Which BIM software should I use?
Which BIM software should I use?
When you really look at that question, the answer is insanely simple.
The one you will enjoy using most.
All BIM programs (Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Bentley Systems, Allplan…) have their pros and cons. Some do more than others. Each has its strengths when working with others (ie, collaboration and interoperability). Each program handles all the levels of BIM differently. But none of that really matters. If you don’t enjoy using the software, it is irrelevant if the program is the best thing ever. You won’t take advantage of it. Who cares if the program can exchange data with everyone under the sun or can model the craziest things you can image. If you hate working in the program, you won’t do any of that. If during your commute home you just mope about missing the joys of hand drafting, then you’ve made a huge mistake. You either need to find the joy in the software you’ve chosen or pick another.
Which BIM software should I use?
Being angry and sad every day sucks; the answer is obvious.
The one you will enjoy using most.
Do your research, get the opinions of experts, poll your team, test the applications out. But in the end, find a program you feel comfortable using and exploring. You’ll be much happier, much more productive, and actually succeed at BIM.
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Dave Olufs
Or the one your boss tells you to use? Or, that is, until you can start your own BIM practice……
Jared Banks
🙂
Scott
This should be a bussiness decision not an emotional one. All the BIM programs have features that they are good at and ones not so good. The decision should be bassed on what program is already the industry standard, which one is most compatible with the majority of other firms and consultants that I will work with. Which BIM program gives me the most bang for my dollar. Which program works seemlessly with MEP and Structure. Which programs are my MEP and Structural consultants using. If you get proper training all of the BIM programs will be enjoyable to use.
Picking the one you most enjoy is a recipie for failure unless you are lucky enough to use the program that is the answer to the statements I made above. To the best of my knoledge Revit is the only one that is the answer to this question
Jared Banks
I think those are all good questions to ask. And part of the equation. But here’s the thing: there are multiple answers to all of those, depending on where you are, who you work with, how you view ROI, etc. etc. etc. Not every MEP and Structural firm uses Autodesk products. Which is good for us. Furthermore to say that Revit is the only answer is complete bullshit. Such utter bullshit.
Just as you see my solution as a recipe for disaster, I see yours as equally fraught with danger. Making a decision based on popularity is a horrible idea. Following the crowd is not a sound business strategy. Of course going against the crowd for the sake of being different isn’t a good strategy either. And I’m not advocating that at all.
The decision for choosing which software you are going to be using every day to do your work is very personal. And joy, emotions, etc. all matter. Proper training is damn important, too. But if you hate the program you’re using, even if you’re ‘good’ at it, even if it’s ‘the best’, who the fuck cares if your consultants use it, or all your friends, etc. You’ll have a barrier between you and the program. Which means you’ll have a barrier between you and your work. And that’s the problem. And quite frankly to say something like “Revit is the only answer” just reinforces how software is crushing so many architects’ spirits and firms’ bottom lines. They are told they NEED to use a particular program. They are succumbing to externalities. They are bowing to pressure. I’m not trying to bash Autodesk. I’m not saying their programs are better or worse. Honestly I don’t care. I do care that the AEC industry doesn’t become the pawn of one company. We should all be fighting against the concept of monopolies. I don’t honestly believe we are in this situation, but every time someone says “Program X” is the ONLY way to go we get one step closer.
Open BIM. IFC. Interoperability. All the things that are making collaboration between programs easier every year. That’s what we need to fight for. We need to work towards eliminating worries about what the other guys are using. Use what you like. Use what best suits YOU. Just don’t tell me what to use.
There are too many firms successfully making shit tons of money, doing beautiful work, and succeeding at all levels of BIM on all scales of project who never ever touch Revit. Want to use Revit? Great. Go for it. But don’t say that it’s the only answer. Because that’s bullshit.
nicolas miard
I’ve worked with both, currently using Revit. Sadly we don’t use much BIM power with other actors, and frankly, Revit is a pain in the ass working with, I can’t stand all the submenus anymore, the text-based properties lists, the fucking lack of decent PDF export or import.
I’m an architect assistant and I spend 7-8 hours a day on Revit, and I hate it every day a bit more.
I want ArchiCAD back, its ergonomics, its simplicity, its intuitive commands.
Compatibility with MEP and Structure is overdue, ArchiCAD handles them very well, getting good plugins to do so.
Nizam
Hopefully, in next year you can try our affordable BIM Software for Architecture… with future planning to add more modules, e.g: structural, mep, telecommunication, etc.
Martijn de Riet
FULLY agree with Jared. Even though I’m a fairly convinced user of Revit (one might even call me a fanboy) that is the most lame and crappy line of reasoning.
If we were just to follow industry standard we would all still be using Autocad. Or even clay tablets since those were the “industry standard” once. Things change. People come in contact with a new idea and think “hey, this could benefit me”. Then they start using it. It’s called progress. Development. Hell, call it evolution.
And are you REALLY saying that the software used by the structural or MEP engineer has any bearing on the choice of an architectural software???? That’s like saying a bakery should buy the same oven as a pizza guy. Since they all cook food right? Well, good luck with that one.
Jared Banks
All big smiles over here. Thanks Martijn. So well said. And it’s okay for us both to admit our fanboy statuses. 🙂
Stefan Brorsen
Some day soon you can do as you say Jared. Use the one you will enjoy using most.
Even if your colleague next to you enjoy using another and your boss prefers a third.
All get to work in different cars (gas, diesel, hybrid or…) on the same road and follow the same rules and laws not to crash before you get to work. Although not the same experience and skills, you all have a driver’s license. You get there with your reliable Toyota. Your boss (if European) probably drives a big new Audi.
You all get the job done with different tools. The one you will enjoy using most.
The key is to have common standards and interoperability so you don’t crash before your BIM destination. Maybe you even have a BIM license.
Imagine the flexibility in recruiting. (Sorry driver, we are looking for people with more Bentley experience here at Uptown Taxi. Being a Mercedes expert maybe you could apply at Downtown Taxi).
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Mohannad AlTabbal
Making love to my BIM software as we speak.
Djordje
Scott, you probably enjoy driving your Toyota (or whatever is the most common car where you live)?
I am not going to waste my time on explaining why it is “utter bullshit” (c) Jared to stick to the “industry standard”. What industry? What standard? But I have been typing various versions of this since 1995 …
The answer is – as Stefan’s comment points out – that there is no industry and no standard. There is also (now I am dead) no BIM software.
BIM is a process, just as the traffic is a process. It should NOT matter what you use. As in the days of drafting, Rotring or Staedtler, it did not matter. As long as the software matters, we don’t have an industry and can not even begin to talk about standards. Only about the striving of the software vendors to preserve their market positions from the times of 2D CAD (yes, please, I will have the AutoCAD license with my new Revit).
While the Autodesk Toyota drivers are scared of the big bad wolf of interoperability, until there is an IFC (or whatever common Virtual Building description language) based BIM authoring package, there will be no BIM software.
Until then, we use what we have. AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Tekla, Solibri … but ONLY, and ONLY IF we use it in a BIM PROCESS we do BIM. Otherwise we just use a BIM enabled software.
Let’s go back to the cars – mostly anybody knows how to OPERATE one. Does anyone know how to DRIVE one? Not really.
Djordje
Argh … this is what happens when you post while on vacation after a very nice dinner …
The last two sentences above should be “Does EVERYone know how to DRIVE one? Not really.”
And the last sentence should be:
You are right, Jared. The right software is the one you have fun using. Hope the company that is crazy enough to employ you already has it!
Bauste
I Love Allplan to make a Model. Its so Easy and is BIM like. Greats from switzerland
wodo
I worked in support of archicad and allplan. I say only one thing … I love allplan
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ACCA software
Hello all,
why don’t you try a new one. Is totally free to use, free to update and free to learn, it has a new technology distribution method named Free UPP (Free Use Pay Print). Just pay if you are really sure to earn too! Try Edificius Free UPP…. it’s free!
41imnotanarchitect
First we cooked with fire then we cooked with ovens and hobs then IT came along and we cooked with microwaves now we are cooking with readymade meals then everyone wonders why there salaries are dropping and no one employs anyone for their creative ability.
then you speel things wrong
Vesna
It is often not easy (time, money, knowledge) to switch from 2D drafting to 3D Object modelling, that is a base for any decent BIM process. And if majority of users today know AutoCAD and work on AutoCAD, why not staying on same platform? AutoCAD with an application like ACAD-BAU enables BIM on AutoCAD with very advanced workflow, full of automatism and at the same time keeping DWG as file format! Try it out: http://www.cadtobim.com/acad-bau.html Such BIM solution saves time (knowledge needs only to be upgraded) and money (you only buy the application not the whoole package)
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Juan Rocha
soooo, the answer is Autodesk Buzzsaw?