Advanced Architectural Revit

Course Description

ETD2392C – Advanced Architectural Revit is a 3-credit-hour laboratory course in the Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy that builds upon foundational and intermediate Revit skills. Students advance their Building Information Modeling (BIM) proficiency by developing custom parametric components, complex architectural assemblies, and professional-grade construction document sets using Autodesk Revit. The course emphasizes real-world workflows used across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, including collaborative worksharing environments and presentation-quality visualization. A lab fee is required.

This course is positioned as a capstone-level Revit course within Florida college Engineering Design Drafting programs and is aligned with preparation for the Autodesk Certified Professional – Revit Architecture credential. Successful completion may be applied toward AAS/AS degrees in Architectural Design and Construction Technology and related College Credit Certificate (CCC) programs as defined by Florida Department of Education statewide articulation agreements.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Create and modify advanced custom Revit families, including parametric architectural elements such as custom millwork, reception desks, specialty lighting fixtures, and stairs.
• Develop a fully coordinated 3D building model that automatically generates floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D perspectives.
• Produce a complete, professional construction document set from an advanced Revit model, including annotated plans, elevations, sections, details, and schedules.
• Apply worksharing and workset workflows to collaborate with multiple users on a shared central model, managing element ownership and synchronization.
• Configure and manage view templates, visibility/graphic overrides, and project browser organization to standardize drawing presentation.
• Use Revit schedules and tags to catalog building information, track material quantities, and support cost estimation and material take-offs.
• Generate photorealistic renderings and presentation graphics from 3D views suitable for client presentation.
• Apply phasing tools to model existing conditions, demolition, and new construction within a single project file.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also:

• Integrate DWG/CAD files into Revit to create annotated details and coordinate with legacy drawing sets.
• Develop design options within a single model to compare and present multiple design alternatives to stakeholders.
• Explore conceptual massing and adaptive component techniques for complex or non-orthogonal building forms.
• Apply Autodesk BIM 360 / Autodesk Construction Cloud tools for cloud-based model collaboration and document management.
• Conduct basic clash detection and model coordination using Autodesk Navisworks or Revit's built-in interference checking tools.
• Demonstrate knowledge aligned with the Autodesk Certified Professional (Revit Architecture) examination objectives.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Advanced Family Creation – Custom parametric families using extrusion, revolution, sweep, and swept-blend solid forms; nested families; shared parameters; formula-driven dimensions; in-place families for unique site-specific elements.
2. Custom Architectural Components – Modeling specialty millwork, custom stair types, non-standard curtain wall configurations, ornamental lighting, and reception/casework elements.
3. Worksharing and Collaboration – Enabling worksharing; creating and managing a central model and local copies; defining and assigning user-created worksets; synchronizing with central; resolving ownership conflicts; worksharing display modes.
4. Advanced Construction Documents – Sheet setup and title block customization; dimensioning standards for interior and exterior plans; partition and door/window schedules; keynote tables; enlarged plans; interior elevations; view templates and sheet standards.
5. Schedules and Material Quantification – Creating and formatting component schedules; multi-category schedules; key schedules; quantity take-offs for cost estimation; material legends.
6. Rendering and Visualization – Applying and customizing materials; configuring artificial and natural lighting; producing interior and exterior photorealistic renders; creating walkthroughs and camera views.
7. Phasing and Design Options – Setting up project phases (existing, demolition, new construction); assigning elements to phases; creating design option sets and comparing alternatives.
8. Advanced View Management – View filters; visibility/graphic overrides; view templates; dependent views; scope boxes; assembly views.
9. Linking and Coordination – Linking Revit models (architectural, structural, MEP); managing linked file visibility; using Copy/Monitor for coordinated elements; importing and managing CAD files.

Optional Topics

• Conceptual Massing – Creating massing studies; converting mass faces to building elements; adaptive components.
• Topography and Site Design – Building pads; graded regions; site components; importing survey data.
• Cloud Collaboration (BIM 360 / ACC) – Publishing models to Autodesk Construction Cloud; cloud worksharing; model review workflows.
• Interference Checking / Clash Detection – Running interference checks in Revit; exporting to Navisworks for advanced coordination.
• Autodesk Certified Professional Exam Preparation – Review of exam domains; timed practice exercises; workflow efficiency strategies.
• Energy Analysis and Sustainability – Basic gbXML export; Insight energy analysis overview; LEED documentation support workflows.

Resources & Tools

• Primary Software: Autodesk Revit (current version) – available via Autodesk Education Community at no cost to enrolled students
• Complementary Software: Autodesk Navisworks Manage (clash detection); Autodesk Construction Cloud / BIM 360 (cloud collaboration); AutoCAD (DWG file integration)
• Textbooks / References: Autodesk Revit: Architecture (current edition, Autodesk Official Training Guide); manufacturer-published Revit family libraries (e.g., Autodesk Seek / BIMobject)
• Online Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network; Autodesk University session recordings; LinkedIn Learning Revit course library; Revit Forum (revitforum.org)
• Hardware: Workstation or laptop meeting current Autodesk Revit system requirements; dedicated GPU recommended for rendering
• Lab Fee: Required – covers software licensing support and lab consumables

Career Pathways

Completion of ETD2392C prepares students for roles in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries that require advanced BIM proficiency. Typical entry-level and advancing positions include:

• BIM Technician / BIM Coordinator – Manages and develops Revit models for architectural or engineering firms
• Architectural Drafter / CAD Technician – Produces construction documents and details using Revit in a design office
• Revit Designer / Revit Modeler – Develops parametric models and custom family content for commercial or residential projects
• Interior Design Technician – Uses Revit for space planning, millwork documentation, and material scheduling
• Construction Document Specialist – Coordinates and finalizes drawing sets for permit submittal and construction administration
• VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) Technician – Supports construction firms with model-based quantity take-offs, scheduling, and clash detection

Graduates may pursue transfer into Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs in Supervision and Management, Construction Management, or related fields at Florida State College and University System institutions. The course also provides direct preparation for the Autodesk Certified Professional – Revit Architecture industry credential.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course aligns with and prepares students for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) – Revit Architecture examination. Florida Department of Education statewide articulation agreements recognize a valid ACP – Revit Architecture certification (issued within three years) as equivalent to three college credit hours applicable to the AAS/AS Degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology and related College Credit Certificate programs including Drafting Design (0615130101).

Students who hold or earn a valid Autodesk Certified Professional – Revit Architecture credential should consult with their academic advisor regarding potential credit articulation under the applicable FLDOE Statewide Articulation Agreement before enrolling in this course to avoid duplication of credit.

Lab Requirement

ETD2392C carries a combined lecture and laboratory (C-suffix) designation. All students must complete hands-on lab projects as an integral component of the course grade. A lab fee is assessed each term at registration.