B5 - Week 6 - Use of Databases In Design Offices

The blog post this week assigned Group D to read and write about the use of databases in design offices. I decided to focus on the use of databases with AutoCAD since I am a frequent user of AutoCAD and have a very limited understanding of how databases work.

The first thing that needs to happen with the use of databases in a design office is the initial setup of the databases.  This can be done with a database management system (DBMS) such as Microsoft Access. An example database would contain columns of Part Number, Description, Drawing Size, and Units. From what I understand, you can connect a database to AutoCAD using the dbCONNECT command from within AutoCAD. Once your database is connected to AutoCAD, you can link objects in a drawing with files in your database. 

The use of databases are beneficial for a multitude of reasons.  The most beneficial seems to be the ability to assign data to an object such as price.  Because a property, such as price, can be attached to an object, this allows the user to create a detailed report containing quantities and costs of a project. Another benefit of using a database in a design office is the ability for multiple users to access the database. It is important in a design office to maintain a drawing standard, so the ability for multiple users to share one database makes this very easy to accomplish.

Reference:
http://media.johnwiley.com.au/product_ancillary/11/11180222/DOWNLOAD/9781118022214-BC01.pdf

Responses:
Abdulghani Sayed - I too thought that Excel could be used as a database software. Hopefully Access is as easy to use as Excel, though from what you've stated, it seems as though the interface is very dull which usually is a drawback for users.

Mikaela Price - I have very little knowledge of databases, so your explanation of SQL helped me me understand a little more about databases.

Catherine Stephens - The tab delimited file approach to databases seems very inefficient compared to relational databases. In the example you gave showing the difference between a relation and a table, is the table just a random distribution of letters and numbers whereas a relation has information organized by row and column? Since I don't know much about databases, your entry helped me understand more about databases.

Week 4 – Alex dePinhoNunes - How does Revit relate to Autocad and other drafting programs

Since the computers began to be used for the construction firms, autocad have been the most used software that companies use to design bildings. Although Many other softwares from different companies have been made and used for diverse projects, autocad is the most used software for 2D drawings. In comparison with the second most used software 2D the Bentley Microstation, in my opinon,  I can say that autocad has advantages and disadvantages. First, the most efficient thing in autocad is the easy shortcuts for every single command in the program making you be able to drawing fast than in the microstation, that you need to point click in every command that you want to use. In my opinion the microstation has the advantage of create block with a simple click in ctrl+b, and in the autocad you need to have a way complex steps to achieve this. In general the two software are very similar and very good for use in 2D, but talking about 3D they are a complete disaster. I don’t know if the Autocad 3D or Microstation 3D are still being used for companies, but they cold not be even close to reach many aspects that the Revit nowadays is able to do. First of all, these 2 old programs aren’t able to creat blocks like furniture, doors, window and etc, instead were used rectangular blocks to represent that . Second they are not capable to support complex anf big structures, the program usually crash and had a very dalay to execute commands. In comparison with revit, these 2 old programs reaaly have many disadvantages. In the revit nowadays  these two problems that I told does not exist, with revit you are able to desgn any kind of structure that you  want and is relatively esier tha other 3D softwares. The simple commands and the very intuitive interface of the program, alyed with the previously kkowledge of the commands from autocad can make the use of Revit a vary easy task for some people.

I’ve used other kind of softwares since I began to work and study in the engeneering field, I have used Smart Plan, PDMS, Smart Marine, Inventor, and some of others that are very similar and very complex to learn, and of this kind of software I definitelly think that Revit, it’s the best one. Have a good knowledge in this softaware can be a good skill that you want to have for you job in the future.

B3 - Week 4 - How does Revit relate to other BIM programs?

