revit house kit segment 3

7/29/2019 Revit House Kit Segment 3

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July 16, 2006, Segment 3 of 3

Reuse of any or all material contained within this document for commercial purposes, without the

express written consent of DG CAD is expressly prohibited. Copyright 2006 DG CAD All rights reserved.

REVIT is an authorized Autodesk trade mark

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DG CADPresents

REVIT House KitUsing Autodesk REVIT 8.1

Segment 3 of 3

Lesson 25 - 35of 35

Over the three segments we will build a 2-story house from Foundation to Roof. The completed projectwill consist of a set of construction drawings for the house with site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections,annotations, notes and schedules. This kit is designed for beginner and intermediate users.

Although this kit is completed using REVIT 8.1 it may be utilized for older and newer versions of thesoftware because the fundamentals are similar.

This unique DG CAD REVIT training kit includes the following:

a) 35 all important video files. This is the bulk of the training kit. All lessons are demonstrated in thesevideos which are zipped up into 3 parts for each segment.

File names REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-VIDEOS-1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C .zip

b) 3 PDF files of the 3 tutorial segments in hard copy. This tutorial is presented in 3 segments.

File names REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-SEGMENT-1.pdf, REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-SEGMENT-2.pdf, REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-SEGMENT-3.pdf

c) 1 REVIT Template file to start the project that includes all the views, sheets, families, groups, objecttypes and much more. This is designed to be used for your future projects as well.

File name REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-TEMPLATE.rte

d) 1 REVIT project file of this project completed.File name REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-FINAL.rvt

e) 1 PDF copy of the completed 2-storey house project printed on sheets.

File name REVIT-HOUSE-KIT-PRINTED-SHEETS.pdf


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This segment 3 will include this file in .pdf format and 11 .wmv video files with lessons 25 to 35.

Lesson 25. Area PlansVideo Reference file: 25-REVIT-HOUSE-AREA-PLANS.wmv

Fig. 01

Area Analysis tools, Area Boundaries and Tags

Use the Area Analysis tool on the design bar. Areas are defined in an Area Plan. We create one area plan for each

of the main levels. One for the T/FTG, Main Floor and T/2ND FL.

I use the area plans as an instrument to get the areas but do not print the area plans.

The first time you create an area plan based on an existing view you are prompted to automatically create areaboundaries around exterior walls as seen in the diagram below. Clicking Yes will place area boundaries around theinside face of the exterior walls. If you want the exterior face, not to worry. * The trick is to Tag the area and changethe Tags properties from Building Common Area to Store Area. Once defined, the area boundaries are driven bythe Tag and the Tag properties.

Please read up on Area Rules and Area Types in the REVIT Help. Once you create an area plan and say Yes tothis prompt, even if you delete and re-create the Area plan based on that same view it will default to Yes to thisquestion. This can cause some confusion.

Fig. 02

Area boundaries created automatically prompt


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Fig. 03

Area Type

I clicked No to the automatically create boundaries prompt to sketch in the boundaries manually.

You create Area Boundaries in area plans with regular REVIT sketching tools. Then you Tag the area to publish thearea. Have a look at the Tag properties.

Area boundary corners do not have to intersect perfectly unlike other REVIT sketched objects. The corners can beshort or overlap.

Nested Areas create their own area and are subtracted from the surrounding area as would be expected.

Set the scale and detail level of the new plans. I did not use the Apply rules to automatically create the boundaries.(With a little investigation I may switch over to use that option).

Area boundaries can be sketched with linework or by picking existing objects like other sketching tools.

You can also choose to use the Apply Area Rules.

NOTE: If you apply area rules, the area boundary position is dependent on the area type parameter of the area tag.You must place an area tag in the boundary to change the area type.

So in other words dont worry so much about where the area boundary gets placed automatically because the Tagand Tag Area type drives the numbers.

You can also choose to lock the boundaries to the walls etc.


