An Introduction to Autodesk Revit

Welcome

What is Revit?

• Revit is a Building Information Modeling software for Microsoft Windows, developed by Autodesk. It allows the user to design with both parametric 3D modeling and 2D drafting elements. Building Information Modeling is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) paradigm that employs intelligent 3D objects to represent real physical building components such as walls and doors.

• In addition, Revit's database for a project can contain information about a project at various stages in the building's lifecycle, from concept to construction to decommissioning. This is sometimes called 4D CAD where time is the fourth dimension.

• Autodesk purchased the Massachusetts-based Revit Technology Corporation for US$133 million in 2002

• The latest released version is Revit Architecture/Structure/MEP 2012 (March, 2011) and the corresponding AutoCAD Revit Suite 2012 products.

What is BIM?

• BIM stands for Building Information Modelling.• A ‘Virtual Building’ concept coined by Mr. Charles M. Eastman

at Georgia Institute of Technology during 1970s.• Architect and Autodesk building industry strategist Phil

Bernstein introduced the term ‘BIM’.• First prototype introduced in 1987. (ArchiCAD by Graphisoft)

What is Parametric?

• ‘Geometrical Similarity’ in simple terms• A parametric model is often defined by rules

and constraints, which define aspects of the building and their relationships to each other. Changing a rule or constraint, or modifying a part of the model itself, almost always has implications on the entire model.

What is a database?

• A database is a system intended to organize, store, and retrieve large amounts of data easily. It consists of an organized collection of data for one or more uses, typically in digital form.

• QUID (Query/Update/Insert&Delete) are the features available to users.

Revit Product Lineup

• Since purchasing Revit, Autodesk has developed three versions of Revit for the varying building design disciplines:

– Revit Architecture, for architects and building designers (formerly Revit Building).

– Revit Structure, for structural engineers.– Revit MEP, for mechanical, electrical and plumbing

engineers (formerly Revit Systems).

How it works

• Revit uses .RVT files for storing BIM models. Typically, a building is made using 3D objects to create walls, floors, roofs, structure, windows, doors and other objects as needed. These parametric objects — 3D building objects (such as windows or doors) or 2D drafting objects (such as surface patterns) — are called "families" and are saved in .RFA files, and imported into the RVT database as needed.

• A Revit model is a single database file represented in the various ways which are useful for design work. Such representations can be plans, sections, elevations, legends, and schedules. Because changes to each representation of the database model are made to one central model, changes made in one representation of the model (for example a plan) are propagated to other representations of the model (for example elevations). Thus, Revit drawings and schedules are always fully coordinated in terms of the building objects shown in drawings.

How it works (Cont’d…)

• When a project database is shared, a central file is created which stores the master copy of the project database on a file server on the office's LAN. Each user works on a copy of the central file (known as the local file), stored on the user's workstation. Users then save to the central file to update the central file with their changes and to receive changes from other users. Revit checks with the central file whenever a user starts working on an object in the database to see if another user is editing the object. This procedure prevents two users from making the same change simultaneously and prevents conflicts.

How it works (Cont’d…)

• Multiple disciplines working together on the same project make their own project databases and link in the other consultants' databases for verification. Revit can perform collision checking, which detects if different components of the building are occupying the same physical space. Revit is one of many BIM-software which supports open XML-based IFC standard, developed by buildingSMART organization. This filetype makes it possible for a client or general contractor to require BIM-based workflow from the different discipline consultants of a building project. Because IFC is non-proprietary format it is archivable and compatible with other databases, such as facility management software.

What is IFC?

• IFC stands for Industry Foundation Class.• The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data model is intended to

describe building and construction industry data• It is a neutral and open specification that is not controlled by a

single vendor or group of vendors. (Platform Independent / Open Source)

• Object Oriented File Format with a data model developed by building SMART (International Alliance for Interoperability, IAI) to facilitate interoperability in the building industry, and is a commonly used format for Building Information Modeling (BIM).

• The IFC model specification is open and available. It is registered by ISO as ISO/PAS 16739 and is currently in the process of becoming the official International Standard ISO 16739.

IFC – Data Formats

• ifcXML – Industry Foundation Classes XML (General)• aecXML – XML for Architecture, Engineering & Construction• CIS/2 - CIMSteel Integration Standards 2 – Data Format for

Electronic Data Exchange for Steel Structures• gbXML – Green Building XML

What is XML?

• XML Stands for eXtended Markup Language – an extension to the HTML scripting language commonly used in web pages

• Example of HTML (*.html)– <html>

• <head>– <TITLE>Welcome to EIDC</TITLE>

• </head>• <body>Details About EIDC… Picures… Details of project etc.</body>

– </html>

• Example of XML (*.xml)– <?XML version=“1.0”>

• <quiz>– <Question>Which is the capital of Oman?

» <Option1>Sohar</Option1><Option2>Nizwa</Option2><Option3>Muscat</Option3><Answer>Muscat</Answer>– </Question>– <Question>Which is the capital of UAE?

» <Option1>Abudhabi</Option1><Option2>Dubai</Option2><Option3>Sharjah</Option3><Answer>Sharjah</Answer>

– </Question>

• </quiz>

Various dimensions of Revit

– 2D – Drafting • generate plans, section, elevations and details• Shop drawings/working drawings• Schedules, material take offs, Bill of Quantities

– 3D – Modeling, visualization, analysis• 3D Rendered images using actual material shades, Walk Through, Day & Night views• Structural/electrical/lighting analysis

– 4D – Time Related • Planning & Monitoring

– 5D – Cost• Cost Estimates, billing, cost control

– 6D – Procurement• Integration with procurement management software

– 7D – O&M Manual• Monitoring the building performance & maintenance after completion

How Revit functions?

• Building Information Modeling or BIM is a parametric, 3D model that is used to generate plans, section, elevations, perspectives, details, schedules—all of the necessary components to document the design of a building.

• Drawings created using BIM are not a collection of 2D lines and shapes that represent a building, but a series of parametric, interactive elements that allow a model to become infinitely more data-rich. These elements can be changed by manipulation of their parametric data. This means creating one door or window can quickly be made into several simply by changing specific parameters associated with that object. Additionally, all of the elements within the model share a level of bidirectional associativity—if the elements are changed in one place within the model, those changes will be visible in all the other views. So, move a door in plan and that door will be moved in all of the elevations, sections, perspectives, and so on in which it is visible.

Revit – Flow Diagram for the model

Architec

t•Architects

Consultant•Structural•MEP•QS

Contractor

•Sub Contractors

Client

•Operations Dept.

Revit Workflow

Building Model

Architecture

Structural Cost

Building Services (MEP)

The Integrated BIM Model

Revit Object HierarchyCategory(eg. Doors)Family 1

(eg. Single Flush)Type 1 (D1)(eg. 900 x 2100)Instance 1

(eg. At Room 101)

Revit Elements

• Model Elements– Building parts (such as walls, doors, windows

which one can touch and feel after the completion of the building)

• Annotations– eg. Dimensions, texts, legends, standard details

etc.

Revit Organization Chart

How BIM affects firm culture

• As anyone who’s adopted BIM can tell you, the difficulties you might experience do not come from learning a new application but understanding how that application affects your workflow—and managing that change.

Learning Revit…

The learning curve…

• Introduction• Core Concepts• Getting Comfortable with the Revit Environment• Starting a Project• Modeling Basics• Links, Imports, and Groups• Sketch-Based Modeling Components• Complex Walls• Visibility and Graphic Controls• Rooms• Schedules and Tags• Annotation and Details• The Basics of Families• Sheets, Plotting, and Publishing