To British Revit Users

I am considering learning Revit. Partly as an interesting way to introduce me to the concepts of BIM, partly to help me improve my knowledge of construction technology and how simple and complex buildings are put together and to gain some CPD hours.

When looking through Amazon at tutorial-style Revit books, most if not all of them are from the US. This is fine as far as learning BIM and the software itself but construction technology might be under different codes than the UK Building Regulations.

Where is the best place to get British-orientated tutorials?

I've never known of a book that has a publisher teach software and teach construction techniques under certain building codes. Mostly it's just the concepts, although same in principle, will alter slightly based on codes and client/owner wishes. What I would suggest is to learn "Revit" first, before even considering putting an extensive amount of effort into construction codes and requirements. Revit does what you tell it to do so apply the known code requirements into the design, just as you would in AutoCAD.

Here is a good book that lots of people have raved about:

http://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Autodesk-Revit-Architecture-2012-ebook/dp/B005CPJTXC/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391434933&sr=1-6&keywords=Introducing+Autodesk+Revit+Architecture+2014

And of course the Mastering series is always worth it:

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Autodesk-Revit-Architecture-2014-ebook/dp/B00CU9R5O8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391434820&sr=1-1&keywords=mastering+revit+architecture+2014

Hope this helps!

- Tannar

Thanks Tannar.

Your advice is noted. I should learn to walk (learn the software) before running (modeling building codes etc).

I suppose I want to make sure the book (in all likelihood American given the non-presence of British authors) is at least in metric.

Most books have both imperial and metric sizes together in the steps, but use the "Look Inside" tool on Amazon to be sure, or try and contact the author(s). Many of these authors' names are searchable, as they are professional and experienced Revit consultants who maintain a personal blog.

Steve Stafford, a personal acquaintance of mine, who co-wrote the first book I linked and proof's many others; his blog is:

http://revitoped.blogspot.com/

Also, for the best Revit help, get signed up over at http://www.RevitForum.org where you'll find many of these authors and professionals very active.

I bought the "No Experience Required" book quite cheaply on Amazon because it is based on Revit 2013.

I've worked through three chapters and I am enjoying it so far.

I am hoping that the modelling concept will help me learn how buildings are put together and also the concepts of BIM.

I saw a Revit technician job advertised for £30k/ year. That would be a good salary for a newly chartered surveyor in the UK!

That's great to hear. Learning from a Revit 2013 book is still good since Revit 2014 has only few enhancements over 2013. The platform itself is exactly the same for the past 4-5 versions.

Here's a list of Revit 2014 enhancements that the 2013 book won't hit on:

http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com/2013/03/whats-new-in-revit-2014.html

The main things are axiom views and updated scheduling features. Other than that, not much difference. Once you get comfortable enough with Revit, start asking specific questions and we all here who use Revit can give you the tips and tricks you need to get up and running in a hurry.

- Tannar