rev it families tutorial

8/7/2019 Rev It Families Tutorial

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Revit Basics

Revit Families Lesson #2

Reference Planes

Reference planes and reference lines provide the framework for creating forms in Revit.

When creating a new reference plane always draw vertical planes from bottom of screen

to top of screen and horizontal planes from left to right. Planes have a positive side and anegative side. Always drawing planes the same way provides predicable results later.

Naming reference planes will help clear confusion once the modeling gets more complex.

This is done in the properties of the plane by typing the desired name under Identity Data.A good naming convention will bring clarity to a family especial when revisiting an old

family. When adding planes to control solid forms, naming in the format of, , (i.e. TableTop, DoorFrameLeft, ControlboxRightside), is an effective way of

giving meaning and allowing for ease of use. There may be times when adding a to the end of a planes name is necessary to provide further clarification.

The Is Referenceparameter indentifies the location of the plane or determines if that

portion of the family can be aligned to or dimensioned to. There are 12 choices for theparameter;

Left, Center (Left/Right), Right

Front, center (Front/Back), Back

Back, Bottom, Top, Center (Elevation)

Strong Reference, Weak Reference, Not a Reference

Revit Family Tutorial

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To dimension to a plane or snap to it, it must be classified as a strong or weak reference.Strong references have priority over weak references.

The Defines Origin parameter can be applied to three intersecting planes to define an

origin point for the family. Consider all three dimensions when specifying the originpoint.

Reference LinesReference lines have a distinct beginning and end point and are the preferred method for

controlling angles. This is because they actually form as two perpendicular planes,

meaning that forms can be attached both parallel and perpendicular to the current view.

Adding Parameters

Dimensions can be used to constrain reference planes and lines. Solids and void forms

can be locked to these reference planes and lines. If the dimensions are associated withparameters, those parameters can drive the dimensions, planes and forms to create a

flexible model that responds to user input as well as logical operators and formulas.

To accomplish this first create the desired dimension using one of Revits dimensioning

tools.

In the image below the angle between a reference plane and a reference line has been

dimensioned.


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With the dimension selected, pick the tool from the Label drop down on the Options bar.

The Parameter Properties dialog appears. Give the parameter a name. Again, a naming

convention is very important. works well. This parameter is going to beused to determine the angular size of a break in a sweep form. Group the parameter under

Dimensions unless it will be controlled by a formula. In that case group it under

Constraints. To give each instance of this sweep individual sweep breaks make this anInstance parameter. To keep them all the same, make this a Type parameter.


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When a sweep form is locked to the reference plane and line the new parameter can nowcontrol the size of the opening.

To make it simple when working on families, only add annotations and dimensions to theReference Level, Front Elevation, or the Right Elevation. This helps everyone find

parameters that could be in 7 or more views.


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Basic Math Operators:

+ Add: 2 + 0 6 + Length

- Subtract: 1 6 Width

* Multiply: Length * Width

/ Divide: Length / 2

^ Exponent: x^y, x raised to the y power

log Logarithm

sqrt Square root: sqrt(81)

exp E raised to an x power: exp(2)

abs Absolute Value: abs(-10)

sin Sine: sin(60)

cos Cosine

tan Tangent

asin Arcsine

acos Arccosine

atan Arctangent


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Conditional Statements

Conditional statements test for a true or a false condition and then return a value based

off the results. The format is this;

IF (, , )

Supported Conditional Operators:

< Less Than

> Greater Than

= Equal to

AND Both statements are true

OR One of the statements is true

NOT Statement is false

ab) can be used to the same effect.

Sample Conditional Statements:

Simple IF Statement

IF (Length < 30, 2 6, 4)

Formula That Returns Strings

IF (Height > 30, This thing is tall, This thing is short)

Using logical AND

IF (AND (x = 1 , y = 2), 8 , 3 )


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Using logical OR

IF (OR (A = 1 , B = 3 ) , 8 , 3 )

Nested IF statements

IF (Length < 35, 2 6 , IF (Length < 45, 3 , IF (Length < 55, 5, 8 ) ) )

IF with Yes/No conditionLength > 40 (The condition and the results are implied)

Bookcase Family Assignment Pick either assignment A or B

A

Construct a bookcase family that allows for any number of shelves and creates equaldistance between the shelves.

