I will be moving to training on Revit 2011 mostly due to a poll I conducted on the Autodesk User Group International site, AUGI for short. Take a look at the results and user comments here. It proved to be very informative. http://alturl.com/23pb
The Autodesk Assistance program (for students and the unemployed) is still open and has Revit and Autocad 2011 available for download with user licenses as well.
http://bit.ly/aI7rmr
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Offsetting Lines and Walls
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Offsetting Lines and Walls
"Offset - ...makes a copy of an element by offsetting it parallel to an edge you select. You can find the Offset tool either in the Edit panel of the Modify tab or on the Options bar when you’re sketching lines or walls. ...useful in the Family Editor when you’re making shapes that have a consistent thickness in profile, such as extruded steel shapes. ...handy when you’re making roof forms or soffits with known offsets from a wall. You can either offset a line and maintain the original (for that, make sure that the Copy option in the Options bar is checked) or offset the line, removing the original."
(Options Bar: Numerical - Enter distance to be offset, Hover over the element / wall meant to be offset, dashed line appears on side that it will offset to, one click then done. Graphical - Click element to be offset, then move direction and distance desired, second click to place.)
5.16.10 8:55pm-9:30pm = 35mns
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Scaling and Aligning Elements
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Scaling and Aligning Elements
"Scale - lets you scale certain lines and graphic elements in 2D that make sense to scale, such as imported raster images and 2D line shapes."
"note: Keep in mind that you’re working with a building information model (BIM) made out of real-world objects, not abstract primitive forms. Don’t expect to be able to scale most elements in Revit—it’s not practical or meaningful."
"Aligning Elements - ...take time to get acquainted with this tool, because it’s a real timesaver and supplants the need to use many of the tools we’ve already discussed. The Align tool lets you line things up in an easy, quick, and intuitive manner."
"explicitly align references from one element to another."
"find the Align tool in the Modify tab, under the Edit panel. To use the Align tool, you will first select the target reference (a part or side of the element to which you want to align another element) and then select what you want to align to that reference (the part or side of the element whose position needs to be modified)."
"second element picked always moves into alignment."
"As soon as you make your second pick, a lock icon appears so you can constrain the alignment. Once you click the lock icon, if either element moves, it brings the constrained element along with it."
"also works for aligning geometry with surface patterns like brick or stone. Select a line in the surface pattern, and then select the geometry you want aligned. ...Use the Tab key if you cannot get surface patterns selected with the first mouse click."
"...also rotate elements in the process of aligning them to objects which are not parallel."
5.13.10 9:35pm-10:15pm = 40mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Extending and Splitting Lines and Walls
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Extending and Splitting Lines and Walls
"Next to the Trim tool, you will find the Extend tool. There you will see two options: Trim/Extend Single Element and Trim/Extend Multiple Elements."
"This tool lets you extend single or multiple instances of lines and walls. The first option, Trim/Extend Single Element, is for extending a single wall. To extend a wall, first select a target wall; then select the wall you want to extend to that target. The second option, Trim/Extend Multiple Elements, lets you extend many walls in one interaction."
Splitting Lines and Walls - ...operates on walls and lines. This tool lets you slice a line or wall into few pieces. To cut a wall, place the cursor over the edge of the wall. Before you click, you’ll see a preview of the split line before clicking. The Options bar offers ...feature called Delete Inner Segment that removes the need to use the Trim tool."
(I tried this a few times and could not get a clean edge no matter what I did, I suggest Splitting in the middle of the wall you want gone, the using the trim command to get smooth corners)
5.13.10 9:05pm-9:35pm = 30mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Mirroring and Arraying Elements
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Mirroring and Arraying Elements
"Mirror tool - ...allows you to mirror elements across an axis in order to create a mirror image of
an element ...either pick an existing reference in the model (the arrow icon) or draw the axis interactively (the pencil icon). ...Use the pick method when you have an existing element with a meaningful center axis. If nothing in the model exists as a mirror axis, use the Draw mode and draw your own axis."
"Arraying Elements - ...allows you to copy instances of an element with equal spacing between instances. Revit provides intelligent arrays that can be parametrically grouped and associated, as well as one-off, unassociated arrays. Like all the other tools we’ve reviewed, the creation options are presented on the Options bar."
"...two types of array: linear and radial.
Linear arrays - set as the default because they’re the most common. ...creates a series of elements in a line. Each element in the line can be given a set distance from the previous element or be spaced equally based on a maximum line length."
"radial array - works in a similar fashion, but it revolves around a center point. ...elements auto-rotate so that each element faces the center of the array..."
5.13.10 8:44pm-8:57pm = 13mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Rotating Elements
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Rotating Elements
"Rotating and Mirroring Elements - ...Revit provides a few methods for rotating elements. The time-saving spacebar is a quick way to rotate elements in 90-degree increments. Just press the spacebar when an element is selected... If a diagonal reference (wall, grid, or reference plane) is nearby, then the spacebar will locate this as a rotation candidate. For more precision, the Rotate tool is provided..."
"Using the Spacebar - ...to rotate elements both at the time of placement and after an element has been placed. ...a few examples:
Doors and windows - If you have a door with its swing in the wrong direction, select it and press the spacebar. You can cycle through all four possible orientations of the door with a few clicks. The same holds true for windows; however, many window families are built to only let you flip the window from inside to outside, because many windows are symmetrical in elevation. If you are creating an asymmetrical window on your own, be sure to add flip controls to the window family during its creation. These allow the spacebar to work on hosted elements."
"Walls - If you select a wall, pressing the spacebar flips the element as if it were being mirrored
about its length. Walls flip based on the Wall Location Line, which often isn’t the wall centerline.
If you aren’t sure which direction your wall is facing, select it and look for the flip-control
arrows. These are always drawn on the exterior side of walls..."
"Freestanding elements - If you select a freestanding element ...the spacebar rotates the element about the center reference planes defined in the family. Depending on how the family was built, the rotation origin may not make the most sense, but you can quickly orient your furniture and casework. If you decide to edit a family to change the location of the geometry relative to the center reference planes, be careful: when loaded back into a project, all your elements will jump to a new X–Y location based on the changes you made!" (Think editing the base point of a block in AutoCAD, everything will move based on the new basepoint when it's reloaded)
"Rotate tool - To rotate an element, select it and click the Rotate tool. ...two-click operation similar to the Move and Copy tools. Alternatively, you can enter numeric values. Revit locates the geometric center of the selected element or elements and uses that as the default center of rotation. ...fine if you don’t need to be precise... in most cases you first must designate a meaningful center of rotation. ...select and drag the center of the rotation—the rotation cursor—to a new location before clicking to set start and end picks. Once the origin is established, begin rotating the
element using the temporary dimensions as a reference or by typing in the angle of rotation explicitly." (entering positive numbers rotates clockwise, negative rotates counter clockwise)
Note: "...while moving the origin, you lose the ability to pan and zoom the view. To overcome this, drag the origin into the Project Browser and release the mouse button; then, move the cursor back into the view. The cursor changes to a rotation icon, and you can freely pan and zoom all you want. The next click you make places the origin..."
5.13.10 8:15pm-8:42pm = 27mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Nudging Elements, Nearby Elements and Copy
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Nudging Elements, Nearby Elements and Copy
"Nudging Elements - ...a great way to push things around quickly. When an element is selected, you can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move the element horizontally and vertically, repositioning it in small increments. Each press of an arrow key nudges the element a specific distance based on your current zoom factor. The closer you zoom, the finer the nudge is. Likewise, as you zoom out, the nudge moves elements by larger increments. This is a good tool when you’re working with views placed on sheets."
"Moving with nearby elements - Another way to move freestanding elements, but in a more automatic way... This tool is designed to capture logical relationships between elements. When furnishing a space for example, you probably want to align the bed or dresser with a wall. If you change your design, you want the furniture to follow the wall to the new location. For this purpose, select the furniture and then select Moves with Nearby Elements on the Options bar. By doing so, you create an invisible relationship between the bed and the wall so that each time you move the wall, the bed moves with it..."
(Not sure how to add this association to multiple selections, will have to figure that out.)
"Copy - ...nearly identical to the Move tool but makes a copy of the selected element at the location of the second pick. ...copies an instance of an element or selection of elements in the same view. If you change views while using this tool, your selection is dropped."
"...first choose the element or elements you want to copy, and then select the Copy tool from the Modify tab. Using the Options bar, you can choose to make multiple copies in one interaction by selecting the Multiple option."
5.13.10 7:20pm-7:33pm = 13mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively:Move Tool
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Editing Elements Interactively: Move Tool
"...range of options to interactively edit elements in the model. The most obvious is to select elements to drag around the screen or use the blue control grips to extend walls and lines. ...you often need more precise ways of moving and positioning things..."
"Moving Elements - ...several ways to move elements, ranging from traditional tools to intelligent
dimensions that appear on the fly when you select elements."
"Temporary Dimensions - when elements are selected, dimensions appear. ...called temporary dimensions ...both inform you of the location of the elements relative to other elements in the model and help you reposition the elements. Clicking the blue dimension value makes it an active, editable value. ...If a temporary dimension isn’t referencing a meaningful element, you can choose a different reference by dragging the small blue square attached to the dimension witness line to a new parallel reference."
"If you click a blue grip, it cycles to the next possible reference in the element."
"To change which references temporary dimensions go to first, use the Temporary Dimension
Properties dialog box ...Manage tab, Settings, Temporary Dimensions"
"If...many elements selected at the same time, temporary dimensions sometimes don’t appear. Check the Options bar for the Activate Dimensions button; clicking it will make the temporary dimensions appear in the view."
"Using the Move tool
"...to move elements precise distances by typing in values or using the temporary dimensions as helpers. Once you have selected an element, the Move tool will be enabled. Moving elements is a two-click process: first you define a start point, and then you click to define an endpoint."
"a few options on the Options bar to be aware of when the Move command is active."
1. "Constrain - When...selected, it constrains movements to horizontal and vertical directions. Deselecting it gives you free movement if the element is freestanding. Hosted elements such as windows and doors always move in a constrained manner parallel to their host axis."
2. "Disjoin - Hosted elements such as windows and doors can’t change host and move to another host without explicitly being disjoined from their host. This option lets you disconnect inserts from their host and move them to new hosts."
(I find using the "Pick Host" option to be more reliable)
3. "Copy - ...lets you make a copy of the element without moving the original element. In the strictest sense, this isn’t really a move operation but a shortcut to making a copy."
4. "Multiple - ...selectable only after you pick the Copy option, lets you make multiple copies of the selected element."
5.13.10 6:40pm-7:15pm = 35mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Create Similar
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Create Similar
"Rather than hunting through a list of families or making copies using copy and paste, try using the Create Similar tool to add new instances of an element to your model. ...available in the Create panel of the Modify tab when an element is selected. ...also access the tool from the right-click menu. To use this tool, think about the type of element you need to make, and select an instance of it. Then, click the Create Similar tool, and you’ll immediately be put into placement–creation mode. If you use this tool later to create a similar floor or roof (or any other sketch-based element), you’re taken directly into sketch mode, where you can start sketching your new element."
5.13.10 6:10pm-6:20pm = 10mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Copying and Pasting
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools - Copying and Pasting
"...copy and paste interaction (Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V)."
