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Revit
Revit
User Interface
1 File Tab
3 InfoCenter
4 Options Bar
5 Type Selector
6 Properties Palette
7 Project Browser
8 Status Bar
10 Drawing Area
11 Ribbon
13 A contextual tab on the ribbon, providing tools relevant to the selected object or
current action
Related Concepts
Organizing the Project Browser
Troubleshooting: Cannot Find a Tool or Feature
Related Tasks
Use Revit in Other Languages
Related Information
Options
Project Settings
Keyboard Shortcuts
Customize Revit
Revit Structure
The term parametric refers to the relationships among all elements of the model that
enable the coordination and change management that Revit provides. These
relationships are created either automatically by the software or by you as you work.
In mathematics and mechanical CAD, the numbers or characteristics that define these
kinds of relationships are called parameters; hence, the operation of the software is
parametric. This capability delivers the fundamental coordination and productivity
benefits of Revit: change anything at any time anywhere in the project, and Revit
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 move the partition, the door retains this relationship to
the partition.
The edge of a floor or roof is related to the exterior wall such that when the exterior
wall is moved, the floor or roof remains connected. In this case, the parameter is one
of association or connection.
Windows or pilasters are spaced equally across a given elevation. If the length of
the elevation is changed, the relationship of equal spacing is maintained. In this
case, the parameter is not a number but a proportional characteristic.
Rebar is spaced equally across a given element. If the length of the element is
changed, the relationship of equal spacing is maintained. In this case, the parameter
is not a number but a proportional characteristic.
C.) Revit Terms
Most of the terms used to identify objects in Revit are common, industry-standard terms. However,
some terms are unique to Revit. Understanding the following terms is crucial to understanding the
software.
Project
In Revit, the project is the single database of information for your design—the building information
model. The project file contains all information for the building design, from geometry 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 makes it easy for you to alter the design
and have 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.
Level
Levels are infinite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hosted elements, such as roofs,
floors, and ceilings. Most often, you use levels to define a vertical height or story within a building.
You create a level for each known story or other needed reference of the building; for example, first
floor, top of wall, or bottom of foundation. To place levels, you must be in a section or elevation view.
Element
When creating a project, you add parametric building elements to the design. Revit classifies
elements by categories, families, and types.
Category
A category is a group of elements that you use to model or document a building design.
Examples
Categories of model elements: walls, beams
Family
Families are classes of elements in a category. A family groups elements with a common set of
parameters (properties), identical use, and similar graphical representation. Different elements in a
family may have different values for some or all properties, but the set of properties—their names
and meaning—is the same.
Examples
Six-panel colonial doors could be considered one family, although the doors that compose the
family come in different sizes and materials.
A truss could be considered one family, although the web supports that compose the family
come in different sizes and materials.
A lighting fixture could be considered one family, although the pendant lights that compose the
family come in different sizes and materials.
Loadable families can be loaded into a project and created from family templates. You can
determine the set of properties and the graphical representation of the family.
System families are not available for loading or creating as separate files.
o Revit predefines the set of properties and the graphical representation of system families.
o You can use the predefined types to generate new types that belong to this family within the
project. For example, the behavior of a level is predefined in the system. However, you can
create different types of levels with different compositions.
o System families can be transferred between projects.
Examples
o Walls, dimensions, ceilings, roofs, floors, and levels
Because in-place elements are intended for limited use in a project, each in-place family
contains only a single type. You can create multiple in-place families in your projects, and you
can place copies of the same in-place element in your projects. Unlike system and standard
component families, you cannot duplicate in-place family types to create multiple types.
Type
Each family can have several types. A type can be a specific size of a family, such as a 30” X 42” or
A0 title block. A type can also be a style, such as default aligned or default angular style for
dimensions.
Instance
Instances are the actual items (individual elements) that are placed in the project and have specific
locations in the building (model instances) or on a drawing sheet (annotation instances).
A project template can include view templates, loaded families, defined settings (such
as units, fill patterns, line styles, line weights, view scales, and more), and geometry, if
desired.
As installed, Revit provides several templates for different disciplines and types of
building projects. The templates are stored in the following location:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Autodesk\RVT 2019\Templates
You can also create custom templates to address specific needs or to ensure
adherence to office standards.
When creating a model, select the template that best reflects your discipline and intent.
The list of templates is available on the New Project dialog. The list includes the Revit
default templates and your custom templates.
