insert elementsweb.tools4revit.com/insert-elements/insert elements... · 2014-01-06 · insert...

Insert Elements

The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily

Insert Revit® Families to the Different Project Places

http://www.tools4revit.com/

http://www.aga-cad.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to manually insert different radiator types under the windows in the entire

project? (Architecture, MEP)

• Do I need to manually insert electrical switches near the doors? (Architecture, MEP)

• How can I insert cove base or crown molding in my selected rooms? Do I have to do it

manually? (Architecture)

• Do I need to manually insert ceiling based elements (lightning fixtures) in to my selected

rooms? (Architecture, MEP)

• How can I insert furniture into my project a lot quicker? (Architecture)

• How can I insert hangers on the ducts or pipes a lot faster? (MEP)

• Do I need to manually insert structural connections to columns or framings? (Structure)



Insert Elements

Insert Elements helps to quickly insert architectural, structural,

mechanical elements (Furniture, Lighting Fixtures, Mechanical

Equipment, Structural Connections, Areas etc) by using built-in

and fully customizable rules into predefined positions that are

logically related with other objects. A database of rules can be

easily extended by request of Autodesk Revit users.



Insert Elements

Insert Elements has an E-Help where users can find two sample

projects and explore it:



Insert Elements by Related Objects

Insert Elements by Related Objects - Powerful Autodesk®

Revit® extension allows you to easily and quickly place elements

at specific project locations.

Examples:

• insert a lighting switch in the right side of a door in every living room from the second

to the sixth floor with predefined elevation from floor and the distance from door opening;

• insert radiators under the windows in any filtered rooms with predefined elevation;

• insert baseboards (cable trays and etc.) in rooms of selected departments with

predefined elevation and horizontal trimming distance from doors;

• insert the lighting fixture to all kitchens of the project.



Insert Elements by Related Objects First step – Select Related Category

Select the related category of elements to/under/near

where new elements will be inserted.

Related category can be selected in two ways:

• from the model. Select any element from desired category

that exists in the current project;

• from the list. Select category from the list where there are

all model categories what are already in use in the current

project.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Second step – Select Related Elements

Elements of selected category are conveniently grouped

together in a tree where the user can filter them by any

configurable criterions. Criterions can be selected with

“Configure Grouping”.

The element list with it’s parameters.

Configurable criterions are displayed like yellow columns

(“Level”, “Department”). Parameters (“Area”, “Perimeter”)

are displayed like white columns and can be selected

with “Select Parameters”.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Configure Grouping

If “Level”, “Department” and “Room Name” are selected in

“Configure Grouping” then elements can be expanded and

filtered under these criterions.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Select Parameters

Select Parameters - select

parameters that will be used at

“Insert Elements” form columns.

At the left side there are all

available parameters from

selected category. Adding new or

removing parameters are

available with the commands

“Add” and “Remove”.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Right-click settings

Filter by Selected Data - filters elements according to selected values.

Filters bedrooms in level 3.

Remove All Filters –

removes all preselected filters.




Distinct Values in Column - shows different values of select columns in a separate dialog

where user can apply the filter by selecting values.

Filters Living and Lumber rooms in level 2.




In the selection process user can see selected elements in the active view. In case if

elements are not visible press Refresh View.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Third step – select the element that will be inserted

The list of all families that are

loaded into the current project.

Element that will be placed. For example, lighting fixture will be

inserted to the filtered rooms from the first tab.



Insert Elements by Related Objects select element that will be inserted

Easy control for adding or removing selected

elements

Preview of selected element

Every element has positioning rules which

can be viewed in the project or loaded from

other directories

Simple browser to view the list of families

that are loaded into the current project

Loads family into the current project



Insert Elements by Related Objects Insertion rules

List of Rules according to which element

will be inserted into the model. You can

modify rules through “Configure”.

Selected element that will be inserted.

Additional parameters allows to

adjust properties of each rule.

Inserts selected

element to the model

with predefined rules.




The most popular rules are already created for placing different elements.

User also can create his own rules through “Configure”.

The tool automatically will show the rules that can be applied to selected element.




For designers convenience there is possibility to create own rules.

To create own rules press Configure button.

New window occurs. For the moment window is inactive. The

window is activating by pressing F10 on the keyboard and it

turns into Edit Mode.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Insertion rules - Configure

Sign Edit Mode indicates that the window is activated.




To create your own rules click right mouse button. Not to alter the existing

version of rules click copy button. The copy will occur automatically in the

bottom of the rules list. All the rules parameters can be changed: Rule

Name, Related Category, Function Name, etc.

List of specified rules.

Catalogue browser helps to quickly find rules by related category or by element

host.




