Creating a Site: Adding Property Lines

Creating a Site: Adding Property Lines

1/2/10 11:30 - 11:45am

Training File

• Click Open.
• In the left pane of the Open dialog, click Training Files, and open Imperial\RAC_CS_02_Property_Lines_i.rvt.

Add property lines

1. In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click Site.
2. Click Massing & Site tabModify Site panelProperty Line.
3. In the Create Property Line dialog, select Create by sketching.

   You use the sketch option because the DWG already contains property line information. The table option can also be used, depending on the information available to users at the time they create the property lines in a project. For more information about the table method, refer to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Help.

4. Click Create Property Line Sketch tabDraw panel (Pick Lines).

   Using the pick lines method, you can use existing geometry in the project as the basis for the property lines.

5. On the View Control Bar, click Model Graphics StyleWireframe.

   You change to the Wireframe style to view the right property line. It is hidden by the 3D toposurface in the Hidden Line style.

6. Select the 4 property lines, as shown.
   • Right line.
   
   
   1. Click Create Property Line Sketch tabProperty Line panelFinish Property Line.

   Tag property lines

   8. Click Annotate tabTag panelTag by Category.
   9. On the Options Bar, clear Leader.
   10. Select the midpoint of the north property line.

       There are no tags loaded for Property Line Segments in this project.

   11. In the dialog, click Yes to load a property line tag family for use in this project.
   12. In the left pane of the Open dialog, click Training Files, and open Imperial\Families\Property Line Tag.rfa.
   13. Click to tag each of the 4 property lines.
   14. Press Esc.

       The property line tag is very small. Change the view scale to make the tags easier to read.

   15. On the View Control Bar, for Scale, select 1'' = 40'-0''.
       NoteProject North and True North can be manipulated in the project for proper bearing information. Refer to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Help for more information.

       
       

       Close the file with or without saving it.

Creating a Site: Creating a Toposurface

Creating a Toposurface

12/20/09 9:15 - 10:15am

Import contour data to create a toposurface:

1. Click Insert tab, then Import panel, then Import CAD.
2. In the Import CAD Formats dialog:

• In the left pane, click Training Files, and select Common\Site Plan.dwg.
• For Colors, select Preserve.
• Verify that the Current view only option located on the left side of the dialog is cleared.
  NoteIf you select the Current view only option when importing the DWG, then the drawing is added as a drafting item and is view-specific. You cannot use a drafting item to create a toposurface.
• Click Open.

3. Zoom to fit the drawing in the view. ('ZF' is the keystroke shortcut)
The drawing must be moved to the right to ensure that the building is modeled close to the origin of the project. The elevation markers in the project template point to the origin. It is critical that you create Revit Architecture projects as close to this origin as possible.

4. In the drawing area, select the imported site plan.

5. Click Modify Site Plan.dwg tab, then Modify panel, then Move.

6. Click near the center of the building to enter the move start point.

7. Click to the right outside of the building to enter the move end point, as shown.

Position the center of the building close to the central area indicated by the elevation markers. (Exact placement is not important.)

8. Press Esc.

9. Click View tab, then Create panel, then 3D View drop-down, then Default 3D.

You can see results more clearly when creating the toposurface from a 3D view.

Note: The contours in the DWG imported file are drawn with a z value. Revit Architecture uses these values to create 3D points and generate the toposurface object.

10. Click Massing & Site tab, then Model Site panel, then Toposurface.

11. Click Create Topography Surface tab, then Tools panel, then Create from Import drop-down, then Select Import Instance.

12. In the drawing area, select the site plan.

13. In the Add Points from Selected Layers dialog:

• Click Check None.
• Select C-TOPO-MAJR.
• Select C-TOPO-MINR.
• Click OK.

The DWG site plan contains information in addition to the contour lines. Use the Add Points from Selected Layers dialog to filter out the lines you do not want to use in creating the toposurface.

14. Click Create Topography Surface tab, then Surface panel, then Finish Surface.

Note: Using an imported instance, such as a DWG file or a points file, decreases the time it takes to input points and create a toposurface. Also, you can create or add points used to define the toposurface manually. For additional information about the manual process of creating a toposurface, refer to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 Help.

Turn off the visibility of the DWG

15. In the Project Browser, expand 3D Views, right-click {3D}, and click Properties.
16. In the Instance Properties dialog, for Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit.
17. On the Imported Categories tab of the Visibility/Graphic Overrides for 3D View: {3D} dialog, under Visibility, clear Site Plan.dwg, and click OK.
18. In the Instance Properties dialog, under Extents, select Section Box, and click OK.
    The DWG no longer displays, and a section box is drawn to the extents of the toposurface geometry.

