So you need to do both Building Systems and Building related work. Will the discipline targeted Autodesk AEC applications allow this and what are the limitations.
Autodesk AEC Desktop Family:
The vertical nature of the “AEC Desktop family” makes this simple to answer. Autodesk Building Systems contains all the capabilities of Architectural Desktop, which in turn contains all of AutoCAD. The user interface presented on installation may not be identical but the functions are there. You may have to create a profile & workspace but once done ABS can do all that ADT allows.
Autodesk Revit AEC Family:
Once Revit was the same for everyone, but things aren’t so simple anymore. Revit became Revit Building, soon joined by Revit Structure and Revit Systems. There has been some debate on how the “flavours” of Revit compare for those doing multi-discipline work. Although sharing a common core they appear to be more companions, rather than vertical products, with selected tools exposed to suit the target design role.
So can you do buildings in Revit Systems?
I can’t comment, as Revit Systems is not released in New Zealand, however Steve Stafford has posted a excellent comparison on his Revit OpEd blog. It shows the Revit Building and Systems Design Bars and discusses what is, and isn’t, included.
Revit Building & Revit Systems Design Bar Comparison - Revit OpEd