"To copy any element to the clipboard, select it and press Ctrl+C."
"To paste, press Ctrl+V. ...majority of cases, Revit pastes the elements with a dashed bounding box around them. You then determine where to place the elements by clicking a point to define its position of placement. In the Options bar you will find an option called Constrain that when checked will only let you define the location of the copied element relative to the main constrain directions of the original element."
"Paste Aligned - ...you can paste... into other views with a variety of options. This allows you to quickly duplicate elements from one view to another...while maintaining a consistent location in the X–Y coordinate plane. After selecting elements and copying them to the clipboard using either Ctrl+C or the Copy button in the Clipboard Panel of the Modify tab, choose Edit Paste Aligned from the main menu..."
"Five options are available. Depending on the view from which you copy and what elements
you copy, the availability of these options will change."
1. "Select Levels - This is a mode you can use to copy and paste elements between different levels. ...select the elements and choose this option, you choose levels from a list in a dialog box, and you can paste to multiple levels at once. ...X–Y position of the selected elements is maintained..."
2. "Select Views - ...allows you to copy elements to other views by selecting views from a list of views in a dialog box. In the list available for selection, you don’t see levels listed but rather a list of parallel views. For example, if elements are copied from a plan view, all other plan views are listed. Likewise, if you copy from an elevation view, only elevation views appear as possible views to paste into."
3. "Current View - ...pastes the elements from the clipboard into the currently active view, in the same relative spatial location. For example, if you copy a series of walls in one view, switch to another view in the Project Browser, and choose Current View, Revit pastes the walls into exactly the same X–Y locations in the new view you switched to."
4. "Same Place - ...places an element from the clipboard in the exact same place from which it was copied or cut. One use for this tool is copying elements into a design option"
5. "Pick Level Graphics - ...use to copy and paste elements between different floors. Once you select the elements and choose this option, you’re placed into a pick mode where you can select a level in section or elevation. You must be in an elevation or section view to have this option available. The level you select determines the Z location of the paste and preserves the X–Y location."
5.13.10 5:50pm-6:10pm = 20mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 - Ch. 3 Know Your Editing Tools
Selection and changing instance types
(quoted texts are excerpts from the book)
Selection
"You can select multiple elements in several ways:
Additive selection - Hold down the Ctrl key while clicking new elements to add them to your selection. To remove elements from the selection, hold down the Shift key and click the selected elements.
Window selection - ...dragging a selection window across the view. ...A left-to-right drag selects only elements completely within the selection window; a right-to-left drag selects anything within or intersecting the selection window.
Chain selection - You can select connected lines and walls by placing your cursor over a line or wall (don’t pick, just let it highlight) and then holding down the Tab key and selecting a wall or line. All walls/lines that are end-joined to that wall become selected.
Selection Count tool - ...is displayed on the far right in the same zone as the status bar; its icon is a filter because it actually is an addition to the selection filter functionality and gives information about the number of Revit elements currently selected.
After making a selection of elements, you can see the number of elements you selected by double-clicking the count icon. This invokes the Filter dialog box, where you can narrow down your selection if needed. If you have nothing selected in the model, double-clicking on the count icon will not invoke the Filter dialog box. You can also access the selection count tool by directly invoking the Filter dialog box from the Multiselect tab. ...only active after you have made a selection of multiple different categories of elements in the model. Note that if you select elements of one category, the filter option does not exist"
Personal tip:
- Click in "white space" deselects everything.
- Make good use of the Filter command to quickly select the elements desired.
"Selecting All instances - ...available in the context (right-click) menu of an element and allows you to select all instances of a particular family in the entire model. ...when you need to perform a wholesale swap of a certain family throughout the entire model."
"select Change Element Type, which invokes the Type Selector in the Modify tab..."
"Type Selector - best practices to model...using generic walls, floors, doors, and windows...over time, as you make more specific decisions...swap those for specific types of elements. ...using the Change Element Type..."
"Matching properties - Match Type button is located on the Modify tab under the Clipboard panel and allows you, ...to apply its properties (type and instance) to another element of the same category. (click button first then) Once you select an element, the little brush icon attached to the cursor appears filled. Each subsequent click on elements of the same category will replace the selected element with the type currently active in the Match Type tool.
Note: ...the Match Properties tool will only appear in the Modify tab when nothing is selected. Be careful when you use this tool with walls, because not only does it change the wall type, but it also changes the top and bottom constraints of the walls being matched. ...best practice for walls...is not to use the Match Type tool but instead to use the Change Element Type button (Type Selector) from the Modify Walls tab that becomes available upon selection of a wall."
5.13.10 5:05pm-5:50pm = 45mns
Mastering Revit Architecture 2010
Skipping to a different book... Mastering Revit Architecture 2010
I recently went to a career workshop. An experienced Revit production user emphasized that without abilities in Family creation that you are not very useful.
I will be skipping around but heading directly to that section first.
Monday, May 10, 2010
What version of Revit is your company using or upgrading to in the near future?
I am learning Revit 2010 but am interested to find out if I should switch to 2011 when it is released. There were some major changes from 2009 to the 2010 version. When this happens many companies will skip a year and let all the brave people work out all the bugs. Lets find out. Please post a reply, thank you!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 3 - Legends
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Legends
"Legends
Legends...place graphic representations of elements in the model to explain the symbology used in the project. Examples...key to symbols in a site plan; typical wall, door, or window types used in a project; or demolition notes on a title block. ...legends are used for views you want to have appear on multiple sheets. ...2D elements derived from the components used in your project. Elements in a legend have no effect on scheduling quantities of elements. ...adding a door symbol to a legend view will not increase the number of instances of that door in the overall project and thus won’t be reflected in the schedule of the door totals.
To create a legend view...click the View tab. On the Create panel, click the Legends button and select Legend. ...then give the legend view a name and associated scale, and you will be presented with an empty view window. To start creating the legend and add content to this view, go to the Annotate tab, and under the Detail panel, click the Component button. Then select Legend Components and start generating the legend.
NOTE: "Legends are the only view type in Revit that can be placed on multiple sheets."
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Legends
"Legends
Legends...place graphic representations of elements in the model to explain the symbology used in the project. Examples...key to symbols in a site plan; typical wall, door, or window types used in a project; or demolition notes on a title block. ...legends are used for views you want to have appear on multiple sheets. ...2D elements derived from the components used in your project. Elements in a legend have no effect on scheduling quantities of elements. ...adding a door symbol to a legend view will not increase the number of instances of that door in the overall project and thus won’t be reflected in the schedule of the door totals.
To create a legend view...click the View tab. On the Create panel, click the Legends button and select Legend. ...then give the legend view a name and associated scale, and you will be presented with an empty view window. To start creating the legend and add content to this view, go to the Annotate tab, and under the Detail panel, click the Component button. Then select Legend Components and start generating the legend.
NOTE: "Legends are the only view type in Revit that can be placed on multiple sheets."
How To
"create a legend view...click the View tab. On the Create panel, click the Legends button and select Legend. ...then give the legend view a name and associated scale, and you will be presented with an empty view window. To start creating the legend and add content to this view, go to the Annotate tab, and under the Detail panel, click the Component button. Then select Legend Components and start generating the legend."
4.18.10 3:22-3:29 pm 07mins
"create a legend view...click the View tab. On the Create panel, click the Legends button and select Legend. ...then give the legend view a name and associated scale, and you will be presented with an empty view window. To start creating the legend and add content to this view, go to the Annotate tab, and under the Detail panel, click the Component button. Then select Legend Components and start generating the legend."
4.21.10 9:00-9:15 am 15mins
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 3 - Working With Views
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
(Continued)
"Types of Views
Drafting Views
"
"Drafting Views
... 2D views specifically designed to show information that is not generated directly from the model....used to show standardized details or information that is typical of a certain area but doesn’t necessarily have a connection with the model. Drafting views can also be used to display detailed 2D information about something in the model."
"drafting views created separately from the model or imported can be referenced in the model and linked to a callout so your drawing sheets always maintain a parametric relationship to their associated details.
...using the Callout Detail tool allows you to create dynamic details that are generated out of the model with 2D drafting elements overlaid on top. ...these details are connected with the model elements, so any model changes are reflected in the details."
"Drafting views can be inserted onto sheets and can also be referenced to sections or elevations as a similar (SIM) condition.
To reference a drafting view to a model, follow these steps:
1. Create your new drafting view: switch to the View tab, and in the Create panel select Drafting View.
2. Import a DWG file, or use detail lines, filled regions, and other drafting tools from the Annotate tab to create the 2D detail.
3. Switch to a view where you want to indicate a callout that will reference this newly created drafting view.
4. Select the View tab again, and from the Create panel choose Callout.
5. Prior to drawing the callout bubble in the model where the detail explains the condition, from the Options bar check the Reference Other View option in the Options bar and choose the drafting view you just created. Now draw the callout bubble where you wish the drafting view to be referenced."
4.14.10 1:15-1:35 am 20mins
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
(Continued)
"Types of Views
Drafting Views
"
"Drafting Views
... 2D views specifically designed to show information that is not generated directly from the model....used to show standardized details or information that is typical of a certain area but doesn’t necessarily have a connection with the model. Drafting views can also be used to display detailed 2D information about something in the model."
"drafting views created separately from the model or imported can be referenced in the model and linked to a callout so your drawing sheets always maintain a parametric relationship to their associated details.
...using the Callout Detail tool allows you to create dynamic details that are generated out of the model with 2D drafting elements overlaid on top. ...these details are connected with the model elements, so any model changes are reflected in the details."
"Drafting views can be inserted onto sheets and can also be referenced to sections or elevations as a similar (SIM) condition.
To reference a drafting view to a model, follow these steps:
1. Create your new drafting view: switch to the View tab, and in the Create panel select Drafting View.
2. Import a DWG file, or use detail lines, filled regions, and other drafting tools from the Annotate tab to create the 2D detail.
3. Switch to a view where you want to indicate a callout that will reference this newly created drafting view.
4. Select the View tab again, and from the Create panel choose Callout.
5. Prior to drawing the callout bubble in the model where the detail explains the condition, from the Options bar check the Reference Other View option in the Options bar and choose the drafting view you just created. Now draw the callout bubble where you wish the drafting view to be referenced."
4.14.10 1:15-1:35 am 20mins
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 3 - Working With Views
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
(Continued)
"Types of Views
Elevations
Sections
"Elevations
...created by placing elevation tags into your model. ...when you insert an elevation tag, it dynamically positions itself perpendicular to any wall. ...even in ...nonorthogonal floor plans. ...you can duplicate any elevation by right-clicking the view name in the Project Browser and choosing Duplicate View then Duplicate. This will make a new nondependent elevation view."
"Each elevation symbol is capable of creating four elevation views at once, each facing a different direction. ...If you place an elevation symbol in the middle of a room, by inserting...then highlighting the center of it, you see check boxes that can be used to activate the other elevations. Check or uncheck one of the boxes to turn the elevation on or off..."
"Selecting an activated elevation arrow gives you additional options and displays the
width and depth of the elevation."
"double-click any of the elevation arrows to navigate directly to the corresponding
elevation view, or you can open the elevation views from the Project Browser."
NOTE: Be sure to double click on the graphic line of the arrow, if you click on the middle of it near the number, nothing happens.
