imperial tutorial - autodesk · chapter 19 working in the family editor ..... 347

AUTODESK®

REVIT STRUCTURE1.0

Imperial Tutorial

June 2005

Copyright © 2005 Autodesk, Inc.All Rights Reserved

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Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started ........................................................................................................................... 1

Chapter 2 Understanding the Concepts of Autodesk Revit Structure ................................................... 3Understanding the Basics of Autodesk Revit Structure .......................................................................................... 4

Navigating the Autodesk Revit Structure User Interface ................................................................................... 6

Chapter 3 Modifying Project and System Settings ................................................................................. 13Modifying System Settings .................................................................................................................................... 14

Modifying General System Options ................................................................................................................ 14Specifying File Locations ................................................................................................................................. 16Specifying Spelling Options ............................................................................................................................. 18Modifying Snap Settings .................................................................................................................................. 19

Modifying Project Settings .................................................................................................................................... 21Creating and Applying Materials ..................................................................................................................... 21Creating and Applying Fill Patterns ................................................................................................................ 24Controlling Object Styles ................................................................................................................................. 26Modifying Line Patterns and Styles ................................................................................................................. 29Modifying Annotations ................................................................................................................................... 33Specifying Units of Measurement, Temporary Dimensions, and Detail Level Options ................................. 35Modifying Project Browser Organization ........................................................................................................ 36

Chapter 4 Working with Structural Components .................................................................................. 39

Chapter 5 Creating a Structural Model ................................................................................................... 41Creating a Structural Model .................................................................................................................................. 42

Importing an AutoCAD Drawing File .............................................................................................................. 42Adding Superstructure Columns ..................................................................................................................... 46Add Horizontal Framing to the Superstructure Levels .................................................................................... 50Add Bracing ...................................................................................................................................................... 57Adding Shear Walls .......................................................................................................................................... 59Adding Isolated Footings ................................................................................................................................. 60Creating a New Sheet and Adding Views ........................................................................................................ 61

Completing the Structural Model ......................................................................................................................... 65Complete the Steel Framing of Level 2 ........................................................................................................... 65Adding a Steel Deck ......................................................................................................................................... 70Adding Levels ................................................................................................................................................... 71Adding Openings and Modifying Framing ..................................................................................................... 72Adding Foundation/Below Grade Walls .......................................................................................................... 77Adding Piers and Columns Below Grade ......................................................................................................... 79Frame Ground Level and Parking Garage Level .............................................................................................. 81Placing Footings ............................................................................................................................................... 86

Chapter 6 Structural Analytical Modelling .............................................................................................. 89Applying the Analytical Model to the Design Process ......................................................................................... 90

Load Cases ........................................................................................................................................................ 90Add Loads to the Model ................................................................................................................................... 92Load Combination ........................................................................................................................................... 96

Contents | i

Examples of Adjustment and Reset in this Model .......................................................................................... 97Linking the Analytical Model to ETABS ........................................................................................................ 101Linking the Analytical Model to RISA ........................................................................................................... 102

Chapter 7 Structural Detailing ................................................................................................................ 103Setting up Section Views on a Sheets ................................................................................................................. 104

Cut Sections and add Views to Sheets ........................................................................................................... 104Concrete Detailing Example ............................................................................................................................... 109

Foundation Wall Detail ................................................................................................................................. 110Steel Detailing Examples ..................................................................................................................................... 118

Welded Bracing Detail ................................................................................................................................... 119Bolted Angle Detail ........................................................................................................................................ 123Facade Support Detail .................................................................................................................................... 124

Chapter 8 Walls ........................................................................................................................................ 129Creating Walls ..................................................................................................................................................... 130

Sketching Walls .............................................................................................................................................. 130Working with Compound Walls ................................................................................................................... 141Working with Vertically Compound Walls ................................................................................................... 151Joining Walls to Floors .................................................................................................................................. 160Working with Foundation Walls ................................................................................................................... 162Working with Wall Wraps ............................................................................................................................. 166Assigning Wall Bottom and Top Attachments .............................................................................................. 167

Chapter 9 Documenting Your Projects .................................................................................................. 171

Chapter 10 Creating Drawings .................................................................................................................. 173Creating Drawing Sheets in a Project ................................................................................................................. 174

Creating a Drawing Sheet .............................................................................................................................. 174Adding a Sheet to the Project ........................................................................................................................ 181Modifying the Building Model from a Sheet ................................................................................................. 182Creating New Views to Add to Sheets ........................................................................................................... 184

Using Legends ..................................................................................................................................................... 190Creating a Symbol Legend ............................................................................................................................. 191Creating a Wall Type Legend ........................................................................................................................ 193Using a Legend View to Match Types ........................................................................................................... 196

Using Revision Tracking ..................................................................................................................................... 197Setting Up a Revision Table ........................................................................................................................... 197Sketching Revision Clouds ............................................................................................................................ 198Tagging Revision Clouds ............................................................................................................................... 200Working with Revisions ................................................................................................................................. 201

Chapter 11 Scheduling ............................................................................................................................... 203Creating Type and Instance Schedules ............................................................................................................... 204

Creating a Window Schedule ........................................................................................................................ 204Scheduling Shared Parameters ............................................................................................................................ 208

Creating a Multi-Category Schedule .............................................................................................................. 208Using Formulas and Filters in Schedules ............................................................................................................ 213

Creating a Level-Based Door Schedule with a Filter ...................................................................................... 213Creating a Wall Schedule with Filters and a Formula ................................................................................... 215

Exporting Project Information with ODBC ........................................................................................................ 217Exporting Schedule Information to Microsoft Access ................................................................................... 217

Chapter 12 Annotating and Dimensioning .............................................................................................. 219Setting the Base Elevation of a Project ................................................................................................................ 220

Setting the Base Elevation of a House ........................................................................................................... 220Dimensioning ..................................................................................................................................................... 223

