Revit vs. Dietrich's: Quick Comparison Guide
Understanding Two Complementary Tools in Timber Construction
The One-Sentence Answer
Revit designs buildings and coordinates trades. Dietrich's fabricates timber components and drives CNC machines. Professional projects need both.
The Core Distinction
Revit: Design Intent Software
Answers: "What are we building and how do the systems coordinate?"
Primary users:
Architects
Structural engineers
MEP engineers
Construction managers
Key outputs:
Construction documents (plans, sections, details)
Coordination models (multi-trade clash detection)
Permit submissions
Client visualizations
Optimized for:
Multi-disciplinary coordination
Building code compliance
Aesthetic design
Systems integration (structure, MEP, envelope)
Dietrich's: Fabrication Reality Software
Answers: "How exactly do we cut, machine, and assemble each piece?"
Primary users:
Timber fabricators
CNC operators
Shop foremen
Assembly crews
Key outputs:
CNC machine files (BTLx, Hundegger, Weinmann)
Shop drawings (fabrication-level detail)
Material cut lists (optimized)
Assembly sequences and loading plans
Optimized for:
Manufacturing efficiency
CNC machining precision
Material yield optimization
Production logistics
What Revit Does Best
1. Architectural Design & Coordination
Capabilities:
Complete building design (floor plans, elevations, sections)
Multi-trade coordination (architecture + structure + MEP)
Clash detection between all building systems
Design visualization and client presentations
Why Revit is essential:
Industry standard for BIM coordination
All trades work in coordinated model
Prevents conflicts before construction
Required for permit submissions
Example:
120-unit apartment building
Architect designs layouts
Structural engineer sizes CLT floors
MEP engineers route systems through structure
Coordination model finds and resolves 200+ clashes before construction
2. Construction Documentation
Capabilities:
Complete construction document sets
Automated schedules and quantities
Code-compliant documentation
Professional annotation and dimensioning
Why Revit is essential:
Permit authorities require these documents
General contractors need complete drawings
Specifications and details for all trades
Changes propagate through all sheets automatically
What Dietrich's can't replace:
Multi-trade documentation
Permit-ready drawing sets
Architectural specifications
Non-timber systems (concrete, steel, MEP)
3. Building Analysis
Capabilities:
Structural analysis model export (Robot, ETABS, SAP2000)
Energy analysis and code compliance
Daylighting and thermal studies
Quantity takeoffs for cost estimation (all trades)
Why Revit is essential:
Engineering analysis requires analytical model
Building performance verification
Early-stage cost estimating
Design optimization studies
What Dietrich's Does Best
1. Timber Construction Intelligence
Capabilities:
HRB Guidelines: Automatically generate complete timber frame from construction rules
2x6 wall @ 16" O.C. → System generates all studs, plates, blocking, headers
One click → Hundreds of components with correct spacing, connections, fastening
Timber joinery: Mortise, tenon, dovetail, lap joints with proper geometry
Grain direction: Critical for structural performance and CNC machining
Code-compliant fastening: Nail patterns, edge distances, spacing per building codes
Why Dietrich's is essential:
Revit has no timber-specific intelligence
Manual modeling of timber frame in Revit: 100+ hours
HRB guidelines in Dietrich's: 30 minutes
Automatic code compliance built-in
Example:
2,000 sq ft house with 20 walls
Revit: Model ~400 studs individually, place each header assembly, add all blocking
Dietrich's: Assign wall properties, apply HRB guideline → System generates everything automatically
2. CNC Integration & Manufacturing
Capabilities:
Direct machine export: BTLx, Hundegger, Weinmann, SEMA formats
Parametric machining: SmartTags adapt operations to component context
Reference sides: Operations reference construction logic (top face, exterior side)
Tool path optimization: Efficient machining sequences
Why Dietrich's is essential:
