Those who are new to learning Revit may be curious about what training resources are available that can help them get started. Free tools like online tutorials, YouTube videos, and self-paced courses can be a great place for novices to begin their Revit learning journey. Learners may also wonder what major skills are essential to learn from the start. Although all students approach learning Revit differently, most first-time Revit users will find that it’s important to learn how to navigate the user interface and perform basic tasks with this software as a first step. This includes exploring how to set up new projects, switch between different views, incorporate basic features like floors and roofs, modify element properties, use families, and add annotations. Once these foundational skills are acquired, learners can then get started working with this software’s range of other features and tools. 

Getting Started with Revit

To get started using Revit, you must first download this software. This can be done directly on Autodesk’s website. Those interested in acquiring this product can choose from either a subscription service or a flex plan. Subscriptions are available monthly or yearly. A one-month subscription costs $365, a one-year subscription costs $2,910, and three-year subscriptions are available for $8,730. Subscription plans are the best option for Revit users who will be working with this software regularly.

Autodesk also offers flex plans for Revit users. Autodesk Flex is a pay-as-you-go option that’s available for those who only need to work with Revit occasionally or who want to try out an Autodesk product before committing to a subscription. This system involves pre-purchasing tokens, which are then used to provide users with access to any Autodesk product that offers Flex for daily rates. The number of tokens required to use a specific Autodesk product varies based on which product is selected. Autodesk Flex requires a $300 minimum purchase. Employers first purchase tokens for their team, then go to their Autodesk account to assign users to Flex. Each day a product is open, tokens will be used until the product is closed. Employers can track spending and token use.

In addition to subscription and flex plans, Autodesk also offers a free Revit trial. This is a great option for beginners to consider because it allows them to become familiar with Revit or explore its basic capabilities before investing hundreds or thousands of dollars on a subscription or flex plan.

In addition to downloading Revit or opting for a free trial, those who are new to working with this software will also have to have access to a computing devide that has a reliable internet connection. Additionally, basic computer proficiency is a must to navigate the user interface and use this software.

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The First Steps when Learning Revit

The first thing most learners focus on when becoming familiar with Revit is the user interface. This entails exploring how to work with the tool palettes, navigation controls, and ribbon interface. Revit novices may then want to create a simple project with site information and defining levels with this software that can provide a way to experiment with basic elements like floors, walls, and roofs, as well as how to manipulate these features. This will provide students with a strong foundation on which more advanced skills can be added. 

Those who are just getting started with Revit may also want to explore how to switch between different views, including sections, elevations, and plans. They also will need to learn how to pan and zoom with this software. Next, the average learner will progress into drawing basic building elements, including doors and windows. Then, they can experiment with changing the size and material of each of these elements. Another essential skill when getting started with Revit is exploring the concept of the work plane and how it’s used to accurately place building elements. Then, Revit users will be ready to incorporate tags, dimensions, or other annotations into their models.

Revit newbies may also want to explore a few other key concepts as early on in their studies as possible. Learning how to work with predefined families is one such skill. Families consist of elements like windows or doors and can be customized to fit the needs of every project. Constraints are another key Revit tool; they help users maintain the accuracy of their designs and the relationship between the elements that are included in them. Finally, becoming familiar with how to manage various design stages, such as construction or demolition, is another essential foundational Revit skill.

Free Revit Tools for Beginners

Before you invest in live Revit training, you may be curious if there are any free tools available that can get you started. Those who are interested in learning Revit or AutoCAD basics can find more than 100 well-researched articles from Noble Desktop. Noble has a hub of AutoCAD tutorials, resources, and articles that provide relevant and timely information on topics like the costs associated with training, what career paths are available for those with AutoCAD training, and the top cities for studying this software. In addition, Autodesk provides free online tutorials and webinars on its website for those interested in exploring Revit tips and tricks, best practices, and essential software features.

Additionally, other providers have free introductory-level self-paced courses. Udemy offers a free class, How-To-Revit (Beginner Course), that provides learners with more than two hours of self-paced instruction on how to use this software’s basic drafting capabilities and tools, as well as how to transform 2D drawings into 3D models. Those who want to explore how to retrieve information from a Revit model and work with common modeling tools can learn to do so in Coursera’s BIM Fundamentals. Pluralsight also offers Revit videos and courses that can be accessed for free for ten days before a monthly subscription is required. In its class, Collaboration in Revit, students explore how to set up worksets and work with Revit’s management utilities for collaboration.

Additionally, Autodesk offers a free Revit trial for those who want to experiment with this software before committing to a subscription or flex plan. 

YouTube is another useful resource for finding Revit-related content. Students can search for short videos on a specific Revit skill, such as how to work with families or create annotations, or opt for longer video content that provides an overview of this software and its basic features. Skills Factory offers Revit novices short Revit videos that take ten minutes or less to watch. CAD in Black also has YouTube several hours of content on Revit that’s intended for beginners.

Free Revit classes and training materials can be a great starting point for those who want to explore Revit basics before committing to for-pay training options. However, learners should keep in mind that they won’t have access to an instructor when opting for free training materials. It’s up to the student to find answers to their own questions and independently seek clarification about any complicated material they encounter. This is why some individuals choose to start their learning path with free courses or online resources but eventually will need to transition into live training to maximize the returns on their efforts.

Live Revit Training for Beginners

Live Revit training is usually considered the most effective, engaging way to learn Revit. Beginners can select from in-person training options like short skills classes and bootcamp programs. Students who attend in-person classes complete their studies at a training facility that’s located in or near a major city. Participants have access to a computer lab with Revit already installed on the computers and ready to use. In addition to benefiting from the support of other learners in the classroom, students also gain valuable training and guidance from an expert instructor who has industry experience creating 3D models with this software.

