Revit vs. AutoCAD for Electrical Engineers in MEP

AutoCAD is primarily a 2D drafting tool that allows users to create detailed technical drawings. It’s widely used across various industries and excels at producing highly detailed electrical schematics. Electrical engineers who need to create simple power plans, single-line diagrams, and electrical details will find AutoCAD's 2D functionality ideal for these tasks.

On the other hand, Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. While it supports 2D drafting, its real power lies in 3D modeling and BIM, where all components of a building (electrical, mechanical, structural, etc.) are part of a comprehensive digital model. Revit allows electrical engineers to design electrical systems within the context of an entire building model, providing real-time collaboration and more accurate spatial coordination.

One of Revit's biggest advantages is its ability to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration through its BIM framework. With Revit, all team members (architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers) work on the same model, which ensures seamless coordination across disciplines. For electrical engineers, this means fewer clashes with other systems (e.g., ductwork or piping) and the ability to easily spot conflicts before construction begins.

In contrast, AutoCAD is typically used in isolated workflows, meaning electrical engineers often work on their drawings independently of other disciplines. While you can share AutoCAD files with other engineers, it doesn't provide the same real-time collaboration or clash detection that Revit offers. Updating AutoCAD backgrounds/xrefs can be a big time suck, where in Revit, as soon as one discipline makes a change, it automatically updates in the model for all other disciplines.

As an electrical engineer, Revit allows us to automate our calculations, providing more accurate documents while decreasing the time it takes to produce them. Its hard to overstate the benefits Revit provides in this area.

In Revit, you are not just drawing lines; you are creating intelligent objects. Electrical components like receptacles, light fixtures, and panelboards are represented as real-world objects, and their properties (such as voltage, load, or circuit information) are embedded in the model. Changes made to any part of the model automatically update throughout the project, which reduces the chances of errors. Did the mechanical engineer change the rooftop unit selection again? No problem! In Revit, just update the load on the family, and you can be sure that the panel schedule will update as well as any tables that are making use of shared parameters. Revit comes with standard panel schedule templates that do all our calculations for us, and can be customized for more complex projects.

AutoCAD, while highly precise, doesn’t have this level of automation. Changes need to be made manually, and drawings must be updated across multiple sheets, which can increase the risk of inconsistencies and errors. Typically engineering firms will have custom excel files that have to be updated outside of AutoCAD, and then reloaded into the model. These excel files are notorious for causing errors.

For many electrical engineers, AutoCAD is often the first design software they learn. Its interface is relatively simple, and the learning curve is manageable for beginners. If your work primarily involves 2D schematics and smaller construction projects (less than 5000 square feet), AutoCAD’s straightforward workflow may be more than sufficient.

Revit, however, has a steeper learning curve. Since it is a full 3D BIM software that automates our load calculations, it requires a more detailed understanding of both the software and how building systems interact in real life. Engineers who transition to Revit may find it more complex initially, but once mastered, it can save considerable time and effort, especially for large-scale projects.

For smaller projects, where detailed BIM coordination is unnecessary, AutoCAD is often more efficient. If you’re designing small tenant improvement projects such as retail stores, or minor office renovations, the ease and familiarity of AutoCAD may make it the better choice. Keep in mind you will still need to have custom excel files to do your calculations.

Revit shines in larger, more complex projects where comprehensive coordination is crucial. If you are working on high-rise buildings, schools, hospitals, or industrial facilities, the integrated BIM capabilities of Revit will provide better long-term value by ensuring that all systems work together harmoniously.

Setting up a new project requires a bit more work in Revit, but it is almost always worth it if your project is over 5000 square feet.

The construction industry is increasingly moving towards BIM, and many owners and contractors now require BIM models as part of the design process. This means that for electrical engineers looking to stay competitive, learning and using Revit may become essential in the near future. BIM adoption is on the rise because it improves construction efficiency, reduces rework, and enhances overall project quality.

While AutoCAD will likely remain a staple in the industry for 2D drafting, Revit is becoming the go-to for large-scale, coordinated projects. For electrical engineers looking to future-proof their skills, investing in Revit and BIM training can be a smart career move.

The choice between Revit and AutoCAD depends on your specific needs as an electrical engineer. If your work primarily involves 2D drafting, simple electrical layouts, or smaller projects, AutoCAD may be the best tool for the job. However, if you are working on complex projects that require collaboration with other disciplines or need detailed 3D modeling, Revit is the way to go. Revit’s standard calculation and automation tools allow electrical engineers to provide higher quality drawings faster.

Ultimately, mastering both tools will give you the flexibility to tackle a wide range of projects and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. For electrical engineers working in the building construction field, understanding BIM and leveraging the power of Revit is likely to become increasingly important as the industry continues to shift towards integrated design processes.

If you are ready to accelerate your electrical engineering design skills in Revit, apply to our next bootcamp.