"Sections
...properties of section tags are similar to...elevation tags, except the cut plane of the section graphic cannot be moved independently from the section graphic (as with elevation symbols). The view width and depth are defined by the dashed lines when a section is selected, as in the elevation. Use the opposing arrow drag controls to adjust the crop boundary of the section"
"a jointed section cut ...the Section tool has the capability of splitting so that it allows for staggered section lines. ...first draw a section line where you need to establish a view. Next, select the section, and choose Split Segment from the Section panel of the Modify Views tab. This enables the Split tool and allows you to split the section line at any point.
...now each segment of the section cut can be adjusted for location and depth. ...A section line can be cut multiple times..."
NOTE
"For best performance, be sure to limit the depth of your section and elevation cuts only to what you really want to see. ...Revit will calculate all of the information whether or not you see it, so make your section depth as shallow as possible in order to gain in performance and not force Revit to calculate what you do not need to see." This will be one of my twitter RevitNewbie tips!
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
(Continued)
"Types of Views
Elevations
Sections
"Elevations
...created by placing elevation tags into your model. ...when you insert an elevation tag, it dynamically positions itself perpendicular to any wall. ...even in ...nonorthogonal floor plans. ...you can duplicate any elevation by right-clicking the view name in the Project Browser and choosing Duplicate View then Duplicate. This will make a new nondependent elevation view."
"Each elevation symbol is capable of creating four elevation views at once, each facing a different direction. ...If you place an elevation symbol in the middle of a room, by inserting...then highlighting the center of it, you see check boxes that can be used to activate the other elevations. Check or uncheck one of the boxes to turn the elevation on or off..."
"Selecting an activated elevation arrow gives you additional options and displays the
width and depth of the elevation."
"double-click any of the elevation arrows to navigate directly to the corresponding
elevation view, or you can open the elevation views from the Project Browser."
NOTE: Be sure to double click on the graphic line of the arrow, if you click on the middle of it near the number, nothing happens.
"Sections
...properties of section tags are similar to...elevation tags, except the cut plane of the section graphic cannot be moved independently from the section graphic (as with elevation symbols). The view width and depth are defined by the dashed lines when a section is selected, as in the elevation. Use the opposing arrow drag controls to adjust the crop boundary of the section"
"a jointed section cut ...the Section tool has the capability of splitting so that it allows for staggered section lines. ...first draw a section line where you need to establish a view. Next, select the section, and choose Split Segment from the Section panel of the Modify Views tab. This enables the Split tool and allows you to split the section line at any point.
...now each segment of the section cut can be adjusted for location and depth. ...A section line can be cut multiple times..."
NOTE
"For best performance, be sure to limit the depth of your section and elevation cuts only to what you really want to see. ...Revit will calculate all of the information whether or not you see it, so make your section depth as shallow as possible in order to gain in performance and not force Revit to calculate what you do not need to see." This will be one of my twitter RevitNewbie tips!
4.13.10 12:40-1:15 am 35mins
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 3 - Working With Views
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
"Creating New Plan Views with Levels
...default plan view is referred to as a Level 1 view and is organized under Floor Plans in the Project Browser. A level typically represents one story in a building, but as you’ll see later, a level can also be used to reference the position or height of other elements..."
"Creating Levels
"To create a level using the Level tool, you have to be in section or elevation view."
...select the Level command from the Datum panel under the Home tab...draw a level using two mouse clicks to define the start point and endpoint...this will add a new
level and plan view to the model...note that the Level command is disabled
unless you’re actively in an elevation or section view."
"You can also create a level by copying an existing one. ...To create additional levels, open a section or elevation view; select the level line in the view; and, using the Copy command, copy the existing level, thus creating a new one.
...the copied level doesn’t automatically create a new view (you will see in the
Project Browser that no new plan has been added); it only gives you another level graphic in the project that shows in elevation or in section. ...useful when you need another benchmark in elevation to show heights or want to associate geometry to a level, but you don’t necessarily want to generate an associated plan view. A good example is the top of a parapet wall."
To change copied level to actual plan view, do the following:
"Adding a Plan View
...Go to View tab and under the Create panel, select Plan Views/Floor Plan. A dialog box opens that allows you to select a level and create a new floor plan based on that level. Check Do not duplicate existing views at the bottom of the dialog box. (This process is the same for ceiling plans.) The level symbol will then change to blue, indicating that it is a hyperlink to a plan view."
"Duplicating Views
...want to create a new view based on an existing floor plan? Say you already have a design plan of Level 1, but also need a presentation plan and a fully annotated plan for your documentation set. You can achieve this...by duplicating
views. ...right-click the view’s name in the Project Browser (Level 1 for
example), and choose Duplicate View from the context menu."
"three different ways to duplicate a view:
Duplicate - Makes a duplicated view in which only the model data of that view is copied. ...when you don’t wish to copy any tags, dimensions, or annotations from one view to the next. ...model is not copied — you’re just creating a duplicate view of the model without bringing along any 2D graphics.
Duplicate with Detailing - Makes a copy of the model data and any 2D information (such as text, dimensions, or keynotes) in the view. ...annotations and detailing that are added or edited in the original view after the duplication aren’t propagated
in the duplicated view. Only model-data modifications are propagated in the duplicated view. The copied annotations are not linked.
Duplicate as a Dependent - Not only creates a duplicate of all the model and drafting data, but also creates a dependency between the detailing information of the duplicate view and the original view. When this type of duplication is used, changes of both model (3D) and drafting (2D) elements in the original view will propagate in the duplicate view. A use case for this type of duplication would be a project with a big floor plate that you need to split into separate segments for printing."
NOTE: "Dependent views created with the third method (Duplicate as a Dependent) must always remain in the same scale as the original."
"Types of Views
Plans
Callouts (Enlarged Plan View)"
"Plans - ...To control how the plan is represented, a view range is defined."
View range settings control what you see beyond the cut plane. This applies only to floor and ceiling plans.
"View Range options ...influences the visibility and appearance of the elements in the plan or ceiling views of the project. To access ...right-click in the drawing area and choose View Properties, Edit (under Extents), View Range."
"The following list describes the Primary Range features in the View Range dialog box:
Top plane ...defines the uppermost plane above the cut plane up to which
elements will be considered. If an element is above the cut plane but still in the primary range (partially or fully), the element is visible in the plan view as if it were seen from below the element."
Cut plane ...defines the height at which the 3D elements of the model are physically cut."
"Bottom plane ...is coincident with the view depth plane, but it doesn’t have to be. If an element is below the cut plane and is wholly in the primary range, it’s still shown. Note that only a few Revit elements are considered here: windows, furniture
systems, and generic models."
"View depth ...defines the extent to which you want to view what is below the
cut plane."
"some Revit families are never cut. ...choose the Manage tab and click Project Settings, Settings, Object Styles. ...some elements are grayed out in the Cut column. These objects...are not affected by a change of cut height."
"Floor plans ...horizontal slices through the building and are associated with
levels. These views typically cut the model at 4′ (1.2 m) above the level line."
"Ceiling plans ...behave in a similar fashion to floor plans..."
"Site plans ...by default are at 1″-20′ (1:250) scale and are views from above your
model. The site plan typically shows the physical and topographic features of the model and doesn’t show certain annotations that normally would not appear at scales greater than 1⁄16″-1′ 0″ (1:200)."
"Area plans ...can be used for gross area, rentable, or Building Owners and
Managers Association (BOMA) area calculations, to name a few. To create one of these
types of plans, click the Home tab and under the Room and Area panel select Area and then Area Plan. Area plans are most effective when you have areas that span multiple rooms."
"Callout ...detail view that can be placed in plan, section, or elevation views. ...if you have a plan view...and you want to create another plan view that represents
only part...at a larger scale to show more detail, you use this command.
Callouts...show a larger-scale cutout of a view...dependent on the parent view from which it was placed. ...if the parent view is deleted, any callout view or views dependent on that parent view will also be deleted. ...two possible types of callout views for floor plans (as shown in the Type Selector when you select the Callout tool): Floor Plan and Detail View. ...the new callout will show up in the Project Browser..."
How to create a callout
(From Revit Help file)
1. In a project, click View tab, Create panel, Callout.
2. Click Callout tab, Element panel, and from the Type Selector, select the type of callout to create: a detail callout or a view callout (a callout view that has the same view type as the parent view).
3. On the Options Bar, for Scale, select a scale for the callout view.
4. To define the callout area, drag the cursor from the upper-left to the lower-right, creating a callout bubble as shown by the dashed line enclosing the upper-left corner of the grid.
5. To see the callout view, double-click the callout head to view
(see next post for continuation)
time log:
4.4.10 9:00-9:19am 19mins
4.6.10 7:40-8:10pm 30mins
4.8.10 8:40-9:40pm 60mins
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Working With Views (partial)
"Creating New Plan Views with Levels
...default plan view is referred to as a Level 1 view and is organized under Floor Plans in the Project Browser. A level typically represents one story in a building, but as you’ll see later, a level can also be used to reference the position or height of other elements..."
"Creating Levels
"To create a level using the Level tool, you have to be in section or elevation view."
...select the Level command from the Datum panel under the Home tab...draw a level using two mouse clicks to define the start point and endpoint...this will add a new
level and plan view to the model...note that the Level command is disabled
unless you’re actively in an elevation or section view."
"You can also create a level by copying an existing one. ...To create additional levels, open a section or elevation view; select the level line in the view; and, using the Copy command, copy the existing level, thus creating a new one.
...the copied level doesn’t automatically create a new view (you will see in the
Project Browser that no new plan has been added); it only gives you another level graphic in the project that shows in elevation or in section. ...useful when you need another benchmark in elevation to show heights or want to associate geometry to a level, but you don’t necessarily want to generate an associated plan view. A good example is the top of a parapet wall."
To change copied level to actual plan view, do the following:
"Adding a Plan View
...Go to View tab and under the Create panel, select Plan Views/Floor Plan. A dialog box opens that allows you to select a level and create a new floor plan based on that level. Check Do not duplicate existing views at the bottom of the dialog box. (This process is the same for ceiling plans.) The level symbol will then change to blue, indicating that it is a hyperlink to a plan view."
"Duplicating Views
...want to create a new view based on an existing floor plan? Say you already have a design plan of Level 1, but also need a presentation plan and a fully annotated plan for your documentation set. You can achieve this...by duplicating
views. ...right-click the view’s name in the Project Browser (Level 1 for
example), and choose Duplicate View from the context menu."
"three different ways to duplicate a view:
Duplicate - Makes a duplicated view in which only the model data of that view is copied. ...when you don’t wish to copy any tags, dimensions, or annotations from one view to the next. ...model is not copied — you’re just creating a duplicate view of the model without bringing along any 2D graphics.
Duplicate with Detailing - Makes a copy of the model data and any 2D information (such as text, dimensions, or keynotes) in the view. ...annotations and detailing that are added or edited in the original view after the duplication aren’t propagated
in the duplicated view. Only model-data modifications are propagated in the duplicated view. The copied annotations are not linked.
Duplicate as a Dependent - Not only creates a duplicate of all the model and drafting data, but also creates a dependency between the detailing information of the duplicate view and the original view. When this type of duplication is used, changes of both model (3D) and drafting (2D) elements in the original view will propagate in the duplicate view. A use case for this type of duplication would be a project with a big floor plate that you need to split into separate segments for printing."
NOTE: "Dependent views created with the third method (Duplicate as a Dependent) must always remain in the same scale as the original."
"Types of Views
Plans
Callouts (Enlarged Plan View)"
"Plans - ...To control how the plan is represented, a view range is defined."
View range settings control what you see beyond the cut plane. This applies only to floor and ceiling plans.
"View Range options ...influences the visibility and appearance of the elements in the plan or ceiling views of the project. To access ...right-click in the drawing area and choose View Properties, Edit (under Extents), View Range."
"The following list describes the Primary Range features in the View Range dialog box:
Top plane ...defines the uppermost plane above the cut plane up to which
elements will be considered. If an element is above the cut plane but still in the primary range (partially or fully), the element is visible in the plan view as if it were seen from below the element."
Cut plane ...defines the height at which the 3D elements of the model are physically cut."
"Bottom plane ...is coincident with the view depth plane, but it doesn’t have to be. If an element is below the cut plane and is wholly in the primary range, it’s still shown. Note that only a few Revit elements are considered here: windows, furniture
systems, and generic models."
"View depth ...defines the extent to which you want to view what is below the
cut plane."
"some Revit families are never cut. ...choose the Manage tab and click Project Settings, Settings, Object Styles. ...some elements are grayed out in the Cut column. These objects...are not affected by a change of cut height."
"Floor plans ...horizontal slices through the building and are associated with
levels. These views typically cut the model at 4′ (1.2 m) above the level line."
"Ceiling plans ...behave in a similar fashion to floor plans..."
"Site plans ...by default are at 1″-20′ (1:250) scale and are views from above your
model. The site plan typically shows the physical and topographic features of the model and doesn’t show certain annotations that normally would not appear at scales greater than 1⁄16″-1′ 0″ (1:200)."
"Area plans ...can be used for gross area, rentable, or Building Owners and
Managers Association (BOMA) area calculations, to name a few. To create one of these
types of plans, click the Home tab and under the Room and Area panel select Area and then Area Plan. Area plans are most effective when you have areas that span multiple rooms."
"Callout ...detail view that can be placed in plan, section, or elevation views. ...if you have a plan view...and you want to create another plan view that represents
only part...at a larger scale to show more detail, you use this command.
Callouts...show a larger-scale cutout of a view...dependent on the parent view from which it was placed. ...if the parent view is deleted, any callout view or views dependent on that parent view will also be deleted. ...two possible types of callout views for floor plans (as shown in the Type Selector when you select the Callout tool): Floor Plan and Detail View. ...the new callout will show up in the Project Browser..."
How to create a callout
(From Revit Help file)
1. In a project, click View tab, Create panel, Callout.
2. Click Callout tab, Element panel, and from the Type Selector, select the type of callout to create: a detail callout or a view callout (a callout view that has the same view type as the parent view).
3. On the Options Bar, for Scale, select a scale for the callout view.
4. To define the callout area, drag the cursor from the upper-left to the lower-right, creating a callout bubble as shown by the dashed line enclosing the upper-left corner of the grid.
5. To see the callout view, double-click the callout head to view
(see next post for continuation)
time log:
4.4.10 9:00-9:19am 19mins
4.6.10 7:40-8:10pm 30mins
4.8.10 8:40-9:40pm 60mins
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 3 - Creating Views
4.1.10 9:00-9:19am 19mins
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Creating Views
"Creating Views
...best understood as live snapshots of the same 3D model taken from various vantage points.
...view types: plans, sections, elevations, schedule tables, lists, 3D views, and sheets.
...easily recognized and organized in the Project Browser.
...Right-clicking any view in the Project Browser lets you access the properties of that view.
...tools for view creation can be found under the View tab in the Ribbon."
"Navigating Between Views
...Double-clicking on the name of any view in the Project Browser opens that view in the drawing area and makes it active.
...An active view can be closed later using the Close button in the upper-right corner of the view. .this will not delete the view — it will just close it in the drawing area.
To delete a view, use the right-click menu when the mouse is over the view name in the Project Browser, or delete the view symbol (such as the section mark or elevation tag) in another view where the mark is available."
"...you can use view reference graphics, including section marks, elevation tags, and levels, as hyperlinks to navigate between views.
...double-click the arrow (in the case of elevations)or the flag (for sections and callouts) to open the view."
...hyperlinking of section and elevation tags via double-clicking works only when they are not selected or highlighted. If they’re selected (highlighted blue in Revit), no matter how many times you double-click, it won’t lead you to another view."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 3 ■ Views
- Creating Views
"Creating Views
...best understood as live snapshots of the same 3D model taken from various vantage points.
...view types: plans, sections, elevations, schedule tables, lists, 3D views, and sheets.
...easily recognized and organized in the Project Browser.
...Right-clicking any view in the Project Browser lets you access the properties of that view.
...tools for view creation can be found under the View tab in the Ribbon."
"Navigating Between Views
...Double-clicking on the name of any view in the Project Browser opens that view in the drawing area and makes it active.
...An active view can be closed later using the Close button in the upper-right corner of the view. .this will not delete the view — it will just close it in the drawing area.
To delete a view, use the right-click menu when the mouse is over the view name in the Project Browser, or delete the view symbol (such as the section mark or elevation tag) in another view where the mark is available."
"...you can use view reference graphics, including section marks, elevation tags, and levels, as hyperlinks to navigate between views.
...double-click the arrow (in the case of elevations)or the flag (for sections and callouts) to open the view."
...hyperlinking of section and elevation tags via double-clicking works only when they are not selected or highlighted. If they’re selected (highlighted blue in Revit), no matter how many times you double-click, it won’t lead you to another view."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 2 - Getting Acquainted with the Revit Interface and File Types
3.31.10 5:40-6:35pm 57mins
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Revit file formats
"Revit File Formats
There are five Revit-specific file formats:
RVT
RFA
RVG
RFT
RTE"
"RVT: Revit File
Each Revit project is saved with the file extension .rvt. When you save a project using the .rvt extension, all project information is saved in that one file. This file includes all library components used in the project and imported DWG, DGN, or image files. ...It isn’t unusual for file sizes to exceed 50MB or even 100MB. If you want to share your project with another person or office, you won’t need to send them
any files other than your project *.rvt file.
Note that all flavors of Revit (Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure) use the same file format (.rvt).
If you have linked files to a project, regardless of whether they are DWG or RVT files, you will need to send them along with the project if you are sending files."
"RFA: Revit Family
The RFA file format is used for Revit library elements that can be loaded into a project. ...also referred to as families in the Project Browser. A small subset of loaded families is already available in the templates that come with Revit...bigger library of loadable content...provided...is accessible from the Insert tab, Load Family button. These libraries are starting points, and represent only a small sampling of what is possible to create in Revit.
...library elements have been created in a designated content-creation environment known as the Family Editor. ...Once created, Revit families are loaded into a project, where you can edit and make modifications to them from within the project environment at any time, thus minimizing workflow interruptions."
"Unless you changed the default installation, Revit installs all library objects in the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2010. This is the location of the default content that ships with Revit, and where the Load Family dialog box will take you."
"You can also...download content from, the Autodesk Seek website. Type in a search term in the Search field in the main toolbar and click the magnifying glass icon. You will be taken to a website where you can search for a wide range of content in various formats, including RFA files."
"RVG: Revit Group
The Revit Group file format was made obsolete with the Revit 2008 release. ...It’s somewhat similar to the Block concept in AutoCAD, but with a higher level of intelligent behavior. ...When a group is saved in Revit 2008 and later, it’s saved as an RVT file. However, groups created in previous versions of Revit that are still in the RVG file format can be used and loaded in a project."
"RFT: Family Template
...used to create custom families. The family templates are hardcoded in Revit. To see the full selection of available templates, from the Application Menu
choose New, Family. ...These templates have embedded behavior and intelligent parameters relevant to the type of object you’re creating. For example, a template for creating a window has a different set of available parameters and behaviors than a template for creating a door. ...If you cannot find an appropriate template for a new object you wish to create (a fireplace, for example), you should use the generic family or a more appropriate hosted family."
"RTE: Revit Template
...preconfigured empty drawings in which standard settings and content can
be predefined so that each time you start a new project using that template, you have a predictable starting point that incorporates your office standards."
"Here’s what you can preset in a template:
Default title blocks used for your sheets
- Loaded families
- Line styles
- Line weights
- Line patterns
- Fill patterns
- Materials
- Units
- Snaps
- Dimension styles
- Temporary dimensions
- Object styles"
"To create and save your own template, open any of the existing template files and save it as a new name. Next, modify the settings, units, fonts, and load library objects that you want to see each time you open a new project using that template."
"Starting a new project in Revit is easy. From the Application Menu, choose New, Project, and Revit will open a dialog box with the following options:
Browse - From here, you can change the default template predefined in the Settings
options and select another template.
Project - This option is selected by default. It means you’re starting a new project using one of the templates selected.
Project Template - Choose this option if you want to create your own template. Under
Create New, select Project Template, and under Template File, select the template that is most similar to what you want to create so that it serves as a basis for the new template. Make additional changes to that template, change settings, add or remove content, and save it under another name."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Revit file formats
"Revit File Formats
There are five Revit-specific file formats:
RVT
RFA
RVG
RFT
RTE"
"RVT: Revit File
Each Revit project is saved with the file extension .rvt. When you save a project using the .rvt extension, all project information is saved in that one file. This file includes all library components used in the project and imported DWG, DGN, or image files. ...It isn’t unusual for file sizes to exceed 50MB or even 100MB. If you want to share your project with another person or office, you won’t need to send them
any files other than your project *.rvt file.
Note that all flavors of Revit (Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, and Revit Structure) use the same file format (.rvt).
If you have linked files to a project, regardless of whether they are DWG or RVT files, you will need to send them along with the project if you are sending files."
"RFA: Revit Family
The RFA file format is used for Revit library elements that can be loaded into a project. ...also referred to as families in the Project Browser. A small subset of loaded families is already available in the templates that come with Revit...bigger library of loadable content...provided...is accessible from the Insert tab, Load Family button. These libraries are starting points, and represent only a small sampling of what is possible to create in Revit.
...library elements have been created in a designated content-creation environment known as the Family Editor. ...Once created, Revit families are loaded into a project, where you can edit and make modifications to them from within the project environment at any time, thus minimizing workflow interruptions."
"Unless you changed the default installation, Revit installs all library objects in the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2010. This is the location of the default content that ships with Revit, and where the Load Family dialog box will take you."
"You can also...download content from, the Autodesk Seek website. Type in a search term in the Search field in the main toolbar and click the magnifying glass icon. You will be taken to a website where you can search for a wide range of content in various formats, including RFA files."
"RVG: Revit Group
The Revit Group file format was made obsolete with the Revit 2008 release. ...It’s somewhat similar to the Block concept in AutoCAD, but with a higher level of intelligent behavior. ...When a group is saved in Revit 2008 and later, it’s saved as an RVT file. However, groups created in previous versions of Revit that are still in the RVG file format can be used and loaded in a project."
"RFT: Family Template
...used to create custom families. The family templates are hardcoded in Revit. To see the full selection of available templates, from the Application Menu
choose New, Family. ...These templates have embedded behavior and intelligent parameters relevant to the type of object you’re creating. For example, a template for creating a window has a different set of available parameters and behaviors than a template for creating a door. ...If you cannot find an appropriate template for a new object you wish to create (a fireplace, for example), you should use the generic family or a more appropriate hosted family."
