Revit Technology Conference 2007 “Documentation in Revit” 2007 - Modelling - CP.pdf · Revit...

Revit Technology Conference 2007

“Documentation in Revit”

Chris PriceCadway Design

Introduction• Who am I?

Introductioncprice@cadway com au• Who am I?

• What do I do?• IT/CAD Manager/Senior Designer

[email protected]

IT/CAD Manager/Senior Designer• Documentation Services for other Architectural companies on

Government Projects, Mixed Use, High density Residential, Commerical & Fuel industry projects.

• What I hope you learn• Leverage and efficiencies

Tips and tricks traps best practice workarounds• Tips and tricks, traps, best practice, workarounds

• What I may expecty p• Learning and sharing your newly found knowledge with your

colleagues and others.

Chris Price - http://revitrants.blogspot.com/Cadway Design

Overview• Methods to keep your Model’s Happy

Overview☺• Methods to keep your Model s Happy

• The Power of the Massing Tool

• Forgotten tricks of the Roof Tool

☺

g

• Shape Editing of Floors/Roofs

• Using tools & thinking outside the box

• Site Tools

• Structural Tools

• Links & Groups

• Limitations of Revit

• Family Creation


How to keep your model

• What degree should I model to?

happy ☺• What degree should I model to?

• Ask yourself the following questions:

– Is this seen in more than one view?

– Is modelling this going to improve my documentation’s

buildability?

If I don’t model this is it going to cause co ordination issues

General

Massing

Roof Tool– If I don t model this is it going to cause co-ordination issues

between views that would benefit from being modelled in 3D?

– How large is the model I’m working on?

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

– Could I make use of this in future projects?

• Answering these questions should help you make the

correct judgement

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili correct judgement.Families



• One hand should always be positioned over the “TAB”

happy ☺• One hand should always be positioned over the TAB

key.

• Take time to correctly set layer functions of Walls,

Ceilings & Roofs.

– Ignore the titles & concentrate on the numbers

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

– Generally the most exterior finish layers I create as layer 5.

Thi l t f f t ti !

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili – This can save a lot of frustration!Families



• Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where

happy ☺• Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where

appropriate:

– Compound walls are basic walls that have had their layers

unlocked.General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


How to keep your model happy ☺

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where

happy ☺• Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where

appropriate:

– Stacked walls are for more complex situations as shown

below:General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Make use of your Model for showing smart representations

happy ☺• Make use of your Model for showing smart representations

of Roof Overhangs, Foundations or even future phases in

Plan.

• There are two methods to do this:

• The Linework Tool.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools• Limitations:

– New Roofs or new lines inStructural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili

New Roofs or new lines in

roof sketches need to be

manually added again using

the linework toolFamilies the linework tool.



• Overlaying Views

happy ☺• Overlaying Views

• Limitations:General

Massing

Roof Tool

– For roofs they need to be

set to wireframe so there

well be excess lineworkShape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

well be excess linework.

– This can be removed using

the linework tool & Invisible

liStructural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili

lines.

Families



• In Revit you should place approximately and then

happy ☺• In Revit you should place approximately and then

refine positions using the temporary dimensions.

• Use generic elements to begin with and then use

“Select all Instances” to easily swap out elements

at a later stage.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• You can also use the Reload family in the project

browser and actually select the family you wish to

replace it with to swap the family out in one step…

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Toolsp p y p

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Use Generic Massing families in pre design/conceptual

happy ☺• Use Generic Massing families in pre-design/conceptual

studies.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Use grids and levels to establish and maintain

happy ☺• Use grids and levels to establish and maintain

relationships.

• Remember most of the modelling tools in Revit are

dynamic. Always check your options bar…General

Massing

Roof Tool

• Minimise locked relationships in a project. Only do so

when there is a specific reason

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Toolswhen there is a specific reason.

• Pin reference information to avoid accidental bumps…

• Attach walls, columns to roofs, floors and beams. Let

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili Attach walls, columns to roofs, floors and beams. Let

Revit maintain these relationships for you.Families



• Create a line based family to model egress paths as

happy ☺• Create a line based family to model egress paths as

suggest by Steve Stafford.

http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2007/01/egress-path.htmlGeneral

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Try using floors and walls for joinery doors for cupboards

happy ☺• Try using floors and walls for joinery, doors for cupboards

etc…

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Leverage Data from previous projects

happy ☺• Leverage Data from previous projects…

– If you’ve done a detailed amenities layout with

fixtures, why not save that data out for later use.General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

We utilise numerous cut & paste projects for pre setup

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili – We utilise numerous cut & paste projects for pre-setup

stairs, railings, walls and typically layouts.

Families


The power of the Mass• Utilise massing for complex forms by using the “by face”

The power of the Mass• Utilise massing for complex forms by using the by face

options for walls, roofs and floors.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili

• Check this out http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=402757

Families


The power of the Mass• How about using the Mass tool to define a complex

The power of the Mass• How about using the Mass tool to define a complex

building envelope and set back requirements.

– Use the co-ordination monitor to check for conflicts!General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Forgotten tricks of the

• People often forget that you have an option for

Roof Tool• People often forget that you have an option for

segmentation on curved segments in Roof Sketches.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• You can use multiple slope arrows combined with slope

d fi i li !

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

defining lines!Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Shape Editing, Not quite

• In Revit 2008 we saw the release of this fantastic new

like Mystique from X-Men• In Revit 2008 we saw the release of this fantastic new

function of roofs and floors. What we’ve used it for so far:

– Tiling with a topping slab with falls to wastes.General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies






– Sloping Structural Falls that need to match street levels.General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies






– Site Works

– Just to name a few possible uses for this tool…

– Get to know it!

