Design Object Library Guide For Revit Objects Centre for Construction IT
Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. Understanding the Revit s Family Editor... 4 2.1 Family Editor Tools... 5 3. Creating Mechanical Equipment with CP83 Symbol... 7 3.1 Recommended Workflow... 7 Planning... 8 Choosing a Family Template... 9 Create an Object Sub-categoty... 10 Creating the Object Framework... 11 Creating the Object Geometry... 12 Creating Solid 3D Geometry... 12 Creating CP83 2D Symbol... 14 Adding MEP Connectors... 14 Managing object Visibility Graphics... 16 Testing the Object into the Project... 16 4. References... 18 Revit Families Guide... 18 Library Creation Tutorial Videos... 18 Customizing Autodesk Seek Library to comply with the local standards... 18 Content Modification... 18 Page 2
1. Introduction This guide is intended to give concept in creating and modifying Revit objects to comply with the Singapore standards. This should be read in conjunction with Revit Families Guide to better understand some software terms used in the entire documents. Although any sketching and 2D or 3D modeling experience is helpful to understand how to work with families, before working with this guide, users should have a basic understanding of Revit MEP. If not, it is recommended to use the tutorials included in the software. In this guide, the user will learn: - how to create MEP objects from the scratch - how to create and incorporate CP83 2D symbols in the MEP objects - how to modify downloaded objects from the internet and other sources - how to load and use created objects into the project Page 3
2. Understanding the Revit s Family Editor The Family Editor is a graphical editing mode in Revit MEP that allows you to create objects to include in your project. To get started, choosing the correct template for the objects to be created should be considered. The template can include multiple views, such as plan and elevation views. The Family Editor has the same look and feel as the project environment in Revit MEP, but features different tools located on a single Home tab. Family Editor can be accessed through: Application Menu > New > Family Page 4
2.1 Family Editor Tools Family Category and Parameters (Home tab Family Category and Parameters) opens the Family Category and Parameters. You can create new family types or new instance and type parameters. Dimension tool (Annotate tab Dimension panel) add permanent dimensions to the family, in addition to ones that Revit MEP automatically creates as you draw the geometry. This is important if you wish to create different sizes of the object. Symbolic Line tool (Annotate tab Detail panel Symbolic Line) lets you draw lines that are meant for symbolic purposes only. For example, you might use symbolic lines to represent the flow direction for a pipe fitting. Symbolic lines are not part of the actual geometry of the object. Symbolic lines are visible parallel to the view in which you draw them. You can control symbolic line visibility on cut instances. Select the symbolic line, and click Modify Lines tab Visibility panel Visibility Settings. In the Family element visibility settings dialog, select Show only if instance is cut. Reference Plane tool (Home tab Datum panel Reference Plane) creates a reference plane, which is an infinite plane that serves as a guide for drawing lines and geometry. Reference Line tool (Home tab Datum panel Reference Line) creates a line similar to a reference plane, but that has logical start and end points. Text tool (Annotate tab Text panel Text) lets you add text notes to the family. This is typically used in an annotation object. Model Text tool (Home tab Model panel Model Text) lets you add signage to a building or letters to a wall. Section (View tab Create panel Section) lets you create a section view. Component tool (Home tab Model panel Component) selects the type of component to be inserted into the Family Editor. After you select this tool, the Type Selector becomes active and you can select a component. Symbolic Line tool (Annotate tab Detail panel Symbolic Line) lets you place 2D annotation drawing symbols. Detail Component tool (Annotate tab Detail panel Detail Component) lets you place a detail component. Masking Region tool (Annotate tab Detail panel Masking Region) lets you apply a mask that will obscure model elements when the object is used to create an element in a project. See Masking Regions in the Revit MEP 2012 Help. Page 5
Forms tool (Home tab Forms panel) provides access to tools that let you create solid and voids geometry in the object. Load into Project (Home tab Family Editor panel Load Into Project) lets you load a family directly into any open project or family. Page 6