On the Options Bar, Make Plan View is selected by default. As a result, each level
you create is a story level and has an associated floor plan view and a reflected
ceiling plan view. If you click Plan View Types on the Options Bar, you can choose
to create only the view types that you specify in the Plan View Types dialog. If you
clear Make Plan View, the level is considered to be a non-story level or a reference
level; no associated plan view is created. Walls and other level-based elements can
use reference levels as their top or base constraint.
As you draw level lines, the heads and tails of the lines can align to one another.
When you select a level line that is aligned with others, a lock appears to show the
alignment. If you move the level line horizontally, all aligned level lines move with it.
You can change the name of the level by clicking the number to select it. You can
also change the height of the level by clicking the dimension.
Revit assigns the label (for example, Level 1) and the level symbol to the new
level. Use the Project Browser to rename the level, if desired. If you rename the
level, you are asked if you would like to re-name the associated floor plan and the
reflected ceiling plan as well.
Model elements represent the actual 3D geometry of the building. They display in
relevant views of the model.
Examples:
View-specific elements display only in the views in which they are placed. They help
to describe or document the model. For example, dimensions are view-specific
elements.
Hosts (or host elements) are generally built in place at the construction site.
Examples:
Model components are all the other types of elements in the building model.
Examples:
Annotation elements are 2D components that document the model and maintain
scale on paper. For example, dimensions, tags, and keynotes are annotation
elements.
Details are 2D items that provide details about the building model in a particular
view. Examples include detail lines, filled regions, and 2D detail components.
This implementation provides flexibility for designers. Revit 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.
In Revit, the elements determine their behavior largely from their context in the building.
The context is determined 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
other cases, you can explicitly control them, by locking a dimension or aligning 2 walls,
for example.
1. In the Family Editor, click Create tab (or Modify tab) Properties panel (Family
Category and Parameters).
2. From the dialog, select a family category whose properties you want to import into
the current family.
3. Specify the family parameters.
Note: Family parameter options vary depending on family category.
4. Click OK.
Most elements that you create in your projects are system families or loadable families.
Loadable families can be combined to create nested and shared families. Non-standard
or custom elements are created using in-place families.
System Families
System families create basic elements that you would assemble on a construction site.
Examples:
System settings, which affect the project environment and include types for levels, grids,
drawing sheets, and viewports, are also system families.
System families are predefined in Revit. You do not load them into your projects from
external files, nor do you save them in locations external to the project.
Loadable Families
Because of their highly customizable nature, loadable families are the families that you
most commonly create and modify in Revit. Unlike system families, loadable families
are created in external RFA files and imported, or loaded, in your projects. For loadable
families that contain many types, you can create and use type catalogs, which allow you
load only the types that you need for a project.
In-Place Families
In-place elements are unique elements that you create when you need to create a
unique component that is specific to the current project. You can create in-place
geometry so that it references other project geometry, resizing or adjusting accordingly
if the referenced geometry changes. When you create an in-place element, Revit
creates a family for the in-place element, which contains a single family type.
Creating an in-place element involves many of the same Family Editor tools as creating
a loadable family.
G.) Revit Element Properties
Each element you place in a drawing is an instance of a family type. Elements have 2
sets of properties that control their appearance and behavior: type properties and
instance properties.
Type Properties
The same set of type properties is common to all elements in a family, and each
property has the same value for all instances of a particular family type.
For example, all elements that belong to the Desk family have a Width property, but its
value varies according to family type. Thus every instance of the 60 x 30-inch family
type (1525 x 762 mm) within the Desk family has a Width value of 60 inches (1525 mm),
while every instance of the 72 x 36-inch family type (1830 x 915 mm) has a Width value
of 72 inches (1830 mm).
Changing the value of a type property affects all current and future instances of that
family type.
Instance Properties
A common set of instance properties also applies to all elements that belong to a
particular family type, but the values of these properties may vary according to the
location of an element in a building or project.
For example, the dimensions of a window are type properties, while its elevation from
the level is an instance property. Similarly, cross-sectional dimensions of a beam are
type properties, while beam length is an instance property.
Changing the value of an instance property affects only the elements in your selection
set, or the element that you are about to place. For example, if you select a beam, and
change one of its instance property values on the Properties palette, only that beam is
affected. If you select a tool for placing beams, and change one of its instance property
values, the new value applies to all beams you place with that tool.
H.) Revit Advanced Workflows
Use these workflows to perform complex tasks.