My experience with design software has been limited to Revit and AutoCAD, with a few other softwares that are used for other types of design. Therefore I want to focus on the relationship between the two as it is what I can speak about most intelligently. Revit is a piece of software that is used to create digital models of buildings with the added benefit of pertinent building information being linked to different components of the model. The software is known as BIM, or building information modeling. This is done such that different requirements -- including schedules, elevations, plans, 3D views, etc. -- can all be generated from a single plan model. Obviously, some building components need additional parameters added from different views and some components are better designed from a different view. However, what this software allows is to step out of line work and simple pictorial representations that require each view to be created separately and are truly only helpful in 2D views. With this benefit now one can sit down and each time a person "sketches" or "drafts" the parameters of a component and accept those parameters, a fully finished and detailed component is created. This component also has material information linked to it as well as many other types of information that designers require. For instance, one can automatically create detailed schedules in a few clicks.
With that description of Revit established, we can compare how this relates to AutoCAD. AutoCAD is also able to create digital models, however it is actually software for digital drafting, which means it really is only an electronic sketch table. The software will allow for lines to be drawn and the spaces between them in 2 or 3 dimensions to be saved to create a digital drawing of the building. This differs greatly from Revit in that one using AutoCAD is only connecting lines to create shapes and the model is not so different from the same drawing done on paper. The computer assistance, however, allows for different features such as copy and paste as well as having a universal model scale that allows for exact dimensions to be satisfied. This was a major improvement, at the time, from drawing by hand which takes a tremendous amount of time and effort.
Compared to Revit, AutoCAD pales in comparison in terms of time and effort efficiency and efficacy to create a helpful, useable model. Revit allows for components to be represented as whole pieces with various types of data and modifiable parameters that relate to that type of building component. For example, a door in AutoCAD is really just a number of lines that will look like a picture of a door whereas a door in Revit is a predesigned component that is fully 3D, has multiple parameters in many different categories relating to design, and has a tremendous amount of metadata linked to it. It is simple to see that Revit can eliminate many of the tedious tasks associated with current design processes, including the dreaded updating of schedules and other information as the model changes.
Some other types of software do exist, such as Bentley Architecture V8i, Vico, and Tekla BIM which are all different in terms of interface and overall scope of use. For instance Bentley Architecture V8i is generally the software of choice for large international firms, which speaks volumes about the overall efficacy and dependability of the software. They also offer a myriad of different types of software that address many of the needs and concerns of highly professional and large projects that can be international collaborations. Vico is another type of BIM software that can allow for up to 5D models, which allow for advanced estimating and planning to be linked to the model. Vico also allows for projects to be remotely accessed and updated by multiple workers. Finally Tekla is mainly for civil projects as its main material types used for building are concrete and steel. All of these mentioned BIM softwares have the main difference from AutoCAD of being BIM and not just visual representations of a building. These BIM softwares will allow for advanced models to be created all at once while generating the necessary supporting documentation about the building components.

As Hamad Al-Sulaiti said, Autodesk did not fall from the limelight after the emergence of Revit -- they actually bought it and championed it. Autodesk is diversifying its products and evolving what we know as BIM into new and ever more useful programs. What is considerable is that they have found a way to thrive in a market where the paradigm of digital design is constantly changing. I think this is due in part by them identifying the inevitability of needing to adopt new systems to govern digital design and adopting these ideas as  their own. When Revit was being designed Autodesk found out who was creating this and bought it outright because they knew that their initial design software would be obsolete soon.
Hang Wang also referenced his own experiences using both softwares in different coops. I agree with how he described both types of software in terms of usefulness. AutoCAD does have some applications where it performs better than Revit. For instance, when only simple, 2D plans are required Revit is much too involved and would not be useful for simple representation. Also for projects involving renovations or designing within a preexisting building would require the entire building to be recreated in Revit before any new designs could be done. Therefore it should be understood that Revit does no outshine AutoCAD in all was.
Angela Castro referenced that Revit is technically creating 4D models -- 3D models with even more information or parameters attached to it intelligently. There is a potential for 5, 6, 7D that have been loosely defined but essentially what they describe is adding increasing levels of metadata to a building model. This includes comprehensive aspects of the building design process so that there is the potential to complete the entire building design process at once by creating a the model in a BIM software. This is more or less the direction that BIM is currently taking -- allowing for computers to perform more of the tedious and time consuming tasks related to building design, such as cost estimates, material schedules, spatial conflicts, etc.

B3-Jinhao Liang-Group E

How does Revit relate to AutoCAD and other drafting program?

