Revit Tips and Tricks

Creating a Quick Trellis in Revit using a Curtain Wall

2010-07-30T17:26:00.018-05:00

1. Start with a rough idea of how big the trellis will be and a rough idea of what the major support structure for the trellis. This might be using parts that are already built in your model or you might need to put in some columns, beams, etc.

2. Start sketching the outer boundary of the trellis with a Roof
Home > Roof > Roof by Footprint

3. Go to the Properties of the Roof and switch the Family to System Family: Sloped Glazing (this is a Curtain Wall used for skylights) and then create a new Type (name it something easy to distinguish from other skylights that might be in the project)

4. Go to the Type Properties

There are lots of setting here that we can tweak to get Revit to automatically generate a simple trellis.

Set Curtain Panel > Empty System Panel:Empty (this gets rid of the glass)

5. Grid 1 and Grid 2 are set to be perpendicular to each other by default. We will use one of them to create the smallest layer of the trellis and the other to create intermediate size beams.

In this case Grid 2 is going to be the intermediate layer.

Under Grid 2 Mullion select the profile that you want for the beams (I picked a 2.5"x5" Rectangular shape)

Under Grid 2 Pattern you can adjust the layout and spacing that Revit will use to generate the curtain grid

Now hit Ok to see what you created. If these beams are not running in the direction that you want you can switch this over to Grid 1.

6. Go back into the Type Properties to add the smaller layer to Grid 1 like we did for Grid 2. I chose a smaller profile and closer spacing Grid 1.

I also changed the Join Condition to Border and Grid 2 Continuous. This means that the parts of Grid 2 will not be interrupted by the Grid 1 and give the appearance of continuous beams.

Take another look to see the effects of the setting you changed.

7. This trellis is great for early on in the design process since you can easily change the shape of the roof sketch. But there are a few things wrong with it if you take a closer look. like the fact that the smaller trellis pieces are in the middle of intermediate ones instead of being on top.

8. One thing that is wrong is that the intermediate members stop short. Adjusting the Mullion Joins can fix this.

9. The other thing that is wrong is that the smaller trellis pieces are in the middle of intermediate ones instead of being on top. There are a couple ways to fix this. An easy way is to create a copy of the Curtain System above the original. Duplicate the original Type and name it something that makes it easy to tell them apart. Naming them something like Trellis-Upper Layer and Trellis-Lower Layer might be appropriate. In the Trellis-Upper Layer just turn off the grid pattern and mullion profiles for the lower grid. And do the opposite settings in Trellis-Lower Layer.

Creating Patterns

2010-07-08T14:20:00.004-05:00

If you need a simple, repeating pattern, this can be done with some trial and error by writing a .pat file. The one that comes preloaded with Revit has some instruction on how to do this. You should be able to find it here:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\Data\revit.pat

I think Steve B., Joel, Adam, and I have all messed with this, so ask one of us if you need help.

As the pattern you need becomes more complex, it takes more time to figure out how all of the coordinates to draw all of the lines using the previous method. I found an AutoCAD Lisp routine that may help out.

1. Open AutoCAD

2. Go to Tool > Load Application

3. Load the routine from K:\LISP\HatchMaker.lsp

4. In a blank cad file type drawhatch in the command line and say Ok to the popup

The routine will adjust the settings and draw a box to setup for the pattern.

5. Draw your pattern within the box using individual line segments (no polylines). The endpoints of your lines must snap to the grid (which the routine already setup). To navigate around it may be easier to turn the SNAP off, just be sure to turn it back on when you draw lines.

6. When you are finished drawing type savehatch in the command line
A dialog box will open reminding you about the snapping; hit enter.
Then you select off of the lines you drew and hit enter again.

Enter in a name for the pattern. Then for some reason a dialog box will popup again asking for a name so just enter in the same one and browse to where you want to save the pattern.

You should then be able to load you pattern just like any other drafting pattern. You can manually change the pattern file to a drafting pattern as described in the revit.pat file. The pattern generated doesn't really have a units, so you will have to adjust the scale when you import in into Revit. Scaling will not always work because of the limit on line sizes in Revit.

Exporting a 3D Model for people that don't have Revit

2010-03-12T15:16:00.002-06:00

You can export a 3D DWF directly from Revit. The file can be opened with DWG TrueView which is free to download from Autodesk and is preinstalled on many new computers.

The advantages of the 3D DWF are that people can rotate and look around the entire model. It looks similar to the Shading with Edges Inside of Revit. The files sizes are much smaller than the Revit file which makes them easier to send out. You can also sun sections in the dwf to look inside the model.

1. Export > DWF
2. Select a 3D view in the model
3. Hit Export

This could be helpful to show clients, contractors, or consultants. It could even be useful to just have one that gets updated periodically in a standard location so that project managers/partners can open it whenever they want to take a look at the model.

DWG TrueView can be downloaded here:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6703438%26siteID=123112

Can't Edit until someone Relinquises and that person is gone

2010-03-03T08:39:00.005-06:00

If someone is gone but still owns elements that other teams members need, there is a work-around.

1. Get that person's username (look in the Worksets dialog box)

2. Get everyone in the Revit project to Save/Synch to Central and exit the file

3. With the project unopened, go into the Options menu and change your username to the username of the other person

4. Open the Central File

5. Collaborate>Relinquish All Mine

6. Check Worksets to make sure that user no longer has ownership of any worksets

7. Save and Close the Central File

8. With the project unopened, go into Options again and put your username back in

9. Everyone should now be able to reopen their files and continue working

Keyboard Shortcuts

2010-02-02T13:28:00.003-06:00

Some of the Keyboard Shortcuts in 2010 that would be useful are missing or just are not he same as the ones that were in 2009.

You can add/edit to the KeyboardShortcuts.txt file that should be located here on your computer:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010\Program

Most of the commands are already in there (though it may take some scrolling to find them), but they have a blank value. Just put in the initials you want for the shortcut in quotations following the same format as the other entries.

So I changed these two lines

; "" ribbon:"Detail-Detail-Masking Region"
; "" ribbon:"Detail-Detail-Filled Region"

to this to get Filled Regions and Masking Regions to work.

"MR" ribbon:"Detail-Detail-Masking Region"
"FR" ribbon:"Detail-Detail-Filled Region"

After saving your modifications you have to restart Revit. The shortcut initials that you put in will also show in in the roll-over help menu when your mouse is above a command in the ribbon.

Lines of Trees

2010-02-01T16:30:00.003-06:00

How many times has a partner (e.g. Tim) wanted you to show a row of trees in a Revit elevation and have the trees line up with mullions 150ft away on the other side of the building?

If you need to quickly create rows of trees, use a custom curtain wall family. A curtain wall family is more versatile than a line based repeating component because it allows you to:

leave out certain trees (by setting the cutain panel to blank)
use different types of trees in the same row
space out the trees in different ways (regular or irregular intervals)
use straight lines, curves, and change directions within the same row (with greater control of what happens at the intersections)

The family in the example is called Deciduous Tree Row and is located at K:\2010RAS\Overland\Planting for you to start with.

The RPC Tree - Deciduous family is loaded and locked to the center of the curtain wall panel. It wouldn't stay attached to the end of the panels for some reason.

Revit Tutorial Videos

2010-01-26T08:44:00.000-06:00

Design Reform – David Fano, one of the AU presenters, has posted a lot of tutorial videos from basics of massing to some pretty complex parametric families.

http://designreform.net/category/tutorials/revit-tutorials/

Getting objects above to show up in floor plan

2009-12-10T11:27:00.001-06:00

Sometimes there are things above the plan cut plane that you want to show up the plan. A ceiling mounted projector and the projector screen are two examples of items that you might want to see on the RCP and the floor plan.

Normally an object hosted on a ceiling will not appear on the plan so you could manually draw in dashed lines for the item. However every time the object moves or changes, you will have to more or edit the lines.

Just adding dashed lines below the object in the Family where the floor would be will not make it appear in the floor plan.

But drawing an invisible line in the Family straight down so that it passes through the View's Cut Plane will trigger it to appear. You can then use the Linework tool to make the lines dashed.

Plan Regions can also be used for this. You will have to create a plan region for each object. So if you have multiple objects of the same Family, the invisible line trick will automatically do make all of them visible.

When to use Design Options and Phases

2009-12-08T16:57:00.000-06:00

Design Options > small scope changes

When you are creating a design option for an element, anything hosted or affected by that element must also be addressed by each option. So if you are creating 3 design options for a roof, any skylights hosted in that roof have to be addressed in 3 different options. If the change to the roof affects the way a wall connects to the roof, then that wall and anything hosted by that wall has to be part of each option.

So Design Options are effective for small scale changes, but can end up bloating file sizes and creating a lot of work for changes of a larger scope.

Phases > larger scope changes

Phases are not limited to the default "New" and "Existing Construction." They can be used in a similar way to Design Options to show multiple larger scale options. Phase Filters allow you to control the visibility of phases. This is a little more complex to set up than Design Options but can save on the amount of duplicated work.

Multiple Linked Models > large scope changes

If a large portion of the model is changing in each option or you are evaluating different schemes, using multiple linked models may be a better solution. Linking the models allows you to set up side-by-side comparisons easily. Each option is a separate file, so the changes in one will not affect the other. This is only a good option to use when the overall design is still very schematic and large scale changes are happening that need to be evaluated against each other.

Schedules

2009-12-08T08:48:00.003-06:00

Working View/Sheet View of Schedule
Schedules are just a view of information in the model like any other type of View. So you should set up a standardized view for a sheet that will be printed that only shows the information that you want to have printed. Then use a separate working view to edit the schedule. In this view other parameters that you do not necessarily want to show up in the printed view can be seen and it can be sorted in different ways that make it easier to use when working. This way project managers and anyone first coming into the project can see the information in the schedule without extraneous information.

Schedule Keys
When you are creating a schedule there are often many items in the schedule that have the same properties. Rather than manually entering the same data for each one, you can automate the process using Schedule Keys.

They are created like a Schedule by selecting "Schedule Key" instead of "Schedule building components". Then you apply the apply the Key style to the objects that you want. As with anything in Revit, taking time to plan out what paramaters you want to duplicate will save you time in teh long run. Once a Key has been applied to an object, any values given by the Key will become read-only in the Schedule. To change them you would have to make the change in teh Schedule Key. The Revit Help Menu has more information on Schedule Keys.

My AU 2009 experience

2009-12-07T14:41:00.004-06:00

We have been using Revit as a AutoCAD alternative to document our projects, but have only scratched the surface of what Revit can do. At Autodesk University 2009 I tried to focus on classes in Conceptual Design, Planning and Urban Design, and visualization to see how we might expand our use of Revit and use it more intelligently.

I think Jim wants to have a lunch-and-learn type thing to share what we learned. Some of the information will probably also get put into the blog by topic. I put some of the information I downloaded here:

K:\Autodesk University Class Data\AU 2009

Here area some of the topics:

Creating and Analyzing Conceptual Massing Geometry With the Revit API
Programming in the API is probably a little too advanced for most of us, but it gives you idea on how information could be brought into Revit from a variety of sources as data and used to drive geometry.

Autodesk-Revit-for-Film-and-Stage
Parts of iRobot, Snakes on a Plane, the Watchmen, X-Men: the Last Stand were modeled in Revit.

Autodesk® Revit® for Urban Design - HOK presented some planning work they have done at a variety of scales. They have a lot of information on their blog.
http://hokbimsolutions.blogspot.com/

Team Model Manager Guidelines

2009-11-19T13:26:00.000-06:00

The Model Manger will be in charge of completing the following tasks:

1. Position buildings on site
     a. Using survey, determine a logical origin point. Nearest survey benchmark to the building should be used.
     b. Create architectural AutoCAD site plan from survey by:
          I. Freezing unnecessary layers.
          II. Wblock remaining layers to new file name.
          III. Open new file, move all from origin point to 0,0 check insbase.
     c. Create Revit file w/ Autocad site.
     d. Position preliminary building on site.
     e. Set project north.

2. Work with James V./Steve F. to create ftp site if necessary. FTPs are used in our office to make the latest Revit model available to the team automatically on a daily basis. Newforma should be used for all other file transfers.

3. Communicate with consultants to:
     a. Ensure timely uploads of their data to the FTP site (for Revit) or Newforma for all other files.
     b. Provide support files - site, Revit files.
     c. Explain Newforma process.

4. Process consultant downloads by:
     a. Disconnecting their file from their central file.
     b. Strip out unnecessary and circular linked files.
     c. Save to correct Q: drive folder with correct name.

5. Provide support to team by answering questions.

6. Keep model streamlined by:
     a. Auditing file regularly.
     b. Compressing file regularly.
     c. Purging the file at opportune times.
     d. Ensure new local files are created by team every Monday.
     e. Resolve “Warnings”.

7. Family creation and support.
     a. Keep watch over family creation to prevent problems.
     b. Downloaded families are often much more detailed than desired, adding too much data to file.
     c. Be aware of families in project that may be useful to other projects, and the families created that may be useful to your project.

Revit Keyboard Accelerators

2009-11-06T09:34:00.000-06:00

This is a great PDF file that not only lists the short keys commands, but also details keyboard tricks to help you edit in Revit.

http://davidddriver.com/Product/Freebies/Revit/Revit%20keyboard%20ShortcutsVert.pdf

Revit Model and Consultant Coordination

2009-08-25T12:06:00.002-05:00

There is a great way to visually check linked revit models with each other by bringing them into SketchUp.

In Revit, while in the 3D view, Click FILE, EXPORT, CAD FORMATS and choose AUTOCAD 2004 dwg format then SAVE to location of choice.

This will produce a separate 3D dwg file for each linked Revit file including the central file.

In SketchUp, Click FILE, IMPORT, browse to the location of saved dwg files above, FILES OF TYPE should be set to ACAD DWG/DWF, OPEN.

Import each dwg file into the same SketchUp file.

Each DWG will come in as a component which can easily be asigned a specific color.

Some alignment between components may be necessary.

Now you can quickly walk through your model looking for any places Structural, Site, or MEP components may be exposed through the architectural model.