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Curtain Walls/Glazing & Railings and their hidden skills (thinking outside

• Try creating wall mounted railings for sunscreens (Great

their hidden skills (thinking outside the box)

• Try creating wall mounted railings for sunscreens. (Great

when curved walls are involved).

• Using embedded curtain walls for strip glazing and finding

at corners the wall isn’t cut correctly?

– Use a wall hosted generic model void to cutout the unwanted

part

General

Massing

Roof Toolpart.Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• For quick highly customisable screens battens use


• For quick, highly customisable screens, battens use

curtain walls…

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• For Smaller Projects which can afford to be more detailed:


• For Smaller Projects which can afford to be more detailed:

– Use the sloped glazing system to model the ceiling grid

system with modelled T sections or a standing seam metal

roof.

– Or use curtain walls for pre-cast concrete construction

showing joints etc.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Site Tools – What Site

• Understanding their limitations:

tools?• Understanding their limitations:

– You cannot have sloping pads.

– You cannot have vertical faces on your topography for retaining

walls.

– Paths/Driveways with complex falls can now be created using

point edits. However, you must use the linework tool to remove

General

Massing

Roof Tool p , y

the vertices from each view.

• Refer to this post on AUGI for a

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

great workflow given by Jerry (jetisart)Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili

– http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=63962&page=2&pp=10

Families


So what’s holding up your building? Time to add some

• Remember the trim tool works on beams!

building? Time to add some structure…

• Remember the trim tool works on beams!

• Always host roof framing (ie: rafters) to the roof and give it

an offset to allow for purlins and cleans.

• Columns can attach to beams.

• Modelling purlins, girts or joists? Use the structural

General

Massing

Roof Tool

framing system tool.Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


So what’s holding up your building? Time to add some

• Accept that for the moment Revit Architecture leaves a

building? Time to add some structure…

• Accept that for the moment Revit Architecture leaves a

gap between beams. Fix this with detailing.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


To link or group, that is

• In Revit 2008 groups and links are now interchangeable

the question• In Revit 2008 groups and links are now interchangeable.

• This makes this decision less critical

• Use the following outlines of benefits and limitations to g

decide on per project basis what’s most appropriate to

you:

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• Groups

– Can be tagged and quickly manipulated in the host file.

– Can interact (to an extent) with surrounding geometry not part

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools– Can interact (to an extent) with surrounding geometry not part

of the group.

– Can exclude elements from specific instances of a group.

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


To link or group, that is

• Links

the question• Links

– Better for file size as all information is stored in the other file.

– Tags have to be applied in the other file and the views linked

across (not possible for sections & elevations)

– Somewhat more reliable as they do not interact with elements

in the host file.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• It is best practice to use non-hosted families when

grouping elements.

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


What? Revit has

• Unfortunately no software is perfect and it does have its

limitations!• Unfortunately, no software is perfect and it does have its

limitations. Getting to understand what these are makes

your working relationship with Revit much more relaxed.

• Maintain efficiency. Give yourself a time limit on each

modelling task.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• Stair & Ramp tools have a number of limitations:

– Curved Monolithic Stairs with smooth underside anomolies.

– They do not join to floors.

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Toolsy j

– The sketches have issues when overlapping themselves.

– Stairs going down from the current level don’t display

tl

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili correctly.Families


What? Revit has

• Railing Tool

limitations!• Railing Tool

– Baluster/support locations sometimes are just too varied to

position with this tool.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Let’s go raise a library of

• Family creation should be about leveraging as much data

happy families ☺• Family creation should be about leveraging as much data

as possible. Quality not quantity.

• If it repeats it should be a family (Not In-place)

• Nested sub-components setup with swappable parameters

allow for the maximum flexibility.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Nest detail components for highly detailed view specific

happy families ☺• Nest detail components for highly detailed view specific

elements.

• Add control arrows to all directional families.

• Constrain all geometry in families via reference planes

• Flex Flex Flex

General

Massing

Roof Tool

• Give reference planes strengths & labels

• Use Transfer Project Standards to copy materials between

f ili

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

families.

• Arraying elements? Use nested families and constrain

them by their origin point in all 3 vertices for both the two

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F ili them by their origin point in all 3 vertices for both the two

defining elements of the array. Check out my blog for a

detailed explanation on this.

Families



• It’s more efficient to create families as non hosted first

happy families ☺• It s more efficient to create families as non-hosted first.

• Avoid in-place families.

• Set your origin (placement point) to a logical locations.y g (p p ) g

• Use line based families for complex linear objects.General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies



• Modelled something in place and now discovering you

happy families ☺• Modelled something in-place and now discovering you

need it to repeat around your model?

– Edit the in-place family, select all the geometry, copy to the

clipboard and paste into a new family of the same or

appropriate category.

General

Massing

Roof Tool

Shape Editing

Outside the Box

Site Tools

Structural Tools

Links & Groups

Limitations

F iliFamilies


Conclusion & Questions?• The most important thing I think I can leave you with is:

Conclusion & Questions?• The most important thing I think I can leave you with is:

• MODEL TO A DEGREE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CO-

ORDINATE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

• Sometimes its great to have a play and test Revit’s limits

by modelling to minute detail. However, you’ll soon find

that your computer will slow to a halt and the model will

become very frustrating.

• ENJOY IT!!! I DO ☺ENJOY IT!!! I DO ☺

• Any Questions?y


Revit Technology Conference 2007 “Documentation in Revit” 2007 - Modelling - CP.pdf · Revit...

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