B

Construct a bookcase family that determines the number shelves based off the height of

the bookcase, equally spacing the shelves about a foot apart.

Extra Credit

Add a Yes/No visibility parameter to allow the user to individually add doors in front of

the bottom 3 shelves.

It is possible to set dimensions equal in Revit by clicking the EQ icon, but it is considered

bad practice to use EQ in the Family editor because it can cause the model to become

over-constrained easily.


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Formulas

Any parameter can have a formula determine its value in the Family Types dialog.

Formulas can contain basic math operators and/or conditional statements using integers,

decimals, fractional values, and parameter names. Instance and Type parameters can not

be used in the same formula.Bookcase Family Example

In this example a bookcase family is required that a user can define the HxWxD. Thenumber of shelves should be determined by the height, there should also be a control for

the thickness of the material and the option to have doors on the bottom 3 shelves.

To gain the type of control needed, the shelves will have to be nested into the bookcasefamily. Nesting means the shelves will be an independent family that will be loaded into

the bookcase family.

Build the Shelf Family

1. Begin with the Generic Model.rft template.

2. Unpin the 2 references planes in the template and uncheck the Defines Origin check

box.

3. Add 4 reference planes to define the length and width of the shelf in the reference

view. Set the Right and Back reference planes to Define Origin and Pin them in place.

4. Name the new planes (Front, Back, Left, Right) and set the Is Reference parameteraccordingly.

5. Use the Extrusion tool on the Home tab to create a form for the shelf, locking it to the

4 defining planes.


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6. Use the dimension tool to dimension the Width and depth of the shelf form.

7. Select the width dimension and pick the Label: drop down on the Options Bar, and

then select .

8. The Parameter Properties dialog appears. Fill it out as indicated below. Do the same

for the Shelf Depth dimension.

9. Switch to the Front view and create a reference plane to define the top of shelf. Name

the reference plane, set its reference to Top and lock the top surface of the shelf form tothe plane.

10. Set the shelfs thickness to . Create a parameter for Shelf Thickness as was done

with width and depth.

11. Save this family as A-Fn Bookcase-Shelf.rfa


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Build the Bookcase Shell

1. Begin with the Generic Model.rft template.

2. Unpin the 2 references planes in the template and uncheck the Defines Origin check

box.

3. Add 4 reference planes to define the length and width of the shelf in the reference

view. Set the Right and Back reference planes to Define Origin and Pin them in place.

4. Name the new planes (Front, Back, Left, Right) and set the Is Reference parameter

accordingly.

5. Add 3 more reference planes to define the thickness of the back and sides of the

bookcase.

6. Use the Extrusion and trace the footprint of the bookcase sides and back. Lock the

faces of the extrusion to the reference planes.

7. Switch to the Front view and create a reference plane to define the top of bookcase.Name the reference plane, set its reference to Top and lock the top surface of the shelf

form to the plane.

8. Create parameters for Bookshelf Height, Bookshelf Width, Bookshelf Depth, and

Bookshelf Thickness the same way parameters were added to the shelf family.

9. Add half parameters for the bookcase width and depth. These will be used to keep

the center planes in the center.


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10. Clickthe family types button to open its dialog.

11. Group the half parameters under constraints and insert the formulas below to ensurethey are always half of their parent lengths.

12. This is a good time to flex the family by trying different dimensions in the parametersand checking that the geometry follows suit.


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Add the Bottom Bookcase Shelf

The intent here is to add one shelf near the bottom of the shell and array it to the top of

the shell. We can then create a parameter to determine the number of shelves in the array.That parameter can be driven by an equation that adds more shelves the taller the

bookcase gets.