CNC machines cannot read Revit files
BTLx is timber industry standard (like G-code for timber)
Revit has zero CNC export capability
Direct integration with timber-specific CNC equipment
What this means:
3. Material Optimization & Production Planning
Capabilities:
Cut optimization: Minimize waste across entire project
Stock length planning: Optimize for available lumber lengths (8', 10', 12', 16', 20')
Nesting algorithms: Efficient panel layout
MOS organization: Package components by machine, delivery, assembly sequence
Why Dietrich's is essential:
5-15% material savings on large projects = significant cost reduction
Production sequencing for efficient shop workflow
Loading plans for optimized delivery
Component tracking from shop to site
Example:
10,000 sq ft of walls = ~2,000 studs
Random lengths: 15% waste
Dietrich's optimization: 7% waste
Material savings: 8% of lumber cost
4. Fabrication-Level Detail
Capabilities:
Millimeter-precision component definitions
Complete nail patterns (spacing, edge distances, field spacing)
Blocking for utilities, finishes, attachments
Trimmer/header assemblies at every opening
Sheathing layouts with proper joint offsets
Why Dietrich's is essential:
Revit shows architectural intent (schematic)
Dietrich's shows fabrication reality (millimeter-precise)
CNC machines need exact specifications
Shop floor needs buildable details
The difference:
Revit: Wall is "2x6 studs @ 16" O.C." (design intent)
Dietrich's: 16 studs, each 92-5/8" long, with 47 nail holes per stud at specific locations, blocks at 48" O.C., trimmer assemblies at door with double studs and sized header (fabrication reality)
How They Work Together: The Standard Workflow
Professional Project Flow
The IFC Bridge
What IFC transfers from Revit to Dietrich's:
✅ Building geometry (walls, floors, roofs)
✅ Story structure
✅ Opening locations (doors, windows)
✅ Material information
✅ Overall dimensions
What requires work in Dietrich's after IFC import:
Assign construction rules (HRB guidelines)
Add machining operations (SmartTags)
Organize for fabrication (MOS Packages/Elements)
Optimize material usage
Typical effort: 10-20% of total Dietrich's time is post-IFC setup
Quick Comparison Matrix
Design & Coordination
Architectural design
✅✅✅ Excellent
⚠️ Basic
Multi-trade coordination
✅✅✅ Excellent
❌ Not supported
Permit documents
✅✅✅ Excellent
❌ Not suitable
Client visualization
✅✅✅ Photorealistic
⚠️ Technical only
Timber Construction
Timber frame automation
❌ Manual only
✅✅✅ HRB guidelines
Code-compliant fastening
❌ Not detailed
✅✅✅ Automatic
Timber joinery
❌ Generic
✅✅✅ Specialized
Grain direction
❌ Not supported
✅✅✅ Full support
Manufacturing
CNC machine export
❌ None
✅✅✅ Direct (BTLx, etc.)
Material optimization
❌ Not supported
✅✅✅ Cut optimization
Production planning
❌ Not supported
✅✅✅ MOS organization
Parametric machining
❌ Not supported
✅✅✅ SmartTags
Integration
IFC export
✅✅✅ Full BIM
✅✅ Timber data
IFC import
✅✅ Standard
✅✅✅ Enhanced
Legend:
✅✅✅ Excellent - Purpose-built
✅✅ Good - Well-supported
⚠️ Limited - Basic capabilities
❌ None - Not supported
When Do You Need Both?
Use BOTH When:
All commercial/institutional projects
Multi-trade coordination essential
Permit documentation required
CNC fabrication needed
Professional quality standards
Residential projects >5,000 sq ft
Design complexity requires coordination
Multiple trades involved
Prefabrication efficiency matters
Volume justifies investment
Any project with:
MEP coordination requirements
Structural engineering involvement
CNC timber fabrication
Prefabricated timber elements
Use ONLY Revit When:
Non-timber projects
Primarily concrete/steel/masonry
Timber is minor component
No CNC fabrication
Design-only services
Architectural services
Not responsible for fabrication
Site-built construction
Use ONLY Dietrich's When:
Pure fabrication shops
Receiving designs from others
No coordination responsibility
Manufacturing focus only
Small timber structures
Reality: Most professional timber construction uses BOTH systems.
Common Misconceptions Debunked
❌ "Revit can do everything Dietrich's does"
Reality: Revit's framing tools are generic, not timber-specific.
