Top Autodesk BIM Mobile Apps You Should Know

TOP Autodesk BIM Mobile Apps YOU SHOULD KNOW: Tools to create successful projects

Constructware Field

The Constructware Field mobile app, developed by Autodesk allows users to view, download and upload documents and designs of construction projects from anywhere. Users can access through this application, the file directory to display documents in DWF, standard office documents and images and even specify files that remain available even offline format.

In addition, devices with built-in cameras, Constructware Field users can capture and upload photos directly to the cloud application to be displayed later and 'linkadas' to the project.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM: iOS

Buzzsaw Mobile

Buzzsaw is a mobile application developed by Autodesk, which allows users to securely access designs and construction project documents from anywhere.

This tool enables the display of metadata models and Revit and Navisworks made with and supports 2D and 3D DWG format, also office documents and images. Upload photos of projects directly to the Buzzsaw cloud is another of its features.

Users of this application can access all project documentation, collaborate and interact with the team, capture, annotate and share photos, videos and pictures with the group.

                                                          OPERATIVE SYSTEM: Android; iOS

BIM 360 Glue

BIM 360 Glue is an application that lets you access and explores multidisciplinary BIM models whether they are online as if disconnected.

BIM 360 Glue facilitates the review of projects and project coordination tasks quickly and efficiently.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM

Windows Phone

BIM 360 Field

The BIM 360 Field application has been designed by Autodesk to create and update issues, reference project documents and implement quality processes, enhancing security and creating checklists from virtually anywhere either online or offline.

This application is ready to work with the 'Apple' operating system, whose version 4.7.1 is now available in English and can be downloaded for free.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM: iOS

AutoCAD 360 Mobile

Autodesk is moving all its applications to the cloud while keeping the desktop alive and in perfect condition.

AutoCAD 360 mobile application replicates the cloud containing all the information so that access to software functions can be done from any device.

This application can be downloaded for free on its website and is compatible with both AutoCAD Revit as.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM: Android, iOS, Windows Phone

Autodesk Remote

Autodesk Remote mobile application includes elements that allow you to tunnel back to your desktop Inventor, Revit or Maya, winning authenticity and run special versions of these applications with touch interface overlays remotely on an iPad.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM

iOS

InfraWorks 360

360 InfraWorks mobile application allows users to view, access and collaborate with Autodesk InfraWorks models project a tablet and also see designs within the existing environment without additional desktop software.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM

iOS

Autodesk Formit 360

Autodesk Formit is a 3D design tool development that allows the user to work on digital tablets and browsers.

The new program is experimenting with new capabilities and different interfaces.

Autodesk Formit 360 lets you work with Revit and AutoCAD and can be downloaded for free on the website of the tool itself.

OPERATIVE SYSTEM

iOS

Any apps/tools mention on this post is made acknowledging this ownership. Refer to Autodesk's own website and product pages for specific trademark and copyright information. Autodesk represents a great many products and every attempt will be made to respect their ownership whenever one of these other products is mentioned on this site.

How Revit Works

Revit is different from AutoCAD as it's a modelling program. AutoCAD historically has been a line (vector) based program. Revit is the application you use to build your model (Lego) and then display the deliverables (drawing sheets). You are able to take snapshots (views) as required. It's a BIG database. Controlled using 'Families' (Dynamic Blocks).

Revit uses RVT files for storing BIM models. Parametric objects -- whether 3D building objects (such as windows or doors) or 2D drafting objects -- are called families and are saved in RFA files, and imported into the RVT database as needed. Families do not require programming skills and there are many sources of pre-drawn RFA libraries.

The main difference is that AutoCAD is a general computer-aided design and drafting software used to create precise 2D and 3D drawings, and Revit is software for BIM (building information modelling) with tools to create intelligent 3D models of buildings, which can then be used to produce construction documentation. While AutoCAD is a general drawing tool with broad application, Revit is a building-specific design and documentation solution, supporting all phases and disciplines involved in a building project. Both programs are often used within the same firm and even by the same practitioner.

Alignment vs. Osnaps 

Autodesk Revit offers AutoCAD users new sketching tools like Temporary Dimensions and 

Alignment Guides. Alignment guides are similar to the Object Tracking feature in AutoCAD.