Creating Dimensions ..................................................................................................................................... 223Controlling Witness Line Location ............................................................................................................... 228Modifying Dimension Properties .................................................................................................................. 232

ii | Contents

Working with Alignments and Constraints .................................................................................................. 234Creating Automatic Linear Wall Dimensions ............................................................................................... 239

Annotating .......................................................................................................................................................... 241Creating Angular Dimensions ....................................................................................................................... 241Tagging Doors and Windows ........................................................................................................................ 242Rotating Tags with Components ................................................................................................................... 244

Chapter 13 Viewing and Rendering .......................................................................................................... 247

Chapter 14 Viewing .................................................................................................................................... 249Viewing a Building Model .................................................................................................................................. 250

Exploring the Building Model ....................................................................................................................... 250Creating a Perspective View with a Camera .................................................................................................. 253Creating a Section View ................................................................................................................................. 259Creating Elevation Views ............................................................................................................................... 261

Creating a View Plan Region .............................................................................................................................. 264Creating a Plan Region in a Floor Plan .......................................................................................................... 264

Chapter 15 Rendering Views and Creating Walkthroughs .................................................................... 269Rendering an Exterior View ................................................................................................................................ 270

Applying Materials and Textures to the Building Model .............................................................................. 270Adding Trees to the Site ................................................................................................................................. 274Creating a Perspective View ........................................................................................................................... 276Selecting a Scene and Rendering the View .................................................................................................... 279

Rendering an Interior View ................................................................................................................................. 282Adding RPC People ........................................................................................................................................ 283Creating the Interior Perspective View .......................................................................................................... 284Creating a New Render Scene ........................................................................................................................ 288Defining Daylights and Rendering the View ................................................................................................ 289

Creating and Recording Walkthroughs .............................................................................................................. 291Creating a Walkthrough ................................................................................................................................ 291Changing the Walkthrough Path and Camera Position ............................................................................... 295Recording the Walkthrough .......................................................................................................................... 297

Chapter 16 Creating Families ................................................................................................................... 299

Chapter 17 About Families and the Family Editor ................................................................................. 301Using Families and the Family Editor ................................................................................................................. 302

Introduction to Families ................................................................................................................................ 302Introduction to the Family Editor ................................................................................................................. 304

Chapter 18 Creating Components in the Family Editor ........................................................................ 307Creating Profile Families ..................................................................................................................................... 308

Drawing a Sweep Profile ................................................................................................................................ 308Drawing a Rail Profile .................................................................................................................................... 309Drawing a Stair Nosing Profile ....................................................................................................................... 310Drawing a Reveal Profile ................................................................................................................................ 311Drawing a Host Sweep Profile ........................................................................................................................ 312Applying a Sweep Profile to a 2D Path .......................................................................................................... 313Applying a Host Sweep Profile to Walls ........................................................................................................ 315

Creating an Annotation Symbol ......................................................................................................................... 317Creating a Custom North Arrow Annotation Symbol .................................................................................. 317Adding the New North Arrow to a Project .................................................................................................... 320

Creating a Titleblock Family ............................................................................................................................... 321Drawing Linework for a Titleblock Sheet ...................................................................................................... 321Adding Graphics and Text to a Titleblock ..................................................................................................... 324Adding the Titleblock to a New Project ......................................................................................................... 333

Creating In-Place Families ................................................................................................................................... 334Creating the Dome Roof In-Place Family ...................................................................................................... 335Creating the Concave Floor In-Place Family ................................................................................................. 342

Contents | iii

Chapter 19 Working in the Family Editor ............................................................................................... 347Using Reference Lines in a Component Family ................................................................................................. 348

Using Reference Lines for Element Control .................................................................................................. 348Adding Formulas to a Family .............................................................................................................................. 364

Adding Width Formulas ................................................................................................................................ 365Adding Conditional Formulas to Control Family Parameter Values ................................................................. 367

Creating Shelf Bracket and Shelf Components ............................................................................................. 368Working with the Shelf and Bracket Components ....................................................................................... 372

Adding Material Parameters to a Family ............................................................................................................. 377Creating New Material Parameters ................................................................................................................ 377Creating New Table Types Based on Materials .............................................................................................. 379

Working with Nested Families ............................................................................................................................ 382Nesting a Family within Another Family ...................................................................................................... 382Controlling Parameters in Nested Families ................................................................................................... 386Creating Nested Families with Interchangeable Subcomponents ................................................................ 389

Controlling Object Visibility with Parameters ................................................................................................... 396Creating a Coat Hook .................................................................................................................................... 397Editing the Geometry of a Door Family ........................................................................................................ 398Locating the Coat Hook ................................................................................................................................. 400Creating Parameters to Control Visibility ..................................................................................................... 401Adding the New Family to a Project .............................................................................................................. 402

Chapter 20 Working with Architectural Building Components ........................................................... 405

Chapter 21 Openings .................................................................................................................................. 407Cutting Roof Openings ....................................................................................................................................... 408

Cutting a Dormer Opening in a Roof ............................................................................................................ 408Creating a Perpendicular Roof Opening ........................................................................................................ 412Creating a Vertical Roof Opening ................................................................................................................. 415

Creating Openings in Floors and Ceilings .......................................................................................................... 418Cutting an Opening in a Floor ...................................................................................................................... 419Cutting an Opening in a Ceiling ................................................................................................................... 421

Chapter 22 Roofs ........................................................................................................................................ 423Creating Roofs ..................................................................................................................................................... 424

Creating an Extruded Roof ............................................................................................................................ 424Creating a Gable Roof from a Footprint ........................................................................................................ 428Creating a Roof with a Vertical Penetration from a Footprint ...................................................................... 430Creating a Hip Roof from a Footprint ........................................................................................................... 432Creating a Shed Roof from a Footprint ......................................................................................................... 436Adding Slope Arrows to a Shed Roof ............................................................................................................. 438Aligning Roof Eaves ....................................................................................................................................... 440Creating a Mansard Roof ............................................................................................................................... 441

Chapter 23 Stairs ........................................................................................................................................ 445Creating Stairs ..................................................................................................................................................... 446