The test: Model a complete 2,000 sq ft house in Revit with every stud, all blocking, proper headers, nail patterns, and export to a Hundegger wall station.
Result: Hundreds of hours of work, zero CNC capability.
Dietrich's: 30 minutes with HRB guidelines, direct CNC export.
❌ "We can skip Dietrich's and use Revit for fabrication"
Reality: CNC machines cannot read Revit files.
CNC machines need: BTLx, Hundegger, Weinmann formats with tool paths and orientations
Revit provides: Generic geometry (SAT/STEP) with no machining data
The gap: You need Dietrich's or expensive generic CAM software (not timber-optimized)
❌ "Dietrich's can replace Revit"
Reality: Dietrich's is timber-focused, not multi-trade coordination.
Dietrich's cannot provide:
Multi-trade coordination
Permit-ready document sets
MEP integration
Architectural renderings for clients
Building performance analysis
Investment Reality
Cost Considerations
Revit:
~$2,800/year/seat subscription
100-200 hours training
High-end workstation required
ROI: Design efficiency, coordination quality
Dietrich's:
Varies by modules (contact vendor)
80-120 hours training
Mid-range workstation sufficient
ROI: Fabrication efficiency, material savings, CNC automation
Payback Scenarios
Medium timber fabricator (20 projects/year):
Without Dietrich's:
Manual timber detailing: 40 hours per project
Material waste: 12-15%
No CNC optimization
Generic shop drawings
With Dietrich's:
Automated timber detailing: 8 hours per project
Material waste: 5-8%
Direct CNC integration
Manufacturing-optimized drawings
Savings per project:
Labor: 32 hours × $75/hr = $2,400
Material: 7% × $15,000 = $1,050
Total: ~$3,450 per project
Annual savings (20 projects): $69,000 Software cost: ~$15,000-20,000/year Net benefit: $49,000-54,000/year
Plus intangible benefits:
Faster project turnaround
Higher quality control
Competitive advantage
Ability to bid larger projects
The Bottom Line
Both Systems Are Essential in Professional Practice
Revit provides:
Design quality and coordination
Multi-trade collaboration
Permit documentation
Industry-standard BIM
Dietrich's provides:
Fabrication efficiency
CNC automation
Material optimization
Manufacturing precision
Together they deliver:
Complete design-to-fabrication workflow
Professional quality standards
Competitive market positioning
Optimized project margins
The Question Isn't "Which One?"
The question is: "How do we use them together effectively?"
Professional timber construction requires:
Design & coordination → Revit
IFC exchange → Industry standard
Fabrication & CNC → Dietrich's
Manufacturing → Shop floor
Each system is optimized for its role. Neither can fully replace the other.
Making the Decision
Start with Dietrich's if:
You're primarily a fabricator
You receive designs from others
CNC automation is immediate priority
Limited multi-trade coordination
Add Revit when:
You expand into design services
Coordination becomes necessary
Client presentations are important
Permit documentation needed
Invest in both if:
You're doing design-build projects
Project size justifies investment (>$2M annual revenue)
Competitive positioning matters
Professional quality standards required
Next Steps
For timber fabricators evaluating software:
Assess your workflow:
Are you receiving IFC models? → Need Dietrich's IFC import
Are you coordinating trades? → Need Revit
Are you running CNC machines? → Need Dietrich's
Are you submitting permits? → Need Revit
Calculate your ROI:
Labor savings from automation
Material savings from optimization
New project opportunities
Competitive positioning value
Plan implementation:
Start with one system based on immediate needs
Add complementary system as business grows
Train team systematically
Build IFC workflow proficiency
Contact vendors:
Request demos tailored to your projects
Discuss module configurations
Explore training options
Evaluate support services
Remember: Revit and Dietrich's are partners in your workflow, not competitors. Understanding their complementary relationship is key to successful timber construction projects.
Document Version: 1.0 Format: Quick Reference Guide (5-7 pages) Target Audience: Timber fabricators and construction professionals Focus: Core distinctions and practical decision-making
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