ATS Revit Family Creation Standards July 23 rd, 2012 Plumbing Fixtures: Faucets Version 1.0

Transcription

1 This document outlines the design standard Allied Technical Services uses in the creation of Revit families. This edition will feature faucets, more specifically, bathroom and kitchen faucets. It is important to optimize all families inserted into a project in order to ensure the Revit platform runs smoothly. Following the criteria recommended in this document will enable users to create faucets that are clean and practical for usage in both large and small Revit projects. 1

2 Contents Introduction... 3 Intent... 3 Before Creating... 4 Project Units... 4 Templates... 4 Importing models from other 3D modelling software... 4 File size... 5 Naming convention... 5 Designing & Detailing... 6 Creating forms... 6 Dimensions and Constraints... 6 Lightweight Design & Detail Level... 7 Visibility settings... 8 Family Category... 8 Pipe Connectors... 8 Parameters... 9 Saving Files Testing Performance

3 Introduction ATS has a dedicated team of BIM specialists who continuously improve the quality and usability of BIM content for the MEP community, such as reducing file sizes, and flexing files daily for geometry detail to ensure maximum consistency and compatibility. Our BIM team has incorporated Autodesk Revit to build all BIM content from scratch, in order to ensure the objects in Revit are comprehensible to computer programs as representations of real world building components, unlike the graphic objects in a 2D CAD file. Our services and BIM library are provided to the design and specification community at no charge. Intent The primary goal of Revit family creation at ATS is to create a fully functioning product from scratch in Revit, while minimizing file size, maintaining accurate geometry of the product and including a standardized format in order to maintain product integrity, and fully utilizing the software features of Autodesk Revit. 3

4 Before Creating Project Units Change units to fractional inches Faucets can be easily measured by their mounting holes - single hole, 4 centres, or 8 centres. Templates Generic Model.rft for deck mounted faucets Generic Model face based.rft for wall mounted faucets These two templates will ensure all faucets will be imported correctly into projects. Generic models require the option Work-plane based in Family Categories to be toggled in order to be nested easily on lavatories. Wall mounted faucets must be face based in order to ensure that they are hosted correctly onto the designated wall. If a wall is adjusted, the faucet will move with the wall as well. Importing models from other 3D modelling software Other 3D model files can be imported to use as a reference to create a family, but should never be used as the actual family geometry itself. Imported geometry cannot be directly edited in Revit, and are considered blocked. This static behaviour also does not allow Revit users to change detail levels. If imported models must be used, it must be in a temporary fashion only. The benefit of the ease of importing models and saving as families does not outweigh the issues caused by imported models. Therefore, all Revit families should be created from scratch within Revit. 4

5 File size Below 400 KB for normal 3D faucets Below 300 KB for lightweight 2D faucets Anywhere between 200 KB and 2 MB+ for imported models Properly modelled families with no voids or splines should size below 400 KB. Lightweight 2D faucets with no geometry will have a very low file size, thus making it a popular option for larger Revit projects. Depending on the complexity of an imported model s geometry, file sizes vary from 200 KB to 2 MB, which is an extreme (but common) file size for one family. Naming convention Family naming convention <Functional Type> <Subtype> <Manufacturer> <Descriptor 1> <Descriptor 2> <2D if necessary>.rfa For example: Faucet-Deck_Mount-Two_Handle-Manufacturer-Product_Series-Model_Number.rfa Faucet-Wall_Mount-Sensor-Manufacturer-Product_Series-Model_Number-2D.rfa Type naming convention For different types of the same family, sizes are used to most effectively distinguish and select desired configurations. Alternatively, product numbers can be used. 5

6 Designing & Detailing Creating forms Focus on creating using only solid shapes. Careful consideration and geometric analysis will often lead to efficient solutions using the five solid modelling tools available without having to resort to voids. Do not use voids if possible. Voids greatly increase file size. Do not create solid parts using splines with more than two control points, as this will drastically increase file size. Do not model internal components, hidden faces, or nuts, bolts and screws. Join all geometry that share appropriate faces and materials. Dimensions and Constraints Create reference planes for accurate creation of geometry based on spec sheets, installation instructions, or imported CAD models. Constrain these reference planes using dimensions, and constrain geometry to the reference planes. Avoid overconstraining as it can potentially increase the file size of your Revit family. For an added level of security, pin all reference planes and geometry when completed. This will help ensure files will not be modified by the end-user. Smart parameters can be used for faucets with separate mounting handles. For example, separate family types can be created for faucets with handles at 4 centres or 8 centres. 6

