Gabe Hernandez Method for Getting Started with Revit – Part 2

In the Gabe Hernandez webinar , “The Great Migration: Moving from 2D to 3D for a Better Life,” he suggested tips for making your transition to Revit as efficient and productive as possible.

As part of getting started with Revit, Gabe gave some pointers for Revit project setup:

• Clean all CAD files prior to importing them into your Revit project.
• Start with the correct template for the project type.
• Establish all levels and grids to maintain throughout project.
• Create views and schedules to maintain and manage.
• Sheets and annotation are secondary and can easily be created when documentation is required.

There are practice (sample) files included with Revit that you can work on. You can also access BIM 360 in the cloud. Gabe recommended you use these practice files to build your confidence and expertise.

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Could you benefit from Revit training? Check out the Applied Software training calendar for upcoming dates for the course you’re interested in and download the syllabus.

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Tips from Gabe for a solid Revit transition:

1. Have patience.
2. When starting from scratch creating a model, you can use the default template that is built for your discipline. There are some workable options ready to use out-of-the-box. A template is a different file type (RTE) than a project (RVT).
3. There are two default levels that come with every template. They act as a reference for level-hosted elements. You can adjust these levels using the properties menu. Remember, Revit defaults to “feet” not inches.
4. You cannot save back to an older Revit version. So, to remember which version you used to create your model, put the Revit version in your project file name.
5. Do not bring bad CAD practices into Revit. (Those might include not specifying units, placing objects on wrong layers or not locking viewports.)
6. On your first one or two jobs, Gabe suggested you might take a phased approach and use a combination of an AutoCAD-Revit hybrid workflow. This can be useful for a limited time as you transition into Revit. He added, “Then you’ll need to cut the AutoCAD cord and go full Revit.”
7. Never skip more than two versions in your Revit file upgrade. There are so many differences between older versions and the newest, it can result in corruption of your models.
8. Audit when you open any project. Revit scans and detects corruptions in the project and fixes them. As Gabe put it, although it doesn’t tell you what it fixes, it’s still good to have it done.   
9. If you delete anything in the Revit, it affects the underlying project database. It’s best to not delete.
10. There is not a “furniture” button in Revit. Furniture and similar things are components. You add them to your model under the components pull down menu using the universal family loader.
11. If you’re in a command and change your mind, use “escape” to get out of the command.
12. When it comes to Revit Worksharing, remember the workflows as part of a team are much different than working alone in AutoCAD. Plus, the work elements can be allocated into disciplines, resulting in useful groups of project information called worksets.

With patience, commitment and practice on your part, Revit’s automation features can transform your company’s workflows. As you eliminate repetition, redundancy and errors, your transition to Revit can be insightful, efficient and rewarding.

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Check out Part 1 of this two-part Gabe Hernandez Method series.

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