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SSuummmmeerr SSeerriieess 22000099 :: AAuuttooddeesskk®® RReevviitt®® 22001100

Revit Families Training Lab Manual / 122

Summer 2009 Revit 2010 Content Written by:

William C. Harris, Jun-09

CCoouurrssee SSyyllllaabbuuss:: SSuummmmeerr SSeerriieess 22000099:: AAuuttooddeesskk®® RReevviitt®® 22001100

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PPrroocceessss LLaabb

1 Jan-15 : Sunday Introduction to Family Tools & Concepts 01 Basic Table Family

Jan-18 : Wednesday More Family Tools & Concepts 02 ADA symbol Family

2 Jan-22 : Sunday Hosted Family Tools & Concepts 03 CMU Door

Jan-25 : Wednesday Review of Family Tools & Concepts 04 Series Q&A 01

3 Jan-29 : Sunday Understanding Annotation Families 05 Titleblock

Feb-01 : Wednesday Understanding When to use What 06 Window

4 Feb-05 : Sunday Understanding Family Categories 07 Room Tags

Feb-08 : Wednesday Understanding Formulas & Arrays 08 Classroom Layouts

5 Feb-12 : Sunday Family Application Brining it all together 09 Sunshade

Feb-15 : Wednesday Family Application Families that Move 10 Swinging Door

6 Feb-19 : Sunday Family Application Views Symbols 11 Room Sections

Feb-22 : Wednesday Family Application Finalizing Families 12 Series Q&A 02

7 Feb-26 : Sunday Creation from Scratch Tags 13 Occupancy load

Feb-29 : Wednesday Creation from Scratch Profiles 14 Custom Railings

8 Mar-04 : Sunday Creation from Scratch Arrays & Masses 15 Louver systems

Mar-07 : Wednesday Creation from Scratch Any Families 16 Projector & Framing

Instructor: Carl Gibson

Session Time: M-Th 2:00PM - 2:30PM (GMT–08:00) Pacific Time

Webinar Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/934496932

Email address: [email protected]

Office Hours:

Office Hours Link:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/934496932

mailto:[email protected]




CCoouurrssee OObbjjeeccttiivveess:: Over the 16 sessions class you will learn both the conceptual and practical process of building,

maintaining and troubleshooting Revit Families. Each session addresses key topics first

conceptually, then in the product, followed by open discussion. Each Sessions Major and Minor

topics additional Class Resources are provided for some sessions.

RReeqquuiirreedd MMaatteerriiaallss::

1. Web Access

2. Audio Device with Mute Control

3. Autodesk Revit Building 2009

MMiisssseedd LLiivvee PPrreesseennttaattiioonn::

Should you have an emergency and miss a Session you will have access to that Session until the end of the Series. You are responsible for scheduling time to view the Archive, review and

understand the material. Questions specific to the Session should be emailed to the instructor in a

timely manner.

GGrreeeennBBooaarrdd::

The course syllabus, important course announcements, Presentation Outlines, Briefing Notes,

Instruction Manuals, or Additional Session Resources, will be made available via GreenBoard. Please contact the Instructor as soon as possible if you cannot access the website or if you have

any technical difficulties.

mailto:[email protected]?subject=GreenBoard%20technical%20difficulties




PPrroocceessss LLaabbss Session01 Basic Table Family

Build a rectangular table Family. The Tabletop Height, Width, and Length are controlled by

parameters. The Tabletop is 4” thick. The legs are 4” thick and offset from the edge of the table

by 6.”

Session02 ADA symbol Family

Create an ADA Symbol for wheelchair clearance. The Symbol contains both the Sink and Turn

Radius clearance. This Symbol should become a stock family for use within your Revit projects.

Session03 CMU Door

Build a door specifically for placement within CMU walls. Revit’s default doors are made to

dimension to the inside of the frame, not to the rough opening. Create a new door that

dimensions to the rough opening of the door. Use Symbolic Lines to display: 90° Panel Swing,

Door panel at 90°, and Elevation Panel Swing. Control the Frame Material by Type and Control the Panel Material by Instance.

Session04 Q&A

Session05 Titleblock

Build a Cover Page Titleblock used for both E and D size sheets. Project Name, Number,

Address, Issue For, and Date should be controlled by the project. Include text for our company’s

Name, Address, and Phone Number. Don’t forget the company logo.

Session06 Window

Create two Window Families that can be flipped depending upon what is needed in the project.

Using “Select all Instances,” these two families should be able to flip between complex 3D

geometry and simplified CD content. For Renderings and Presentation Views you need to sell the

Project. Therefore, complex 3D geometry is necessary. In CD you must past DSA approval. Therefore, you must use company standard symbols for Windows in Plan and Elevation views.