I hope this helps you find costly errors before they are constructed.

AUGI Revit Wishlist

2009-05-07T09:01:00.002-05:00

Follow this link to add your thoughts and wishes...
http://www.augi.com/revit/submitwish.asp?page=1600

Revit Architecture 2009 (English)

2008-07-08T11:46:00.004-05:00

Autodesk has a website that has short tutorials. It is available to subscription members, which Overland is. The site can be accessed by clicking on:

http://subscription.autodesk.com/sp/servlet/elearning/course?catID=11484791&cfID=Revit+Architecture+%28Autodesk+Revit+Building%29&siteID=11564774

Revit Tutorials

2008-06-12T15:35:00.007-05:00

If you were looking to brush up on your Revit skills...
JB points out that you can download them from the AutoDesk website for free here AutoDesk Revit Architecture 2009 and AutoDesk Revit Architecture 2008.

Autodesk in their wisdom didn't include tutorials with their software... I guess it didn't fit on the DVD.

Follow the instructions and you'll be on your way... happy Reviting.

Import/Link a Sketchup Model into Revit

2008-06-07T15:08:00.016-05:00

In summary, there are three ways to "Import/Link" a SketchUp file into Revit.

They all have their positives and negatives.

The "Link" way is to import the SketchUp model into the Revit file with a simple Import/Link. Doing it this way allows you to Link the file which is great if you plan on managing two files :( especially if the SketchUp file is going to change and inform the Revit model.

The "Revit" way is to Import/Link the Sketchup model into a "Mass Object" like the Revit Tutorials describe. Doing it this way does allow you to take sections of the SketchUp model and other views display the model like you expect. This method does not allow you to "Link" the Sketchup model.

The "Family" way is to Import/Link the SketchUp model into a "Create a Family Object in Place". This allows you to identify what "Family" the SketchUp object belongs to Generic Models, Walls, Roofs, etc. This allows you to control the visibility of the model including the imported SketchUp model since it is now a Generic Model, Walls, Roofs, etc. This method does not allow you to "Link" the Sketchup model. You may want to break apart your SketchUp model before you bring it in so that it is more accurate to what "Family" you assign it to.

The "Link" way is -

File > Import/Link > Cad Formats

Files of type: *.skp file type > then browse... to the file

Import/Link > Link (Allows you to update the Sketchup file as needed, this option although does not allow the Sketchup model to be viewed correctly.) You can choose either one the difference is that the SketchUp model will not or will be able to be updated. Then you can select "Black and White", "Automatically Place" (X & Y) and "Place at Level" (Z).

At this point the SketchUp model should appear in your Revit file.

Now, the SketchUp file changes, you can update the Revit file by opening the "Manage Links" dialog box.

File> Manage Links>

Then select the linked file and "Update" the link.

Now your SketchUp model should be updated in your Revit file.

The "Revit" way is similar execpt that you first create a "Mass Object" and then you Import/Link the Sketchup model in the Revit file.

Creating a Stone Panel Family and Schedule

2008-01-11T13:36:00.000-06:00

Problem: We needed to create lots of stone panels for the UTSAC project. The stone panels had to be able to be scheduled

Solution: The panels were created as a generic model family. All of the parts were created as solid masses. The key to making the objects scheduleable was creating the parameters as shared parameters. A shared parameter is defined when you hit "shared parameter" "select" then "edit". You can define parameters and groups of parameters within this dialog box. These parameters are stored in a text file which is used by Revit to help define the schedule. I created Height, Width, and Panel Type parameters.

You still have to "load" the parameters. You do this in the same dialog box you would normally create the paramter. First select the dimension that you want to add a parameter to. This will cause the "label" field to appear. Select the drop arrow in the label field, and you choose . Select "shared parameter" and select one of the parameters you want to add. Unfortunately, you can't select multiple parameters. OK back to the parameter properties dialog. Then repeat the process for all of the other parameters you want to add. Once the shared parameters are added, they can be linked to your dimensions.

After I created the stone panel, I loaded it into the UTSAC model. I still needed to create a schedule of the panel. You have to create the schedule in the category. After hitting "OK" you go to the schedule properties dialog box. Select the "add parameter" button, then "shared parameter" radio button. You can now select the shared parameters you setup in the family.

Seeing Room Tags in Linked Files

2007-11-09T13:49:00.000-06:00

On UTSAC we were linking the interior spaces from a WTW file. I had a very hard time getting the room tags to show up. As it turned out, in Visibility Graphics (VG) you have to go to the Revit Tab, and under "Display Settings" select "custom." Under "Linked View" you have to select the level in the linked model that you want to see in the view you are editing.

This makes it difficult to save a "View Template" and apply it to different levels. If you do, you must then go and update the linked view level or you will be looking at the wrong level of the linked model.

Boy that sounds confusing...