"RTE: Revit Template
...preconfigured empty drawings in which standard settings and content can
be predefined so that each time you start a new project using that template, you have a predictable starting point that incorporates your office standards."
"Here’s what you can preset in a template:
Default title blocks used for your sheets
- Loaded families
- Line styles
- Line weights
- Line patterns
- Fill patterns
- Materials
- Units
- Snaps
- Dimension styles
- Temporary dimensions
- Object styles"
"To create and save your own template, open any of the existing template files and save it as a new name. Next, modify the settings, units, fonts, and load library objects that you want to see each time you open a new project using that template."
"Starting a new project in Revit is easy. From the Application Menu, choose New, Project, and Revit will open a dialog box with the following options:
Browse - From here, you can change the default template predefined in the Settings
options and select another template.
Project - This option is selected by default. It means you’re starting a new project using one of the templates selected.
Project Template - Choose this option if you want to create your own template. Under
Create New, select Project Template, and under Template File, select the template that is most similar to what you want to create so that it serves as a basis for the new template. Make additional changes to that template, change settings, add or remove content, and save it under another name."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 2 - Getting Acquainted with the Revit Interface and File Types
3.31.10 5:40-6:08 pm 28mins
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Setting up your project environment
"Project Units
...From the Manage tab in the
Project Settings panel, choose Project Units to open the dialog box s...where you can
set the measurement units, rounding convention (number of decimals), and suffixes for length, area, volume, and angle. You can also define the way you measure slopes — in rise or angle degrees — as well as the symbol used for the decimal division (point or comma)."
"Snaps
...define snaps by choosing the Manage tab, Project Settings panel and expand the Settings button to find the Snaps settings. In the resulting dialog box, you can turn the snaps on or off globally, set a variety of snap types, and specify the angular and length increments at which the system will snap.
...Snap Overrides ...during creation of elements. Right-click when drawing a wall, and you can override any of the project definitions for Snap by choosing Snap Overrides and selecting the option you need."
"Close
If an element you’re drawing is part of a chain (connected lines or walls) and is a valid open loop, you can close it by selecting the Close command from the context menu: Snap Shortcuts, Close.
You can access the same function with the keyboard shortcut SZ."
NOTE
"the system is preset to straighten out lines or walls drawn in small angles. This is helpful when creating new projects, but it can be an issue when you’re working with existing projects, especially surveyed properties or old buildings. If you import a .dwg from such a project, Revit will automatically make something like a 0.00005-degree angle into a 0- or 90-degree angle, and this might affect the final precision of your outcome."
NOTE
"Snap is on by default. If you are creating a project of an existing building and are drawing it directly in Revit, turning off Snap will be helpful; otherwise, Revit will force you to round angles to the first minimum snap angle defined."
"Line Weights
Revit has a global setting for displaying line thicknesses on the screen and the printed page. Revit provides independent control over cut and projected line weights on a per-category basis, giving you a great deal of flexibility. For example, cut lines for walls are often represented with thicker lines than walls in elevation. You can choose from 16 preset line weights that range from very thin to very thick.
Revit does an excellent job of presetting these line weights to produce a good graphical display of your model on the printed page. We don’t recommend manipulating the dialog box shown in Figure 2.82; however, if you’re unhappy with the print quality of the line weights, you can access the values in this dialog box and make changes by selecting the Manage tab and in the Project Settings panel, click Settings and then click Line Weights."
"Object Styles
Line colors and styles are defined in the Object Styles dialog box.
To access this dialog box, select the Manage tab, and in the Project Settings panel click Settings and then click Object Styles.
...each Revit element has an assigned line weight number that corresponds to what is defined in the Line Weights dialog box. The line weights chosen for Projection (elevation) and Cut can vary depending on your requirements. You can also define line color and line pattern for each category here."
"Options
The Options button in previous versions of Revit was also located under Settings, but in the new Revit 2010 UI it has been moved to the Application Menu.
...you will find a variety of other options for using Revit.
The tabs for this function include the following:
General - ...set your save-reminder intervals and your username. By default, your username is the same as your Windows login name.
Graphics - ...you can change some of the settings for your graphics card and the screen colors in Revit. ...by default has a white screen with black lines (the inverse of AutoCAD). ...specify selection and highlight colors, and
enable anti-aliasing for 3D views.
File Locations - ...stores the location of your default paths for templates, user files, and most important, paths to your family libraries. The path you defined for your Revit families is the one that you will be linked to when you choose the Load Family option, which becomes available upon selection or creation of any of the Revit elements (try Window as an example). You can add new links to personal library folders as well.
Rendering - ...shows you the default installation path to the new rendering library,
used when you render views. ...also where you can add additional material libraries,
as well as licensed ArchVision (photorealistic rendering entourage) content.
Spelling - ...allows you to specify various settings for automated spelling and indicate the dictionary that you want to be used. You can leave the default Revit dictionary or switch to a Microsoft Office dictionary, change the language settings, and add other dictionaries.
SteeringWheels - ...offers various controls over the visibility of the SteeringWheel,
its size and opacity on the screen, and some additional settings, such as the Zoom and Orbit settings. You can also access these settings by clicking Options in the Wheel context menu (the Options dialog box opens with the SteeringWheels tab selected).
ViewCube - ...allows you to set the appearance of the ViewCube as well as some
behavioral and scene settings..."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Setting up your project environment
"Project Units
...From the Manage tab in the
Project Settings panel, choose Project Units to open the dialog box s...where you can
set the measurement units, rounding convention (number of decimals), and suffixes for length, area, volume, and angle. You can also define the way you measure slopes — in rise or angle degrees — as well as the symbol used for the decimal division (point or comma)."
"Snaps
...define snaps by choosing the Manage tab, Project Settings panel and expand the Settings button to find the Snaps settings. In the resulting dialog box, you can turn the snaps on or off globally, set a variety of snap types, and specify the angular and length increments at which the system will snap.
...Snap Overrides ...during creation of elements. Right-click when drawing a wall, and you can override any of the project definitions for Snap by choosing Snap Overrides and selecting the option you need."
"Close
If an element you’re drawing is part of a chain (connected lines or walls) and is a valid open loop, you can close it by selecting the Close command from the context menu: Snap Shortcuts, Close.
You can access the same function with the keyboard shortcut SZ."
NOTE
"the system is preset to straighten out lines or walls drawn in small angles. This is helpful when creating new projects, but it can be an issue when you’re working with existing projects, especially surveyed properties or old buildings. If you import a .dwg from such a project, Revit will automatically make something like a 0.00005-degree angle into a 0- or 90-degree angle, and this might affect the final precision of your outcome."
NOTE
"Snap is on by default. If you are creating a project of an existing building and are drawing it directly in Revit, turning off Snap will be helpful; otherwise, Revit will force you to round angles to the first minimum snap angle defined."
"Line Weights
Revit has a global setting for displaying line thicknesses on the screen and the printed page. Revit provides independent control over cut and projected line weights on a per-category basis, giving you a great deal of flexibility. For example, cut lines for walls are often represented with thicker lines than walls in elevation. You can choose from 16 preset line weights that range from very thin to very thick.
Revit does an excellent job of presetting these line weights to produce a good graphical display of your model on the printed page. We don’t recommend manipulating the dialog box shown in Figure 2.82; however, if you’re unhappy with the print quality of the line weights, you can access the values in this dialog box and make changes by selecting the Manage tab and in the Project Settings panel, click Settings and then click Line Weights."
"Object Styles
Line colors and styles are defined in the Object Styles dialog box.
To access this dialog box, select the Manage tab, and in the Project Settings panel click Settings and then click Object Styles.
...each Revit element has an assigned line weight number that corresponds to what is defined in the Line Weights dialog box. The line weights chosen for Projection (elevation) and Cut can vary depending on your requirements. You can also define line color and line pattern for each category here."
"Options
The Options button in previous versions of Revit was also located under Settings, but in the new Revit 2010 UI it has been moved to the Application Menu.
...you will find a variety of other options for using Revit.
The tabs for this function include the following:
General - ...set your save-reminder intervals and your username. By default, your username is the same as your Windows login name.
Graphics - ...you can change some of the settings for your graphics card and the screen colors in Revit. ...by default has a white screen with black lines (the inverse of AutoCAD). ...specify selection and highlight colors, and
enable anti-aliasing for 3D views.
File Locations - ...stores the location of your default paths for templates, user files, and most important, paths to your family libraries. The path you defined for your Revit families is the one that you will be linked to when you choose the Load Family option, which becomes available upon selection or creation of any of the Revit elements (try Window as an example). You can add new links to personal library folders as well.
Rendering - ...shows you the default installation path to the new rendering library,
used when you render views. ...also where you can add additional material libraries,
as well as licensed ArchVision (photorealistic rendering entourage) content.
Spelling - ...allows you to specify various settings for automated spelling and indicate the dictionary that you want to be used. You can leave the default Revit dictionary or switch to a Microsoft Office dictionary, change the language settings, and add other dictionaries.
SteeringWheels - ...offers various controls over the visibility of the SteeringWheel,
its size and opacity on the screen, and some additional settings, such as the Zoom and Orbit settings. You can also access these settings by clicking Options in the Wheel context menu (the Options dialog box opens with the SteeringWheels tab selected).
ViewCube - ...allows you to set the appearance of the ViewCube as well as some
behavioral and scene settings..."
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 2 - Getting Acquainted with the Revit Interface and File Types
3.31.10 5:05-5:38pm 33mins
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Overview of the Revit user interface
- Modifying and personalizing the interface
- Selecting objects and navigating views
- Using keyboard shortcuts
"...user interface (UI) of Revit 2010 is dramatically different from that of its previous version. ...entire family of Autodesk products, has moved to the “ribbon” paradigm..."
"The ribbon UI in Revit can be changed and customized per your needs. This feature is
new in Revit 2010. A full customization of the UI is still not possible; however, you can make certain changes to it, such as modifying the panel order or moving a panel off the Ribbon to your desktop. Revit 2010 supports working across multiple monitors."
"change the order of the panels within the tabs and also undock them from the
Ribbon so they float in the workspace and are visible at all times. With multiple monitors, you can move these panels from screen to screen."
"Revit, you can undock the Project Browser and make it float over the drawing area."
"Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work with Revit. The shortcuts assigned to the existing Revit commands are unfortunately not as obvious in the new UI as they were previously. You have to hover over a tool and wait for the tooltip to appear in order to see the assigned shortcut, which is described with two uppercase letters. To change the automatically assigned shortcuts, edit the Keyboard Shortcuts.txt file located in \Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\. This location is unchanged from previous releases of Revit. You will have to restart Revit after changing the keyboard shortcuts in the .txt file."
"Tab - ...similar to the Cycle command you may know from AutoCAD. It allows you to cycle through various elements near the cursor when more than one is present. ...useful when you’re dimensioning because it allows you to cycle through various references of the elements dimensioned (dimension to wall center instead of wall face; opening of a door
instead of outer frame; and so on). The Tab key is also used to select chains of connected
lines and walls."
"Shift+Tab - ...reverses the default order in which the Tab command cycles."