Those interested in studying Revit in person should consider that they will need to commute to and from the training facility for class sessions. This type of training can pose challenges for individuals who don’t have access to reliable transportation or who live far from training centers. 

Learners interested in reaping all the benefits of live study but don’t want to leave the comfort of their own space can learn Revit through live online training options. Instead of having to battle rush-hour traffic or waste time and money on parking, those enrolled connect remotely with the instructor using a live teleconferencing platform. Just like in-person training, all learners can ask questions as they arise and receive immediate support. They can even grant the instructor permission to share their screen for additional Revit help. Live online classes are available for Revit novices in the form of short skills courses and bootcamps. 

Live online training requires that participants have access to a reliable internet connection, a home computing device, and a quiet place to complete their training. This study format also means being able to commit to attending classes that meet regularly, often several times a week. Those who have busy work schedules or personal lives may, therefore, find this type of training challenging. 

The Next Step

After acquiring a basic understanding of Revit’s interface, its main features and tools, and how to use this software to create simple building projects, most individuals will want to take their studies even further. Professionals interested in using their Revit expertise at work have several options for advanced-level training, including skills courses, certificate programs, or certifications. 

Most educational providers that offer short Revit skills classes provide options for beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level training. Students who complete introductory or intermediate-level classes may wish to continue on with their Revit educational journey and attend a short, advanced-level skills class. These courses deal with complex Revit topics, including creating parametric families, working with advanced analysis tools, coordinating large BIM projects, and integrating Revit with other software to streamline the project’s workflow. Most skills classes are relatively short and require just one or several days to complete.

More comprehensive Revit training is available in the form of certificate programs. Certificates are extended classes that take several weeks to several months to complete. These hands-on programs are available from many top providers in the US and are offered in-person, live online, and on-demand. Students spend several weeks or months (depending on the course) fully immersed in their training. Those who graduate from the program earn a certificate that demonstrates they have completed all sufficient coursework and are prepared to apply their skills professionally. In addition to in-class training, many certificate programs include career-focused incentives, such as 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, resume critiques, help with LinkedIn profiles, interview prep sessions, or access to networking events.

Certifications are another way some learners opt to acquire advanced-level Revit training. Revit certification is achieved by paying a fee and sitting for an exam that’s administered by a third party. It’s up to the students to prepare for this test as they see fit. Some learners may rely on prior work experience or their existing Revit knowledge to pass a certification exam. Others benefit more from enrolling in a course like a bootcamp or a certificate that covers the skills that will be on the test. Those who successfully pass the exam receive an industry-recognized certification. This can be added to their resume or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate to employers that they’ve reached a level of expertise with this software and can apply their skills professionally. 

Autodesk offers certifications specifically in Revit, as well as certifications in Autodesk:

• The Autodesk Certified User was created for non-native English speakers who work in various industries. To pass this test, students must be familiar with foundational Autodesk software skills.
• The Autodesk Certified Associate was created for students in higher education who want to apply their Autodesk knowledge to a new career. This 50-minute, beginner-level certification requires students to demonstrate knowledge of BIM software.
• The Autodesk Certified Professional is available for those with advanced knowledge of Revit who want to stand out from other job applicants in a competitive job market.
• The Autodesk Certified Expert exam requires a mastery of complex workflows. Those who earn this designation demonstrate to employers that they have attained a high-level knowledge of Autodesk tools.
• The Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Architectural Design is intended for those who have advanced Revit knowledge and can use this training to solve workflow or design challenges. Most individuals who pass this exam require 400-1,200 hours of Revit experience in a professional architectural setting. This test takes 120 minutes to complete. Those who pass earn a certification that’s valid for three years.
• The Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Structural Design takes 120 minutes to complete. Students are tested on topics like documentation, Revit project management, families, modeling, and views. Most students will need about 400-1,200 hours of experience working with Revit software in a real-world setting to pass this test.

Learn Revit with Noble Desktop

VDCI's BIM Certificate program offers comprehensive training in Building Information Modeling through intensive, small-group classes led by industry expert instructors. Students master essential skills through hands-on experience with real-world commercial construction projects, learning everything from 3D modeling in Revit Architecture to creating detailed construction documentation and specializing in MEP or structural design. The program stands out for its practical approach and student-friendly policies, including free course retake options to ensure mastery of the material.

Noble Desktop, an educational provider based in Manhattan, offers a range of hands-on classes intended for those who want to learn AutoCAD. Its AutoCAD Level 1 is a short skills course in which participants learn how to work with AutoCAD to make drawings of architectural and mechanical objects. Coursework covers topics like how to create or edit drawings, work with tracking and object snaps, and insert blocks.

Noble also offers an AutoCAD Bootcamp that provides learners with in-depth training on basic techniques for drawing and modifying technical drawings, as well as how to use this software to make 2D drawings. In this bootcamp, participants design and edit a basic drawing to practice with AutoCAD tools. Learners should be aware that this course was designed for PC users; Mac users can attend this program live online.

Noble also offers an AutoCAD Masterclass for those interested in upgrading their existing skills. This intensive program provides small-group instruction and hands-on training on topics like navigating the software’s interface, making basic drawings, and working with essential editing commands. Students then receive intermediate-level training that includes lessons on using layouts, templates, and styles. The final course component covers advanced AutoCAD skills like using dynamic blocks, attributes, and tables.

In addition, those who want to sit for the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam can sign up for Noble’s AutoCAD Certification. This intensive class provides learners with a combination of private tutoring and live AutoCAD training. 

All Noble courses are taught by expert instructors with industry experience. They each include a free retake option for up to one year. Participants can complete their training live online or in New York City.