Revit has its database and been set up under the design framework of BIM, which could offer more accurate and high quality projects through its unique operation between 2D and 3D. As a future’s structure engineer, the intelligent models given by Revit give us assistance to simulate and deeply understand the project before beginning the project, in the meantime, which also help to forecast the performance of the building. The database of Revit categorize and sort these objects, such as pipes, walls, doors, floors, furniture and so forth, into different groups (Family) that could be easy to found in the left manual. These parametric components provide a wide platform for designers. Thus, Architecture designers don’t need to draw the components through complicated sketching in 2D plane, but alter the parameter values of the templet according to the existing models. For an Architecture company, a unique and creative database would be a direction of the competition.  If an institute intend to do new model that quite different from other company, it is good choice to draw and design the component in AutoCAD and import it into Revit database because these two software have the same drawing pattern and can be translate each other. Furthermore, AutoCAD is a comprehensive design software, focusing on 2D drawing, can be used in various areas, hence it lacks of specific expressive force in building. However, Revit, obviously, have a better advantage in expressing 3D model like the camera system and optional conversion between 2D and 3D. We can view the part of the building from other perspectives. In comparison, Revit could lock the relative position, the length and height can be kept until the project is completed.  The setting of stairs, walls and floors are more convenient than AutoCAD. Actually, these functions are all from AutoCAD and Revit have combined a great number of functions and from ArchiCAD and make them turn in parameterization. Nonetheless, AutoCAD have more smooth operation speed for that it will close the unnecessary calculation during drawing. Unluckily, Revit is relatively slow because it keeps work to calculate what you did all the time.  For me, I pretty like the generating system of project sheet. With Revit, it becomes easier to alter it in the floor plan manual and drag the modified floor plan to the project sheet anytime. For AutoCAD, you need to draw everything in the sheet.  

"AUTODESK UNVEILS AUTOCAD REVIT SERIES 7." Computer Workstations 1 Feb. 2005. Academic OneFile. Web. 26 Jan. 2015.

Revit and AutoCAD, 2014, web. http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2014/04/revit-and-autocad.html

Comment to Hang Wang

You really did the researches about the Revit and provided the reference. I noticed that you said Revit is mainly used for Architecture design. I strongly agree with you. However, this software also offer adequate technique support for structure analysis. So, you not only do the design job through Revit, but also conduct the analysis about shear stress and bending moment like the SAP 2000 does. It’s a really nice software.

Comment to Angelina Castro

I agree to this point you said that Revit have a better expression on 3D model than AutoCAD especially the visual illustration in different perspectives . The characteristic of AutoCAD is that you can draw the lines in different layers. Actually, AutoCAD also have the Architecture edition, which is called ArchiCAD. It also provide lots of models like walls, electrical machines, steels pipe for user to adopt in the project. Revit and AutoCAD are from the same company, so Revit imitate some main functions of AutoCAD.

Comment to Hamad AL Sulaiti

It is a good point for you to relate the week 3’s lecture to the blog. It’s the first time I hear that Autodesk Inc. will publish the Building Design SUITE Premium 2015. I think they will do a great amount of improvement on visual expression and adding more models to the software. To architects and engineers, that will be a good news. The word, “cinematic-quality 3D”, make me excited and I hope they can get the software much easier to use. 

B3 - Justin Hileman - Group E

The topic of discussion for this weekly blog post today is presented in a question:

     "How does Revit relate to Autocad and other drafting programs?"

The question brings up many other sub-questions with respect to how it relates, what other programs, etc. There is not a very easy answer for this question because they are unique in their own ways, but they do have some similarities.

For a simple answer, Revit and AutoCAD are both computed based drafting programs that allow you to design and draft 2-D and 3-D models. An interesting section I found on the Autodesk website actually allows you to compare Revit and AutoCAD side-by-side, as well as against the Building Design Suite. If you are to scroll down on this page and find the instances where the section contains a check mark for both Revit and AutoCAD, you will find that there is only one. This is the section for "Point cloud viewing and editing". This is actually something we have discussed previously in class and allows users to create and edit 3-D models across different platforms using the cloud to share the model.

After more comparison and consideration, one can conclude that Revit relates to AutoCAD because of it's purpose and use. Revit and AutoCAD can both be used for design and implementation of different models. Although Revit and AutoCAD differ significantly with Revit allowing you to use BIM and scheduling and costs, they both will allow a designer/drafter to create a model to use for building purposes.

Some of the main ways that Revit and AutoCAD can relate with with other drafting programs are the way they allow you to design and edit and share these files. A great deal of design and drafting is done on the computer, instead of by hand now. This allows quicker editing and fixing mistakes, whereas before, you would have to redraw the design. Both of these programs, as well as other computer-based programs, save companies time and money and also provide more accuracy. Using computers require more precise detail because errors can and will occur and not allow the model to not be complete.