"Ctrl - ...used to add multiple objects to a selection at the same time."
"Ctrl+Tab - ...will cycle through open views. Use this to quickly move from view to view."
"Shift - ...some elements in Revit are constrained to move horizontally or vertically only. Revit gives you visual clues indicating which way a selected element can move. You can remove this constraint by holding the Shift key while repositioning the element. ...some elements can move in any direction by default, but holding the Shift key while moving them constrains their direction."
"Delete - ...used to delete selected elements from the model. ...also use the Backspace key to delete elements."
"Ctrl+Z - undo"
"Ctrl+Y - redo"
"Multiple undo operations can also be performed from the quick-access toolbar using the list of recent commands. Dragging the mouse down this list undoes all selected commands in one step."
"Spacebar - ...mostly used to cycle through rotation of an element during or after placement."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 2 ■ Getting Acquainted with the
Revit Interface and File Types
- Overview of the Revit user interface
- Modifying and personalizing the interface
- Selecting objects and navigating views
- Using keyboard shortcuts
"...user interface (UI) of Revit 2010 is dramatically different from that of its previous version. ...entire family of Autodesk products, has moved to the “ribbon” paradigm..."
"The ribbon UI in Revit can be changed and customized per your needs. This feature is
new in Revit 2010. A full customization of the UI is still not possible; however, you can make certain changes to it, such as modifying the panel order or moving a panel off the Ribbon to your desktop. Revit 2010 supports working across multiple monitors."
"change the order of the panels within the tabs and also undock them from the
Ribbon so they float in the workspace and are visible at all times. With multiple monitors, you can move these panels from screen to screen."
"Revit, you can undock the Project Browser and make it float over the drawing area."
"Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work with Revit. The shortcuts assigned to the existing Revit commands are unfortunately not as obvious in the new UI as they were previously. You have to hover over a tool and wait for the tooltip to appear in order to see the assigned shortcut, which is described with two uppercase letters. To change the automatically assigned shortcuts, edit the Keyboard Shortcuts.txt file located in \Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\. This location is unchanged from previous releases of Revit. You will have to restart Revit after changing the keyboard shortcuts in the .txt file."
"Tab - ...similar to the Cycle command you may know from AutoCAD. It allows you to cycle through various elements near the cursor when more than one is present. ...useful when you’re dimensioning because it allows you to cycle through various references of the elements dimensioned (dimension to wall center instead of wall face; opening of a door
instead of outer frame; and so on). The Tab key is also used to select chains of connected
lines and walls."
"Shift+Tab - ...reverses the default order in which the Tab command cycles."
"Ctrl - ...used to add multiple objects to a selection at the same time."
"Ctrl+Tab - ...will cycle through open views. Use this to quickly move from view to view."
"Shift - ...some elements in Revit are constrained to move horizontally or vertically only. Revit gives you visual clues indicating which way a selected element can move. You can remove this constraint by holding the Shift key while repositioning the element. ...some elements can move in any direction by default, but holding the Shift key while moving them constrains their direction."
"Delete - ...used to delete selected elements from the model. ...also use the Backspace key to delete elements."
"Ctrl+Z - undo"
"Ctrl+Y - redo"
"Multiple undo operations can also be performed from the quick-access toolbar using the list of recent commands. Dragging the mouse down this list undoes all selected commands in one step."
"Spacebar - ...mostly used to cycle through rotation of an element during or after placement."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Chapter 1 - Tips for Getting Started in Revit
3.28.10 9:10-9:45am
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- Tips for Getting Started in Revit
"a few pointers to help you get started.
"Begin with the end in mind. When you begin any project, planning is always a good way to start. ...forethought about your process, workflow, and desired outcome."
"Get your project and office standards in place early. ...If possible, get your standards in place before you begin a project. ...Once you nail down your standards, they can be easily applied to your project using Transfer Project Standards."
"Remember that the first project you do in Revit is a change in methodology. you’re leveraging technology to help you change the way you approach design and documentation. Don’t expect the process to have the same workflow as it did in a CAD-based system."
"One of the most important rules to follow as you begin your project is to model the building as it will be built, but keep in mind that you do not need to model every condition threedimensionally. Use Revit to get the essential dimensions and building form coordinated. You can then embellish the model with 2D details to convey the fine grain."
"Model correctly from the beginning. We can’t stress this enough. As you refine your
design, it’s critical to model correctly right from the beginning so you don’t have to fix things later. ...It’s good practice to plan ahead, but
remember that Revit will allow you to make major changes at any stage in the process
and still maintain coordination. If you are still in early phase of design and do not know the exact wall type, use generic walls to capture your design intent; changing these later will be simple."
"Get information into the project as soon as it is known. ...design change is largely managed by the software itself. ...a great deal of flexibility in both your design and documentation. Take advantage of this shift in the process, and add information to your model early. It can be in the form of more detailed content or showing the material construction of your wall system. ...you can change all this information much more quickly and easily than you ever could in CAD, so don’t assume you’re locked into the information you displayed early in the design process."
"Plan for better communication among team members early in the process. ...Revit’s single-model environment forces a much higher degree of team communication between, not only the architects, but also the structural and mechanical engineers."
"Don’t try to model everything. ...Typical workstations aren’t capable of handling all the data of a building in model form. Additionally, few projects have the time in their schedule...In the beginning, err on the side of simplicity. It’s far easier to add complexity to your model later on as you gain experience and confidence than it is to troubleshoot over-constrained parameters early in the process. Start with the
big ideas: walls, openings, roofs, and so forth. Work your way down to a comfortable level of detail for both you and your computer."
"Organize your team. A BIM project team includes three basic technical roles.
Building designer. This is the person or team whose primary responsibility is to figure out what the project will look like and how it will be made. They create walls, floors, and roofs, and locate windows, doors, and other building elements.
Content/family creator. The family creator’s primary role is to create the parametric
content in the Revit model. This is typically someone with 3D experience who also
has a firm understanding of Revit and Revit families. The families, as you’ll see later, have parameters that can control visibility, size, color, proportion, and a number of other things.
Documenter. This role supplies the bulk of the documentation. It consists of drafting
some of the 2D line work over portions of the 3D model to show detail, adding annotations and keynotes, and creating details."
Most important tip of all, don't be afraid to ask for help. Or at least look for it online.
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- Tips for Getting Started in Revit
"a few pointers to help you get started.
"Begin with the end in mind. When you begin any project, planning is always a good way to start. ...forethought about your process, workflow, and desired outcome."
"Get your project and office standards in place early. ...If possible, get your standards in place before you begin a project. ...Once you nail down your standards, they can be easily applied to your project using Transfer Project Standards."
"Remember that the first project you do in Revit is a change in methodology. you’re leveraging technology to help you change the way you approach design and documentation. Don’t expect the process to have the same workflow as it did in a CAD-based system."
"One of the most important rules to follow as you begin your project is to model the building as it will be built, but keep in mind that you do not need to model every condition threedimensionally. Use Revit to get the essential dimensions and building form coordinated. You can then embellish the model with 2D details to convey the fine grain."
"Model correctly from the beginning. We can’t stress this enough. As you refine your
design, it’s critical to model correctly right from the beginning so you don’t have to fix things later. ...It’s good practice to plan ahead, but
remember that Revit will allow you to make major changes at any stage in the process
and still maintain coordination. If you are still in early phase of design and do not know the exact wall type, use generic walls to capture your design intent; changing these later will be simple."
"Get information into the project as soon as it is known. ...design change is largely managed by the software itself. ...a great deal of flexibility in both your design and documentation. Take advantage of this shift in the process, and add information to your model early. It can be in the form of more detailed content or showing the material construction of your wall system. ...you can change all this information much more quickly and easily than you ever could in CAD, so don’t assume you’re locked into the information you displayed early in the design process."
"Plan for better communication among team members early in the process. ...Revit’s single-model environment forces a much higher degree of team communication between, not only the architects, but also the structural and mechanical engineers."
"Don’t try to model everything. ...Typical workstations aren’t capable of handling all the data of a building in model form. Additionally, few projects have the time in their schedule...In the beginning, err on the side of simplicity. It’s far easier to add complexity to your model later on as you gain experience and confidence than it is to troubleshoot over-constrained parameters early in the process. Start with the
big ideas: walls, openings, roofs, and so forth. Work your way down to a comfortable level of detail for both you and your computer."
"Organize your team. A BIM project team includes three basic technical roles.
Building designer. This is the person or team whose primary responsibility is to figure out what the project will look like and how it will be made. They create walls, floors, and roofs, and locate windows, doors, and other building elements.
Content/family creator. The family creator’s primary role is to create the parametric
content in the Revit model. This is typically someone with 3D experience who also
has a firm understanding of Revit and Revit families. The families, as you’ll see later, have parameters that can control visibility, size, color, proportion, and a number of other things.
Documenter. This role supplies the bulk of the documentation. It consists of drafting
some of the 2D line work over portions of the 3D model to show detail, adding annotations and keynotes, and creating details."
Most important tip of all, don't be afraid to ask for help. Or at least look for it online.
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners:Chapter 1 - Types of Elements in Revit
3.28.10 8:25-9:05am
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- Types of Elements in Revit
"
Types of Elements in Revit
Every parametric object in Revit is considered a family. ...The categories are divided into two primary buckets: model categories and annotation categories."
"organizes all the data in the model using building industry-specific classifications. ...manages relationships among classes of elements as well as their graphical display. ...fixed list of categories...and a generic category to which unusual, nonstandard elements can be assigned. Every element...belongs to one of these fixed categories."
"Model categories include all physical object types typically found in buildings. All 3D families will use one of these categories...elements that don’t fit into the Revit categorization system, the generic model category can be used."
"Annotation categories are all the annotations, symbols, text, and other 2D data added to a view to describe how the building is to be constructed. ...annotations are view specific and appear only in the view they were created in."
"To view all the model and annotation categories, select the Manage tab and from the
Settings panel, select Object Styles. ...Below each category can be many subcategories. ...elements. you can add or remove subcategories when creating or editing families. The beauty of this system is that you can control the visibility and graphics of each subcategory independently. This allows you to use different line weights for different subcomponents of families.
Controlling the Visibility of Elements
"Instead of using layers, Revit uses object categories’ view-specific settings to control how a drawing looks. The Visibility/graphic Overrides dialog box,...lets you control visibility of categories on a view-by-view basis. For example, instead of putting door handles on their own layer so they show only in high-scaled detailed views, Revit has commands to control the visibility of elements per view. If you don’t want to show the fine-grained details of an element, such as door handles and hardware, you can change the level of detail for your view..."
"Families in Revit
Independently of whether it’s a model or annotation category, a Revit element (from now on, family) can be a system family, a component family, or an in-place family.
System Families
"Examples of system families are walls, roofs, floors, ceilings, stairs, railings, ramps, and mullions. To create a system family, you must be in the project environment (you will not be able to create system families in the Family Editor). To make new, additional types of these families, you need to duplicate an existing family of the same type and modify it. So, to create a new wall type, for example, you must duplicate an existing wall, change its name, and then change the properties of the wall."
"...you cannot save a system family to a shared library as a
standalone component, it is possible to transfer these families between projects. To reuse system families from one project to another, select Manage ➔ Transfer Project Standards, then choose the category you want to transfer."
