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Autodesk® Revit® MEP Content Creation LabMP5076-LRyan TivisCAD/Model Manager – Ring & DuChateau

Dennis HopperCAD/BIM Manager – GE HealthcareAdjunct Instructor - ITT Technical Institute

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Class Summary

In this basic hands-on lab, we will show you step-by-step how to create content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP. You will learn how to create an Outlet family with multiple types, custom parameters and visibilities, and the ability to move the plan symbol vertically to allow "stacking" while keeping the 3D component in place.

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Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

Use reference planes when creating content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

Plan for and use formulas when creating custom content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

Use the Yes/No parameter to control visibility for 2D and/or 3D content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

Use a reference plane and an instance parameter to create a family with a 2D symbol that moves vertically to allow stacking

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Use Reference Planes When Creating Content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

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Step 1 – Starting a New Family in Autodesk® Revit®

Click on the Application Menu, then click on the arrow next to the new option.

Choose Family on that list to open up the family templates.

For this family we will use the “Generic Model” template so we will choose that and then click on Open.

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Step 2 – Choosing a Category and Options

Click on the Family Category and Parameters Icon.

Choose Electrical Fixtures on that list to open up.

Under the Family Parameters section choose Cut with Voids when Loaded.

Click on OK.

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Step 3 – Use Reference Planes to Sketch Object

Click on the Reference Plane button on the Home Tab of the ribbon.

Use these to sketch in the “Top View” of what your family will look like, this can also function as what you will see in the Plan View of the project.

For this family, draw 4 reference planes around the 2 that are already in the family.

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Step 4 – Add Dimensions and Parameters

To add a dimension, click on the Annotate Tab and then choose the appropriate dimension type.

Click on the Reference Plane(s) you would like to dimension to add the dimension to your family.

When done, highlight a dimension and click on the Label drop down in the options bar.

In that drop down choose <Add Parameter…> from the list.

Go thru the process of creating a parameter for that dimension, then hit OK.

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Step 5 – Sketch and Dimension in the Front View

Like in steps 3 & 4 Reference Planes and Dimensions now need to be added in the Front View.

For this Family draw 3 Reference Planes above the ground plane.

Now add the appropriate Dimensions and Parameters.

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Step 6 – Adding Geometry and then Flex Family From the Home Tab choose Extrusion to draw a rectangle within your sketched Reference Planes.

When finished drawing, as long as you snapped to the Reference Planes padlock icons will show up. Be sure to click on these to lock your geometry to the Reference Planes.

After all are locked in place, click on the green check mark that is in the ribbon.

Now go into the front view and stretch your geometry to the top and bottom planes for your family and also lock those in place.

Flexing your family is important if you’re going to allow your family to move or adjust at all. To do this click on the dimensions you plant to have adjustable and change them a couple of times to make sure the family will behave as you want it to.

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Plan For and Use Formulas When Creating Custom Content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

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Step 7 – Add Parameters and Formulas, Flex again From the Ribbon click on the Family Types icon.

Here add any additional parameters you would like in your family, or any types that your family may contain.

For this family start out with 1 type (outlet) and then add parameters for Starting Height (Type Parameter) and Wanted Height (Instance Parameter).

This family is designed to insert at a certain elevation, but also can have that insertion dimension overridden to a different height. The 3 Height Parameters we made and a Formula can make that happen.

In the Final Height parameter add this formula: if(Wanted Height>0”, Wanted Height, Starting Height).

Finally, under the Starting Height Parameter add 1’-6”, then be sure to Flex your family again.

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Step 8 – Using and Manipulating Subcategories

In the Family, go to the Manage Tab and click on the Object Styles button.

In this window you can add a new Subcategory for your family by clicking New in the bottom right hand corner of the window.

Edit the Name of the Subcategory and then you can change the Line Weight, Color, Pattern and Material.

When done click OK. To apply it to your part, click on the part you want to apply it too. Look in the properties window, and here you will see “Subcategory”. Use the Dropdown to select your new

subcategory and then click on Apply.

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Step 9 – Add and Dimension Symbol Reference Plane

Draw a Reference Plane in front of your part.

Add a Dimension, and call that Annotation Offset and make it an instance parameter.

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Step 10 – Add Annotation Symbols to Family

Click on the Annotate Tab, and then the Symbol button.

Browse to your directory and select the ones you want to load. Use Ctrl or Shift to select multiple items.

Once loaded you can insert them by leaving the command active, or clicking that Symbol button again.

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Use the Yes/No Parameter to Control Visibility for 2D and/or 3D Content in Autodesk® Revit® MEP

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Step 11 – Add Visibility Parameters to Family

Click on one of your annotations and then look in the properties window. Here there is a Visibility option, and to the right of that is a little grey box. Click on that.

A box of Parameters will open, more than likely it’ll be empty. Click the Add Parameter button and it’ll already be set up to make a Yes/No Parameter.

Type in a name here and click on Ok, then make sure it’s still highlighted and click Ok again to apply that to your symbol.

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Use a Reference Plane and an Instance Parameter to Create a Family with a 2D Symbol That Moves Vertically to Allow Stacking

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Step 12 – Move Symbols and Lock In Place

Click on and drag one of your symbols until they intersect with the Symbol Annotation Plane and the Center Plane.

Once the symbol is dropped, there will be 2 more padlocks that show up. Click on those to lock your symbol in place.

When done change the dimension of the Annotation Offset parameter to 0”

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Step 13 – Creating New Types and Saving

Once again, click on the Family Types button on the ribbon. Now you can add types to your family.

In this case we want to add types for: Special Height Outlet, Above Counter Outlet, and Special Purpose Outlet.

You can define different default sizes/heights to each one of the types you create. You can also choose which symbol should show up with each type.

When done be sure to save your family, I used AU – Outlet for this family.

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Step 14 – Insert into a Project and Test To load into a project be sure to either load from your Category or from the Insert Tab on the

Ribbon.

In this case click on the arrow beneath the Device button on the Home tab. Choose Electrical Fixture, then choose Load Family.

Choose your Outlet and then click on Open. Now you can begin to use your new Family.

Once inserted, when you click on one of the outlets you’ll see the instance parameters we made (Wanted Height and Annotation Offset).

To use any of these parameters, just add a length to them. If you add a dimension to “Wanted Height” that will override the default elevation of the outlet. If you add a dimension to “Annotation Offset” that will pull your symbol off of the wall leaving the 3D Component in place, and will also provide a set of grips for you to continue to manipulate it’s distance from the wall.

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Conclusion

Custom content in Revit® is the best way to integrate Revit® ingenuity and company standards. It allows you to take advantage of the software's capabilities while being able to familiarize the look and feel of it. Mastering the ability to create custom content will take you a long way in your professional career.

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Autodesk, AutoCAD* [*if/when mentioned in the pertinent material, followed by an alphabetical list of all other trademarks mentioned in the material] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.