3. Creating Mechanical Equipment with CP83 Symbol To create an object in revit, you need to define the geometry and size of the object using a family template that is provided in Revit MEP. You can then save the object as a separate Revit family file (.rfa file) and load it into any project. Depending on the complexity of the object, the creation process can be time-consuming. If you can identify an object that is similar to the one you want to create, you can save time and effort by copying, renaming, and modifying the existing object. The topics in this section apply to the creation of model (3D) objects, but some are relevant to 2D objects, including titleblocks, annotation symbols, and detail components. 3.1 Recommended Workflow Page 7
Planning Before creating the object, it is important to list down the object s requirements. Below are the requirement should be considered: Sizes Display in plan or in 3D such as symbols. Detail Hosting if necessary Non-geometry attributes such as Voltage, Capacity, etc Below is the example. Capacity Apparent Load Hosting CP83 Symbol 300KVA 2000KVA Face Base Page 8
Choosing a Family Template After you plan an object, your next step is to choose the base template that you will use. When you create an object, you are prompted to select a family template that corresponds to the type of element that the object will going to create. The template serves as a building block, containing the information that you need to start creating the object and that Revit MEP needs to place the object in projects. 1. Application Menu > New > Family 2. Choose Metric Generic Model face based.rft from the list of available templates. NOTE: If you are creating an annotation or titleblock object, click New Annotation Symbol or Title Block. Page 9
Create an Object Sub-categoty When you create an object, the template assigns it to a category that defines the default display of the object (line weight, line color, line pattern, and material assignment of the object geometry) when the object is loaded into a project. Placing the object in the right category can be done though the following steps: 1. From the Home Tab, choose Family Category and Parameters. 2. On the Family Category and Parameters dialog box, choose Mechanical Equipment. TIP: You can apply a drafting pattern to the object. When you create and define a subcategory to apply to the object, you can specify its surface and cut pattern materials to have a drafting Page 10
pattern. You cannot apply a model pattern to the object. Only flat or cylindrical surfaces can have drafting patterns. See Fill Patterns in the Revit MEP 2012 Help. Creating the Object Framework After planning the object s parameters, the next step is to create the object s framework. The framework is comprised of lines and parameters in which you later create the object geometry. It also defines the origin (insertion point) of elements that you create with the object. To create a framework for the object shown on planning stage, please follow below steps. 1. From the chosen template, add a reference line from point 1 to point 2. See the figure above. 2. In the temporary dimension, key-in 350mm distance from the reference plane. (green dotted line in the family editor window). 3. Mirror the 2 reference lines created to have a square with 700mm x 70mm size. This will be the face of the equipment. Page 11
Creating the Object Geometry You can use both 2- and 3-dimensional geometry to create the object. Create solid geometric shapes to represent the element that the object is intended to create. Use 2D linework to add detail to solid geometry in certain views or to create a symbolic plan representation of an element. Creating Solid 3D Geometry To create solid object geometry, you use 3-dimensional solid and void forms. Solid forms are 3D shapes that represent the solid geometry of object. 1. From the Home tab, choose Extrusion. On the property panel, key-in 25mm for the extrusion end. This will be the thickness of the equipment face. 2. Start the extrusion from point a to point b. Please see the figure in the left. 3. Click Finish Edit mode once done. 4. Do the same procedure to create the body of the FCU by setting the following: Extrusion end: 286mm Offset from the edge of the object : 62.5mm Once done, the object will be the same in the left figure. Page 12
5. Creating geometry for pipe connector. - On the Home Tab, click set to assign one of the sides of the object to be the reference workplane. (d) - On the Wok Plane dialog box, choose Pick the Workplane. - Pick the object s side surface. (e) - Go to the right elevation of the model using View Cube. This is to easily draw a circle that will represent the connection point. - Repeat no. 2 procedures to draw the pipe connection points, this time choose Circle for the drawing method. (f) - Make 12.5mm for the radius and 50mm for the extrusion end. - Add two more connection points for chilled water supply, chilled water return and drain system of the equipment. - The object will be the same as the figure below once done. Created Geometry Page 13
