Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Exploring the User Interface
The Autodesk
®
Revit
®
MEP 2015 software is similar to the majority of
the software produced by Autodesk in that it utilizes a ribbon interface.
This allows for not just ease of access to the tools needed for mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design and modeling but also a familiarity
between those different software packages, making the transition between
them easier.
Although this topic is titled
Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2015
, having a
good knowledge of where tools are located and how to access the commands
easily is the best way to efficiently use Revit MEP 2015, hence this chapter
ontheuserinterface. Improvements and changes have been made totheuser
interface for this version through the addition of tools in contextual tabs and
improved functionality.
The ribbon-style interface works well in Revit because it allows many of the
toolstobeorganizedinoneareaoftheinterface,whichgivesyoumorescreen
realestateforviewingthemodel.Althoughtheuserinterfaceiscustomizable,
you are limited in the amount of customization and number of features that
you can change. At first this may seem a bit restrictive, but as with any
software, with familiarity comes an increased proficiency.
Some features have been added to improve workflow and efficiency, and
typical workflow features that were previously accessed through buttons in
the interface are now available as part of the interface itself.
In 2012, Autodesk introduced Autodesk
®
Revit
®
which combined all the
featuresoftheAutodesk
®
Revit
®
Architecture,Autodesk
®
Revit
®
Structure,
and Autodesk
®
Revit
®
MEP platforms. This version is available to those
who purchase the Building Design Suites packages released by Autodesk and
gives users the option to deploy/install either each separate version of Revit
or the all-inclusive one, giving them all the available Revit tools in one box.
Knowing your way around the Revit MEP 2015 user interface is the first step
to reaping the benefits of utilizing a building information modeling (BIM)
solution for your building projects.