For this post, I only tried to use the two basic programs mentioned, Revit and AutoCAD. There are many other versions that could've been discussed but I was trying to relate the two programs with the best of my ability based solely on those instead of trying to incorporate the other parts and services offered by Autodesk.

Comments

In response to the post written by Hamad Al-Sulaiti, I thoroughly enjoyed how you began your blog with discussing the topic of technology and how useful it is, then transitioning into talking about how AutoCAD and Revit are part of that technology. I would have to say that I think you could've compared Revit and AutoCAD better, stating more similarities instead of what each program offers. When reading this post, it sounds more like discussing the benefits of each program instead of how they relate.

In response to the post written by Angelina Castro, it was an interesting read. I enjoyed the background on each program, as it would've been helpful if I had no experience with either program. I then like how you transitioned into how the two programs relate and how they can both be used to model similar 2-D designs. The information on how they differ was unique and enjoyable to read. I like how you ended the article leaving the reader with the idea that there is plenty more research that can and should be done.

In response to the post written by Hang Wang, this is very thorough and detailed. I enjoyed reading the background on the design software and your personal experiences with using each program. By stating that you have used the program shows you understand what it has to offer and how they could relate. I like how you separated the different sections when comparing the programs. It was very easy to read how they both relate and then how they relate to other programs. As I stated in my post, I did not consider any of the other types of Autodesk products and this made the post interesting to read.

Sources:

Revit - http://www.autodesk.com/products/revit-family/overview

AutoCAD - http://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview

http://www.autodesk.com/suites/building-design-suite/compare/compare-to-other-products

A3 - Angelina Castro - Group E

This week were asked to respond on the following question: " How does Revit relate to Autocad and other drafting programs?"

Revit is a program that is created by a company called Autodesk. The purpose of Revit is to create BIM or Building Information Model files. A BIM file is a new type of medium in which buildings from the infrastructure, utilities, and architectural plans can be designed and managed and be found in one single 3D model. In addition BIM files can be incorporated with a 4D aspect that integrates a building schedule and how work is phased out. Next there is AutoCAD. Just like Revit, AutoCAD is owned by the company Autodesk. AutoCAD is a program that allows designers, architects, engineers, etc. to create 2D plans (and 3D plans) by use of “drawing” lines and shapes. These two programs are related firstly that they are compatible due to the fact that they are owned by the same company. Secondly these two programs do allow for the ability to create 2D plans of buildings with almost similar results. However, Revit will be able to make the process of creating the building way more efficiently. This is so because in if you need to do something like draw an exterior wall, you can easily just click on wall in Revit, specify that it is an exterior wall and draw out your walls in a few easy clicks. In AutoCAD, every single line will need to be drawn out making the process, although not difficult, take longer to complete. In addition, AutoCAD will only recognize those lines as just that: lines. In Revit, it recognizes lines as actual objects, like a specific wall type, and can be edited as such. This merely touches the tip of the iceberg of the many new features that a BIM creating program like Revit has in store for designers and others alike as opposed to drafting programs like AutoCAD. 

Sources:

http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/building-information-modeling/overview

http://blog.digitaltutors.com/autocad-revit-draw-line/

Responses: 

dePinhoNunes:  I really enjoyed your comparison between the two programs AutoCAD and Microstation. Being that I have never used Microstation before, reading your description between the two programs really helped me understand the pros and cons of each program. 

Giovanna: This post did a good job in describing the advantages of a BIM program like Revit. Being a common AutoCAD, I always find myself trying to use CAD shortcuts or commands while using Revit thinking that it will work. I thought it was interesting how you described Revit as intuitive when making the switch between the two platforms can sometimes be a challenge when in reality that observation about Revit is mostly true. 

Justin: A good read. You did a good job in describing how the AutoCAD and Revit are related to each other laymen's terms, but also diving into a more in depth description as well. You mentioned that one of the ways these two programs are related is that they are both programs ensure an ease in sharing and editing files now that drafting is done on the computer these days. I find it weird that, although fully true that fact is, I always seem to forget it because of how advanced technology is today.  