"Component Families
Component families (sometimes called standard families) are created outside of the project environment — still in Revit, but in a specific environment called the Family Editor. Component families have their own file format extension (.rfa) and can be stored or edited as separate files independent of a model, and then loaded at any time into a project."
"In-Place Families
In-place families are custom objects that are specific to a certain context within the model. A complex railing fence on a site is an example of an in-place family. ...Avoid making in-place families if you plan to reuse the family, or have multiple instances of it in the project."
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- Types of Elements in Revit
"
Types of Elements in Revit
Every parametric object in Revit is considered a family. ...The categories are divided into two primary buckets: model categories and annotation categories."
"organizes all the data in the model using building industry-specific classifications. ...manages relationships among classes of elements as well as their graphical display. ...fixed list of categories...and a generic category to which unusual, nonstandard elements can be assigned. Every element...belongs to one of these fixed categories."
"Model categories include all physical object types typically found in buildings. All 3D families will use one of these categories...elements that don’t fit into the Revit categorization system, the generic model category can be used."
"Annotation categories are all the annotations, symbols, text, and other 2D data added to a view to describe how the building is to be constructed. ...annotations are view specific and appear only in the view they were created in."
"To view all the model and annotation categories, select the Manage tab and from the
Settings panel, select Object Styles. ...Below each category can be many subcategories. ...elements. you can add or remove subcategories when creating or editing families. The beauty of this system is that you can control the visibility and graphics of each subcategory independently. This allows you to use different line weights for different subcomponents of families.
Controlling the Visibility of Elements
"Instead of using layers, Revit uses object categories’ view-specific settings to control how a drawing looks. The Visibility/graphic Overrides dialog box,...lets you control visibility of categories on a view-by-view basis. For example, instead of putting door handles on their own layer so they show only in high-scaled detailed views, Revit has commands to control the visibility of elements per view. If you don’t want to show the fine-grained details of an element, such as door handles and hardware, you can change the level of detail for your view..."
"Families in Revit
Independently of whether it’s a model or annotation category, a Revit element (from now on, family) can be a system family, a component family, or an in-place family.
System Families
"Examples of system families are walls, roofs, floors, ceilings, stairs, railings, ramps, and mullions. To create a system family, you must be in the project environment (you will not be able to create system families in the Family Editor). To make new, additional types of these families, you need to duplicate an existing family of the same type and modify it. So, to create a new wall type, for example, you must duplicate an existing wall, change its name, and then change the properties of the wall."
"...you cannot save a system family to a shared library as a
standalone component, it is possible to transfer these families between projects. To reuse system families from one project to another, select Manage ➔ Transfer Project Standards, then choose the category you want to transfer."
"Component Families
Component families (sometimes called standard families) are created outside of the project environment — still in Revit, but in a specific environment called the Family Editor. Component families have their own file format extension (.rfa) and can be stored or edited as separate files independent of a model, and then loaded at any time into a project."
"In-Place Families
In-place families are custom objects that are specific to a certain context within the model. A complex railing fence on a site is an example of an in-place family. ...Avoid making in-place families if you plan to reuse the family, or have multiple instances of it in the project."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners: Notes #1
3.17.10 9:05-10:05pm
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- A Brief History of Architectural Documentation
- Advantages of a BIM Approach
- How BIM Is Different from CAD
- Why Revit?
- Revit Concepts
I skimmed these first three chapters as I have had a good start with the native Revit tutorials. I suggest reading them if you are starting fresh with the program.
Here are a few notes of items I discovered that I either found to be significant moving to BIM from 2D CAD or didn't learn through the Revit intro tutorials.
"example, in Revit, there is no way to accidentally place a window into the ″wall″ layer. In a BIM world, layers become obsolete"
Wow! As a CAD manager, this is just astounding and exciting. No more endless debates over layer names, color settings or lineweights.
"Revit is the most technologically advanced BIM application. Currently, a number of BIM applications are on the market, provided by a host of different software vendors. While most other BIM applications in today’s market are based on technology that is 20-plus years old, Revit was designed from the ground up as a BIM platform to specifically address problem areas of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry"
I can't say if Revit is the most advanced, market share pushed me towards it. Interesting nonetheless.
"the name Revit comes from ″Revise Instantly.″"
"Revit has embedded logical relationships among elements, so that when one is modified, all related objects follow the change."
"If for some reason this automatic behavior is not to your liking...and do not want to have existing conditions be affected by new construction...Hover the mouse over the end of a selected wall, right-click, and choose Disallow Join from the context menu. Only that one wall will be modified, and the others will not be affected.
You can also lock elements in place to prevent unintended consequences."
"User-Defined Rules
Revit allows you to define and lock these relationships with constraints: explicit dimensional rules that keep elements locked to one another."
Any element can be locked in place or rules can be set for items placed such always keeping a door jamb 4" from the adjacent wall.
to be continued...
Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners
Chapter 1 ■ Understanding BIM
- A Brief History of Architectural Documentation
- Advantages of a BIM Approach
- How BIM Is Different from CAD
- Why Revit?
- Revit Concepts
I skimmed these first three chapters as I have had a good start with the native Revit tutorials. I suggest reading them if you are starting fresh with the program.
Here are a few notes of items I discovered that I either found to be significant moving to BIM from 2D CAD or didn't learn through the Revit intro tutorials.
"example, in Revit, there is no way to accidentally place a window into the ″wall″ layer. In a BIM world, layers become obsolete"
Wow! As a CAD manager, this is just astounding and exciting. No more endless debates over layer names, color settings or lineweights.
"Revit is the most technologically advanced BIM application. Currently, a number of BIM applications are on the market, provided by a host of different software vendors. While most other BIM applications in today’s market are based on technology that is 20-plus years old, Revit was designed from the ground up as a BIM platform to specifically address problem areas of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry"
I can't say if Revit is the most advanced, market share pushed me towards it. Interesting nonetheless.
"the name Revit comes from ″Revise Instantly.″"
"Revit has embedded logical relationships among elements, so that when one is modified, all related objects follow the change."
"If for some reason this automatic behavior is not to your liking...and do not want to have existing conditions be affected by new construction...Hover the mouse over the end of a selected wall, right-click, and choose Disallow Join from the context menu. Only that one wall will be modified, and the others will not be affected.
You can also lock elements in place to prevent unintended consequences."
"User-Defined Rules
Revit allows you to define and lock these relationships with constraints: explicit dimensional rules that keep elements locked to one another."
Any element can be locked in place or rules can be set for items placed such always keeping a door jamb 4" from the adjacent wall.
to be continued...
Starting New Revit Training Book
I finished all of the tutorials under the Revit help menu. I was looking forward to starting the "skill builder" set of tutorials, especially the "Conceptual Design Environment Tutorial" set of videos. They are turning out not to be tutorials in the truest sense. They show you methods but they don't walk you through each command or even where to find them exactly.
So, now I am abandoning them and starting with new training book. It's entitled "Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners". I plan on going through this book then continuing with one of the Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 books. Probably the one by Paul F. Aubin.
So far this blog has just been a log of what tutorials i've studied and when. I hope to change this by including personal tips and limited commentary to hopefully supplement the chapter or material being studied.
So, now I am abandoning them and starting with new training book. It's entitled "Introducing Revit Architecture 2010, BIM for Beginners". I plan on going through this book then continuing with one of the Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 books. Probably the one by Paul F. Aubin.
So far this blog has just been a log of what tutorials i've studied and when. I hope to change this by including personal tips and limited commentary to hopefully supplement the chapter or material being studied.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Recording the Walkthrough
3/10/2010 11:10-11:34 AM 0:24 mns
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Recording the Walkthrough
Training Files = Imperial\RAC_CW_03_Record_i.rvt.
In this exercise, you record the walkthrough that you created in the previous exercise by exporting it to an AVI file. When you export the walkthrough, you can select to display the walkthrough in wireframe, hidden line, shading, shading with edges, or rendering. This file can be reviewed and played in a media player for presentation purposes.
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Recording the Walkthrough
Training Files = Imperial\RAC_CW_03_Record_i.rvt.
In this exercise, you record the walkthrough that you created in the previous exercise by exporting it to an AVI file. When you export the walkthrough, you can select to display the walkthrough in wireframe, hidden line, shading, shading with edges, or rendering. This file can be reviewed and played in a media player for presentation purposes.
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Modifying the Camera Position and the Walkthrough Path
3/9/2010 8:41-9:05 PM 0:24 mns
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Modifying the Camera Position and the Walkthrough Path
In this exercise, you learn how to edit the walkthrough path and adjust the camera position in the walkthrough that you created in the previous exercise.
Training File = Imperial\RAC_CW_02_Adjust_Camera_and_Path_i.rvt.
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Modifying the Camera Position and the Walkthrough Path
In this exercise, you learn how to edit the walkthrough path and adjust the camera position in the walkthrough that you created in the previous exercise.
Training File = Imperial\RAC_CW_02_Adjust_Camera_and_Path_i.rvt.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Creating a Walkthrough Path
03.09.10 8:25-8:41 PM 0:16 mns
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Creating a Walkthrough Path
In this exercise, you begin to create a walkthrough for presentation purposes. The first step in creating the walkthrough is to define the path and the overall properties of the camera, such as the field of vision and the view depth (back clipping plane).
Training Files = Imperial\RAC_CW_01_Walkthrough_Path_i.rvt.
Presenting a Project - Creating and Recording Walkthroughs: Creating a Walkthrough Path
In this exercise, you begin to create a walkthrough for presentation purposes. The first step in creating the walkthrough is to define the path and the overall properties of the camera, such as the field of vision and the view depth (back clipping plane).
Training Files = Imperial\RAC_CW_01_Walkthrough_Path_i.rvt.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Multi-Tutorial Update February 13-23
I was without internet for a week so I am just going to post a list of my study topics and times for these items. I am almost complete with the Revit standard tutorials. I will move to the online content after that.
2/13/2010
12:47 PM1:28 PM 0:41 Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Walls
1:28 PM 1:46 PM 0:18 Adding Basic Building Elements: Placing Windows and Doors
3:19 PM 3:31 PM 0:12 Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Ceilings
3:39 PM 3:49 PM 0:10 "Exporting a Revit Architecture Building Model to Green Building Studio Specifying Settings for Exporting to gbXML
"
3:49 PM 4:23 PM 0:34 "Exporting a Revit Architecture Building Model to Green Building Studio Modifying the Geometry"
2/15/2010
10:15 AM 10:33 AM 0:18 Adding Stairs and Railings: Adding a Straight Stair
10:48 AM 10:58 AM 0:10 Adding Stairs and Railings: Adding a U-Shaped Stair
10:58 AM 11:30 AM 0:32 Adding Stairs and Railings: Modifying Railings
11:50 AM 12:04 PM 0:14 Adding Stairs and Railings: Placing Railings
2/16/2010
10:45 AM 10:55 AM 0:10 Adding Other Design Elements: Placing Rooms
10:55 AM 11:08 AM 0:13 Adding Other Design Elements: Defining an Area Color Scheme
1:11 PM 1:40 PM 0:29 Adding Other Design Elements: Creating an Area Plan
2:00 PM 2:15 PM 0:15 Adding Other Design Elements: Adding Furniture
2:34 PM 2:44 PM 0:10 Adding Other Design Elements: Adding Furniture (CONT.)