The most important columns:

Related Category – the category where the elements will be inserted. For example, if you

need to create a rule that inserts ceiling based Lighting Fixtures into Rooms then Related Category is

OST_Rooms.

Insert Family Type – the host type of element that you need to insert. For example, if you

need to create a rule that inserts ceiling based Lighting Fixtures into Rooms then Insert Family Type is

Ceiling Based.

Function Name – our created functions that does the insertion. For example, if you need to

create a rule that inserts ceiling based Lighting Fixtures into Rooms then Function Name is Ceiling.




Rules can be saved to a separate XML file and shared with other company colleagues.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Rule Parameters

• Rule Parameters goes for the rule that is selected.

• The tool will remember your last rule parameter values.

• Rule parameters can be different depending on the selected rule.




Elevation

Element (for example, wall based electrical switch)

will be added to the model with predefined elevation

from the main element (for example, door).

Side Offset

The element (for example, wall based electrical switch)

will be moved from the main element (for example,

door) with predefined offset. For the horizontal

elements the positive offset will go up, for vertical - to

the right side.




Start/End Offset

Element will be distributed with predefined distance

from Line Based Elements (like Beams, Cable Trays,

Ducts etc.) Start or/and End points.




Insert at Start/End

Use this function if

the element has to be

inserted into Start,

End or Start & End

positions additionally.

The setting comes

from rule

configuration -

“Configure”.

Possible values:

• Start – the element will be inserted to Start point of Line

Based Elements (like Beams, Cable Trays, Ducts etc.).

• End – the element will be inserted to the End point.

• Start End – the element will be inserted to both ends of Line

Based Elements (like Beams, Cable Trays, Ducts etc.).




Layout Rule

The rule that indicates how the element will be

distributed. The setting comes from rule configuration -

“Configure”.

Possible values:

Fixed Distance – element will be distributed with fixed distance.

Fixed Number – element will be distributed with fixed number.

Fixed Distance or Fixed Number values will come from

Layout Value.




Justification

Justification value determines the placement of the

element. Each subsequent element is placed with

fixed distance from that point. The setting comes

from rule configuration - “Configure”.

Possible values:

• Start

• End

• Center

• Start End




Connection Type

Select connection type where the elements will be

attached. For example Hangers and Supports can be

attached vertically or/and horizontally.




Connection Direction

Connection Type value will make influence on

Connection Directory:

• If connection type is Vertical then Connection

Directory can be Top or Bottom.

• If connection type is Horizontal then Connection

Directory can be Left, Right or Both.




Connect to Category

Select the category where the element (for example,

hanger or support) will be attached.

Possible categories for the Vertical connection: • Everything (Roofs, Floors, Structural Foundations, Structural

Framings or Reference Planes)

• Roofs

• Floors

• Structural Foundations

• Structural Framings

• Reference Planes

Possible categories for the Horizontal connection: • Everything (Walls, Structural Columns, Structural Framings

or Reference Planes)

• Walls

• Structural Columns

• Structural Framings

• Reference Planes




Intersection Category

The elements can be distributed according to Structural

Framings or Lines that are above/below for example

Ducts, Pipes, Cable trays or Conduits.




Intersection Family and Type

Select Family and Type name or Line Type where the

elements will be attached.

Intersection Maximal Distance

Add Maximal Distance in all directions where the

elements will attach Roofs, Floors, Structural

Foundations, Structural Framings, Walls, Reference

planes and Lines.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Final Step – Insert to Model Sample with Ceiling Based element

Lamps are inserted to all the ceilings in living rooms. Vertical location of the lightings will be

in the room location point.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with two Ceiling and Point Based Elements

Lamps are inserted on top and above of the tables.

Filter needed tables in the first tab:

Select two lamps. One – ceiling based, other - point based:



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Wall Based element

Radiators are inserted under the windows (family name=“Single1” and “Window (two parts)”)

that are in level A3 with elevation equal 200mm.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Line Based element

Plinth is inserted to the bathrooms, WC and WC with showers.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Wall/Face based element

Electrical switches are inserted near the “Simple1” doors (Elevation=1000mm, Horizontal

Offset=200mm, at door handle side) that opens into bedrooms in level 3.

In the yellow column “Room Number” should be selected, because the tool has

to know in what side (it indicates room number) the swich should be inserted.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Face Based (St Connections) elements

Structural connections are inserted to structural framing start and end faces.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Face Based (St Connections) elements

Structural connections are inserted to structural column bottom.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Sample with Face Based (Hangers, Supports) elements

Hangers are inserted to Ducts top face.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Draw Table

Creates/updates table data in the drafting view with selected settings.

Created table is grouped in drafting view. If the user

ungroup the table then there will be no possibility to

update it later.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Draw Table – Table Dimensions

Width, Height – real table sizes in current units.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Draw Table – Number per page

Number per page – splits data in separate tables with predefined number of rows.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Draw Table – Table appearance settings

Row Height Factor – changes the height of row by multiplying data text height and the

factor.



