Millwork shop drawings play a big role in custom interior work. Whether you are creating cabinetry, wall panels, reception desks, or trim details, the accuracy of your drawings is critical. But the big question is, should you use Revit or AutoCAD for creating these drawings?
Both tools are powerful, but they work in different ways. In this post, we will compare Revit and AutoCAD based on how they perform for millwork shop drawings. By the end, you will have a better idea of which tool fits your workflow and project needs.
Understanding the Basics
AutoCAD is a two-dimensional drafting software. It has been used in architectural and millwork drafting for many years. It gives you full control over lines, layers, blocks, and dimensions. It is like drawing on a digital piece of paper.
Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. It works in three dimensions and connects different parts of a project together. It is more than just drawing, it helps you create a digital model that includes details like materials, sizes, and connections.
1. Drawing Flexibility
AutoCAD gives you complete freedom to draw anything from scratch. You can control every line, hatch, and annotation. For millwork drafters who are used to traditional drafting, AutoCAD feels very direct and flexible. You can easily create standard views like plans, elevations, and sections using just lines and text.
Revit, on the other hand, is more structured. You work with families and components instead of lines. While this makes it harder to do quick sketches or free-form details, it helps maintain consistency. Revit requires more setup but provides more intelligent drawings.
Verdict: If you need quick and custom line work, AutoCAD is simpler. If you want structured drawings that stay consistent across changes, Revit is better.
2. 2D vs 3D Workflow
AutoCAD is mainly used for 2D drafting. You can make clean and accurate millwork drawings, but they are not connected to a 3D model unless you add that separately. Every view must be created manually.
Revit is built around a 3D model. When you make changes to the model, every related view updates automatically. For example, if you change the height of a cabinet, all the sections, elevations, and schedules reflect that change. This saves a lot of time on revisions.
Verdict: If you want automatic updates and 3D views, Revit gives you an advantage. If your work is mostly 2D, AutoCAD is more straightforward.
3. Detail Control
Millwork drawings often need very fine detailing: joints, trims, fasteners, finishes, and more.
AutoCAD allows you to draw exactly what you want with fine control over every part. You can create detailed enlarged views, add custom hatching, and use blocks for repeated components.
Revit has built-in detail components and families, but you need to model everything properly to show it. You can use drafting views in Revit for custom 2D details, but it can be more time-consuming to set up.
Verdict: AutoCAD wins if your focus is on highly detailed custom 2D drawings. Revit is good if your details are part of a larger model.
4. Reusability and Efficiency
AutoCAD lets you save standard details and blocks, which you can copy into other drawings. But since everything is manual, you have to adjust dimensions and annotations for each project.
Revit supports reusable families and templates. Once you build a cabinet family with correct parameters, you can place it into any project and adjust its size or material without redrawing. Revit also supports scheduling and tagging, which helps with production.
Verdict: Revit is more efficient when you have repeating elements across multiple projects. AutoCAD is better for one-off, highly customized details.
5. Coordination with Other Trades
Millwork is not done in isolation. It often interacts with walls, floors, ceilings, lighting, and other systems.
AutoCAD has limited tools for coordination. You can reference other drawings using external references, but everything has to be checked manually.
Revit makes coordination easier because all trades can work in the same model. You can check for clashes, see how millwork fits into the room, and even collaborate with other teams using work sharing or linked models.
Verdict: Revit is much better for coordination in large projects. AutoCAD works fine for smaller or standalone jobs.
6. Learning Curve and Setup
AutoCAD has a smaller learning curve, especially for users who are already familiar with drafting. You can start drawing right away.
Revit takes longer to learn. You need to understand families, parameters, views, and modeling. However, once you are familiar with the workflow, it can save time in the long run.
Verdict: AutoCAD is easier to start with. Revit takes more time to learn, but offers long-term benefits.
So Which One Should You Use?
Here is a simple way to decide:
| Project Type | Suggested Tool |
| Custom one-time millwork details | AutoCAD |
| High detail 2D drafting | AutoCAD |
| Projects needing coordination | Revit |
| Repeatable or parametric designs | Revit |
| Large commercial or BIM projects | Revit |
| Simple shop drawings | AutoCAD |
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. AutoCAD is still great for millwork drafters who want speed, control, and simplicity in 2D work. It is also widely accepted in the manufacturing world.
Revit shines when you want to create smart, flexible, and connected models that are easy to update and coordinate. If your business is moving toward BIM, learning Revit will help you stay ahead.
Some companies even use both tools together, drawing in AutoCAD and importing the files into Revit for coordination.
Choose the tool that matches your team’s skills, your project size, and how you want to grow your workflow in the future.
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