Create a sectioned edge

19. In the drawing area, select the section box.
20. Drag the controls to adjust the edges of the section box to cut the toposurface with the box. (Exact placement of the edge is not important.)
    When the section box edge cuts the toposurface, a cut pattern is displayed on the edge of the toposurface, making it easier to see the topography.

View the toposurface

21. Right-click the section box, and click Hide in View, then Elements.
22. On the View Control Bar, click Model Graphics Style, then Shading with Edges.
23. On the navigation bar, click the Full Navigation Wheel, and use the Orbit tool to spin the toposurface to view it at various angles.

Finish

Creating a Site: Overview

Creating a Site: Overview

In this lesson, you use site tools to add and modify site components within a project. You learn to:

• Import site contour data and convert it to a 3D toposurface.
• Create and tag property lines, using information from an imported DWG file.
• Add a subregion to the area to define access roads and a parking area.
• Add a building pad.
• Add parking and planting components.

Topics in this section

• Creating a Toposurface
• Adding Property Lines
• Creating a Topographic Subregion
• Adding a Building Pad
• Adding Parking Spaces
• Adding Planting Components

See subsequent posts for lessons from topic list above.

Modifying Project Browser Organization

Modifying Project Browser Organization
12/18/09 1:45-2:00pm

In a typical project, you often produce multiple packages of related drawings. These drawings and sheets can become so numerous that navigating a lengthy Project Browser list can be cumbersome. To organize the views and sheets into sets of deliverables, you can use the Project Browser settings to instantly modify how the Project Browser groups and sorts.

In this exercise, you modify the Project Browser organization and create methods of grouping and sorting the views and sheets.

Organize the Project Browser by views

1. In the Project Browser, expand Views (all), expand Floor Plans, and expand 3D Views.

   Notice that the views are listed alphabetically.

2. In the Project Browser, expand Sheets (all).

   Notice that the sheets are listed alphanumerically based on the sheet number.

3. Open each of the 3D views in the following order, and notice the progression of each view:
   • Main Bldg - Phase 1-Structure
   • East Wing - Phase 2-Structure
   • West Wing - Phase 3-Structure
   • Completed Project-Structure
   • Completed Structure w/ Roof&Floors
   • Completed Project

   Each of the 3D views varies by phase and discipline.

4. Click View tab, then Windows panel, then User Interface drop-down, then Browser Organization.
5. On the Views tab of the Browser Organization dialog, select Discipline, and click OK.
   In the Project Browser, notice that Views are divided into Architectural and Structural disciplines.
6. In the Project Browser, expand both the Architectural and Structural views.
7. On the Windows panel, click User Interface drop-down, then Browser Organization.
8. Select Phase, and click Apply.
   In the Project Browser, notice that views are grouped by phase.
9. In the Browser Organization dialog, select Type/Discipline, and click OK.
10. In the Project Browser, expand each view type, and notice that each is grouped by discipline.

Specifying Units of Measurement, Temporary Dimensions, and Detail Level Options

Specifying Units of Measurement, Temporary Dimensions, and Detail Level Options

12/15/09 8:15pm-8:45pm

In this exercise, you modify 3 settings that have a broad impact on the project. In the first section, you specify the project units of measurements. Unless overridden, dimension values display using this setting. In the second section, you modify the temporary dimension settings. In the final section, you modify the detail level assignments.

Set units of measurement

1. Click Manage tabProject Settings panelProject Units.
2. In the Project Units dialog, for Length, click the default value.
3. In the Format dialog, for Rounding, select To the nearest 1/16", and click OK.
4. In the Project Units dialog, for Area, click the default value.
5. In the Format dialog:
   • For Rounding, select 0 decimal places.
   • For Unit symbol, select SF.
   • Click OK.

   Modifications to area rounding are displayed in schedules and area tags.

6. Click OK.

   Unless overridden, dimensions use these project settings.

Specify temporary dimension properties

7. Click Manage tabProject Settings panelSettings drop-downTemporary Dimensions.
8. Under Walls, select Faces.
9. Under Doors and Windows, select Openings, and click OK.

   In this project, temporary dimensions now snap to the wall faces and to the door and window openings. The location of temporary witness lines can be changed by clicking their controls.

Specify detail levels

10. On the Project Settings panel, click Settings drop-downDetail Level.

    When you create a new view and specify its view scale, the detail level is specified automatically according to the arrangement in the table.

    TipYou can override the detail level at any time by specifying the Detail Level parameter in the View Properties dialog or the Detail Level icon on the View Control Bar.

    In this table, you use the arrows between the columns to move view scales from one detail level to another. You do not select a view scale to move it. The view scale moves either from the bottom or the top of the column based on the direction.

11. Between the columns Coarse and Medium, click .

    Notice the 1/4" = 1’ 0" view scale moved to the Medium column. Any new view created using this scale is automatically assigned the detail level Medium.