Creating the Main Lobby Stair Run ............................................................................................................... 446Modifying the Main Lobby Stair Run ............................................................................................................ 451Creating the Second Floor Lobby Side Stairs ................................................................................................. 457Creating the Level 2 Landing Railings ........................................................................................................... 461Creating the Emergency Exit Stair Run ......................................................................................................... 468Creating a Semi-circular Exterior Stair Run ................................................................................................... 474Working with the Stair Calculator ................................................................................................................ 478

Chapter 24 Using Advanced Features ...................................................................................................... 483

Chapter 25 Grouping .................................................................................................................................. 485Creating Groups .................................................................................................................................................. 486

Creating a Group ........................................................................................................................................... 486Placing a Group ............................................................................................................................................. 487

iv | Contents

Modifying a Group ........................................................................................................................................ 488Creating Nested Groups ...................................................................................................................................... 489

Creating a Nested Group ............................................................................................................................... 490Modifying a Nested Group ............................................................................................................................ 491

Working with Groups ......................................................................................................................................... 493Duplicating a Group ...................................................................................................................................... 493Creating a Detail Group ................................................................................................................................. 496Using Attached Detail Groups ....................................................................................................................... 498Saving and Loading Groups ........................................................................................................................... 499Automatically Creating a Group ................................................................................................................... 501

Chapter 26 Sharing Projects ...................................................................................................................... 503Using Worksets to Share a Project ...................................................................................................................... 504

Understanding Workset Fundamentals ......................................................................................................... 504Enabling and Setting Up Worksets ................................................................................................................ 507Working Individually with Worksets ............................................................................................................ 510Using Worksets with Multiple Users ............................................................................................................. 514Borrowing Elements from the Worksets of Other Users ............................................................................... 518

Chapter 27 Creating Multiple Design Options ........................................................................................ 523Creating Multiple Design Options in a Project .................................................................................................. 524

Creating the Structural Design Options ........................................................................................................ 524Creating the Roof System Design Options .................................................................................................... 535Managing Design Options ............................................................................................................................. 544

Chapter 28 Project Phasing ....................................................................................................................... 549Using Phasing ...................................................................................................................................................... 550

Phasing Your Model ....................................................................................................................................... 550

Chapter 29 Linking Building Models and Sharing Coordinates ............................................................. 557Linking Building Models ..................................................................................................................................... 558

Linking Building Models from Different Project Files ................................................................................... 558Repositioning Linked Building Models ......................................................................................................... 567Controlling Linked Building Model Visibility ............................................................................................... 569Managing Linked Building Models ............................................................................................................... 571

Sharing Coordinates Between Building Models ................................................................................................. 574Acquiring and Publishing Coordinates ......................................................................................................... 574Relocating a Project with Shared Coordinates .............................................................................................. 575Working with a Linked Building Model ........................................................................................................ 579Managing Shared Locations .......................................................................................................................... 581

Index ............................................................................................................................................................. 583

Contents | v

vi | Contents

1Getting StartedTutorials in this section:

■ Understanding the Concepts of Autodesk Revit Structure

■ Modifying Project and System Settings

1

2 | Chapter 1 Getting Started

2Understanding the Concepts ofAutodesk Revit StructureIn this tutorial, you learn the fundamental concepts of Revit Structure. You learn how Revit Structure works, the

terms used when working with the product, and how to navigate the user interface.

In the lesson that follows, you learn many of the important features in Revit Structure that contribute to a

user-friendly design environment, enhanced productivity, and faster construction documents. You begin with the

fundamental concepts that Revit Structure is built upon. You learn the terminology, the hierarchy of elements,

and how to navigate the user interface.

3

Understanding the Basics of Autodesk Revit StructureIn this lesson, you learn what Revit Structure is and how its parametric change engine benefits you and your work.

What is Autodesk Revit Structure?

The Revit Structure platform for building information modeling is a design and documentation system that supportsthe design, drawings, and schedules required for a building project. Building information modeling (BIM) deliversinformation about project design, scope, quantities, and phases when you need it.

In the Revit Structure model, every drawing sheet, 2D and 3D view, and schedule is a presentation of information fromthe same underlying building model database. As you work in drawing and schedule views, Revit Structure collectsinformation about the building project and coordinates this information across all other representations of the project.The Revit Structure parametric change engine automatically coordinates changes made anywhere—in model views,drawing sheets, schedules, sections, and plans.

What is meant by parametric?

The term parametric refers to the relationships among all elements of the model that enable the coordination andchange management that Revit Structure provides. These relationships are created either automatically by the softwareor by you as you work. In mathematics and mechanical CAD, the numbers or characteristics that define these kinds ofrelationships are called parameters; hence, the operation of the software is parametric. This concept is important becauseit is this capability that delivers the fundamental coordination and productivity benefits of Revit Structure: Changeanything at any time anywhere in the project, and Revit Structure coordinates that change through the entire project.

The following are examples of these element relationships:

■ The outside of a door frame is a fixed dimension on the hinge side from a perpendicular partition. If you movethe partition, the door retains this relationship to the partition.

■ Windows or pilasters are spaced equally across a given elevation. If the length of the elevation is changed, therelationship of equal spacing is maintained. In this case, the parameter is not a number but a proportionalcharacteristic.

■ The edge of a floor or roof is related to the exterior wall such that when the exterior wall is moved, the floor orroof remains connected. In this case, the parameter is one of association or connection.

How does Autodesk Revit Structure keep things updated?

A fundamental characteristic of a building information modeling application is the ability to coordinate changes andmaintain consistency at all times. You do not have to intervene to update drawings or links. When you changesomething, Revit Structure immediately determines what is affected by the change and reflects that change to anyaffected elements.

Revit Structure uses two key concepts that make it especially powerful and easy to use. The first is the capturing ofrelationships while the designer works. The second is its approach to propagating building changes. The result of theseconcepts is software that works like you do, without requiring entry of data that is unimportant to your design.

Element behavior in a parametric modeler

Revit Structure uses five software element classes: host, component, annotation, view, and datum. This implementationprovides flexibility for designers. Revit Structure elements are designed to be created and modified by you directly;programming is not required. If you can draw, you can define new parametric elements in Revit Structure.

Hosts include walls, floors, roofs, and ceilings. Components include windows, doors, and furniture. Annotations are2D, view-specific elements that help you produce your documentation. Views are dynamic representations of the modeland are always up-to-date. Datums are reference elements that help you put your building together.

In Revit Structure, the elements determine their behavior largely from their context in the building. The context isdetermined by how you draw the component and the constraint relationships that are established with other components.Often, you do nothing to establish these relationships; they are implied by what you do and how you draw. In othercases, you can explicitly control them, by locking a dimension or aligning two walls, for example.

Understanding Autodesk Revit Structure terms

Most of the terms used to identify objects in Revit Structure are common, industry-standard terms familiar to mostarchitects. However, there are some terms that are unique to Revit Structure, and understanding them is crucial tounderstanding the software. This section defines the basic terms used in Revit Structure.

4 | Chapter 2 Understanding the Concepts of Autodesk Revit Structure

The first term you need to know is "project." In Revit Structure, the project is the single database of information for yourdesign—the building information model. The project file contains all the information for your building design, fromgeometry to construction data. This information includes components used to design the model, views of the project,and drawings of the design. By using a single project file, Revit Structure makes it easy for you to alter your design andhave changes reflected in all associated areas (plan views, elevation views, section views, schedules, and so forth).Having only one file to track also makes it easier to manage the project.

Another important term to understand is "level". Levels are infinite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hostedelements, such as roofs, floors, and ceilings. Most often, you use levels to define a vertical height or story within abuilding. You create a level for each known story or other needed reference of the building; for example, first floor, topof wall, or bottom of foundation. To place levels, you must be in a section or elevation view.

Work plane at ground level

When creating your project, you add Revit Structure parametric building elements to the design. All elements areconsidered categories. Revit Structure classifies elements by model component elements and annotation elements. Amodel component element, such as a door, desk, or roof, represents the actual 3D geometry of the building. Anannotation building element, such as a door tag, elevation symbol, or room tag, helps document the model.

Families are classes of elements in a category that group elements with a common set of parameters (properties), identicaluse, and similar graphical representation. Different elements in a family may have different values for some or allproperties, but the set of properties—their names and meaning—is the same. For example, six-panel colonial doorscould be considered one family, although the doors that compose the family come in different sizes and materials.Most families are component family files, which means you can load them into your project and create them fromfamily templates. You can determine the set of properties and the graphical representation of the family. Other familiesare called system families. These families, which include walls, dimensions, ceilings, roofs, floors, and levels, are notavailable for loading or creating as separate files. Revit Structure predefines the set of properties and the graphicalrepresentation of system families. You can use the predefined types to generate new types that belong to this familywithin the project. For example, the behavior of a wall is predefined in the system; however, you can create differenttypes of walls with different compositions. System families can be transferred between projects.

Each family can have different types. A type can be a specific size of a family, such as a 30 X 42 title block or a 32" x84" door. A type can also be a style, such as default linear or default angular style for dimensions. A family can haveseveral types. For example, a table could come in several different sizes. Each different size would be a new type withinthe same family. Instances are the actual items that are placed in the project and have specific locations in the building(model instances) or on a drawing sheet (annotation instances).

Understanding the Basics of Autodesk Revit Structure | 5

Autodesk Revit Structure terms

Navigating the Autodesk Revit Structure User Interface

One of the advantages of Revit Structure is its ease of use, specifically its clear user interface. The Revit Structure windowis arranged to make navigation easy. Even the toolbar buttons are labeled, making it easy to understand what eachbutton represents. Revit Structure uses standard Microsoft® Windows® conventions. If you have used any other productthat follows these conventions, learning Revit Structure is much easier.

In the following illustration, the user interface is labeled. In the steps that follow, you navigate and become familiarwith the Revit Structure user interface.

Start a new project

1 On the Standard toolbar, click .

This creates a new project based on the default template.


The Title Bar

2 Place your cursor at the top of the user interface and notice the Title Bar contains the name of the project and theview that is currently open.

By default, new projects are numbered consecutively until saved with a new name. In addition, the Level 2 structuralplan view is the default open view.

TIP The view opened and the view names are dependent on the template that the project is based on.

The Menu Bar

3 On the View menu, click Zoom.

The Menu Bar across the top of the window includes standard menu names such as File, Edit, and View. You canchoose commands by placing the cursor over the menu name and clicking. You then click the command name torun the command. Many of the commands also have shortcut keys to speed up the design process. These shortcutkeys are listed next to the command on the menu.

TIP For example, the shortcut key for Zoom To Fit is ZX.

While working in the drawing area, you simply type the required keystrokes to run the command. Anothertimesaving tool for selecting commands is to place the cursor in the drawing area and right-click. A context menuappears with a list of all available commands. The context menu changes depending on the function you areperforming and what is currently selected.

The Toolbar

4 On the Window menu, click Toolbar.

There are six toolbars across the top of the window just beneath the Menu Bar. The buttons on the toolbar representsome of the more common commands. You can control the visibility of the six toolbars and turn the toolbar textlabels on or off within the Window ➤ Toolbar menu. You can use the toolbar grips to resize and move each toolbar.

The Options Bar

5 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Structural Wall.

Notice the bar beneath the toolbars contains wall design options.


The Options Bar is context-sensitive and varies depending on the tool or selected component.

6 On the Design Bar, click Beam.

Notice the design options available on the Options Bar are now applicable to beams. On the left side of the OptionsBar, notice a beam type is specified.

The Type Selector

7 The drop-down list on the left side of the Options Bar is called the Type Selector. Select the drop-down list to viewthe list of beams.

The Type Selector is a context-sensitive drop-down list. If you select the Beam tool, the Type Selector displays alist of beams available within the project. The list of components in the Type Selector is identical to the componentslisted in the Families branch of the Project Browser under the respective category.

8 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Structural Column.

