Starting at the beginning is a challenging undertaking for some, but Eric Wing has created a book that starts from the very first step into Revit for those who have never journeyed down that road before.  But there are plenty of tips, tricks and warnings along the way to bring an “ah ha” moment to any Revit user.

Eric starts at the very basic level of the user interface, but takes an in depth level of explanation so that what obvious  to long tern users is not missed by those that are joining the Revit movement.

Chapter two then jumps right in and has you creating models – how to draw and add walls and specifically where to click to get the right creation process done.  All  along the way the book has relevant Tips and Suggestions that seem to answer the questions that come to mind the first time through the process.  Warnings are also provided by the author so that you do not make common mistakes or misunderstand the interactions of the tools.

This is a big book – 958 pages worth of instruction, training, processes, insight and knowledge.  It is not for the fainthearted.  But it you are interested in getting a broad look at the tools and focuses that Revit has, you should check it out.  It does not take long to realize that the author is familiar with the tool and can assist others in getting up to speed.

Marching through the chapters the reader is quickly creating real world models and drawing sets.  After creating objects the book takes you quickly into how to edit and modify them. Next is annotations and dimensioning.  So within the first five chapters of a 23 chapter book – you have created, edits and annotated a model.  After going through that the book then takes you to Floors, Roofs, Structural Items, Ceilings and Interiors, Stairs, ramps and railings, Scheduling and Tags.

Detailing is not left out.  Drafting work and lineweights are discussed.  Components, fill patterns, notes, Views and 2d/3d issues are all  considered in the Details chapter.

The book then moves into three chapters worth of working with Views, Sheets and Plans followed by in depth discussions of advance topics like Walls, Families, Sitework, Rendering and Presentations.  The book completes it grand tour with Coordination issues, Worksharing, Phasing, and Options.

Finally the last chapter is focused on BIM Management.  The author encourages the use of Templates, Settings, Lineweights, Import and Export settings and on to others with the focus of getting your entire firm on the same page.  Shared Parameters are discussed from a practical perspective that it may take time to work out all the issues related to a multi-user environment.

So looking back over the topics discussed and the experience shared by the author, you may start the first chapter with little or no experience but you will end the book with a good foundation for moving forward with Revit and BIM.

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