Temporary line and arc extensions, as well as other useful snap points relative to your current position in the model, appear to aid you as you design. Whether you are sketching new objects or inserting components, the appropriate dimensions and guidelines assist placement in the Autodesk Revit model. This is a contrast from the osnap feature of 

AutoCAD which snaps to any entity that fits the current osnap settings. With Autodesk 

Revit, the designer can quickly place doors, windows and other components correctly with the option to easily modify the design later. Doors open in the desired direction and windows are placed at the correct height on the wall. You can place these components in either 2D views or 3D views, whichever is easiest. 

No Command-Line or Layers 

The user interface changes that will be most noticeable to the AutoCAD user are the absence of a command line and the layer control feature. In Autodesk Revit, all building tools and components are presented on a single, easy-to-use toolbar. And the user interface in Autodesk Revit is designed to look and work like other familiar Windows applications, 

making Autodesk Revit easy to learn and fun to use on a daily basis. 

Designers stay more focused on the model rather than the keyboard and command line. Layers are not needed to control the visibility of components. Visibility is controlled through the Category Visibility feature in Autodesk Revit, which works on a per-view basis, comparable to the AutoCAD 

Freeze/Thaw/On/Off by viewport feature. Colour and line type are also controlled by category. Another advantage Autodesk Revit offers is components that know how to display themselves depending on the view in which they are seen. In Revit, components know to only display a footprint in plan view, while all geometry is shown in the 3D isometric view, 

for example. 

Single file, Multi-User projects 

AutoCAD users are accustomed to storing and retrieving project data from multiple files. In 

Autodesk Revit, all project data is stored in the single Autodesk Revit project file. This eliminates the need to work with external block and Xref management. Autodesk Revit allows multiple users to work on the same project file and merge their changes with every save, or work on their own versions of the file and then merge changes at any point in the design. 

Intelligent Components 

Dimensioning and alignment locking in Autodesk Revit allow the designer to place building components in relation to others - and keep it that way throughout the design - thereby preserving design intent. Components may be locked together in more than one place to preserve wall alignments, room areas, and door and window placements while the model is being altered in other areas. Component relationships may be constrained and overridden at the designer’s discretion. Dimensions may be locked or editable while the parent objects behave accordingly. Because objects can be aligned and locked into place, many repetitious editing commands are eliminated, allowing for faster work and fewer errors. 

"AutoCAD and Revit are interoperable and can be used together, for example, to incorporate designs created in AutoCAD within a Revit project. Firms may use AutoCAD on some projects or components of a design and use Revit to generate BIM deliverables and to enable collaboration with other design disciplines."

Source: What is the difference between Revit and AutoCAD?

.RVT	The file format of a project model. There are three separate applications for Structure, Architecture, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing). Each of these applications saves a standard project file in the .RVT format. Each file can be opened directly in any of the three applications and .RVT files can be linked to and inserted into one another. This is crucial for coordination between disciplines. If groups of elements are created and saved separately, they are also in the .RVT format.
.RFA	The file format of a component Family. These files can be opened directly, inserted, or loaded into an .RVT file
.RTE	The project template file. When a new model is started, an .RTE file is used to create the model. When you save the file, it is saved as a new .RVT model. The file contains all of your company’s standards and settings. Views, sheets, and families should be set up and ready to use in the project template.
.RFT	The family  template  file. When a new  family  is  started, an .RFT   file is   used to create  the  family. You can use a default or custom  template. When saved, the file becomes a new .RFA family. You can customize the family template to include commonly used reference planes, parameters, etc.

Learn more? Click The BIM Process: Essentials for Complete Beginners to find out.

Locating 2D Details in Revit Structure

Locating 2D details in Revit Structure

Sometimes it can be a real challenge trying to find 2D details within the Revit Structure library. What a surprise it has!. If it is available in the library, why CAD? I even didn't know there was a DWF file located in the root of the Detail Components folder.

This has 30 drawing sheets with all the graphic 2D details and the folder locations. Today I am using Revit 2017 and surprise me only one DWF in that UK library folder, and why I wonder I am looking DWF if I have these choices for Revit family for 2D details. Some option or scenario in a working environment, the CAD file can be 2d details if the library is insufficient. But the downside, you have to detail it from scratch or modify it from existing.

The 2D detail items can be located in Windows 10 here:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2017\Libraries\UK\Detail Items