Make The Switch to Vectorworks 2022 and Design Without Limits

In the early days of Computer Aided Design (CAD) , there were limited choices of CAD software applications and a few that dominated the market. This left users with only those options to choose between for their software of choice. Thankfully, these days there are now many different CAD/ 3D/ BIM software packages now available each with their own specific style and uses for Windows and Mac OS.

With all the options now available it can be difficult to decide which software is the best tool to create your design ideas. During my education at university the software of choice for computer aided-design was Revit, mainly because thats what was offered. However, since joining my first practice Vectorworks is now the software I use as my 2D/ 3D/CAD programme.

In this article I will compare the different features, prices and my personal experience with both options to decide whether Revit or Vectorworks is the CAD solution for you?

What Is Revit?

Autodesk's Revit is a multidisciplinary BIM software typically used within the architectural and construction industries. Unlike Vectorworks, Revit is not split up into different products however Revit’s features are categorised by the industries that use the software. 

Revit offers features for each aspect of the design process required by CAD software from parametric modelling, scheduling and internal rendering. One of the main features used within Revit is its team collaboration to allow multiple contributors to one file.

As Revit enables the full construction process as well as modelling the design, it has become one of the prominent software with the construction field for project managers and site mangers along with the architects.

What Is Vectorworks?

Vectorworks is available in four different products depending on the core needs of the customers needs and industry. For example, Vectorworks Architect is a solution for the design and creation of architectural projects. Vectorworks Landmark is used for landscape design and urban design disciplines. Vectorworks Spotlight is the suitable product for entertainment design and for large scale productions. Vectorworks Fundamentals has all the basic tools you need, but omits more specific industry tools sets, while Designer is a everything in one application and users can access all modules.

Vectorworks Architects strengths is that it offers true cross platform 2D and 3D modelling features while maintaining it full Building Information Modelling (BIM) capabilities like Revit, with a wide range of import and export features making it a truly capable all-in-one design software for both Mac and PC.

BIM Capabilities

Both CAD softwares supports a model centric workflow where a 3D model of the design is created and all linked analyses is extracted from the model by the software. Vectorworks is able to match aspects of Revit’s BIM capabilities however this is one area in which Revit has the advantage. The team collaboration feature across the project gives the flexibility for professionals even in different fields to communicate aspects of the model until the project is complete.

Modelling

While Autodesk has been attempting to improve the 3D modelling capabilities, the free form modelling capabilities often falls short, meaning early stage design ideas are often explored in different mediums or softwares like SketchUP. The Revit interface is highly sophisticated but the modelling is quit rigid and can be extremely difficult to attempt to creatively explore ideas within the software. Vectorworks main strength is its 3D modelling which it provides a wide range of modelling tools including NURBS and sub-division modelling, which allows designs to be explored within the modelling process rather than just as a final output. The user can quite quickly learn how to create 3D geometry to create design ideas for their architectural projects.

Rendering

Both programmes can achieve realistic and artistic looking rendering. Vectorworks produces renders by using the power of the CINEMA 4D rendering engine as the basis for renderworks both on the desktop and the cloud. Revit has its own physical based rendering which is achieved by rendering in the Autodesk cloud. Vectorworks advantage is that it produces an interactive rendering of the model whereas Revit produces a temporary image which can be saved as a view or exported. However, both software’s rendering is not highly photorealistic therefore the model is typically imported into a rendering software such as Twinmotion, Enscape or Lumion or improved using Adobe Photoshop to produce final quality visuals.

User Experience

The user experience is personal to each person who uses the software. The Revit interface is highly sophisticated but it can be quite confusing to learn as it is very different to AutoCAD which is AutoDesk’s other main product which many are familiar with. Vectorworks has a simpler, cleaner interface which may lack the depth of Revit’s however it is easier to understand and pick up without any external learning. The experience of using Vectorworks also feels more enjoyable and creative to myself as you can use the modelling to explore design ideas which feels very restrictive in Revit.

Interoperability & Systems

Both software’s supports the export and import of a wide range of data formats for designers all over the world of different disciplines. Revit’s focuses on BIM and its company’s own programmes. Students and professionals alike do like the choice of hardware platforms which is restrictive with Revit as it is not compatible with Mac OS. It was a tiresome process to have use a windows assistant or a different computer system entirely. Vectorworks is fully optimised for both Windows and Mac so there is never any issue regrading which system you or your practice runs. It also runs well on lower end hardware and does not require the latest super powerful PCs.

Price

The main advantage of Vectorworks is that it offers monthly subscriptions or a perpetual licence when users purchase which allows them to own their software. The software will continue to work as long as the operating system and hardware support it. Revit has moved its customer base to a subscription model in which as the subscription is paid, the user will have access to the latest version. Cease to pay the subscription, and there will be no more access to the tools, blocking users from accessing their data. Autodesk does offer perpetual licenses, but there is no discounted upgrade path — a user must pay full price for the new version. 

My Conclusion

Vectorworks’ 3D modelling advantages along with my personal experience with the software makes it my preferred CAD programme over Revit. The rigidity of Revit’s modelling along with its more complex interface makes it much less enjoyable to use and create designs within the software.

I personally found Vectorworks much easier to pick up and learn in comparison to Revit which allowed me to create much more intricate projects within the software itself. The price itself makes Vectorworks more appealing as picking up a perpetual licence once leaving education is more cost effective, and a Student to Pro programme makes it affordable.

The knowledge of actually owning my software instead of a subscription is a huge plus to myself and many who are new to the architectural industry.

While Revit does has its advantages, now that I have switched to Vectorworks I cannot see myself going back.

For more information on Vectorworks please take a look at:

jonathanreeves-cad.co.uk/make-the-switch/

Written by George Wain at Jonathan Reeves Architecture.