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In REVIT 9 you create a Room and then Tag the room to get areas.

Lesson 26. Tags and Schedules

Video Reference file: 26-REVIT-HOUSE-TAGS-SCHEDULES.wmv

Fig. 04

Various Tags

Fig. 05

Need to load a tag

Tags are placed from the Drafting tools on design bar.

You can Tag all not tagged to speed things up and select what you want to tag.

When placing Tags REVIT is smart enough to identify what is being tagged and use the appropriate tag.


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Click the Tags button and have as look at what can be tagged and what tag is to be used. Use a Tag leader and setthe leader length if you choose. Set the Orientation to Horizontal or Vertical. Click the Tag to set this after the fact.

In REVIT 9 you can use the space bar to rotate the Tag during or after placement.

Fig. 06

Tag placement options

Fig. 07

Tag loaded and assigned

Click the Load button to load more tags and then set that tag to be current.

We click the Edit Family button to have a look into the Tag family and look at the parameters.

Then we can create a new Schedule View. You select the category you want to schedule and what criteria toschedule. You place schedule views onto a sheet and can stretch the schedule size by grips.

Schedule / Quantity vies are also stored in the Project Browser just like any other view. Right click in the ProjectBrowser on the schedule and click properties.


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Here we can modify the schedule after the fact. Note the schedule properties. Click Fields or Filter etc.

Fig. 08Schedule Properties

Fig. 09

Schedules listed in the Project Browser

Schedules are bi-directional to a certain degree but be careful. You can change the Door or Window size but youwill change all the Doors or Windows of that type.

You can duplicate a view (with or without detailing) and turn off the Tag visibility of a certain category if you dontwant to see the tags.


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Lesson 27. Components, Fixtures, Cabinets and Appliances

Video Reference file: 27-REVIT-HOUSE-FIXTURES-CABINETS-APPLIANCES.wmv

For the purpose of this lesson a component is a family.

Below you will see an image of the REVIT residential kitchen components supplied with the program. You can clickComponent on the Basics design bar and load any other component from REVITs library. Or browse to whereever you can and load a REVIT family *.rfa file. There are also many plumbing fixtures supplied with the program.Have a look and note the image preview on the left if you select a file.

Fig. 10

REVIT Kitchen components

Fig. 11

Component placement Options

Fig. 12

Browse for components in the Furniture Category


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Fig. 13

Where REVIT is looking for library

REVITs search path for the component library is assigned in the Options dialog box under Settings.

Fig. 14

Assign REVITs component Library Location


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Components are families and get organized under Families in the Project Browser. They are also categorizedautomatically because a family already knows its category. You can right click a family and copy and paste REVITfamilies from project to project. This is very handy.

Fig. 15

Families listed in the Project Browser


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When you place a family component use the space bar to rotate during or after placement. Use the arrows keys toNudge components around.

Note the temporary dimension when placing a component. Click those dimension and change them for moreaccurate positioning. Click a component after the fact and note the temporary dimensions. Click the blue dimensionicon to convert the temporary dimensions into permanent dimensions. These could be kept or deleted later on.

Load components or drag them in from the Families section of the Project browser. Throughout this tutorial we getcomponents from many categories such as Specialty Equipment, Plumbing, Electrical, Lighting, Annotations,Entourage, Site, Furniture and Planting.

You can right click a family and click Edit to open the family file and make changes or better Save As then makechanges.

Note the difference below between right clicking the family or the family type. One lets you Copy to Clipboard theother lets you Edit (which means open the family *.rfa file)

Fig. 16

Right clicking in the Family listings in the Project Navigator

Tubs are Wall hosted objects. They need a side wall and cling to it. Some families are object hosted and some arenot. There are floor hosted, wall hosted and ceiling hosted families to name a few.

