Imagine you had a magical device that could connect you directly to some of the best Revit brains on the planet. Imagine it revealed techniques, tips and outright tricks to help you make Revit fly. Then imagine it was affordable and readily accessible on your (physical or virtual) desktop.
Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011
The Authors
Eddy Krygiel, Phil Read & James Vandezande are regular speakers at Autodesk University and well known to “Reviteers” through their blogs, articles and project work. I know Phil best as he’s the only one (I think) who has visited New Zealand and introduced me to Revit (before the Autodesk acquisition). In addition, a host of contributors have added expertise, often gained in specialist applications of Revit beyond the typical design/documentation workflow.
The Plot
A glance at the index, summarised, below shows the scope of this book. From implementation to fabrication and beyond. In addition you get access to download the Revit files used in tutorials/examples.
- Fundamentals: Beyond Documentation, Principles of Revit, The basics of the Revit Toolbox
- The Revit Workflow: Configuring Project Templates & Standards, Managing a Revit Project, Understanding Worksharing, Working with consultants, Interoperability: Working Multi-Platform
- Modelling & Massing for Design: Advanced Modelling & Massing, Conceptual Design & Sustainability, Phasing, Groups & Design Options, Visualisation
- Extended Modelling Techniques: Walls & Curtain Walls, Floors, Ceilings & Roofs, Family Editor, Stairs & Railings
- Documentation: Detailing, Documenting, Annotating, Presenting your design
- Construction & Beyond: Revit Construction Modelling, Revit In the Classroom, Revit & (computer) Virtualisation, Under the hood (API), Direct to Fabrication, Revit for Film & Stage, Revit in the Cloud (Network),
- Appendices: The Bottom Line (exercises), Tips – Tricks & Troubleshooting, Autodesk Certification Exam Preparation Roadmap
“Mastering” is for all levels of experience
Don’t be intimidated by “Mastering” in the title. If you’re a CAD Manager just setting out on the exciting adventure of BIM you will find advice on Revit implementation, including impacts on teams & project workflow. If you have recently started using Revit Mastering has practical advice on the basic concepts, tools and limitations of Revit. While it won’t eliminate the learning curve it will help avoid wrong turns. More advanced users will find techniques and projects to inspire. The breadth of work means “Mastering” is relevant to all aspects of BIM; design, construction and lifecycle/operation.
The Recommendation
In two words: Buy it! A somewhat blunt statement but that’s what I did. The only other recommendation is consider a digital format as the dead tree version is heavy! That said there is still something nice about a real book.
Meet the Authors at Autodesk University 2010
@PhilRead Come to "Meet the Mastering Revit Authors at AU" Thursday, December 2 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm details at http://fb.me/JpDe6hGQ
The Health Warning
Be seen reading it at work (especially if, like me, not a design office) and you will be branded a geek (like I wasn’t already)!. The paper version may cause arm & shoulder pain after long use simply due to it’s mass. All versions will absorb your attention and fire your imagination. Be prepared to spend even more time in Revit, book by your side, experimenting, playing, learning.
Get Mastering
It’s published by Wiley and available paper & digital formats.
ISBN: 978-0-470-62696-2
The disclosure:
A review copy of the book was supplied by the publisher. This copy was retained by me and the one I purchased, pre-ordered via Amazon, was donated to the Revit User Group Auckland. Seemed fairer not to donate a well thumbed review copy complete with, lunchtime reading, pasta stains :)