9 In the Type Selector, notice the list of columns that are available.

You use the Type Selector in two ways. First, you can select a component type before you add it to the buildingmodel. For example, if you intend to add a beam, the beam type active in the Type Selector is the beam type thatis added when you insert it into the building model. You can also use the Type Selector to change a componenttype after it has been added to the building model. Within the drawing area, you can select any component andthen change the type from the Type Selector.


The Design Bar

10 On the Window menu, click Design Bars.

The Show Design Bars dialog box is displayed.

The Design Bar is located on the left side of the interface, immediately below the Type Selector. There are nine tabsin the Design Bar, containing buttons grouped by function. You can control which tabs display by selecting themin the Show Design Bars dialog box.

11 Click OK.

Each tab contains frequently used commands that are also available from the menu.

■ Basics tab—includes commands for creating most basic structural model components

■ View tab—commands for creating different views in the project

■ Architectural tab—commands for adding architectural components to your project

■ Drafting tab—commands for both adding annotation symbols and creating the sheet details for the projectconstruction documents

■ Rendering tab—commands for creating rendered 3D images

■ Site tab—commands for adding site components and producing site plans

■ Massing tab—commands for executing conceptual massing commands

■ Modelling tab—all the commands to create model structural elements

■ Construction tab—includes commands for creating construction industry information

To access the commands within a tab, click the tab, and the respective commands are displayed on the Design Bar.

TIP You can turn the visibility of each tab on and off by right-clicking on the Design Bar and selecting the tab from thecontext menu.


The Project Browser

12 To the right of the Design Bar is the Project Browser. In the Project Browser, select Views (all).

You can use the Project Browser to quickly manage the views, schedules, sheets, reports, families, and groups ofyour current project. You can right-click in the browser to add, delete, and rename views, families, and groups.The browser is conveniently organized by view type (structural plans, elevations, 3D), family category (beams,columns, walls), and group name. You can expand or compress the browser list by clicking the + or - sign next tothe name. To open a view, double-click the name. You can also drag and drop from the browser into the drawingarea, making it easy to add a family or group to the project or add a view to a sheet. The browser is also dockable,so you can position it wherever you want by dragging the Project Browser title bar to a new location.

13 In the Type Selector, scroll through the sorting options available for the Project Browser.


14 On the Settings menu, click Browser Organization.

You can create and modify Project Browser organization schemes for both views and sheets. After you create abrowser organization scheme, you can instantly change the sorting within the Project Browser by selecting thescheme in the Type Selector.

15 In the Browser Organization dialog box, click Cancel.

The Status Bar

16 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Structural Wall.

The cursor is displayed as a pencil.

17 Place your cursor near the center of the drawing area. Do not click.

In the bottom left corner of the window, notice the Status Bar provides information regarding what you shoulddo next. In this case, it tells you to "Click to enter wall start point."

TIP The tooltip that displays is identical to the note in the status bar.

18 On the Design Bar, click Modify.

You can turn the Status Bar visibility on or off from the Window menu. The Status Bar also provides information,in conjunction with Tooltips, regarding selected components within a view. When you place the cursor over acomponent, it highlights and the status bar displays the component name.


TIP When attempting to select a specific component in a crowded or detailed view, use the Tab key to alternate betweennearby components.

19 Place the cursor over the elevation symbol at the bottom of the drawing area.

The elevation symbol consists of two parts, the main symbol and the elevation directional arrows. Make sure youplace the cursor over the arrow portion of the symbol. It highlights when the cursor is over it.

In the Status Bar, notice that the name of the preselected component is Views: Elevation: Building Elevation.

20 Press TAB, and notice that the preselected component switches to the main elevation symbol.

When attempting to select a specific component in a complex or crowded view, you can use the Status Bar andthe Tab key to toggle between components and select the desired component.

Autodesk Revit Structure Help

21 On the Help menu, click Revit Structure Help.

Help is available online at all times during a Revit Structure session. You can use this tri-pane, HTML help windowto search for information and quickly display it to read or print. There are several tools that help you findinformation. You can select a topic on the Contents tab, find a keyword on the Index tab, search for all instancesof a word or phrase on the Search tab, or save commonly used pages on the Favorites tab. Context-sensitive helpis also available to provide instant help on any menu command.

You can access Help in the following ways:

■ Dialog Boxes: Dialog boxes include Help buttons. Click the Help button, and the topic specific to the dialogbox opens. If there is no Help button displayed, press F1 to get help on that dialog box.

■ Windows: From any window, press F1 to get the topic associated with the window.

■ Toolbar: From the Toolbar, click , and then click on a specific menu command or command button forHelp. You can also press SHIFT+F1. Be sure to have the Standard toolbar displayed.

■ Tool Tips: To see Tool Tips, rest the cursor over the Toolbar button until the Tool Tip displays.

TIP You can control the level of Tool Tip assistance from the Settings ➤ Options menu.

22 Close the Revit Structure Help window.


3Modifying Project and SystemSettingsIn this tutorial, you learn how to modify your Autodesk Revit Structure working environment. In the first lesson,

you modify the system environment, which is independent of the project settings. In the second lesson, you

modify project settings to control the appearance of the components and subcomponents within that project.

Finally, you create an office template, and set it as your default template.

13

Modifying System SettingsIn this lesson, you learn how to control the system settings within Revit Structure. System settings are local to eachcomputer and applied to all projects; they are not saved to project or template files.

Modifying General System Options

In this exercise, you modify the settings that control your local Revit Structure working environment. These settingscontrol the graphics, selection default options, notification preferences, journal cleanup options, and your usernamewhen using worksets.

Set graphics settings1 On the File menu, click Close to close all open projects.

2 On the Settings menu, click Options.

3 In the Options dialog box, click the Graphics tab.

4 Under Colors, select Invert background color, and click OK.

5 On the File menu, click New ➤ Project to open a new Revit Structure project.

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

7 In the left pane of the Choose Template dialog box, click Training Files.

8 Select i_Tutorial_default.rte in the Imperial folder, and click Open.

9 In the New Project dialog box, click OK.

Notice that the drawing area is black.