Other detail steps in creating 3D geometry can be found inside the Family Guide of Revit. Creating CP83 2D Symbol 2D symbol will be the representation of the 3D elements in plan view in compliance with the CP83 standards. Follow below procedures to add 2D symbols to the 3D object. 1. Use the symbolic lines under Annotate tab of Revit to draw the 2D symbol. 2. Trace some of the lines of the 3D geometry. Adding MEP Connectors Connectors allow Revit MEP content to participate in specific systems and facilitate calculations for a variety of parameters. Below connectors can be added to the 3D geometry as requires by the equipment to be created. Please do below procedures to add MEP connectors to the 3D model. 1. On the 3D view, choose Pipe connector from the Home Tab. Page 14
2. Pick the edge of the pipe connection points that has been modeled 3. Select the Pipe Connector Element and on Property Panel, change the System Type to Hydronic Supply (4) and the Radius of the pipe to 12.5mm. 4. Create 2 more connectors for hydronic return and drain by doing the above procedures. 5. Choose the Electrical Connectors to add the electrical properties of the equipment. This can be done by doing the above procedures. On the Property panel, key-in the desire voltage. Note: More steps for Adding Connectors Properties can be found on page 82 of the Revit Families Guide. Page 15
Managing object Visibility Graphics Visibility of a object determines in which view the object displays and what it looks like in that view. In a 3D or elevation view, you may want a fully detailed 3D representation of the element but only 2D symbols on your floor plans. You have the flexibility to display different levels of geometry by controlling the objects geometry visibility. 1. On the 3D view, select the elements that will not be shown on plan. Use the Ctl key on the keyboard to do a multiple selection if necessary. 2. Choose the Visibility Settings and uncheck the Plan / RCP in the setting. Testing the Object into the Project After you have finished the object, load it in at least one project, and create elements with the family types to ensure it works correctly. Make sure you select a test project that contains any geometry with which the family must interact. For example, if the family is a host-based family like a lighting fixture, ensure that the test project contains the host elements (ceilings or walls). BEST PRACTICE Until you successfully test the family, do not save it in a library where it is accessible to others. To test the Object into the project 1. Open a test project. NOTE Imperial and metric testing projects are available in the Training Files folder. Click Open Project, click Training Files in the left pane of the Open dialog, and open Imperial or Metric. Open Imperial_ Family_Testing_Template.rvt or Metric_Family_Testing_Template.rvt. 2. To load the family in the project, do either of the following: In the family, click Home tab Family Editor panel Load into Project. In the project, click Insert tab Load from Library panel Load Family, navigate to the location of the family, select it, and click Open. 3. In the project, click the Home tab, and then click the appropriate tool to begin creating an element from one of the new family types. 4. On the Properties panel, select a type from the Type Selector drop-down. Page 16
5. Add the element to the project. If the element is host-based, place it in a host element. 6. In the current view, test the element: - On the View Control Bar, change the Detail Level and/or Model Graphics style to ensure that visibility settings work correctly. - Click View tab Graphics panel Visibility & Graphics, and change the visibility for the element by category and, if applicable, by subcategories. - Select the element, right-click, and click Element Properties. - In the Instance Properties dialog, change any of the instance parameters, and click OK to view and verify the changes. - If the family contains multiple types, select the element, and on the Modify <element> tab Element panel, select a different family type from the Type Selector drop-down. 7. Open additional project views, and repeat step 6. 8. If the family contains more than one type, repeat steps 3-6 to test other types in the family. 9. If you find any errors in the family, edit the family, and retest it in a project. 10. When you finish testing the family, save it in the metric Revit MEP library or in another location of your choice. Page 17
4. References Revit Families Guide Hands on tutorial with training files included http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteid=123112&id=13376617 Library Creation Video Tutorials Start http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fms63mhb3s&feature=related Creating Geometry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwh2zquinps&feature=related Making Parametric Library http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh3q_dqgvkq&feature=related Customizing Autodesk Seek Library to comply with the local standards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy_spyfc-qy Content Modification http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjvxvogzr10&feature=related Page 18