Post#3 - Revit and AutoCAD (Group E)

AutoCAD and Revit have been both widely used for architects and architectural engineers. AutoCAD application can be used for 2D and 3D computer aided design and drafting. Its available since 1982 as a desktop application and developed a mobile version (AutoCAD 360) since 2010. AutoCAD has not only been used for architectural propose but for most of engineering use such as mechanical, Automobile design as well. On the other hand, Revit is majorly used just for architectural design. According to my personally experience, I have used both program by not much about other design programs, so I am going to mainly talk about these two programs and finish of with the compression with other programs.

AutoCAD vs. Revit

I did my co-op in capital project city of Philadelphia, during my internship, I was asked to use the AutoCAD for all of the city project which most of them were about building design, space reconfiguration, and furniture design. I found that AutoCAD is a very good 2-D plan design program in terms of precision drawing and professionary. Designer could easily adjust the room configuration and plan views by adding additional layers with out messing up the original drawings.

However, in my point of view,AutoCAD is stronger and relatively handier for drawing 2-D floor plans than 3-Ds, the designers could design different futures in different layers and this makes convenience to the contractors easy to figure out what their work it on the plan. Additionally, by applying multiple layers, the plans are very maneuverable, for example designers and contractors can easily shut down the unnecessary layer for the certain project. On the other hand, AutoCAD is very easy in terms of change the thickness of the interior and exterior walls.

However, drawing a 3-D view as well as the building interior cross-sectional view using AutoCAD would relatively require more work and skills from designers than Revit. In Revit, once the floor plans have been done, designers could just give the model a 3-D view by simply click the 3-D view tag in the view bar. In AutoCAD, 3-D view has to be done by dragging every single wall and make the connection between them.

Additionally, speaking the of the building modeling, Revit is also more convenient then AutoCAD. Revit has a good number of loadable, ready-to-use family members such as doors, windows, furniture and even electrical and pumping system whereas, in AutoCAD the design has to draw those future themselves and save them as a block if they still would like to use the same item later one. However, by using Revit, most of those items especially doors, windows and furnitures can just be added the plan by loading the certain family members. One thing they are in common in this feature is if the design would like to draw a specific member, the process and the amount of work is the same for both programs.

Revit and AutoCAD vs. other design programs

Finally, I am going to talk about the relationship between Revit and AutoCAD to other programs. According to my search, AutoCAD Architecture and ArchiCAD are also two of the very popular design program in architectural design filed. AutoCAD Architecture (ASA) is a version of Autodesk's flagship product with tools and functions specially suited to architectural work. It was initial released on 1998 and designed for Windows system. I have watched some video clips of designers using ASA to design floor plans, in my perspective, it sits between the AutoCAD and Revit, ASA has the ready-to-use family member like and the wall drawing option like Revit, but it also has the precision like AutoCAD. However, unlike Revist family members, designer could adjust the size of the family member by just input parameters into the proper parameter tags.

ArchiCAD is also an architectural BIM CAD software for macintosh and Windows developed by the Hungarian computer aided solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process. AchiCAD features some very similar aspects to Revit but much better in detailing the exterior and interior design such as materials detail, 3-D model. One very good feature I need to point for ArchiCAD, Revit, and ASA in common is, they are not allowed any structural inappropriate.  

Comments for other group members:

1. For Hamad Al-Sulaiti: I really like how you introduced basic features of AutoCAD and Revit and you also introduced some of the discussion information which we have done during the class. I could see you also did a lot of searches for both programs. However, just one quick thing, the topic not only asked for AutoCAD and Revist but other similar programs as well, I understand that we normally just use these two software, but it would be nice if you could do same searches for other softwares. Here are two of them, AutoCAD Architecture and ArchiCAD, hope that could help you.

2. For Justin Hileman: Hey Justion, I really like how you did after your compression you came out with the conclusion to indicate the AutoCAD is related to Revit, which I should improve on my post. Just a quick thing, I think you could also point out other design programs such as ArchiCAD and AutoCAD Architecture.


Improvement After Reading Others Post

After reading other peoples post, I found one of the major downside of my post this time is I was concentrating on compare of the different programs. However, I did not come out with the conclusion of they actually related to each other. Unfortunately, I did not have time to re-write the post but if I could do it on my time I will add the conclusion on.

Resource:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD_Architecture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArchiCAD