As BIM software, users can input project data into the software and it will automatically generate project documentation including schedules, costs, and 2D floor plans. Revit also identifies design conflicts and resolves or flags them, and has extensive collaboration and visualization features. Team members and other stakeholders can collaborate by making design adjustments directly in Revit and it allows for cross-software collaboration, as well. Users can create realistic 3D renderings and generate interactive walkthroughs of projects in Revit. As a 4D modeling software, Revit can model the entire lifecycle of a project so that users can think about how the project with function over time and in relation to the surrounding environment.
Revit was originally designed by Charles River Software, whose designers wanted an easier way to use computer software for 3D parametric modeling. The name Revit--a contraction of revise instantly--hints at what set Revit apart from other modeling software when it was initially released in 1997. That is, a change in one part of the model will update the entire model so that one’s design remains accurate and consistent. Shortly after Revit’s public release, the company would undergo a name change and then be acquired by Autodesk in 2002.
Top Live Online Revit Certificate Programs
Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) offers comprehensive Revit training in their BIM Certificate Program. This eight-month online program trains participants to enter the workforce fully trained to use Revit Architecture software to design and document all parts of a project. This is a project-based course where students learn to design and document a complex construction project while taking both required courses and electives. Enrolled students can choose to specialize in Revit MEP, Revit Structure, or SketchUp fundamentals to make sure they learn the skills necessary for their desired field. A specialization helps one’s skillset stand out as they navigate the job market. Taking this course through VDCI not only allows participants to earn a certificate of completion to show potential employers, but enrollees also receive access to student software they can use during the course.
Another option is VDCI’s CAD/BIM Certificate Program, which provides professional, career-ready training in both AutoCAD and Revit. This program is 10 months long and all online, making it a great option for someone who can only attend classes part-time. Similar to the BIM Certificate Program, this course of study is project-based and students will complete a capstone project to demonstrate their skills at the end of the program. Expert instructors will guide students through learning the fundamentals of these two essential software programs and students will choose from a series of electives geared toward more specialized training needs. Participants can choose to specialize in Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, or as an AutoCAD Professional and should gear their specialization toward their desired industry and career needs.
Autodesk Revit Architecture Fundamentals
ONLC also offers online Revit training. Their industry-specific courses can be used to learn Revit or to prepare for Autodesk Certified User and Autodesk Certified Professional exams. ONCL’s Autodesk Revit Architecture Fundamentals course is beginner-friendly and aims to train students to design a complete 3D architectural model as a final project. Students will learn the basics of drawing, editing, and creating documentation that they will use for their real, on-the-job projects. In addition to this Revit Architecture Fundamentals course, they offer a similar course for Revit MEP and both have self-study as well as live online options.
Team D3 Revit Courses
Team D3 offers Revit courses that provide comprehensive, professional training for AEC professionals who need to use Revit in their careers. Team D3’s classes are sequenced in a specific order from beginner-level up to advanced courses. Beginning 00-, 100-, and 200-level courses tend to be less discipline-specific whereas advanced courses will be targeted towards those learning Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, or Revit MEP. Familiarity with AutoCAD is a prerequisite to Team D3’s Revit courses and they also offer AutoCAD classes for interested learners.
Revit Architecture Masterclass
The Knowledge Academy also offers a comprehensive masterclass for Revit Architecture. Students will work through five modules in this course, starting with learning the basics of the interface and BIM software before moving on to using Revit’s drawing tools, creating a plan view, and adding walls to projects. Module three trains students in setting up levels and adding grids and then students will learn how to add other features like doors, floors, and roofs. The final course module covers views and creating necessary construction documentation. The Knowledge Academy’s courses have instructor-led live online options and are available through their self-paced elearning platform.
Autodesk Revit Certification Prep Courses
Autodesk offers self-paced online courses to prepare Revit users for their certification exams. Their current certification preparation courses include Revit for Electrical Design, Revit for Structural Design, Revit for Architectural Design, and Revit for Mechanical Design. Each course is about 10 hours long and includes pre-recorded video lessons as well as datasets with practice exercises, quizzes, and assignments that allow participants to demonstrate their skills. These prep courses are not a substitute for a complete, comprehensive training program which will include hands-on training with a live instructor and professional skill development. While you will not have access to a live instructor for these courses, Autodesk does have community groups and forums that you can reach out to and interact with.
Related Online Certificate Programs & Training Classes
Revit is often one part of an AEC professionals training needs. Many AEC professionals will also need to learn AutoCAD, Autodesk’s industry-standard computer-aided drafting program. Noble Desktop offers comprehensive training in AutoCAD in its bootcamps and certificate programs, which both provide learners with a digital certificate of completion at the end of the course.
Noble Desktop’s comprehensive AutoCAD program of study is designed for those seeking to become Autodesk Certified Professionals (ACP) in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting. Participants will learn everything from the basics of accurately drawing and editing 2D designs and working with tracking points, construction lines, and blocks to creating custom tools and using AutoCAD’s collaboration features. In addition to providing enrollees with introductory, intermediate, and advanced AutoCAD training, this course includes six hours of individualized 1-on-1 tutoring that will allow you to receive personalized training and review of topics of your choosing. The cost of the exam is included in the cost of this certification program. Even if you do not want AutoCAD certification, this course is still a useful way to become an AutoCAD expert and you have the option to receive an additional hour of private tutoring instead of taking the exam.
The AutoCAD Masterclass course provides introductory, intermediate, and advanced AutoCAD training similar to the AutoCAD Certificate Program, though participants will not have private tutoring hours or take the ACP exam. Students will learn basic drawing and editing tools, how to insert, create, edit, and otherwise work with blocks, how to organize layers, annotate projects, collaborate, and customize the AutoCAD interface. What students learn will be reinforced with real-world projects that help students prepare to use AutoCAD in the workplace. This course is beginner-friendly and can be taken by those with previous AutoCAD experience who want to develop their skills further.
Bootcamps are accelerated training courses designed to provide students with skills proficiency in a short amount of time. Noble Desktop’s beginner-friendly AutoCAD Bootcamp is a great introduction to working with 2D drafting tools and learning the basics of this program. The bootcamp, unlike the AutoCAD Certification Program or AutoCAD Masterclass, only covers introductory and intermediate skills. This allows learners to receive proficiency training in a relatively short time frame in comparison to longer programs and classes. While you might need additional training to become an ACP, taking this course will earn you a certificate of completion that you can show to employers. Classes can either be taken full-time during the weekdays or part-time two evenings a week, making this bootcamp a convenient option to learn AutoCAD even for full-time workers.
Additional Software to Learn
Civil 3D is another popular software program from Autodesk for AEC professionals who work on civil engineering projects. It is also common to learn additional Autodesk software like Navisworks or Infraworks. Navisworks allows team members to review designs, combine models, and coordinate project planning while Infraworks is software that allows AEC professionals to plan and model civil infrastructure projects. Depending on your field-specific specialization you might need to learn additional software and toolsets.
What is the difference between a certificate program and a certification?
Certificate programs and certifications have similar names but very different purposes. A certificate program is a more general name for a course of study that results in a student receiving a certificate of completion. Usually, certificate programs are job training programs that one can take to prepare for a career. They are quicker and more cost-effective in comparison to pursuing a traditional two- or four-year degree program and the training offered in a certificate program can be more technical and help enrollees transition directly into the workforce.
Revit or BIM certificate programs are comprehensive, career-ready training programs. They are designed to prepare learners to enter the AEC workforce and those who complete the program will receive a physical or digital certificate of completion that can be shown to employees to certify that they’ve received Revit training. A certificate of completion can also provide learners with a useful addition to their resume or CV.
Certification, by contrast, is the process of meeting formalized standards that confirm someone has a certain skills or knowledge. While any education provider or training facility can offer a certificate of completion for passing their courses, certifications are usually controlled and standardized by industry-recognized companies or organizations. Software companies, for instance, provide certification exams for their industry-standard programs and professional organizations might require someone to take an exam and meet specific standards to become certified practitioners. You do not need to become Revit certified to become an AEC professional, though certification can help show your skillset to potential employers.
For Revit, Autodesk offers certification exams that can provide a formal attestation of your Revit proficiency. Autodesk Certified User exams are for entry-level skills and Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exams test advanced knowledge. Autodesk offers four industry-specific exams that can allow you to become an ACP in Revit for Architectural Design, Revit for Structural Design, Revit for Mechanical Design, or Revit for Electrical Design. You should choose the exam specific to your field. Autodesk offers exam preparation courses and while each exam will test your Revit skills, each exam tests specific industry-related proficiencies.
Who Needs Revit Certification?
While certification is not necessary to work with Revit, pursuing a certificate or certification can help you stand out as a job candidate. Certificates of completion show that you have received Revit training and an ACP certificate indicates that you have advanced, industry-specific Revit skills. Employers looking for job-ready candidates will be able to immediately tell your knowledge and skill level by looking at your certificates or certifications. This is especially useful for those just getting started in their fields. A certificate of completion or a certification along with a strong portfolio can show your strengths as a job candidate.
Becoming an ACP can also help you to show your specialization to potential employers. Given that each exam is industry-specific, taking the right exam for your field will indicate that you have field-specific knowledge that is necessary for the on-the-job use of Revit software. Freelancers, consultants, and those just starting in AEC fields should especially consider bolstering their resumes with industry-specific certifications.
What You’ll Learn While Becoming Revit Certified
Revit certificate courses will teach you many general 3D modeling, documentation, and collaboration skills that are necessary for AEC professionals. At the more advanced level, they will often teach industry-specific toolsets and uses of Revit and related software, as well. Many Revit courses will also build on your skills in designing and drawing with CAD software, especially AutoCAD. While it is not a requirement, Revit and BIM courses of study and programs often recommend some familiarity with AutoCAD or other CAD software before learning how to use Revit.
Revit Interface
Any software course will start by teaching you how to navigate the interface. You will need to know how to navigate the interface to find different features and toolsets as well as how to hide features so that you can focus on specific elements of your project. You will encounter different tabs like the architecture tab, the structure tab, or the insert tab, each of which allows you to work on particular parts of your project and you will see other bars, toolbars, the project browser, and properties that you will need to learn how to navigate. Instructors will often give you tips on how to navigate and work with different aspects of Revit’s interface to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently.
3D Modeling
Certificate programs will teach users both basic and advanced forms of 3D modeling using Revit. You can expect to learn how to design and modify architectural components like walls, doors, windows, and stairs. Depending on your program’s goals, you can even have the chance to also add structural components like foundations, beams, or reinforcements, or MEP systems like HVAC ducts or electrical layouts. Advanced features can include creating elements with more complex or abstract shapes.
Construction Documentation
Another core feature of Revit is that it can produce accurate construction documentation. Revit courses will teach you how to export, share, and print detailed floor and site plans that can be used during construction and how you can use Revit to track and control schedules. Using Revit, you will be able to input information about industry-specific schedules like equipment counts or the number, location, type, fire rating, and size of windows and other components. The software will automatically update to reflect any changes and can help calculate costs for your projects.
Visualization
Revit has multiple ways for users to visualize their projects. Users will learn not only how to view 2D or 3D models, but also how to render their project into a more photorealistic model. You can also use Revit to create interactive videos, like model walkthroughs and animations, or use the camera tools to create images of the model from different perspectives. These visualizations are a useful way to update stakeholders on the project and they can also help you to simulate the lifecycle of your project in a more realistic, visual way.
Collaboration
Another thing you will learn in a Revit course is how to use Revit collaboratively. Revit’s software is often used for work-sharing so that multiple team members can make changes to a central project model that is updated in real time. Revit allows other team members or stakeholders to monitor any changes, annotate projects, and share feedback through Revit. Revit will also let users know of any issues in different file versions or problems with any project components so that they can be addressed promptly.
Top Revit Industries
Revit is widely used across AEC industries. Engineering and Architecture are two of the largest industries that employ those with Revit knowledge. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries are growing at a faster-than-average rate and are expected to have around 195,000 job openings in the future. Revit is also commonly used in construction and other design and planning fields. Any industry that needs detailed building, systems, or topographical models is likely to use Revit along with other modeling software.
- Engineering: The most common engineering specialties that use Revit are Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Engineers and Structural Engineers. Revit has specific features for Structural Engineers who need to design columns, beams, foundations, or reinforcements for their projects. Within Revit, MEP Engineers can create HVAC systems, electrical systems, or plumbing systems.
- Architecture: Architects use Revit for 3D modeling of their projects, whether they are designing buildings for personal, commercial, or industrial use. Architects can work on designing doors, windows, railings, roofs, and other important building features and see how their models will interact with the surrounding landscape over time. Landscape Architects also use Revit to do 3D site modeling, using Revit’s ability to create roads and site topography.
- Construction: Those in construction will also often need training in Revit. Someone working in construction will need to know how to generate necessary construction documents like schedules and material quantities. They can also update and annotate project plans to take into account real-world constraints and they can visualize a project’s various construction phases.
- Interior Design: Interior Designers also use Revit in a couple of key ways. This software makes it easy to plan the interior layout of a space accurately and to share one’s interior design plans with clients or other team members. Revit also allows users to define and add details about color, texture, finish, and material to different surfaces. This not only helps Interior Designers to share a more accurate vision of their designs with their clients but this information is also used to generate construction schedules.
- Urban Planning: Part of the work of an Urban Planner is to assess and develop plans for land use and infrastructure. Revit has useful capabilities to help an Urban Planner with these goals. The urban planning field uses Revit to design site plans for infrastructure like roads or analyze how current and planned structures interact with the surrounding environment. Revit helps Urban Planners get a better sense of the functionality and sustainability of current and planned projects.
Top Revit Careers
Revit training is the precursor to many in-demand careers. Most individuals with Revit training go on to work as AEC professionals. Depending on one’s level of industry-specific knowledge, experience, and education, one can start as a drafter and work their way up to being a designer or modeler in a variety of planning and design industries. A university degree in architecture or engineering will also often start individuals down specific career paths within those fields.
- CAD Drafter: A CAD Drafter draws the 2D and 3D designs of a lead designer, architect, or engineer. They need to know how to create technically accurate drawings in AutoCAD and Revit. This is often an entry-level position and someone can expect to earn between $41,000 and $85,000 per year in this role. Someone in this role might also be called an operator, technician, or an AutoCAD/Revit/BIM Drafter.
- CAD Designer: A CAD Designer usually has more creative control and decision-making over a project’s designs. They have a key role to play in project planning and design conception, along with other lead designers, architects, or engineers. A CAD Designer will also need to know both AutoCAD and Revit, similar to a drafter. The average salary for a CAD Designer is currently $68,000 per year and this salary ranges from $44,000 at the low end to around $109,000 for more senior positions.
- BIM Modeler: A BIM Modeler will often primarily work with 3D modeling software, including Revit, to create and manage project models. They might be involved in both designing and monitoring the accuracy of their 3D models. As BIM specialists, they will also be in charge of entering and extracting necessary project data from the BIM software. BIM Modelers in the US earn $76,000 on average per year, a salary that can range from around $56,000 to around $104,000.
- Architect: Architects use AutoCAD, Revit, other design software, and hand-drawn plans to design buildings and structures for personal, commercial, industrial, or governmental use. They are often the lead members of a design team and can work as freelancers or for small or large architectural firms. Firms either specialize in a specific type of architecture or employ many professionals with varied expertise to suit their clients’ design needs. Architects often need a university degree and relevant experience and will have to pass a licensing exam. The average salary of an architect in the US is $93,000 per year.
- Engineer: Like architects, engineers are often university-educated lead designers or developers on a project. Depending on their industry and specialization, they can design structures, systems, or processes. Structural and MEP Engineers are the most likely engineering professionals to use AutoCAD and Revit for designing projects. An engineer’s salary and job responsibilities will also depend on their industry specialization. Structural Engineers make an average of $101,000, Mechanical Engineers earn around $96,000, Electrical Engineers around $102,000, and Plumbing Engineers around $95,000. An engineer’s actual pay depends on many factors including experience, education, and location.
Considerations When Taking an Online Revit Course
Taking an online Revit course comes with many advantages in comparison to traditional in-person training. Online classes are more convenient. You can attend an online class from any location, including your own home. Online providers are also more likely to offer evening, weekend, and part-time education options, making an online Revit class easier to attend for many full-time workers or busy individuals. An online Revit class or certificate program is also more cost-effective than a full degree program and is often cheaper than comparable in-person courses (though this varies from provider to provider).
While it is often more cost-effective, overall, learning Revit online can also come with some additional costs. In-person training facilities will often allow students to use their technologies and software subscriptions, but this is not always the case for online training providers. You often need to use your own computer and will likely need to pay for software subscriptions. Some online training providers will provide discounted or free software subscriptions for students and this will vary from provider to provider.
As you determine whether to take an online Revit class, you should also consider your own learning needs. Online learning is more convenient and flexible, but it isn’t for every learner. While self-motivated individuals might find little difference between in-person and online training formats, others find it harder to focus and remain engaged in course material when learning online. There are ways to enhance your engagement when taking an online training course, including setting aside a specific time and place for your coursework, studying in a library or coffee shop, and making an extra effort to contribute to in-class discussions, online discussion boards, or other opportunities to engage with your fellow students and the instructor.
For most learners, it will be easier to learn from a live, instructor-led class. This training format comes with the convenience of online learning and is similar to taking an in-person class. It allows for students to learn the most up-to-date techniques from an expert and instructors can adapt their training to the needs of the students. Students in a live online class can ask questions and receive individual feedback on their skills, something that might not be possible in an asynchronous or self-paced online class. Self-paced or on-demand classes provide students with course materials and students must then teach themselves the content. While these courses are often cheaper than other live online or in-person classes, they will not provide hands-on training or professional skill development for those who want to learn Revit to launch a career in an AEC-related profession. For professional skill development and career support services, look for live online or in-person Revit training in a bootcamp or certificate program.