Session07 Room Tags

Create Two Room Tags: Occupancy Load and Room Type. Occupancy Load includes the Default “Occupancy” Parameter and a “Room Type” Shared Parameter. Room Height adds a

“Room Height” Shared Parameter over the Area and Volume Labels in the default Room Tag.

Session08 Classroom Layouts

Create a Generic Model Family that can, when stretched, add additional Rows or columns of the default Chair-Tablet Arm.rfa.

Session09 Sunshade

Create a Generic Family Sunshade Family that can be nested in a Generic Face based family.

The “Faced” based Family should, when loaded in a project, have the ability to control the number and length of blades using instance grips. Get fancy and use a swept blend form for the

blades.




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Basic Table.rfa

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Small, Large

KKeeyy PPooiinnttss

Template File

Generic Model

Parameters

“Width,” “Length,” “Height”

Types

“Small” = 2’ – 6” x 4’ x 3’ – 6”

“Large” = 4’ x 7’ x 3’ - 6”




SSTTEEPP--BBYY--SSTTEEPP PPRROOCCEESSSSEESS

TThhee SSttaarrttiinngg PPooiinntt

Keynote

Before starting any new Family, take the time to think about its use:

Is it hosted by a wall, a floor, both, or none?

What parameters are needed?

What category does this Family belong to?

These first few Families you build are straightforward. Once on your own, you need to understand

the importance of using the correct template to start the Family.

Process

4. Start a new Family

Template = Generic Model

PPrroocceessss:: SSttaarrtt aa NNeeww FFaammiillyy

Open Revit

Select the File>New>Family…

drop-down menu option

A browse dialog box opens. By

default you should be in the

Imperial Templates location

Select the appropriate template

for the Family you are creating

and select the Open button

A new family File opens within

the Family Editor

Value

Using the Generic Model template allows you the most freedom when creating new families. This template is not attached to any host object: floor, roof, wall, and so on. Also, there are no

predefined parameters as provided with door and window templates.

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Keynote

In this section you layout the Tabletop and height. The first step of creating any Family is laying

out the Reference Plane that drives the model geometry. Reference Planes are controlled

parametrically using Labels and Parameters from the Family Types dialog box.

Process




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5. View = Ref. Level

PPrroocceessss:: OOppeenn aa VViieeww

From the Project Browser (on the

left of the screen)

Double-click the view name

The view name is bold in the

project browser when it is the

active view.

6. Draw Reference Planes

Four Reference Planes act as the outside edges of the Tabletop

PPrroocceessss:: DDrraaww aa RReeffeerreennccee PPllaannee

Click Ref Plane in the Design Bar

Select the end points of the

Reference Plane

7. Dimension and Equalize

All in the same Dimension String

Outside Reference Planes and Center Reference Plane

PPrroocceessss:: CCrreeaattee aa DDiimmeennssiioonn

Select the Dimension tool in the Design Bar

Zoom into the object you wish to dimension

Select the first point or line to dimension from

Use the Tab key to cycle between

overlapping choices

Select the second point or line to dimension

The dimension tool stays active. Continue selecting lines or points to chain the

dimensions.

Chained dimensions behave differently from separate dimensions.

Continue to select objects, points, or faces

until finished

Click away from objects and other




dimensions to finish

Press the Esc key to exit the dimension command

Dimension and Label

8. Label the Dimensions

Width

Length

PPrroocceessss:: AAdddd aa PPaarraammeetteerr LLaabbeell ttoo aa

DDiimmeennssiioonn

Select the dimension

Notice the Label drop-down box in

the Options Bar

Select the appropriate parameter in

the Label: drop-down box

The dimension selected is labeled

with the parameter you selected in

the previous step.

Note: It is also possible to create

new parameters in this drop-down

box; the discipline and type are

predefined.

z

PPrroocceessss:: AAdddd aa NNeeww PPaarraammeetteerr

Select the Family Types button on

the Design Bar

Select Add… in the parameters

section

Attack complicated dialog boxes as




if reading a book: top to bottom,

and left to right.

Name the Parameter

Select a discipline, Type, and

Group for the parameter

These options are important for

displaying and scheduling, and

some of them cannot be changed after the parameter is created – so

choose carefully!

