What is Autodesk Revit architecture?
Autodesk Revit architecture is design software used to create computer aided design of buildings and there documentation.
Who needs this tutorial?
The targeted audiences are users of Revit architecture, both old and new users, computer draftsmen, architects, civil engineers, interior designers, builders and estate surveyors with interest in CAD, facility planners, and engineers who wishes to expand there knowledge in the field of design.
Prior knowledge of computer aided design is not necessary in other to learn Revit architecture although advantageous. It is going to be assumed that before now you all know the basics of windows operating system, if you don’t then this tutorial is definitely not meant for you.
What approach would be used for this tutorial?
A practical and hands on approach would be the focus of this series using a bottom up approach. Technicality would be minimal to ensure the rookies are carried along.
Topic one:
User interface (UI)
Look at user interface like a kitchen, when you work into a kitchen what do you see? where are the cutleries placed, where is the location of the cupboard, are the cups placed inside the cupboard or the oven, are the spoons placed inside the fridge or the pots, where is the oven located, where is the location of the sink etc. having a proper understanding of the locations of theses tools and equipment would enable cooking easier.
The user interface is the default window that displays when the software is lunched. The user interface comprises of quick access toolbar, tabs, panels, ribbon, information center, option bar, project browser, property pallet, drawing area, visual control bar and status bar. Just like the analogy of the kitchen, a proper understanding of the UI would enable drafting easier and more efficient.

Default revit architecture 2013 user interface (UI)

Following

1)Quick access tool bar: take for instance a carpenter working on a project; the most likely tool the carpenter would keep close to himself is his measuring tape and hammer. This is because these are the tools he uses often during the execution of his task. Same thing applies to the QAT. The QAT which is located at the top left portion of the window contains tools and commands which are used regularly during modeling. Tools used often during modeling are placed in the QAT for easy access, when we begin the actual modeling you will get to appreciate the QAT functionality.
2)The ribbon: look at the ‘RIBBON’ as a female handbag which is made up of chambers known as the “TABS” and each chamber contains different make up kits known as ‘PANNELS’ and inside these makeup kits, similar makeup are placed together. Almost all the commands we use during modeling are found in the ribbon. The ribbon consists of tabs; each tab is further divided into panels with which contain similar tools. The image labeled I-X are the tabs, while the image labeled 1-7 are panels. It is important to note that the content of the panel changes according to the selected tab.

Following

The property pallet: assuming you click on your profile on facebook, what happens? Every information relating to you shows up right?and you could quickly make some changes to your marital status, age, sex, location bla bla bla. This is exactly what the property pallet is all about, when any item in our model(by model I mean drawing) is clicked upon, every information relating to that particular selected element shows up in the property pallet. it is a very important feature of revit architecure, this pallet enables us make quick changes to our model by giving us quick access to settings related to the item selected. when any item is selected, the settings and properties related to the selected item or element shows up in the property pallet, users of auto cad should be familiar with this feature. It should be noted that when nothing is selected,the property pallet displays information about the current view( don't get confused about the word "current view" because as we get started you would get to know more about views). The type selector is also a part of the property pallet,but for the sake of simplicity,I'll skip discussions relating to the "type selector" just have it at the back of your mind that there is sum thing known as type selector which is located within the property pallet.
The project browser: it is located at the left portion of the window below the property pallet. The project browser contains a list of all the view, schedules, legends, sheets etc. If you want to view any portion of your model such as floor plan, ceiling plan, elevation, or 3d view, this is where to look. For the rookies don't get confused with the funny words like elevation, schedules, etc,once we get started with the actual modeling it would become clearer.
The option bar: take for instance you went to an atm to withdraw some money, once u slot in the card and key in your security pin,what happens? several options pop up which depends on the command you selected from list of commands right?,this is exactly how the option bar works, the options available on the option bar depends on the command selected during modeling,so basically the option bar brings out a list of option related to the selected command.
I think I'm getting bored of theses big big talk, so for the sake of simplicity I'll skip th revit menu,information central and view control bar,I'll explain there functions once we get our hands dirty on some projects.
The drawing area: just as the name implies,this is where the actual modeling takes place and all the views in the project browser opens in this very drawing area.

Image of the project browser