As you get started learning Revit, you may wonder how long it will take to learn this software. Each individual’s timeframe for learning Revit is dependent on several key factors, such as the training format they select, their prior experience with design concepts and building intelligence modeling (BIM), their learning style, and their ultimate goals for studying Revit. Although no two learners are the same, most Revit students will find that they can learn how to work with this software’s basic features and tools in three months or less. However, full mastery of Revit can require a much longer timeframe and over a year of practice. Read on to explore some tips for expediting the Revit learning process, as well as the realistic expectations you should have when approaching training.

How Much Revit Can I Learn in 3 Months 

No two learners are the same in terms of the timeframe it will take them to learn Revit. On average, the entire learning process takes about a year for most Revit students to be able to complete entire building project models with this tool. Some can acquire basic Revit knowledge in as little as a few weeks, whereas others may need much longer than a year to fully master this tool for large-scale building design. Learners should keep in mind that Revit was created for use in complex architectural projects. Therefore, it has a steeper learning curve than comparable modeling software.

The type of training format you select when studying Revit will greatly influence the speed at which you learn this tool. Full-time, live courses are usually the fastest and most effective way to acquire Revit training, while self-paced certificate programs and other self-teaching resources can require the longest time commitment.

Full-time Revit coursework is available from many top educators in the US. Students who opt for an in-person or live online bootcamp or certificate program devote several weeks to several months fully immersed in their training. This condensed educational experience affords students the time and support necessary to learn Revit basics before progressing into more complex material. Participants begin by exploring the software’s interface, including navigation controls, tool palettes, and the ribbon interface. Once they have a solid grasp of how to navigate Revit, learners can then get started learning basic competencies, including how to create and manipulate core design elements, such as walls, floors, and roofs. This process can require several weeks for some learners. 

After these basics are covered, students can then build on this foundational knowledge and acquire intermediate-level Revit skills in several additional months. This includes how to switch between different views, pan and zoom, and incorporate essential building elements like windows and doors into their Revit models. Intermediate-level Revit knowledge also entails skills like adding dimensions, tags, or annotations to models. Generally speaking, advanced-level Revit skills will take longer than three months for the average beginner to acquire.

Part-time training options are also available for some bootcamps and certificates. Those who opt to learn Revit through part-time study will benefit from pacing out their training over a longer timeframe than just a few weeks; they may instead devote six months or longer to their studies. This kind of training provides participants with additional time to practice the skills they’re learning. However, it also means waiting a longer time to graduate and put this training to use.

Self-paced Revit study is another option for those interested in learning Revit. These courses are pre-recorded and placed online, where students complete their training asynchronously. Self-paced Revit classes take many forms, including relatively short skills courses that cover a specific Revit feature, such as how to use keynotes or create models that focus on fire protection. These classes require just a day or so of study. More comprehensive, on-demand training options are also available for those interested in acquiring a robust understanding of Revit over a longer timeframe. Some self-paced classes require several weeks of training, whereas others can take upwards of eight months. Unlike live study, in which the instructor dictates the class pace, it’s up to the individual to decide for him or herself how long self-paced Revit training will take and how much can be learned within the first three months of study.

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How Can I Learn Revit More Quickly?

Several educational resources are in place that can help learners expedite the Revit learning process. Free resources like online tutorials, articles, blogs, and YouTube videos are available for those who want to learn basic Revit skills without committing to an expensive training course: 

• Those interested in exploring basic Revit and AutoCAD concepts can read well-researched articles from Noble Desktop. Noble has a hub of AutoCAD tutorials, articles, and resources that are intended to help learners get started and learn the basics, including what AutoCAD is and its professional applications. 
• In addition to Noble, other top educators offer free beginner-level Revit classes and resources. Autodesk has free online tutorials and webinars on its site. These cover basic concepts, including tips, tricks, and best practices.
• Udemy has a free self-paced course, How-To-Revit (Beginner Course), that includes two hours of self-paced Revit instruction on topics like how to create 3D models from 2D drawings. 
• Coursera offers BIM Fundamentals, a free, self-paced program that teaches students how to retrieve information from Revit models and use essential modeling tools.
• Pluralsight 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.
• YouTube is a rich resource for Revit-related content. Students can find useful content from Skills Factory, which provides 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.
• Autodesk offers a free Revit trial for those who want to explore this software before paying for a monthly or yearly subscription plan. 

Although free resources and asynchronous courses can be a good resource for Revit novices to learn the basics, there’s no substitute for live instruction. Those who are new to Revit and want to learn this software’s core capabilities will benefit greatly from the support provided in live skills classes or bootcamps. These programs provide learners with interactive, hands-on training in the small class environment. Students benefit from real-time guidance from an expert instructor with industry experience using Revit. Additionally, those enrolled also enjoy the support of learning alongside others in their cohort. Most skills classes take only a day or so to complete, whereas bootcamps typically require approximately two weeks. This condensed timeframe is an excellent way to learn Revit basics and put these skills to immediate use.

What Revit Skills Will I Need to Learn After 3 Months?

Once you’ve learned basic skills through free resources, introductory-level skills classes, or bootcamps, you may wonder what the next step is in your Revit training path. The answer to this question largely depends on your reasons for learning Revit. For non-professionals who are interested in learning Revit for home renovation projects, such as to visualize how a bedroom will look with a wall knocked out and a window added or to make ballpark estimates for the building materials needed to build an addition, there may be no need to acquire more advanced-level training. Instead, the basic skills learned up to this point may suffice.

On the other hand, for individuals who want to learn advanced-level Revit skills for work-related reasons, such as to complete an upcoming architectural project or to apply for an entirely new career path, advanced-level BIM skills are essential. For these individuals, certificate study or certification is a good option to consider. Certificates in Revit are completion-based programs that focus on teaching students Revit. These rigorous classes 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. 

Certifications, on the other hand, are earned 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.

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.