Select whether this is an Instance or Type variable

Select the OK button to create the

parameter

Assign a default value or formula

to the parameter in the Family

Types box if desired (not necessary)

Select the OK button to exit the

Family Types dialog box

9. “Flex” the model checking for:

“Width” Parameter controls Reference Planes

“Length” Parameter controls Reference Planes

The center point does not move

PPrroocceessss:: FFlleexx aa PPaarraammeetteerr

Select Family Types… in the

Design Bar

The Family Types Dialog box opens

Find the parameter you wish to Flex

Enter a new value

Select the Apply button




Note the change in the current view

To exit the Family Types dialog box,

Select the Cancel or OK buttons

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10. View = Front

11. Draw Reference Plane

Draw a Reference Plane above the Ref. Level

12. Name the Reference Plane – it is a property of the Reference Plane

Name = Top

PPrroocceessss:: OOppeenn aann EElleemmeenntt’’ss PPrrooppeerrttiieess

Select the element

Select the Properties button in the Options Bar

13. Dimension and Label the “Top”

Reference Plane

“Height”

14. Flex the Model checking:

“Height” Parameter works

15. Draw Reference Plane

A few inches below the “Top” Reference Plane

16. Dimension and Constrain

Constrain Reference Plane = 4” from the “Top” Reference Plane




PPrroocceessss:: CCoonnssttrraaiinn aa DDiimmeennssiioonn

Select the Dimension

Select the “Constrain” button

17. Name the Reference Plane

Name = Bottom


“Height” Parameter controls “Top” Reference Planes

The “Bottom” Reference Plan maintains its relationship

Value

You have finished laying out the framework for the family. Always draw the necessary Reference

Planes then dimension and label them appropriately. Then, from the Family Types Dialog box, check that all the Parameters and the Reference Planes they control work properly. This is one step

of the “Cha, Cha, Cha,” all family creation goes though.

SSttaarrttiinngg tthhee TTaabblleettoopp

Keynote

Now that you have laid out the Reference Planes that make up the table, you can move onto the

physical geometry. If you have been using the mass tools in Revit, this process is incredibly easy.

There are a few key points to note: attach sketch lines and control grips to the Reference Planes;

these Reference Planes are controlled from parameters in the Family Types dialog box. Remember the one rule of Sketch mode, “Closed Loops.”

Process


20. Change the view’s settings = Shading

with Edges

This allows you to see the solid mass once the sketch is finished.

PPrroocceessss:: CChhaannggee aa VViieeww’’ss SShhaaddiinngg

On the view control bar (bottom

left, next to the Project Browser)

Select the “Model Graphics Style”

button




Select the desired shading view

21. Start the Solid Extrusion tool

This is the solid that comprises the Tabletop. All of the

sketch lines of this solid must be attached to the

appropriate Reference planes. If the sketch lines

making up a solid are attached to a Reference plane

that is parametrically changed, the solid also changes.

For clarity consider this mass “Tabletop”

Notice that the Design Bar Changes too

PPrroocceessss:: CCrreeaattee aann EExxttrruussiioonn SSoolliidd

Select Solid Form>Solid Extrusion in the

Design Bar

This takes you into Sketch mode.

Sketch the extrusion outline in the appropriate

view using the Lines tool in the

design bar

Select the Extrusion Properties button in the

Design Bar

Edit any properties as necessary

Select the Finish Sketch button in the Design Bar to finish the extrusion

You now have a solid extrustion

22. Draw Sketch Lines

Draw a rectangle

Sketch lines must form closed loops

PPrroocceessss:: UUssee tthhee RReeccttaannggllee DDrraaffttiinngg OOppttiioonn

Using a drafting tool such as Lines, Walls, or

Reference Lines,

Select the Rectangle button in the Options

Bar

Select the starting corner of the rectangle

Move the cursor to draw the rectangle

Select the opposite corner




23. Align and lock the Sketch lines

All four Sketch Lines that represent the sides of the table need to be aligned and locked (constrained) by the Reference Planes you drew above

Hint: when drawing the Sketch lines, use the Reference Planes as snap points

PPrroocceessss:: UUssee tthhee AAlliiggnn TTooooll

Select the Align tool button in

the toolbar

Select a face or point as a Reference

Select the face or point on an

object that moves in alignment with the Reference

Remember when using this tool that

the object that moves is the second one you select.

24. Finish the Sketch

PPrroocceessss:: ffiinniisshh aa sskkeettcchh

Select the Finish Sketch button in the Design Bar

The sketch lines must form closed

loops


That the solid object moves with the Reference Planes

Value

You have just created the footprint of the table. This footprint, since it is attached to the Reference Planes, is controlled though the Family Types Dialog Box. Well, actually, the Family Types Dialog

Box controls the Parameters. The Parameters are controlling labeled dimensions and those

Dimensions are controlling the Reference Planes so that when those Planes move, so does the

attached geometry. Get all that?