12. Click OK.

Modifying Line Patterns and Styles/Controlling Object Styles

12/14/09 6:00pm-7:15pm
Modifying Line Patterns and Styles/Controlling Object Styles

Expand All Expand all collapsed sections. Collapse All Collapse all expanded sections.

In this exercise, you create a line pattern and apply it to the fascia of the roof in a sample project. You then create a line style to mark the zoning setback from the property line.

Create a line pattern

1. In the Project Browser, under 3D Views, double-click {3D}.
2. Click Manage tab, then Project Settings panel, then Settings drop-down, then Line Patterns.
3. In the Line Patterns dialog, click New.
4. In the Line Pattern Properties dialog, for Name, enter Roof Line.
5. Enter the Types and Values shown in the following illustration:

   

6. Click OK twice.

   Now that you have created a line pattern, you can apply it using either of the following methods:

   • Use Visibility/Graphics settings to modify the roof appearance in a specific view.
   • Use object styles to apply the change to all views.
7. On the View Control Bar, click Model Graphics Style, then Hidden Line.
8. On the Project Settings panel, click Settings drop-down, then Object Styles.
9. In the Object Styles dialog, under Category, select Roofs.
10. For Line Color, select Red.
11. For Line Pattern, select Roof Line.
12. Click OK.

    The line style is applied to the roof in the view.

    NoteObject Styles for the project can be modified. For example, Projection and Cut Line Weight values can be modified to match office standards.

    

13. In the Project Browser, under 3D Views, double-click to Building.
14. On the View Control Bar, click Model Graphics Style, and verify that Hidden Line is selected.

    Notice that the line color displays in this view, but not the line pattern.

    Note: The line pattern is most appropriate in plan views. The pattern is not applied in a perspective or camera view where you expect to see a solid line. Plans, sections, elevations, and orthogonal 3D views show line color and pattern.

15. In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 03 Roof.
16. Click Manage tab, then Project Settings panel, then Settings drop-down, then Object Styles.
17. In the Object Styles dialog, under Category, select Roofs.
18. For Line Color, select Black.
19. For Line Pattern, select Solid.
20. Click OK.
21. Click View tab, then Graphics panel, then Visibility/Graphics.
22. On the Model Categories tab, for Visibility, select Roofs.
23. For Projection/Surface Lines, click Override.

    This setting overrides the appearance of the roof only in the current view.

24. In the Line Graphics dialog, specify the following options:
    • For Weight, select 5.
    • For Color, select Blue.
    • For Pattern, select Roof Line.
25. Click OK twice.

    Notice that only the appearance of the projection line of the roof is changed. You did not specify a graphic override for the cut lines, so they remain unchanged.

    

Create a line style

26. In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click Site.

    Notice the site topography and the property lines.

27. Click Manage tab, then Project Settings panel, then Settings drop-down, then Line Styles.
28. In the Line Styles dialog, under Modify Subcategories, click New.
29. For Name, enter Zoning Setback, and click OK.
30. For the Zoning Setback category, specify the following values:
    • For Line Weight Projection, select 2.
    • For Line Color, select Red.
    • For Line Pattern, select Double Dash 5/8" .
31. Click OK.
32. Click Home tab, then Model panel, then Model Line.
33. On the Element panel, in the Type Selector, select Zoning Setback.
34. On the Options Bar, For Placement Plane, select Level: 02 Entry Level.

    This places the line above the topography.

35. On the Draw panel, click (Line).
36. Draw lines for the setback approximately as shown:
    NoteIf you only want the setback to display on the site view, click Annotate tab, then Detail panel, then Detail Line. Detail lines only show in the view where they are created, as if they are placed on an overlay of the view.
37. Click Modify.
38. On the Quick Access toolbar, click (3D View).

    Notice that the Zoning Setback lines display in this view.

39. Click View tab, then Graphics panel, then Visibility/Graphics.
40. On the Model Categories tab, expand Lines, and clear Zoning Setback.

    This turns off the visibility of the Zoning Setback lines only in this view.

41. Click OK.
42. In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 Entry Level.
43. Click View tab, then Graphics panel, then Visibility/Graphics.
44. On the Model Categories tab:
    • Expand Lines, and clear Zoning Setback.
    • Expand Site, and clear Property Lines.
      NoteIf Site is not selected, select it, and then clear Property Lines.
45. Click OK.
46. On the Quick Access toolbar, click (3D View).

Modify Snap Increments

In this exercise, you modify snap settings. Snap settings are system settings that are applied to all projects and not saved within a project file. You can turn snap settings on and off, or use the shortcut keys to force a particular snap method. In this exercise, you modify snap increments, work with snapping turned off, and use shortcut keys to control snapping on an instance basis.

Modify snap increments

1. Click the "R" button, then New, then Project to open a new Revit Architecture project.

2. In the New Project dialog, under Template file, click Browse.

3. In the left pane of the Choose Template dialog, click Training Files, and openImperial\Templates\RAC_MSS_Tutorial_Default_i.rte.

4. In the New Project dialog, click OK.

5. Click Manage tab, then Project Settings panel, then Settings drop-down, then Snaps.
Notice that you can modify both length and angular snap increments. As you zoom in and out within a view, Revit Architecture uses the largest increment that represents less than 2mm in the drawing area. You can add an increment by entering the value with a semicolon after it.

6. Under Dimension Snaps, click in the Length dimension snap increments box following the value 4’ ; and enter 1 ;.

7. Under Object Snaps, notice the 2-letter acronyms next to each object snap option.
You can use these shortcut keys at any time when working on the design. For example, if you want to snap an object to a wall midpoint, enter SM, and only midpoint snaps are recognized until you commit an action. After you click to place the object at the midpoint, snapping reverts to the system default settings.

8. In the Snaps dialog, click OK.

9. Click Home tab, then Build panel, then Wall drop-down, then Wall.

10. On the Options Bar, clear Chain.

11. Click in the center of the drawing area, and move the cursor to the right.
Notice that the listening dimension snaps at 4’ increments. If it does not, zoom out until it does so.
A listening dimension refers to the dimension that displays while you are drawing. This dimension reacts to the movement of the cursor and numerical keyboard entries.

Tip: To zoom while drawing, use the wheel button on your mouse. If you do not have a wheel button, you can right-click and select a zoom option from the shortcut menu. While drawing, you can also use the zoom shortcut keys, such as ZO to zoom out.

12. While drawing a generic straight wall, zoom in until the listening dimension snap increment shifts to 1’.
This is the increment that you added previously.

Draw without snapping

13. While drawing the wall, enter the shortcut key SO to turn snaps off.
Notice that when snapping is turned off completely, the listening dimension reflects the exact length of the wall as you move the cursor to the left or right.

14. Click to set the wall endpoint.

15. Click in the drawing area to start a second wall, and move the cursor to the right. Do not set the wall end point.

Notice that snapping is once again active. When you use shortcut keys to control snapping, the command is only active for one click of the mouse.

Use snapping shortcut keys

16. Click Modify.

17. Click Home tab, then Build panel, then Wall drop-down, then Wall.

18. Place the cursor over the horizontal wall you added previously.

Notice that the cursor snaps to various points on the wall. If you move the cursor along the wall, it will snap to the endpoints, the midpoint, and the wall edges.

19. Enter SM.
This is the snap shortcut key that restricts all snapping to midpoints.

20. Notice that the cursor now snaps only to the midpoint of the wall.

21. Click to start the wall at the midpoint.

22. Move the cursor downward, and specify the wall endpoint.

23. Click Manage tab, then Project Settings panel, then Settings drop-down, then Snaps.

24. Under Dimension Snaps, click in the Length dimension snap increments box, and delete the value 1’ ;.
Make sure you also delete the semicolon.

25. Click OK.

26. Close the file without saving it.

Create A Library

Specify library settings and create a library

This library tab will enable you to create a direct link to folders that contain files that you create. there will be a link on the left side of the open and save dialogs.

1. In the Options dialog under the File Locations tab, click Places.

2. In the Places dialog, notice the list of library names.
The list is dependent on the options that you selected during installation. Each library path points Revit Architecture to a folder of families or training files. You can modify the existing library names and path, and you can create new libraries. An icon for each library displays in the left pane of all Revit Architecture Open, Save, Load, and Import dialogs.

When you are opening, saving, or loading a Revit Architecture file, you can click on the library folder located in the left pane of the dialog. In the following illustration, notice that the libraries display as icons in the left pane of the dialog. You can scroll the left pane to access all of the library icons.

3. In the Places dialog, under Libraries, click the Plus button (Add Value).

4. Click in the Library Name field of the new library, and change the name to My Library.

5. Click in the Library Path field for My Library, and click the icon that displays on the right side of the field.

6. Navigate to C:\My Documents or a folder where you want to create a personal library of Revit Architecture projects, templates, or families, and click Open.

Tip: You may want to create a new folder first, and select it as the library path.

Note: The new library displays in the left pane of all Revit Architecture Open, Save, Load, and Import dialogs.

7. Click OK twice.

8. Click Open.

9. In the left pane of the Open dialog, click the My Library icon.
Notice that Revit Architecture navigates directly to the library path. If you work in a large office, you may want to set up an office library on a network path to increase productivity and maintain office standards.

10.