1. Begin loading the shelf family into the bookcase family and place it off to the side in

the reference level view of the bookcase family.

2. Use the Align tool to lock the sides of the shelf to the inside planes of the bookcase

shell and the front plane.

3. Select the shelf to access its properties. Here we want to create links between the

parameters in the shelf to new parameters in the bookcase to control the shelfs width,

depth and thickness.

4. Select the grey box to the right of the Shelf Thickness to add a new parameter. Name it

Shelf Thickness (in case), make it an Instance parameter and group it under

Constraints.

5. Do the same for Shelf Width and Shelf Depth.


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6. In the Family Type dialog we can now create formulas to keep the shelves the correctsize as the case changes. Create the formulas shown in the image below.

Creating a Swappable Shelf

To add another level functionality (or complexity) we can add a parameter that will allowthe user to switch from one type of shelf to another.

1. Open the original shelf family and save it as the second shelf option. The shelf belowhas extrusions added to the bottom.

2. Load this new shelf into the bookcase family, but do not place it.

3. In the Family Types dialog create a new Type parameter named Swappable Shelf.

Make its discipline Common, its Type of Parameter and group it under Constraints.

4. When you select the Type of Parameter Revit will open the Select Category dialog.

Pick Generic Models.


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5. Select the original shelf in the bookcase family now. In the Properties dialog, look forthe Label parameter and change it to Swappable Shelf.

6. In the Family Types dialog Create 2 shelf types, Shelf Type 1 and Shelf Type 2.

Associate the swappable shelf parameter with the appropriate type.


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7. Flex the family. Change the family type and verify that the shelf changes.

Array the Shelf

1. Switch to the front view. And move the shelf up 3. Add a reference plane to the

underside of the shelf. Dimension this plane from the reference level and create a

parameter named Bookshelf Toe-Kick.

2. Use the Array tool with Group and Associate on and Move To set to Last. The array

should go from the top of the placed shelf to the top of bookcase reference plane.

3. Select the group and associate line with the current number in the array. On theOptions bar select from the label drop down and add a new parameter.


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4. Make it an instance parameter and group it under Constraints.

5. In the Family Types dialog add the equation below to place a shelf at about one shelf

per linear foot.

6. Flex the family by changing the height of the bookcase, verifying that the number ofshelves changes. Also flex the width, depth, and shelf type.

7. If the shelves lean out of plumb, use the Align tool to lock the upper most shelf in

place.

Control the Thickness

For this family the user can input the thickness of the bookshelf, this will in turn drive the

thickness of the shelves. Lets create a formula that allows the user to input any thickness

they want, however, if the thickness is less than Revit should use anyway.Conversely if the user specifies any thickness greater than 1, Revit will use 1 only. If

the user specifies any thickness in-between, Revit should consider this a fair value and

use it directly.

This requires creating an Actual Thickness parameter and a couple of nested IF

statements.

1. Create a new instance parameter and name it Bookshelf Thickness Actual. Group it

under Constraints.

2. Apply the following equation to the new parameter.

There are essentially two parts to this nested IF statement.

If (Bookshelf Thickness < 0' 0 1/2", 0' 0 1/2",


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This first part states that if the Bookshelf thickness is less than use for the Actualthickness. If it is not, refer to the rest of the statement.

if (Bookshelf Thickness > 0' 1", 0' 1", Bookshelf Thickness))

The last part states that if the Bookshelf thickness is greater than 1 use 1. If it is not,

use the Bookshelf thickness.

3. To finish apply the Actual thickness parameter to the constraining dimension instead of

the nominal one.

Using Model Text to Provide User Feedback

Since the user can specify any thickness they want, even if they are wrong, it may be a

good idea to provide feedback to the user if the thickness they provide is out of bounds.

Posted by Todd M. Shackelford at 11:59 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Labels: FamiliesFriday, March 11, 2011


There are 3 Types of Revit families; System, Loadable, and In-Place.