11 In the Options dialog box, click the Graphics tab.

12 Under Colors, click the value for Selection Color.

13 In the Color dialog box, select yellow, and click OK.

NOTE You can also specify the Alert Color. When an error occurs, the elements causing the error display using this color.

14 Click the General tab.

15 Under Notifications, specify the following options:

■ Select One hour for Save Reminder interval.

■ Select None for Tooltip Assistance.

16 Click OK.

17 On the Architectural tab of the Design Bar, click Wall.

18 Sketch a simple straight wall in the center of the drawing area.

19 On the Design Bar, click Modify, and select the wall.

14 | Chapter 3 Modifying Project and System Settings

Notice the selected wall is yellow rather than the default red.


21 Place the cursor over the wall but do not select it.

Notice that a tooltip is not displayed.

22 Place the cursor over any of the icons on the toolbars.

Notice that a tooltip is displayed even though you set Tooltip Assistance to None. This setting controls only thetooltips that display within the drawing area.

23 On the File menu, click Close.

24 When prompted to save, click No.

25 On the File menu, click Open.

26 In the left pane of the Open dialog box, click the Training Files icon.

27 Open the i_Settings.rvt file located in the Imperial folder.

Notice that the system settings apply to this project.


29 In the Options dialog box, click the Graphics tab and make the following changes:

■ Under Graphics, clear Invert background color.

■ Select Red for Selection Color.

30 Click the General tab and make the following changes:

■ Under Notifications, select your preferred Save Reminder interval, and select Normal for Tooltip Assistance.

■ Under Worksets Username, enter the name you want worksets to use when you check out worksets in a project.Your login name displays by default.

■ Under Journal File Cleanup, select values for When number of journals exceeds and Delete journals older than(days).

Journal files are deleted automatically after their number exceeds the value you specify. Journal files are textdocuments that record each step during your Revit Structure sessions. These files are used primarily in thesoftware support process. Journals can be run in order to detect a problem or recreate lost steps or files. Theyare saved at the termination of each Revit Structure session.

31 Click OK.

Notice that the drawing area background colors are no longer inverted and that tooltips display when you placethe cursor over any building component.

32 On the File menu, click Close. If prompted, do not save the changes.

33 Proceed to the next exercise, Specifying File Locations.

Modifying System Settings | 15

Specifying File Locations

In this exercise, you specify your default file locations. These settings control location of important Revit Structure filessuch as your default project template, the family template files, the family libraries, as well as the material and renderinglibraries.

Set file locations1 On the Settings menu, click Options.

2 In the Options dialog box, click the File Locations tab.

3 Under Default template file, click Browse.

Notice that there are industry-specific templates that you can set as your default template.

TIP To view a template, you can start a new project with that template. On the File menu, choose New ➤ Project, andclick Browse to select a template.

4 Click Cancel.

5 Under Default path for user files, click Browse.

6 In the Browse for Folder dialog box, select the folder to save your files to by default, and click OK.

7 In the Options dialog box, under Default path for family template files, click Browse.

This path is set automatically during the installation process. These are the family templates that you use to createnew families. It is unlikely that you would ever want to modify this path. However, there are some circumstanceswhere you may need to modify the path, such as in a large, centralized, architectural firm where customizedtemplates reside on a network drive.

8 Click Cancel.

Specify library settings and create a new library

9 In the Options dialog box, under Libraries, notice the list of library names.

The list is dependent on the options that you selected during installation. Each library path points Revit Structureto a folder of families or training files. You can modify the existing library names and path, and you can createnew libraries. An icon for each library displays in the left pane of all Revit Structure Open, Save, Load, and Importdialog boxes.

When you are opening, saving, or loading a Revit Structure file, you can click on the library folder located in theleft pane of the dialog box. In the following illustration, notice that the libraries display as icons in the left paneof the dialog box.


10 Under Libraries, click .

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

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

13 Navigate to C:\My Documents or any other folder where you want to create a personal library of Revit Structureprojects, templates, or families, and click OK.

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

The new library displays in the left pane of all Revit Structure Open, Save, Load, and Import dialog boxes. Thelibrary icons display in the order that they are listed in the Options dialog box.

14 Under Library Name, click My Library.

15 Click until My Library is at the top of the list, and click OK.

16 On the File menu, click Open.

17 In the left pane of the Open dialog box, click the My Library icon.

Notice that Revit Structure navigates directly to the library path. If you work in a large office, you may want to setup an office library on a network path in order to increase productivity and maintain office standards.

18 Click Cancel.


20 Click the File Locations tab.

21 Under Libraries, select My Library.

22 Click to delete the library.


Specify rendering settings

23 Click the Rendering tab.

24 Under AccuRender resource location, view the current path.

This path specifies the location of the AccuRender® texture library. This path is determined during installation. Ifyou want to relocate this path, specify the new location here.

25 Click OK.

26 Proceed to the next exercise, Specifying Spelling Options.

Specifying Spelling Options

In this exercise, you modify the spelling settings and the custom dictionaries for Revit Structure.

Modify spelling settings1 On the Settings menu, click Options.

2 In the Options dialog box, click the Spelling tab.

3 Under Settings, select Ignore words in UPPERCASE.

4 Under Personal dictionary, click Edit.

The custom dictionary opens in your default text editor.

5 In the text editor, enter sheetmtl-Cu.

6 On the File menu, click Save.

7 On the File menu, click Exit.

Notice that there is also a building industry dictionary.

8 Under Building industry dictionary, click Edit.

9 In the text editor, scroll down the list of building industry terms.

10 On the File menu, click Exit.

11 In the Options dialog box, click OK.

12 On the Standard toolbar, click to open a new Revit Structure project using the default template.

13 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Text.

14 Click in the drawing area, and enter This is sheetmtl-Cu and SHTMTL-CU.

15 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Modify.

16 On the Tools menu, click Spelling.

Notice that the spell checker allowed sheetmtl-Cu because you added it to the custom dictionary. It allowedSHTMTL-CU because you set the spelling options to ignore words in uppercase.