In this tutorial I use 2D Detail Lines to indicate my cabinets, shelves, fireplace etc. Type DL to start the detail linetool. You can however load or browse and place 3D cabinets and counter components as shown in the diagram atthe beginning of this lesson. The 3d counters and cabinets supplied with REVIT have dimensional parameters thatyou can change to resize the components.

I use 2D detail lines to show another variation and help save some time. Sorry to disappoint you. Detail lines onlyshow up in the view you are looking from. There are many detail line types and you can make more by going intothe Line Styles under Settings.Detail lines can be placed by drawing or picking lines just like when in sketch mode.


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Fig. 17

Detail Lines options

Tip: Use the linework tool to change component linework and other lines to a different line style. This can be donefor many object types in elevation, section, plan and even in a 3d views.

Fig. 18

Linework Tool and Line Styles

You can create a Group of detail lines and text and retain it for later much like a Block in AutoCAD. You can then

select the group on screen and check the properties and rename it or rename it from the project browser.

Lesson 28. Dimensions

Video Reference file: 28-REVIT-HOUSE-DIMENSIONING.wmv

Fig. 18

Dimension Options

Dimensions are disposable. What I do is place them here and there use them to locate and drive the geometry thendelete them. Then after everything is in the right place I re-dimension nice and neat and organized for final printingpurposes.


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Dimensions placed in sketch mode disappear when you leave sketch mode and re-appear when you go back intosketch mode for that object. Be very careful when locking a dimension while in sketch mode. It will drive you crazybecause it could cause other things to happen down stream and you wont be able to find out why.

Tip: Lock dimensions sparingly. My school of thought is this. Seriously, if you dont want something to move dontmove it. Dont use a locked dimension to stop something from moving. This will cause you anguish. Use lockeddimensions where you want things to move. One case where I do lock dimensions on objects that I do not want tomove is with Grid lines. Once established I dimension my grid lines and then lock them. Now, you can lockdimensions of things you do not want to move but do it sparingly is my final advice.

Temporary dimension show up when you are placing objects or when you click on an object. Click the icon to turn itinto a permanent dimension. Under Settings there are some Temporary Dimension settings as to what face of awall they are to use. Face of corecenter of walletc..

Fig. 19

Temporary Dimension Settings

Note the dimensioning options tool bar when you start to dimension including the dimension type and properties.

Fig. 20

Dimension Options

Click nothing to end a dimension sequence. Note that REVIT has perpetual commands. You stay in that commanduntil you escape out of it. This goes for all REVIT commands not just dimensioning.

Use the Tab key to cycle through the witness line locations as you place the dimensions on walls or othercomponents.


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Click the Equal constraint to make all segments of the dimension string equal. Click on the dimension line after thefact and click the properties to set the Equality Display to Value to see the actual numbers instead of EQ.

Fig. 21Dimension grips and Equality Constraints

Note the dimension properties. See how the Centerline Symbol Family is nested in the dimension type to show up

whenever something is dimensioned to the center of something.

Fig. 22

Dimension Properties

To append a dimension string select the dimension on screen and then note the Edit Witness Line button at the top.Then you can select new witness line point and click nothing to and the sequence.


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Tip: Click the blue grip on the witness line near the dimension line and watch the witness line move and cyclethrough the other wall surfaces or nested geometry.

Sometimes you have to zoom in and separate the witness line grips to see which one is which.

If you dont like the appearance of the dimensions click on the properties and edit then duplicate then make thechanges.

Tip: Try changing the Units of the dimension type and override the project units. This is very useful when you wantto mix up Metric and Imperial units in the same project or view for that matter.

Lesson 29. Labeling

Video Reference file: 29-REVIT-HOUSE-LABELING.wmv

In this lesson we fill in the text notes with regular text. Like everything else in REVIT the text has different types andparameters. Have a look. Duplicate and rename the Text type and make changes.

Leader lines can be straight or curved. Note the tool bar at the top with all the text placement options.

Fig. 23

Text Placement Options

Have a look at the Text properties. Text can be transparent or opaque with different fonts and heights etc. as wouldbe expected.

Fig. 24

Text Properties


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Leaders can be added during or after placement of the text. Note the leader grips and the length of the text string.

Tip: Use your arrow keys to Nudge text into place. Shift+arrow key is a bigger nudge. Nudge increments arecontrolled by the snap settings which are effected by the zoomed aspect. Read up.

Fig. 25

Use Arrow keys to Nudge

Dimensions have their own text properties nested in the dimension type parameters. Have a look.

Text, dimensions and annotations in general adjust to the scale of the view. Change the scale in the lower left handof the screen and the annotations will update. We like it. REVIT also does a zoom to fit when you change the viewscale.

Fig. 26View Scale


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You could right click a view and duplicate it. Then change the scale of the duplicated view if it helped you out.Remember a duplicated view is one and the same of the view it was duplicated from. Add a wall it shows up in both

views. Delete and object and it gets deleted from both views.

Fig. 27

Duplicate a view

We add room names and general text on all the views.

We add a slope triangle annotation family from the project browser. We can mirror the family. We can edit theproperties of the triangle and change the slope.

Fig. 28

Slope Triangle Family


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Lesson 30. Sheets, Elevations, Sections, Callouts and Details

Video Reference file: 30-REVIT-HOUSE-SECTIONS-CALLOUTS-DETAILS.wmv

I do not actually cover setting up Sheets in the videos as they are already setup in the Template for simplicityreasons. Sheets are organized in the Project Browser. Right click a sheet name to change the properties or rename.Click the plus icon to open up the tree and see the views that are placed on the sheet.

Fig. 29

Sheets listing in the Project Browser

To create a sheet right click on the Sheets title and click New Sheet. Then you can select a title block or load anew title block. Remember that you can also rotate a title block once place in the view with the regular rotatecommand.

Once you make a sheet you drag views from the Project Browser to the sheet. The view scale will govern the sizeof the view on the sheet. Change the view scale and the sheet will update.

I use the sheets tree to actually navigate from view to view by double clicking on the view from the sheet tree.

You can drag a plan view, an elevation view, section view, callout etc from the project browser to the sheet. Youcan only place a view on one sheet in the project. To place a copy of the same view on another sheet duplicate theview and rename.


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To create a new Elevation first go to a plan view then click View > New > Elevation from the top menu. Then placethe elevation tag and it will create the new elevation view. If elevation tags are turned off in the view you will get thefollowing error and have to go into the visibility of the view and turn Elevations back on under annotation. Elevation

tags also follow the angle of the walls they are facing.

Fig. 30

Warning on visibility

Fig. 31

Creating a new Elevation View

This project template already has the sections and elevations created so as you draw the model the sections andelevations are getting populated and further updated at the sheet level.

This is great in a real world practical position. You start to draw and the plotted sheets are getting populated. All youneed to do is add the annotations to the various views.

We get the Section tool off the Basics design bar. We use sections as a design tool and draw sections all the timewithout regard to the final plotted sheets. Use sections to get information and check clearances. Then keep ordelete the section. You can keep the section but never put it on a sheet and only use it for information. You can alsoadd doors and windows and move things around from within the section so dont be shy. Nudge things around.


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Fig. 32

Sections and Callouts

You can select a section and then click split segment to create a jogged section line. You can select a section mark(or grid line etc.) and right click and click hide annotation in view to hide it in the current view. It will not plot either.Section and Callout bubbles update and synchronize once they are placed on a sheet.

Fig. 33

Full building Section

Once you have a section you can add detail groups or detail families such as blocking or other detail items that youhave created or downloaded from the web.


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Fig. 34

Detail Family Components and Group Components

REVIT has an insulation tool as well that lets you set the insulation width.

As previously noted, you can change the detail level on the lower left of the screen and it will have an effect on theviews.

Fig. 35

View Scale

Create a callout from with a section view. View > New > Callout ..then define the area. You can add details to thesection or the callout. Callouts do not pull the detail items added to the section.

Fig. 36

Callout


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Use the space bar to rotate families and groups as the yare being added.

Use the grips on insulation to stretch it.

Tip: When you create a section you may have to fine tune the Level lines and bubbles. If the Level line has a blue3D icon it means the bubble location is in 3D and if you move it, it will move in the view that looks back at 180degrees. If you only want to move the bubble in the current view click the blue 3D and make it say 2D. Then movingit will only effect the current view. This also goes for grid lines. Also note the Check mark. This turns the bubble Onand Off. You can click the split icon and split the level line to make more room. Then use the grips to position.

Fig. 37Level Bubbles and grips


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Lesson 31. Structural

Video Reference file: 31-REVIT-HOUSE-STRUCTURAL.wmv

In this tutorial we do not use REVIT structural modeling components such as beams and columns. This would be aseparate tutorial.

We put our structural information in the project via Detail Lines, Annotation Families, Groups and Text notes.

Fig. 38

Structural info

We use annotation families for joist and truss notes and place them in the plan views.

We use Detail Lines (DL) to place hidden lines and Beam lines. (you can define your own detail lines by going intoSettings > Line Styles).

We use groups to place footing pads and posts.

Tip: To make a new group, select all the items then click the Group tool button on the upper right. While stillselected click the properties button to rename the group right away. Otherwise it ends up with a generic name likegroup 4 etc. Groups can be edited after the fact. Add new objects to the group or just ungroup them. * Redefining a

group will update all the instances of that group in the project.

Fig. 39

Groups options


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We use a 3D generic model family for the exterior piers and footing pads.

Fig. 40

Pier and Pad Family and Properties

Lesson 32. Site, Topography and Pad

Video Reference file: 32-REVIT-HOUSE-SITE-TOPO-PAD.wmv

Fig. 41

Site tools and finished Site Plan


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The objects we draw in this lesson are meant to display on a Site Plan view. The site plan view has differentvisibility setup and a different view range. Have a look. You may or may not want Site and Topographical objectsvisible in your Sections and Elevations. Check the view Visibility.

We start by going to the site tools and sketching in Property Lines. Property lines can also be added using surveydistances and bearings into a table. We can move the property lines around or place a dimension locating thebuilding on the site and control it from their.

Fig. 42

Property line input options


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Next we create a Topographic surface by placing points at a specific elevation. Note that if the View Range doesnot encompass the point locations due to view depth etc. you may not see the points as they are being place. You

can adjust the view range or create a plan region covered in a previous lesson.

I just use the Point tool to enter the topo surface points manually. You can also import a geodetic survey with 3dpoints from a point file.

Fig. 43

Importing Topo Surface Points

Fig. 44

Manually placing topo points

To change a point elevation, select the topo surface, click edit then select the point and the elevation will bedisplayed at the top of the screen. Change it there. Select more than one point if you want.


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Next we create a Pad. A site Pad is like the excavated hole in the ground. It is sketched like other REVIT objectsand must form a closed loop.

Fig. 45

Pad outline sketching

The trick is to use the Pick option when sketching in the pad and pick the wall faces. This cuts the topo surface rightat the wall and then the cross hatching of the topo will be removed from the house model.

We also use the Pad tool to define the window wells.

Also have a look at the Site Settings under the Settings menu.

Fig. 46

Site Settings


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Note the Topographic Surface properties such as Material. The material defines the shaded view as well as therendered view.

Fig. 47

Topo Surface Properties


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Lesson 33. Trees, Shrubs and Subregion

Video Reference file: 33-REVIT-HOUSE-TREES-DRIVEWAY.wmv

We continue using the Site tools from the design bar.

Fig. 48

3d View with Planting and Entourage


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Site and Planting objects ( like other REVIT objects) look best when rendered.