System families are predefined and cannot be created, modified or deleted by users.

System families can be duplicated and modified to create custom types within systemfamilies. Example system families are ceilings, conduit, duct, floors, fluids, pipe, stairs,

structural framing, and walls.

Loadable families are completely customizable and can be created from scratch asneeded, pre-loaded into templates, or added into projects on the fly from a shared

location.

Annotation families are a type of the loadable family that contains no 3D geometry. Usedfor tags and drawing symbology.

Profile families are a type of the loadable family used to define profiles for sweeps and

revolves.

In-Place families are created for use within the specific project only.

Categories

Loadable families are sorted in Revit by their categories. Categories can not be created or

altered by the user. The current Revit categories for Loadable families are;


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Architectural

Boundary Conditions

Casework

ColumnsDoors

Entourage

Furniture

Furniture Systems

Mass

Parking

Planting

Specialty Equipment

Windows

MEPAir Terminals

Cable tray Fittings

Communication Devices

Conduit Fittings

Data Devices

Duct Accessories

Duct Fittings

Electrical equipment

Fire Alarm devices

Lighting Devices

Lighting Fixtures

Mechanical Equipment

Nurse Call Devices

Pipe Accessories

Pipe Fittings

Plumbing Fixtures

Security devices

Sprinklers

Telephone devices

StructuralStructural Columns

Structural Connections

Structural Foundations

Structural Framing

Structural Stiffeners

The categories of families listed above are also how the default displays of families

are sorted in the Object Styles dialog and the Visibility Graphics dialog.

The selected category also dictates the available Family Parameters. Revit MEP

families will have different Part Types based off the Family Category selected.


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Templates

Autodesk Revit products install with a host of templates meant to give the user a jump

start when creating families. These templates are found in the Imperial Templates

folder. There are Annotation templates (used mostly for tagging different categories

of families), Hosted templates (wall, ceiling, floor, and roof hosted), and non-hosted

templates (everything else). Choosing the correct template, while relatively easy, is an

important first step to success when creating families.

Naming Conventions

Families that have a naming convention are easy to identify and find within the any

family folder structure. An ideal family name has four parts, a Major, Minor, and aDescriptor, followed by a Version Number.

A-Furn Casework_v1

M-Hv Diffusser_v1

E-Po Receptacles_v1

G-Tb Logo_v1

Geometry Creation

Geometry for families is created by using Solids and Voids. Both solids and Voids are

created through one of the following forms; Extrusions, Blends, Revolves, Sweeps,

and Swept Blends found on the Home tab in the Family editor.

Between the 5 solid forms and void forms nearly any shape can be made. Complexshapes can be broken down into basic pieces and joined together and voids can be cut

from solids. When creating the 3 dimensional component of a family it is important


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not to over-model it or under-model it. Think about its use and function then gauge

the usefulness of the detail that should added.

When saving and exiting a Revit family, always close every view except for the view

best suited for the thumbnail image used when inserted into projects. Often the

preview image should be the Home 3D view with Shading with Edges on. Reference

planes, connectors and dimensions should be hidden in the preview image view.

Homework

Create an Table family.

Construct an Table family that utilizes 3 of the following tools; Extrusion, Sweep,

Void, Blend, Sweep/Blend and Revolve.

Posted by Todd M. Shackelford at 2:19 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Labels: Families

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Design Options

I like that Revit supports indecision. If there are spaces in a model that could be used

more than one way, design options let's the user pursue them all. For this example

there is a space that could be used for a band to rehearse or as a library. First duplicate

a plan view of the space by right clicking on the view in the project browser and

selecting duplicate. Duplicate with detailing if you want the annotation to be

duplicated as well. Do not duplicate as dependant. Rename the views so their use can

be identified.

Now go to the Manage tab of the ribbon and select the Design Options tool. This will

open the Design Option dialog. There, a option set can be defined with options under

that set. To create a new set, click the new button under Option Set circled below inred with the number 1. Option 1 will automatically appear under this set. To rename

the set and the option, highlight them on the left then select the appropriate rename

button on the right. rename the set to "Mystery Room" and Option 1 to "Band Room".

