Monday, November 27, 2017

Moonlighting, Revit LT Suite and Cyber Monday

I received an email from Autodesk soliciting a Cyber Monday deal that would be great for anyone looking to do some work on the side (moonlighting) or start their own consulting service...


Revit LT Suite, which includes AutoCAD LT for $247/ 1 year or $741/ 3 years is a pretty good deal.

Here are the big differences between Revit and Revit LT...
the following features are not available in Revit LT:

  • Worksharing
  • Analysis (Insight for energy modeling)
  • In-product rendering
  • Import and Export DWG files
  • Add-in support (e.g. Enscape, CTC Express Tools, ElumTools, etc.)
  • Dynamo
  • Autodesk URL: Compare Revit vs. Revit LT

Revit LT can, however, read and open any Revit file of the same or older version. And Revit can likewise open any Revit LT file. Not being able to import/export DWGs may be a limitation, and all rendering would need to be done in the Cloud using cloud credits.

Here are the big differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT... the following features are not available in AutoCAD LT:

  • 3D modeling and visualization
  • AutoLISP and add-ins
  • Customize the user interface
  • DGN (i.e. Microstation) and Navisworks support
  • Monitor CAD standards
  • Autodesk URL: Compare AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT

Both of these "light" products are pretty good deals for someone looking to get started on their own or do some moonlighting. Currently, Revit by itself is $2,200 per year.
BTW, If you are a student, you have access to Autodesk software for free. But the student license prohibits using the software commercially... which means "making money" in any way, shape or form.
Speaking of moonlighting... here is a good post on the subject from Bob Borson at Life of an Architect; Architect's and Moonlighting.