What 's the difference between Revit Architecture, Structure, and MEP?

We often get this question from clients – especially contractors and multi-discipline firms. Following the release of the Revit 2010 Subscription Advantage Pack(s), the overlap between Revit Architecture, Structure, and MEP has certainly increased. The easiest way I have to describe the major differences is to compare the ribbon interfaces between the three versions of Revit. The screen captures below are from Revit Architecture2011, Revit MEP 2011, and Revit Structure2011 before their 2011 subscription advantage packs... I pulled screen captures from before the subscription advantage pack so that this information would be accurate for the way that Revit 2011 installed out-of-the-box.

Some of the differences between the ribbon panels are (this is not a 100% comprehensive list):

• The Home tabs are different for all
• The Modify tab is the same for all
• Architecture and MEP have Decals, Structure does not
• Architecture does not have MEP Spaces
• Architecture does not have an Analyze tab, Structure and MEP have discipline-specific Analyze tabs. NOTE: When you install the Revit Architecture 2011 Subscription Advantage Pack / Conceptual Analysis enhancement, you will get an Analysis tab – contact us or look into the available downloads and extensions on your subscription site for more information… or maybe this could be another blog post… hmmmm…..
• Structure does not have Architecture Rooms or MEP Spaces
• Structure does not have ceilings
• Only Structure has rebar
• Structure has “Architect and Site” tab, MEP has “Architect” only – no Site tools
• MEP does not have tools for Openings by Face, Shaft, Wall, Vertical, or Dormer
• Only MEP has Import gbXML
• MEP has additional Copy/Monitor features for Air Terminals, Lighting Fixtures, Mechanical Equipment, and Plumbing Fixtures

Here are the ribbons with the major differences outlined in red:

Revit MEP:

 

Revit Architecture:

 

Revit Structure:

 

I hope you found this useful - enjoy!

-joe 

Comments

[e]

Can still use all the command in Revit Architecture 2008 that I've learnt in school? Because I’m worry if my employer using different version of Revit likes REVIT MEP or REVIT STRUCTURE or latest version.

I was confused, I will appreciate your reply.

Thanks,
Mac

[joe eichenseer]

Generally speaking, everything you learned about Revit in the 2008 release still applies to the 2009 release and beyond. The biggest change, however, is that there has been a huge makeover in the user interface, so the commands aren't where you remember them - we don't have any pull-down menus any more. Once you take a little time to learn where the commands are on the Ribbon as opposed to pull-down or sidebar menus, you should be ok. Not necessarily great, but ok. It depends on how well you knew 2008, what version you are moving to, and what new features you don't know about that emerged in the later releases. Hopefully this helps clarify things for you.

Joe

[Phil]

Thanks for the rundown! I am moving into learning Revit for home and small commercial design and may start working for someone who only has Revit Structure, can you tell me what disadvantages I'll have by only having structure and not architecture, and what would be the "upgrade" cost if I wanted to add the architecture features?

[Joe Eichenseer]

I'm not completely sure about the transition path from owning Revit Architecture to owning Revit Structure - if one exists. Check with your local sales rep to see what we can do for you there. As far as the disadvantages, if you compare the tools and commands outlined in this post, you'll have a good idea of what is different (or missing?) between the different releases of software. The biggest challenge as I see it isn't with the software so much as it's with the industry knowledge - what does an Architect really do and how is it different from an Engineer. You'll need to take some time to identify those knowledge gaps and determine how you'll fill in the missing pieces.

[Jon McFarland]

Hi Joe,

If I have seats of both Revit Architecture and Structure, can I do most of the Architecture tasks in both? For instance, I create curtainwall families and curtainwalls in RA - would I be able to do these in Structure and MEP as well?

Thanks,

Jon

[Joe Eichenseer]

Jon,
Most of the Architectural tasks are common between Revit Architecture and Revit Structure. When you specifically mention curtain walls, you can create them in all 3 flavors of Revit, but as was mentioned in the post, there are some items like Rooms or Ceilings that cannot be created in Revit Structure.

-joe

[Jon McFarland]

Thanks Joe.

[SamuelAB]

The view templates are totally different depending on the Revit flavors. This is very confusing at first since many things do not show by default in the Revit MEP version.

I still need to find a way to import (or patiently copy) the typical Revit Architecture view templates to our Revit MEP suite.

[Joe Eichenseer]

View templates were not addressed in this post because all three flavors of Revit have view templates - even if the stock out-of-the-box ones are not the same between templates. To copy a view template from one project to another, open up both projects and use "Transfer Project Standards" (Manage ribbon tab). To make sure that you're only transferring view templates, clear all of the other check boxes... :)

[Eric Bopp]

Hey Joe,

I work for a lighting design firm, and I am the only one who knows revit (as little as i do.) It is my job to convert all of our inventor files to revit files for architects and end users to download. Ive done well so far with the AEC tool, but I am working off of a student licence of revit. My company is buying a proper seat, and I was wondering what you thought would be best for our needs MEP or RAC. I have been using the Architectural version of Revit so far, but I just wanted to check with a professional before we buy the licence.

Thanks,
Eric

[Joe Eichenseer]

For 2012, your best bet is to probably roll with Revit MEP 2012 so that you can have better access to MEP parameters and parameter types. If you are moving to 2013, certainly the Revit "one-box" version that ships with the Building Design Suite Premium becomes attractive, but you would need to see if the associated software and cost difference from regular Revit MEP would be worth it for you and your firm.

[Tushar]

can i make RCC skeleton in Revit mep 2011

[Joe Eichenseer]

@ Tushar,
Can you provide me with some extra detail? What do you mean by a RCC skeleton?

joe

[Mildred Gatchalian]

very helpful. can I share it?

[Jana Gauvey]

Mildred - you are very welcome to share this blog post. Please be sure to link to it directly, rather than recreate the content elsewhere.