7 Lightweight Design & Detail Level For larger Revit projects, balancing system performance against design complexity is a common issue. Lightweight 2D families are an effective compromise between performance and model detail in this regard. Lightweight 2D families do not contain 3D components and consist only of symbolic lines and extrusion placeholders for pipe connectors. In a large Revit project it is often currently recommended to use lightweight 2D families in lieu of normal 3D families in order to maintain a high level of responsiveness from Revit while still being able to use important features such as scheduling, pipe connectors, and different family types. Depending on the primary usage of the family, one or more detail levels can be assigned. If only a 2D representation is required, then only a simple outline of the model is necessary in plan view, created using symbolic lines within a masking region. The masking region is necessary in order to make only the necessary lines visible. The outline of the masking region should match identically the outline of the faucet as well as any handles. If the project requires a full 3D & 2D Revit family, then symbolic lines should be drawn in varying degrees of detail level (Coarse, Medium, Fine): Revit Family Visibility Settings Coarse Medium* Fine 2D Visibility 3D Visibility *Medium graphic setting is typically set to show 3D and hide 2D This is accomplished in order to reduce clutter. 7

8 Visibility settings Faucets should be hidden in detailed plan views (Medium, Fine) and all side views (Coarse, Medium, Fine) This is accomplished in order to simplify views in a project. Typically, only the lavatory is needed to be viewed by an engineer. Family Category Toggle Shared This will ensure that custom parameters will appear in schedules. Faucets are categorized under Plumbing fixtures General OmniClass number for faucets is Sanitary faucets, wastes If the family is a Generic Model, toggle Work Plane-Based As previously mentioned in Templates, Work Plane-Based should be toggled in order to easily nest faucets on to lavatories. Pipe Connectors Pipe connectors do not need to be included in generic models. They can be included in face-based models for representation, but will have to be replaced when nested into another family. As faucets are a separate family from the lavatory, any pipe connectors created will not carry over when nested into another family. Additionally, deck mounted faucets are technically not the correct location for pipe connectors to be placed, as the connectors should be located on the water supplies. 8

9 Parameters System Parameters Default elevation is irrelevant, as mounting heights will differ depending on the lavatory the faucet is nested on. Toggle HW and CW Connection, and untoggle Waste Connection and Vent Connection. Shared Parameters Add all model options from manufacturer s specification sheets, and toggle parameter(s) added if included in family geometry. Some model options will require a redesign of the family that cannot be handled with smart parameters. Material Discipline: Common Type of Parameter: Material Add as many Material parameters as necessary, ie. Faucet Body Material, Sensor Material, Handle Material URLs Product URL Spec Sheet URL Installation Instructions URL Discipline: Common Type of Parameter: URL In order for users to find documentation easily, provide links to manufacturers products web pages. 9

10 Revised Date Discipline: Common Type of Parameter: Text Date Revit family was last updated. Flow Rate (gpm) Discipline: Piping Type of Parameter: Flow The most common faucet flow rates range between 0.5 gpm to 2.2 gpm. This parameter allows a user to easily discern if the faucet is a low flow faucet, which can contribute to LEED credits. Also allows end-user to use this parameter to aid Revit in calculating flow rates in piping systems. Wattage (W) Discipline: Electrical Type of Parameter: Wattage Allows end-user to utilize this parameter to aid Revit in calculating wattage usage in electrical systems. Amperage (A) Discipline: Electrical Type of Parameter: Current Allows end-user to utilize this parameter to aid Revit in calculating current usage in electrical systems. 10

11 ADA Compliant Discipline: Common Type of Parameter: Yes/No Will indicate to user if product is ADA Compliant. Industry Standard Compliance Discipline: Common Type of Parameter: Yes/No For example: WaterSense, ASMI, ASME, and CSA. It is important to fill out as much relevant information as possible in all System and Shared parameters. A robust set of metadata will allow endusers to utilize Revit to its fully functioning capacity. 11

12 Saving Files Create a separate 3D View named Preview with these settings: Normal 3D family Scale: ½ = 1 0 Detail level: Fine Graphics: Shading with edges Lightweight 2D family Scale: ½ = 1 0 Detail level: Coarse Graphics: Hidden line Always Close Hidden Windows and Purge Unused to close any unused windows as well as remove extraneous files before saving. When saving, toggle Compact File option. This option often decreases file size. If building a comprehensive library, create all files in an earlier version of Revit if possible. Files created in earlier versions of Revit are compatible with later versions, but not vice versa. 12

13 Testing Performance Using a test project, verify the following: If family is hosted, check to see if host flexes as expected. Verify that the family preview image is using the Preview view. Check all views to ensure that the family displays appropriate detail levels. Check all shared parameters to appear in plumbing fixture schedules. If smart parameters were used in family construction, check to see if geometry flexes as expected. 13