Create a second option by selecting the New button under Option circled below in red

with the number 2. Rename that option to "Library".


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With the options setup, the visibility graphics for the two views created earlier can be

set to show just the desired option. A Design Options tab has been added to the

Visibility Graphics dialog. In each of the two views, change the design option to

match the view.

In the Manage tab of

the ribbon the Design Options section now allows the user to pick what option to add

components to. When Main Model is selected all objects placed will be seen in both

views. When Band Room is selected, new components will only appear in the Band

Room view.

Below is an image of the two views. If objects areshowing up in both views, Select the objects and use the Add to Set button to deselect

the view it should not be in.


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Interfence Detection

A benefit of using Revit is the ability to do an interference check with other

disciplines.

To run an interference check, first attach any discipline,like structural, that might not

be in the central model. In the 2009 version of Revit go to the File menu and select

Import/Link then Revit.


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In Revit 2010, go to the Insert tab and select Link Revit. Make sure to link using

Origin to Origin.

Select Interference Check then Run Check from the

Tools menu in 2009 and off the Collaborate tab in 2010.


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Revit let's you pick what to

check. The example below shows light fixtures in the current model checked against

structural framing in the BK file.

Any interferences will be shown in the interference report. Select the interference in

the report then select the Show button to see the interference in the model.


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Once the interference

has been addressed, click the Refresh button to clear it from the report.

Do not run an entire model against another entire model. Revit hates that. Run the

check specifically on the items that are of concern, like duct and mechanical

equipment against structural framing, or lights against air terminals.


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Model Family - Door

I have added a PDF to your folders on the server. It is The Revit Familes Guide. There

is a great door tutorial on page 139, that I pretty much followed for the class

discussion. Please use this PDF for your guide. To access this tutirial outside of class

follow this link to the Revit Families Guide.


Friday, October 23, 2009

Annotation Family - Logo

To build a logo for a title block, create a new annotation family. Select the application

browser, then New and finally Annotation Family.


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Revit offers many templates for annotation families. Revit template families have a

RFT file extension. For this example select "Generic Annotation.rft". This template

contains two reference planes and a note to the users to specify the type of family. The

intersection of the reference planes is the origin for the family. Select the "Category

and Parameters" button near the end of the ribbon to change the category. For this

example use "Generic Annotation".

I used text and a filled region to create this logo.

Now I am going to add

a parameter to the text "Omaha" so I can turn it on and off based off which office this

logo is attached to. First select the word Omaha. In it's instance properties to the right

of the word Visible is a grey box, click it. Now select the Add Parameter button.

Name the parameter "Omaha", make it a type parameter and Group it under

"Graphics". See below.


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Create a Las Vegas

Parameter the same way as the Omaha parameter and place the Las Vegas text on topof the Omaha text.

Now let's create two types under this family. One for Omaha and one for Las Vegas.

The type will control visibility of the text so only the appropriate city name will

appear in each type. Create types by selecting the Family Types button near the end of

the ribbon.

On the right-hand side of the Family Types dialog box select New under the family

types header. When prompted for a name, type "Omaha". With the Family name set to

Omaha, check the Omaha visibility box.

Create and configure a

Las Vegas type the same way and load this logo into a project.



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The Revit Interface 2010

When transitioning from the 2009 interface to the 2010 ribbon this link can help quite

a bit. It shows the old 2009 interface and lets you select a tool. The it show where that

tool can be found in the 2010 interface. Revit 2009 to 2010 interface tool.


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Begining Revit Lesson Plan

Get An Educational Version of Revit

The Revit Interface (2010)Revit Shortcut Key-ins

Intermediate Revit Lesson Plan

Design Options

Linking Files into Revit

Work Sharing

Interference Detection

Revit Families Lesson Plan


Revit Families Lesson #2Revit Families Lesson #3


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