FFiinniisshhiinngg tthhee TTaabblleettoopp

Keynote




You have the footprint of the table completed. You also want to control the height of the table

based off the “Top” Reference Plane. You want the thickness of the Tabletop to always be 4.” That

is why we created the “Bottom” Reference Plane. In the front view of this family you align and lock the top and bottom of the mass we just created to the “Top” and “Bottom” Reference Planes.

Process

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26. View = Front

27. Change the view’s settings = Shading with Edges

28. Align and Lock

Top of the “Tabletop” Mass to the Top Reference Plane

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Select the Align tool button in

the toolbar

Select a face or point to use as a

Reference

Select the edge of the mass you

want to move

Select the “Constrain” Button >

Remember that the mass is not

constrained until the constrain button is “locked”


“Height” Parameter controls “Top” Reference Planes

Mass objects moves with the Reference Planes

30. Align and lock

The bottom of the “Tabletop” mass to the “Bottom” Reference Plane


That the solid object moves with the Reference Planes

Value




The “Tabletop” Mass is completely controlled by the Reference Plane. Now, if you need to change

the Width, “Length,” or “Height” of the Tabletop, go to the Family Types dialog box and change it

there. Essentially, the Tabletop is now fully parametric.

BBuuiillddiinngg TTaabbllee lleeggss

Keynote

You want to be able to control the width, length, or height of the Tabletop. What is needed to

control the legs? In this case, nothing! The heights of the legs are always going to be determined from the height of the table. What about the thickness of the legs? They are always going to be 4”

x 4.” The locations of the legs are always 6” from the corners of the table. If you build the leg

masses and dimension and constrain them correctly, as the width, length, or height changes, so

does the location and height of the legs.

Process

SSkkeettcchhiinngg oouutt tthhee LLeeggss


33. Start the Solid Extrusion tool

Draw all four legs in the same mass for ease of use

Draw four rectangles

34. Dimension and lock each rectangle

Leg thicknesses are 4” x 4”

Legs are 6” from edges

35. Finish the Sketch

CCoonnssttrraaiinniinngg tthhee LLeegg hheeiigghhtt

36. View = Front

37. Align and Lock

Top of legs to the “Bottom” Reference Plane


“Width,” “Length,” and “Height” Parameters

All Parameters move Reference Planes




All masses move with Reference Planes

Value

When you flex the model, all the geometry should change using Parameters in the Families Type

Dialog. This means that we can now create Type information based off Parameters. In projects, we

do not want to have to choose the width, length, and height of the table. We want to select a

“Small” or “Large” table. This is done using the type selector.

CChheecckkiinngg tthhee FFaammiillyy

Keynote

Before you move on to types, you want to check that all parameters, Reference Planes, and masses

work.

This should be done prior to creating types and prior to loading the family into a test project. It is

a quick visual check that should become second nature when creating families. When you open a

view in Revit, that view remains open until you close it. If you open a second view of the project,

that first view is still open, it has just been pushed behind the first view. That is, if you open four views, one after another, all four are open; you can not see them all until you “Tile” your windows.

Process

39. Close Hidden windows (from the pull-

down menus)

Windows>Close Hidden Windows

40. Open the following Views

Ref. Level

Front

Right

3D

41. Tile Windows (from the pull-down

menus)

Windows>Tile

Shortcut Key = WT


“Width,” “Length,” and “Height” Parameters

All Parameters move Reference Planes

All masses move with Reference




Planes

Value

This might seem repetitive; however, sometimes the only place to catch errors is with all four views open. You want to be absolutely sure that the Parameters work. If the Parameters work then you

may start creating Types. This is your goal: to create a multiple types that can be selected in your

project.

CCrreeaattiinngg TTyyppeess

Keynote

Types are just a container. You are creating two types in this family, “Small” and “Large.” These

two type names are just that, names. You have to give the names meaning by setting their

parameters to specific, meaningful values.

Process

Open the Type Selector

43. Create New Types

Type Name = Small

“Width” = 2’ 6”

“Length” = 4’

“Height” = 3’ 6”

PPrroocceessss:: CCrreeaattee aa NNeeww FFaammiillyy TTyyppee

Select the Family Types button in

the Design Bar

The Family Types dialog box

opens.

Select the New… button in the

Family Types area in the upper

right of the dialog box

Name the Family Type something

descriptive

Select the OK button

A new Family Type has just been

created. It keeps the last values

that were in the tables while it’s showing in the Name drop-down

list at the top of the Family Types

dialog box.