Insert Elements by Related Objects Dynamic Section Box

Creates section box on selected level in active 3D view.



Project Family Browser

Project Family Browser – opens the browser with families from

the current project. Convenient dialog allows you to filter/find

elements and with drag-and-drop put it to the model.



Project Family Browser Select a project

Families will be taken from the selected

opened project.



Project Family Browser Element Tree

On the left dialog side:

All elements from the project are

conveniently grouped together in a tree.

User can filter them by category, family

name and family type.

On the right dialog side:

Selected elements are displayed with

the family pictures.



Project Family Browser Filter Families

Filter by – filters elements by family

name or family type.

Edit Family – goes to the selected

family editing mode.



Project Family Browser Sample

Select the

project

Select the family, with drag and

drop put it to the new project.



Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space

Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space - Inserts

elements as virtual group in the Room/Space with different

boundaries.

Virtual Group – a group of elements created with specific “Array”

method.



Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space Steps to insert elements

Steps to insert elements:

1. Select room/space or element in the room/space. Boundaries and parameters of

selected room/space will be used;

2. Select a wall for detecting X direction.

1

2



Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space Steps to insert elements

Steps to insert elements:

3. Find and select element that will be distributed (more about

this dialog read in 10, 11 slides) → OK;

4. Set settings in Manage Virtual Group dialog (read more in 16-

20 slides) → OK.

3

4



Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space Edit Virtual Group

Length (X Direction) – maximum length of X direction in

room/space;

Width (Y Direction) – maximum length of Y direction in

room/space;

Select Base Wall for X Direction – select other wall from the

project for detecting X direction.

Selected wall



Default Elevation – default elevation where elements will

be inserted in the first time.

Ceiling

Element

The element will be inserted with

elevation 2500mm if the

room/space upper limit will be

higher.

If the element is ceiling based then

it will placed on the ceiling.

It will not effect element’s location if

the host is specified.




Real Number of Elements – real number of elements

what are inserted in the current room/space with it’s shape.

Number in X Direction, Number in Y Direction – number

of elements in X and Y directions.




Distance X, Distance Y – distance between elements in X

and Y direction. These values will be used when “Distribute

by Spacing” parameter will be selected;

Distribute by Spacing – distribute preselected number of

elements by room/space using “Distance X” and “Distance Y”

parameter values:




Calculate Maximum in X and Y direction – calculates maximum amount of elements is

needed in X and Y direction for the current room/space.




Offset from Original in X/Y Direction – element will be

moved with offset from the beginning in X, Y direction. If

these values are zero, then elements will be centered in

the room/space.

Calculated Data – situation of

element distributing the

room/space.




For example if “Factor of

Distances” is set to 600 then

distance between elements

is rounded to the number

divided from 600.

Factor of Distances – rounds the distance between elements.




Minimum Distance from Wall – defines minimum distance

from all the walls in the room/space for distributing elements.




Mirror X, Mirror Y –

mirrors virtual group in X

and Y directions.





Placement parameters

can be locked.

Note: Virtual Group can’t be

copied or mirrored!




Placement parameters

can be locked.



Insert as Virtual Group on the Wall

Inserts face based elements on the selected wall. Function works

the same as “Insert as Virtual Group in Room/Space”.



Select Elements in Group

Select one element and the tool will select all other elements in

entire room/space:



Update all Virtual Groups

Updates all virtual groups in room/space if there are any changes

made in the project:



Insert Gravity Points

Adds user created element (generic models category) to

selected elements that shows gravity center.



Insert Elements Benefits

• Speed – Enables you to instantly insert hundreds of elements into your Revit model.

• Error Prevention and Easy Control Process

• Increased Productivity and Cost Savings – Revit users will save hundreds hours per

project using Insert Elements automation of routine functions and through early

identification of design errors.



Copyright © 2012 AGA CAD Ltd.

TOOLS4REVIT© is developed by AGA CAD Ltd., Autodesk Authorised Developer

to

ols4

revit

AGA-CAD is the supplier of computer-aided design software and data management solution, operating since 1991. Company’s activities consist of TOOLS4REVIT development, Revit® families creation, programming services for working with BIM projects faster and easier. With resellers in a number of countries AGA CAD Ltd. implements BIM solutions for architects, structural and MEP engineers, constructors and building contractors.

If you have any ideas or problems and you would like to make your work with BIM projects faster and easier we can design a tool or a program especially for you. Write your ideas directly to [email protected].

http://www.aga-cad.lt/

mailto:[email protected]

insert elementsweb.tools4revit.com/insert-elements/insert elements... · 2014-01-06 · insert...

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