We are going to start by placing Trees and Shrubs. Trees and Shrubs are under the Planting category Not the Siteor Topography category. We can place Planting items by clicking Component from the Basics tab or we can pickSite Component from the Site tab. Site Component will filter the type list.

Fig. 49

Site Components Types


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You can load more Planting families by starting the component command then click load then browse to thePlanting category or anywhere you choose to locate the *.rfa file.

Fig. 50

Loading Components by Browsing

Planting objects stick to the topo surface as you hover over the surface and click thetopo surface to place.

Click on a Plant item then change it in the type selector if you want. Select more than one at a time.

Place some people from the Entourage category. People look best when rendered. Note the vertical location of theentourage item. They have a level and an offset just like everything else.

Remember you can always select something, right click and Add Selected to place another instance of that type.

To create the driveway and walkway we create a Subsurface. A subsurface is as you could expect a nested surface

area within an existing topo surface. Once Subregioned you can change the subregion material.

Fig. 51

Subregion and Sketching


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I demonstrate that you can flip from view to view while in sketch mode to get you what you want. If you need andunderlay, apply the underlay prior to going into sketch mode.

Lesson 34. Electrical

Video Reference file: 34-REVIT-HOUSE-ELECTRICAL.wmv

Like most other REVIT objects when in plan view REVIT smart Electrical families view in 2d mode. When viewed in3D they appear 3d.

We will place the Electrical information in the Electrical plan views because we want to keep it separate from thearchitectural information. These views are already setup for you as part of the template for this tutorial.

Fig. 52

Electrical Plan


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The other (architectural) floor plans have the Electrical information turned off in the visibility.

What has already been done is I have duplicated the 3 main architectural floor plans, renamed them to reflectElectrical and then set the visibility of all the Walls, Doors, Windows etc . to Halftone in those views. (in the video Isay that I use an underlay. That is incorrect, there is no underlay just duplicated views with almost everything set tohalftone).

Fig. 53

Electrical Plans set other objects to Halftone


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We use a combination of REVIT smart Electrical families, annotation families and detail lines. The detail lines arethe spline lines representing the wiring.

Fig. 54

Electrical Families, Annotation and Electrical Fixtures

The smart families are hosted to the walls. These are the electrical outlets and the switches. You can load moreelectrical families by clicking the component tool and then browse to the electrical or lighting category.

Fig. 56

Browsing to load Electrical Fixtures


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In this tutorial I do not create ceilings so we use an annotation family for the ceiling lights and fans. The REVITceiling lights etc require a ceiling to host the items.

I do use the smart Wall mounted Lights on the outside of the garage because I want to see them in full 3D.

Lesson 35. Rendering and Materials

Video Reference file: 35-REVIT-HOUSE-RENDERING-MATERIALS.wmv

Fig. 58

Rendered Exterior Scene

Rendering quality is a combination of your video card capabilities, the REVIT Materials and the Lighting. We will notbe covering radiosity.

The main thing you need to get results is to apply materials to your objects. This can be done by painting a surface

with a material or applying a material to the component type.


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Fig. 59

Materials located under Settings

Fig. 60

Materials Dialog box

Fig. 61

Accurender Materials


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To make a new Materials, right click an existing material and click duplicate. Then simply change the new materialproperties.

Materials have different appearances depending on how you are looking at them. Hidden Line, Shaded, Cut orRendered as seen in the Materials dialog box..

On the Rendering tab of the design bar you can see some of the rendering tools. Click the Settings button. Thereslots of information in there. Note the environment settings including the Planting Season.

Fig. 62

Rendering Settings


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Note the Sun and sky settings.

Fig. 63

Sun Settings


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You can use the Transfer Project Standards tool under the File menu to transfer Materials (amongst other things)from project to project.

Fig. 64

Transfer Materials from project with Transfer Project Standards


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Thats the end of this Tutorial set. I hope you learned something and had a little fun along the way.

REVIT ROCKS!

- End of Segment 3 -

revit house kit segment 3

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