to sharpen skills.

What are the most challenging parts of learning Revit?

The most challenging part about learning Revit is knowing the underlying design theories and concepts necessary to create attractive rooms, houses, interior design projects, and more. The actual software itself is relatively easy to use pretty quickly but tricky to master without these underlying abilities. That said, even an inexperienced amateur can use Revit to produce workable blueprints pretty swiftly but may need a professional to touch them up a little.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Revit?

There’s really no single timeline for learning Revit. Put simply, everybody learns at different paces, which affects not only learning difficulty but also speed. For example, a few learners might find themselves mastering this software within a few days and even using it semi-professionally after a week or two. Others might need a month to feel comfortable with it or even a year (if they’re also learning design principles). Thankfully, bootcamps can help.

Can I Learn Revit Free Online?

While it’s technically possible to tap into free Revit resources and tutorials, it’s unsuitable for professional training. Yes, things like free seminars and YouTube channels can help learners sharpen their skills surprisingly quickly. However, they’re primarily set up as “touchups” or supplemental tools. They’re simply not comprehensive enough to prepare learners for a career using Revit, which makes bootcamps and other courses a much smarter personal investment. 

What Should I Learn Alongside Revit?

Anyone interested in mastering Revit should also study other skills, programs, tools, concepts, and techniques to improve their abilities even further. For instance, it’s critical to know basic design theory, construction concepts, cost-management ideas, and other fundamental theories. Just as importantly, they should study things like Navisworks, Timeliner, Dynamo, and Model Coordinate, all tools that make it easier for users to integrate Revit into their day-to-day tasks.

Mastering these practical tools, programs, theories, and concepts can make it easier for people from all walks of life to master Revit. Yes, this is a major personal investment that will require significant financial costs. However, building a better career is an important step. After all, living in Chicago is not cheap, and settling in or near the city requires a steady income with a great wage. Revit designers can make a significant income if they keep expanding their horizons.

Chicago Industries That Use Revit

Chicago is one of the largest economies in the nation and, by extension, the world. With many tech-related industries in the area (including computer firms and design companies), it shouldn’t be too hard to find a rewarding job after mastering Revit. Since most positions that use this software tool make close to or over $100,000 (more on that later), it’s an excellent skill for Chicago residents to master. Here are a few industries in the city that need Revit experts:

• Architecture: Firms like OKW Architects, Earles Architects and Associates, Bailey Edward, and Vinci-Hamp Architects need Revit experts for their projects.
• Construction: Building services like Orren Pickell, BGD&C, Integro Builders, 123 Remodeling, and LaMantia Design and Remodeling may need Revit pros.
• Civil Engineering: Many engineering companies (like Milhouse Engineering and Construction, as well as Sterling Engineering) often hire Revit masters. 
• Project Management: Management firms like Comply Guru, Medical Review Officer, and Federal Executive Board require Revit experts to handle big projects.

Revit Job Titles and Salaries in Chicago

Chicago’s expansive market has many high-quality Revit-related jobs that might work well for bootcamp graduates. Just a few of these opportunities include:

• Drafter: A Drafter may use Revit and other similar tools to produce workable construction or production plans. They make between $70,000 to $71,000 on average.
• Construction Project Manager: Making around $94,000 a year or up to $107,000 on average in Chicago, a Construction Project Manager uses Revit almost daily.
• BIM Manager: A BIM Manager uses Revit to help oversee complex drafting projects and can make around $83,000 a year in Chicago and many parts of the nation.
• BIM Coordinator: A BIM Coordinator works on larger projects than a manager and can earn around $94,000 on average in America or even more, depending on the area.

Revit Corporate Training

Design, manufacturing, drafting, and architectural firms that need to train multiple people to use Revit can tap into VDCI’s powerful and popular corporate education options to get started. Available online in Chicago, this team offers discounted bulk vouchers, high-quality real-time support, free retakes for anyone who doesn’t pass, and intensive, personalized training to streamline a firm’s Revit training experience. 

As a result, any manager or business owner looking to provide high-quality Revit support to their whole crew should consider contacting VDCI immediately. With award-winning curriculums, excellent professors, and a history of success, VDCI offers the experience that all learners need to thrive, no matter their chosen profession. Readers can email them at partnerships@vdci.edu to learn more about their corporate training opportunities.