4:22 PM 4:50 PM 0:28 Refining the Building Model: Modifying Wall Components
9:55 PM 10:15 PM 0:20 Refining the Building Model: Defining a Curtain Wall
10:15 PM 10:20 PM 0:05 Refining the Building Model: Changing Family Types
10:20 PM 10:37 PM 0:17 Refining the Building Model: Adding Curtain Wall Doors
10:37 PM 10:53 PM 0:16 Refining the Building Model: Adding a Wall Sweep (aka Parapet Coping) and Adding Reveals
11:16 PM 11:23 PM 0:07 Adding Parametric Relationships: Adding Parametric Relationships
11:23 PM 11:31 PM 0:08 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Duplicating and Modifying Views
11:31 PM11:51 PM 0:20 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Section and Elevation Views
2/17/2010
12:40 PM 12:51 PM 0:11 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Callout Views
12:52 PM 12:59 PM 0:07 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Sheets
10:25 PM 10:35 PM 0:10 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Placing Views
11:40 PM 11:45 PM 0:05 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Dimensions
11:45 PM 11:59 PM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Automatic Wall Dimensions
12:00 AM 12:10 AM 0:10 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Text Annotation
12:10 AM 12:24 AM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Tagging Objects: Sequentially Placing and Tagging Rooms
2/18/2010
11:35 AM 11:42 AM 0:07 Documenting a Project - Tagging Objects: Tagging Doors, Windows, and Walls
11:42 AM 11:51 AM 0:09 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Door Schedule
11:51 AM 11:56 AM 0:05 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Key Schedule
1:38 PM 1:44 PM 0:06 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Key Schedule (CONT.)
1:44 PM 2:02 PM 0:18 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Room Finish Schedule
7:22 PM 8:00 PM 0:38 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Detailing the View and Adding Text Annotation
2/19/2010
12:30 PM 12:49 PM 0:19 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Creating a Detail and Adding Keynote Annotations
1:05 PM 1:19 PM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Importing a Detail into a Drafting View
2/20/2010
12:25 PM 12:43 PM 0:18 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Applying Materials and Textures to the Building Model
1:55 PM 2:10 PM 0:15 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Creating a Perspective View
2:20 PM 2:50 PM 0:30 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Creating a Daytime Rendering
2/23/2010
9:45 AM 10:07 AM 0:22 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Interior View: Adding RPC People
2/13/2010
12:47 PM1:28 PM 0:41 Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Walls
1:28 PM 1:46 PM 0:18 Adding Basic Building Elements: Placing Windows and Doors
3:19 PM 3:31 PM 0:12 Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Ceilings
3:39 PM 3:49 PM 0:10 "Exporting a Revit Architecture Building Model to Green Building Studio Specifying Settings for Exporting to gbXML
"
3:49 PM 4:23 PM 0:34 "Exporting a Revit Architecture Building Model to Green Building Studio Modifying the Geometry"
2/15/2010
10:15 AM 10:33 AM 0:18 Adding Stairs and Railings: Adding a Straight Stair
10:48 AM 10:58 AM 0:10 Adding Stairs and Railings: Adding a U-Shaped Stair
10:58 AM 11:30 AM 0:32 Adding Stairs and Railings: Modifying Railings
11:50 AM 12:04 PM 0:14 Adding Stairs and Railings: Placing Railings
2/16/2010
10:45 AM 10:55 AM 0:10 Adding Other Design Elements: Placing Rooms
10:55 AM 11:08 AM 0:13 Adding Other Design Elements: Defining an Area Color Scheme
1:11 PM 1:40 PM 0:29 Adding Other Design Elements: Creating an Area Plan
2:00 PM 2:15 PM 0:15 Adding Other Design Elements: Adding Furniture
2:34 PM 2:44 PM 0:10 Adding Other Design Elements: Adding Furniture (CONT.)
4:22 PM 4:50 PM 0:28 Refining the Building Model: Modifying Wall Components
9:55 PM 10:15 PM 0:20 Refining the Building Model: Defining a Curtain Wall
10:15 PM 10:20 PM 0:05 Refining the Building Model: Changing Family Types
10:20 PM 10:37 PM 0:17 Refining the Building Model: Adding Curtain Wall Doors
10:37 PM 10:53 PM 0:16 Refining the Building Model: Adding a Wall Sweep (aka Parapet Coping) and Adding Reveals
11:16 PM 11:23 PM 0:07 Adding Parametric Relationships: Adding Parametric Relationships
11:23 PM 11:31 PM 0:08 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Duplicating and Modifying Views
11:31 PM11:51 PM 0:20 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Section and Elevation Views
2/17/2010
12:40 PM 12:51 PM 0:11 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Callout Views
12:52 PM 12:59 PM 0:07 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Creating Sheets
10:25 PM 10:35 PM 0:10 Documenting a Project - Adding Views and Sheets to a Project: Placing Views
11:40 PM 11:45 PM 0:05 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Dimensions
11:45 PM 11:59 PM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Automatic Wall Dimensions
12:00 AM 12:10 AM 0:10 Documenting a Project - Annotating and Dimensioning: Creating Text Annotation
12:10 AM 12:24 AM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Tagging Objects: Sequentially Placing and Tagging Rooms
2/18/2010
11:35 AM 11:42 AM 0:07 Documenting a Project - Tagging Objects: Tagging Doors, Windows, and Walls
11:42 AM 11:51 AM 0:09 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Door Schedule
11:51 AM 11:56 AM 0:05 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Key Schedule
1:38 PM 1:44 PM 0:06 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Key Schedule (CONT.)
1:44 PM 2:02 PM 0:18 Documenting a Project - Defining Schedules: Creating a Room Finish Schedule
7:22 PM 8:00 PM 0:38 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Detailing the View and Adding Text Annotation
2/19/2010
12:30 PM 12:49 PM 0:19 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Creating a Detail and Adding Keynote Annotations
1:05 PM 1:19 PM 0:14 Documenting a Project - Detailing: Importing a Detail into a Drafting View
2/20/2010
12:25 PM 12:43 PM 0:18 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Applying Materials and Textures to the Building Model
1:55 PM 2:10 PM 0:15 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Creating a Perspective View
2:20 PM 2:50 PM 0:30 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Exterior View: Creating a Daytime Rendering
2/23/2010
9:45 AM 10:07 AM 0:22 Presenting a Project - Rendering an Interior View: Adding RPC People
Friday, February 12, 2010
Adding Basic Building Elements: Editing Floors
02.12.10 10:45-11:05am
Adding Basic Building Elements: Editing Floors
Training Files = Imperial\RAC_BBE_02_Edit_Floor_i.rvt
In this exercise, you modify the floor for the second level. The design calls for a balcony from the second level of the main building looking into the pavilion. You created the floor object in the massing exercises and the shape of the massing determines the element shape. You edit the existing floor to change the shape as required.
- In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 -Floor.
- Position the cursor over the floor edge, press Tab until the Status Bar indicates that the floor object is highlighted, and click to select it.
- Click Modify Floors tab
Edit panel
Edit Boundary.
Draw lines for new floor shape
- Click Modify Floors > Edit Boundary tab
Draw panel
Boundary Line.
- On the Draw panel, click
(Line).
- On the Options Bar, select Chain.
- Click at the intersection of grid line F.1 and the right vertical floor line.
- Move the cursor 3' to the right, and click.
- On the Draw panel, click
(Arc passing through three points).
- Move the cursor down to the intersection of grid line G, and click to define the endpoint of the arc.
- Click to define the third point of the arc, as shown. (You adjust the radius in a later step.)
- Click Edit Boundary tab
Draw panel
(Line).
- Move the cursor to the left, and click the intersection of grid line G and the existing floor line.
- Click Modify.
- Select the curved boundary line for the balcony, click the dimension, type 10', and press Enter.
- Press Esc.
With the shape complete, you modify the existing lines in order to form a closed loop for the boundary. Boundary shapes must be closed loops in order to create the object from the boundary.
Create a closed loop boundary
- Click Modify Floors > Edit Boundary tab
Edit panel
Split.
- Click near the midpoint of the vertical floor within the balcony shape, as shown.
- Click Modify Floors > Edit Boundary tab
Edit panel
Trim.
- Trim the lines to form a closed boundary incorporating the new balcony floor shape, as shown.
- Click Edit Boundary tab
Floor panel
Finish Floor.
The shape of the floor is modified to represent the new design.
- In the Project Browser, under 3D Views, double-click {3D}.
- Use the ViewCube to orient the view to the pavilion, where you can see the new balcony.
- Close the file with or without saving it.
Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Columns
2.12.10 10:25-10:40am
Adding Basic Building Elements: Adding Columns
Training File = Imperial\RAC_BBE_01_Add_Columns_i.rvt
In this exercise, you place structural columns in the model. When placing the columns, you use the grids placed during previous exercises as a layout tool. You alter the columns to meet design requirements, and place them on multiple levels of the building model.
- In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 01 - Entry Level.
- Click Home tab
Build panel
Column drop-down
Structural Column.
- Click Place Structural Column tab
Element panel
Type Selector drop-down, and notice that the round column required is not available in the project.
- Click Place Structural Column tab
Detail panel
Load Family.
- In the left pane of the Load Family dialog, click Training Files and open Imperial\Families\Concrete-Round-Column.rfa.
Add columns
- Click Place Structural Column tab
Multiple panel
On Grids.
This option allows you to quickly select all of the grid intersections where columns can be placed.
- Starting in the lower left corner and ending in the upper right corner, draw a selection window around the entire floor plan.
All model elements except grids are filtered out of the selection set.
- On the Multiple Selection panel, click Finish Selection.
The columns are placed at the intersections of all selected grids.
- Click Modify.
Columns placed at grid intersections C4-C6 and H4-H10 are outside of the curtain wall that creates the skin of the building in the courtyard. You need to delete these columns from the project.
- Draw a selection box around the columns placed at grid intersections C4-C6, and press Delete.
- Using the same method, delete columns placed at grid intersections H4-H10.
Modify column height
- Using a selection box, select the entire floor plan.
- Click Multi-Select tab
Filter panel
Filter.
You filter the selection set to include only the structural columns.
- In the Filter dialog:
- Click Check None.
- Under Category, select Structural Columns.
- Click OK.
- Click Multi-Select tab
Element panel
Element Properties drop-down
Instance Properties.
You modify the properties and apply an offset to the top of the columns to accommodate the thickness of the floor above.
- In the Instance Properties dialog, for Top Offset, type -1' 0'', and click OK.
Paste columns to upper levels
- While the columns are still selected, click
Multi-Select tab
Clipboard panel,
Copy.
- On the Clipboard panel, click Paste Aligned drop-down
Select Levels.
- In the Select Levels dialog, while pressing Ctrl, select 02 - Floor and 03 - Floor.
- Click OK.
- Open the {3D} view.
In a 3D view, the columns added to all 3 levels are displayed.
Delete extra columns in the pavilion
- Use the ViewCube to orient the view to the pavilion.
- Zoom in to the columns in the pavilion.
Even though the walls of the pavilion extend up 2 levels, it only has one floor level, so you can delete the columns on the second and third levels.
- Select the columns in the second and third levels of the pavilion (2 columns on each level).
- Press Delete.
- Close the file with or without saving it.
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