17 Click OK.


19 In the Options dialog box, click the Spelling tab.

20 Under Settings, click Restore Defaults.

This resets the spelling settings to their original configuration.

21 Under Personal dictionary, click Edit.

The custom dictionary opens in your default text editor.

22 In the text editor, delete sheetmtl-CU.

23 On the File menu of the text editor, click Save, and then click File ➤ Exit.

24 In the Options dialog box, click OK.

25 On the File menu, click Close. If prompted, do not save the changes.

26 Proceed to the next exercise, Modifying Snap Settings.


Modifying Snap Settings

In this exercise, you modify snap settings. Snap settings are system settings that are applied to all projects and notsaved within a project file. You can turn snap settings on and off, or use the shortcut keys to force a particular snapmethod. In this exercise, you modify snap increments, work with snapping turned off, and use shortcut keys to controlsnapping on an instance basis.

Modify snap increments

1 On the File menu, click New ➤ Project to open a new Revit Structure project.

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

3 In the left pane of the Choose Template dialog box, click Training Files.

4 Select i_Tutorial_default.rte in the Imperial folder, and click Open.

5 In the New Project dialog box, click OK.

6 On the Settings menu, click Snaps.

Notice that you can modify both linear and angular snap increments. As you zoom in and out within a view, RevitStructure uses the largest increment that represents less than 2mm in the drawing area. You can add an incrementby entering the value with a semicolon after it.

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

8 Under Object Snaps, notice the two-letter acronyms next to each object snap option.

These are shortcut keys that you can use at any time when working on the design. For example, if you want tosnap an object to a wall midpoint, enter SM and only midpoint snaps are recognized until you commit an action.After you click to place the object at the midpoint, snapping reverts to the system default settings.

9 In the Snaps dialog box, click OK.

10 On the Architectural tab of the Design Bar, click Wall.

11 Click in the center of the drawing area, and move the cursor to the right.


Notice that the listening dimension snaps at 4’ increments. If it does not, zoom out until it does so.

A listening dimension refers specifically to the dimension that appears while in the act of sketching. This dimensionreacts to the movement of your cursor and numerical keyboard entries.

TIP To zoom while in the act of sketching, use the wheel button on your mouse. If you do not have a wheel button, youcan right-click and select a zoom option from the context menu. While sketching, you can also use the zoom shortcutkeys such as ZV to zoom out.

12 While sketching a generic straight wall, zoom in until the listening dimension snap increment shifts to 1’.

This is the increment that you added previously.

Sketch without snapping

13 While sketching the wall, enter the shortcut key SO to turn snaps off.

Notice that when snapping is turned off completely, the listening dimension reflects the exact length of the wallas you move the cursor to the left or right.

14 Click to set the wall endpoint.

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

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

Use snapping shortcut keys

16 On the Design Bar, click Modify, and click Wall.

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

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

18 Enter SM.

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

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


20 Click to start the wall at the midpoint.

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

22 On the Settings menu, click Snaps.

23 Under Dimension Snaps, click in the Length dimension snap increments box, and delete the value 1’ ;.

Make sure you also delete the semicolon.

24 Click OK.

25 On the File menu, click Close, and do not save the file.

26 Proceed to the next lesson, Modifying Project Settings.

Modifying Project SettingsIn this lesson, you learn how to control the project environment by using the options available on the Settings menu.Using these options, you modify the appearance of components and their subcomponents within a project. You createand modify materials, annotations, lines, fill patterns, and object styles. Finally, you modify the way the Project Browserorganizes the project.

The exercises in this lesson should be done sequentially using the same project file. If you cannot complete the exercisesin their entirety, save the project file with a unique name, and use it to complete the exercises.

Creating and Applying Materials

In this exercise, you create a new material and apply it to a model component. When you apply a material to acomponent, it defines the appearance of that component in shaded and rendered views. Well designed materials providethe foundation for photorealistic renderings.

In the steps that follow, you begin with a simple building model consisting of brick on CMU exterior walls.

This building model has a generic roof and generic floor. After you create a new fieldstone material and apply it to theexterior wall face, you render a region to observe the changes.

Modifying Project Settings | 21

Dataset

■ On the File menu, click Open.

■ In the left pane of the Open dialog box, click the Training Files icon.

■ Open i_Settings.rvt located in the Imperial folder.

Create a new material1 On the Settings menu, click Materials.

Notice the materials listed on the left side of the dialog box. This list includes all materials required by loadedmodel components. When a model component is loaded into a project, all materials that are part of that componentfamily are also loaded into the project.

2 Scroll down, and select Masonry - Stone for Name.

Notice that there is no Surface Pattern applied to this material, nor is there an AccuRender texture applied. However,this material provides a good foundation for the new material, Masonry-Fieldstone.

3 Click Duplicate.

This creates a new material using the selected material settings as the starting point.

4 In the New Material dialog box, enter Masonry - Fieldstone, and click OK.

You have created a new material that can be applied to any model component in this project. Notice that thematerial settings have not changed from the material that you duplicated. In the steps that follow, you modify thematerial so that it displays correctly in a shaded or rendered view.

Modify material settings

5 Under AccuRender, click to select a texture.

6 Navigate to BMCD2AR3\Bitmap Textures\Stone\, and select Stone82.

7 In the Material Library dialog box, on the Material menu, click New ➤ Use Current Material as Template.

8 In the Material Editor dialog box, click the Maps tab.

9 Select the entry under Image Mapping, and click Edit.

10 In the Image Mapping dialog box, click the Orientation tab.

11 Under Offset, enter 0.75 for X and Y, and click OK.

By offsetting the X and Y values of the image map, you help prevent the appearance of repetitive patterns withinthe rendering.

12 In the Material Editor dialog box, click OK.

13 In the Save Material As dialog box, enter Masonry - Fieldstone for the name, select user from the list of libraries,and click OK.

The AccuRender texture Masonry - Fieldstone is now part of your AccuRender User library.