Select the OK button to exit the

Family Types dialog box when you




have finished creating types

44. Create New Type

Type Name = Large

“Width” = 4”

“Length” = 7’

“Height” = 3’ 6”

45. Save the Family

Family Name = Basic Table

PPrroocceessss:: SSaavvee aa FFaammiillyy iinn tthhee FFaammiillyy

EEddiittoorr

Select the Save button in the Standard toolbar

Value

In a project where you are placing a small or a large table; you don’t want to constantly define the

lengths and heights of the tables. When you place a single flush door, you care about the width

and height. Door types are named with their dimensions. Keep in mind though that the name has

nothing to do with the actual parameter. If you change a 36” door’s Type Name to 30”, all you have done is change the container’s name, not the parameters that make up the geometry. The flip

side is also true. If you change the Width Parameter in the 36” door type to 30” you have changed

the geometry. When you place the door, you are placing a 36” door but the door is really only 30”

wide.

TTeessttiinngg tthhee ffaammiillyy

Keynote

You have a complete family and it works perfectly. Or at least it does in the Family Editor.

Sometimes you find that a Family works in the Family Editor but not in an actual project. Always test your family in a Blank “Test” Project just to be sure that your Family is truly working.

Process

46. Start a New Project

47. Load the Family into the Project

PPrroocceessss:: LLooaadd aa FFaammiillyy iinnttoo aann OOppeenn

PPrroojjeecctt ffrroomm tthhee FFaammiillyy EEddiittoorr

Select the Load into

Projects button at the bottom of the

Design Bar

A window for the project into which




you loaded the family appears

automatically.

48. Place the component into your Model

PPrroocceessss:: PPllaaccee aa CCoommppoonneenntt iinn RReevviitt

From the Project Brower

Start the Component command

Select the Family and Type from the Type Selector

49. Change the Component type

Basic Table: Small

Basic Table: Large

Value

You have completed your first Family and tested it at every level including: Reference Planes,

Parameters, Masses, and Types within in a Project. If you skip any step along the way you may

have to start from scratch to find where the problem is. Take your time, as each step should be

well thought out, executed, and tested. Although this is a simple Family, if you follow the step-by-step process laid out in this document, you are able to create almost any Family.




PPRROOCCEESSSS PPOOIINNTTSS Start a New Family

Open a View

Draw a Reference Plane

Create a Dimension

Add a Parameter Label to a Dimension

Add a New Parameter

Flex a Parameter

Open an Element’s Properties

Constrain a Dimension

Change a View’s Shading

Create an Extrusion Solid

Use the Rectangle Drafting Option

Use the Align Tool

Finish a sketch

Align and lock mass grips

Create New Family Types

Save a Family in the Family Editor

Load a Family into an Open Project from the Family Editor

Place a Component in Revit




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Description:

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FFiillee nnaammee

ADA Clearance.rfa

Type Names

Sink Clearance, Handicap Radius

KKeeyy PPooiinnttss

Template File

Generic Model

Parameters

Sink Clearance, Handicap Radius,

Width, Length, Radius, and Diameter

Types

“Sink Clearance”

Turning Radius Clearance =No

Sink Clearance =Yes

Width = 3’ 6”

Radius = NA

Length =5’

“Handicap Radius”

Turning Radius Clearance = Yes

Sink Clearance =No

Width =NA

Radius =2’ 6”

Length =NA

Diameter = 5’




SSTTEEPP--BBYY--SSTTEEPP PPRROOCCEESSSSEESS

TThhee SSttaarrttiinngg PPooiinntt

Keynote

Revit Understands the Difference between “model” and “annotation” objects. Normally, you think

of annotation as text or dimensions. We care about their size on the printed sheet. This family

helps you understand the difference between Annotation that needs to “Scale” with the view and sheet-specific annotation. You need this Family in a specific “model” size, a five-foot circle

representing turning clearance.

Templates – got to know where to start

Model Families versus Annotation Families

Lines – think steel cables in space

Symbolic lines – view and parallel view specific Line work

Process

50. Start a new Family

Template = Generic Model

PPrroocceessss:: SSttaarrtt aa NNeeww FFaammiillyy

Open Revit

Select the File>New>Family…

menu option

A browse dialog box opens. By

default you should be in the

Imperial Templates location

Select the appropriate template

for the Family you are creating

and select the Open button

A new Family File opens in the

Family Editor

Value

Using the Generic Model template allows you the most freedom when creating new families. This

template is not attached to any host object: floor, roof, wall, and so on. Also, there are no

predefined parameters as provided in door and window families. In the case of this ADA symbol,

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