14 In the Material Library dialog box, click OK.

Before closing the Materials dialog box, notice that the Surface Pattern is still blank. In the next exercise, you createa fieldstone pattern and apply it to the Masonry - Fieldstone material.

15 Click OK.

Apply the new material

16 In the Project Browser, expand Views (all), expand Floor Plans, and double-click Level 1.

17 Select the upper exterior wall, and click .


18 In the Element Properties dialog box, click Edit/New.

19 Click Duplicate.

20 Enter the new wall name, Fieldstone on CMU, and click OK.

21 In the Value field for Structure, click Edit.

22 Click in the Material field for layer #1.

Layer #1 is the exterior finish of the wall. It is currently assigned the material Masonry - Brick.

23 On the right side of the Material field, click .

24 In the Materials dialog box, select Masonry - Fieldstone for Name, and click OK.

This is the material you created previously.

25 Click OK three times.

The upper wall now uses the Fieldstone on CMU AccuRender texture when you render it.

26 Select the right exterior wall.

27 Press CTRL, and select the remaining two unchanged walls.

28 In the Type Selector, select Basic Wall: Fieldstone on CMU.

All of the exterior walls of this project are now Fieldstone on CMU.

29 On the View Toolbar, click .

Notice that the exterior walls are no longer brick, and there is no stone pattern applied in this view. This is becausea surface pattern was not selected when the fieldstone material was defined. In the following exercise, Creatingand Applying Fill Patterns, you create a fieldstone pattern and apply it to this material.

30 On the Rendering tab of the Design Bar, click Region Raytrace.

TIP If the Rendering tab is not available on the Design Bar, right-click the Design Bar, and click Rendering.

31 In the drawing area, drag a rectangle around the 3D image.


After you draw the rectangle around the 3D model, the rendering process begins. When finished, the fieldstonematerial that you created is displayed.

TIP If you want to see the material in greater detail, click Display Model on the Rendering tab of the Design Bar. Zoominto the model, select Region Raytrace, and drag a rectangle around the area you want to render.

Notice the roof did not render. This is because a material has not been applied to the roof. In the exercise, ControllingObject Styles, you apply a material to default roofs and resolve this.

32 On the Rendering tab of the Design Bar, click Display Model.

33 On the File menu, click Save As.

34 Navigate to a folder of your preference, and save the file as i_Settings-in progress.rvt.

35 Proceed to the next exercise, Creating and Applying Fill Patterns.

Creating and Applying Fill Patterns

In this exercise, you create a new pattern called Fieldstone and apply it to the material you created in the previousexercise.

There are two types of fill patterns: model and drafting. Model patterns represent actual element appearance on abuilding, such as brick coursing or ceramic tile on a wall. Model patterns are fixed and scale with the model. Draftingpatterns represent material in symbolic form, such as steel, which consists of a double-diagonal hatching pattern.Drafting pattern density is fixed. Both pattern types are created and applied in a similar way.

NOTE This exercise requires the completion of the previous exercise. Use the project file that you saved at the end of thatexercise, i_Settings-in progress.rvt.

Create a new fill pattern1 In the Project Browser, expand Elevations, and double-click East.


Notice that no model surface pattern displays on the fieldstone wall.

2 On the Settings menu, click Fill Patterns.

3 Under Pattern Type, choose Model.

4 Scroll down the list of patterns.

Notice that a fieldstone pattern is not available.

5 Click New.

6 In the Add Surface Pattern dialog box, click Custom.

7 Under Custom, click Import.

8 Navigate to the training folders installed with your Revit Structure software.

TIP Typically, your training files can be found on C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\RevitStructure\Training. The location of these files can vary depending on the path you set during installation.

9 Select Fieldstone_Model.pat from the Common folder, and click Open.

10 Under Custom, select fldstn, and enter .56 for Import scale.

11 Enter Fieldstone for Name, and click OK.

The new model pattern is available in the Name list in the Fill Patterns dialog box.

12 Click OK.

Apply the fieldstone pattern

13 Select the east exterior wall.


14 On the Options Bar, click .


16 In the Value field for Structure, click Edit.

17 In the Edit Assembly dialog box, click in the Material field for layer #1.

Layer #1 is the exterior finish of the wall. It is currently assigned the material Masonry - Fieldstone.

18 On the right side of the Materials field, click .

In the Materials dialog box, notice that there is no surface pattern applied to the Masonry - Fieldstone material.

19 Under Surface Pattern, click to select a fill pattern.

20 In the Fill Pattern dialog box, under Pattern Type, select Model.

21 Select the Fieldstone model pattern, and click OK.

22 In the Materials dialog box, click OK.

23 Click OK three times.

The east wall of the building displays as solid fill.


25 Zoom into the model until the fill pattern appears.

26 On the View Toolbar, click .

27 On the File menu, click Save.

28 Proceed to the next exercise, Controlling Object Styles.

Controlling Object Styles

You can use Object Styles to control the appearance of components and subcomponents. Object Styles are applied inevery view and can be overridden in a particular view by modifying the Visibility/Graphics settings. Object Styles allowyou to control the appearance of multiple component types.

For example, there are often multiple window types within a project. The client may not be certain of the exact windowframe color to use and may want to see renderings of various options. Rather than continually modify the type propertiesof each window type, you can set the window frame material to “By Category.” You can then change the material inthe Object Styles dialog box and apply it to all window types.


NOTE This exercise requires the completion of the previous exercise. Use the project file that you saved at the end of thatexercise, i_Settings-in progress.rvt.

Apply object styles1 In the Project Browser, expand 3D Views, and double-click 3D Model View.

2 On the keyboard, use the shortcut keys ZZ (Zoom in Region) and drag a rectangle around the three left windowsfacing you.


3 On the View Control Bar, click Model Graphics Style, and click Shading with Edges.

4 Select one of the windows.

5 On the Options Bar, click .


7 In the Type Properties dialog box, under Other, click the Trim Exterior value, and select .

8 In the Materials dialog box, click By Category.

This means that the material is assigned by the Object Styles setting.