Import CAD
Learn about Use 2D CAD files Control the way Bring CAD files
importing 2D CAD in drafting views CAD files are into the Revit
files as reference for documentation imported into model.
or as purposes. You can Revit.
Import a CAD File
documentation in link callouts in the
Import and Link
the Revit model. Revit model to the
Options
drafting views.
Importing CAD
Files Import a Drafting
View From
Another CAD
Program
Use CAD Files
Make View-
Specific Changes
to the Graphic
Display of Layers
Export CAD
Revit supports Control which Control the layers Export views of the
several CAD elements are and properties model to 2D files.
formats. Choose exported to the 2D used for 2D
Export to DWG or
the export format file to improve exported files.
DXF
needed for your performance and
Layer Mapping for
workflow. reduce file size.
DWG/DXF Export
Exporting to CAD About Limiting
Formats Model Geometry
Before Exporting
When team members need to review the Revit model, you can use DWF files
with Autodesk Design Review for commenting.
DWF Import/Export
To share the model with Install Autodesk Design Link DWF files with
team members who Review to review and markups back into Revit
need to review the comment on DWF files. for review.
project, export to 2D or
Download Design Link DWF Markups
3D DWF files.
Review
Export to DWF
Revit provides several different ways to collaborate with team members who are also
using the software.
You can link multiple Revit models together, allowing team members to work in
context.
Through worksharing, users on the same local area network (LAN) can work
together in the same Revit model.
When collaboration needs to occur among users who are not in the same
geographic location, use Revit Server or Collaboration for Revit.
o Revit Server connects offices who share a network but are not in the same
geographic location.
o Collaboration for Revit is a cloud-based service that allows any Revit users inside
or outside a network to collaborate on a Revit model.
Linking Revit Models
Control the way Use a linked model Copy linked When using
linked model to place elements elements into your Copy/Monitor with
geometry appears in your model and model. linked models,
in views. track any changes follow these best
Copy/Monitor
to element practices
Visibility of Linked geometry or
Models Best Practices:
positioning.
Copy/Monitor
Workflow:
Copy/Monitor for
Linked Models
Local Worksharing
Use worksharing Set up a model for Consider how Learn how to work
on a project in an worksharing. team members will on a team with a
office so that work on the model. workshared model.
multiple team Then decide how
members can to use worksets to
collaborate on one Workflow: Setting manage each part Workflow: Working
model. Up a Workshared of the model and on a Team Project
Project to coordinate the
About Worksharing work of team
members.
About Planning
Worksets
Revit Server
When offices are Learn the basics Central models on Use Revit Server
in 2 different of Revit Server. Revit Server are Administrator to
geographic managed in a understand the
Video: Revit
locations, consider different way than activity in your
Server - What it
switching to file-based central models and
Does and How it
server-based worksharing. to optimize their
Works
worksharing using performance.
About Revit Server
Revit Server.
Video: Revit Server
File-based Administrator
Worksharing
Versus Server-
based
Worksharing
Follow these steps Use Collaboration Connect with other Check the status
to set up a Revit for Revit to edit team members and manage your
model on a cloud models, and use using models.
project and invite Communicator to Communicator for Manage Revit
others to share your Revit. Models in the
collaborate. changes with the Cloud
Use
project team.
Workflow: Get Communicator for
Started with Workflow: Use Revit
Collaboration for Collaboration for
Revit Revit and
Communicator
You can use Navisworks, BIM 360 Glue, and BIM 360 Field to collaborate with your
team during the construction process.
Use Navisworks to combine models and files into one building information model.
Perform interference checking, construction simulations/scheduling, and quantification
on the building information model.
When on-site, use BIM 360 Glue to review the project and create or share markups for
review by the extended team. BIM 360 Field allows you to track issues during the
construction process and share information about installation with the Revit model.
Navisworks
Install this utility to You can open a Use the Clash Use Switchback to
allow Revit to Revit model Detective tool to quickly locate an
export NWC files. directly in find clashes in the element selected
Navisworks. model geometry. in a Navisworks
Navisworks uses model in the
the Revit file corresponding
reader settings Revit model.
when opening the
file.
Access your BIM Understand the Upload Revit Find clashes while
360 Glue models steps involved in models to BIM 360 working in the
using a mobile collaborating and Glue. field.
device. sharing models on
Video: Uploading Video: Finding and
BIM 360 Glue.
Video: Using the Models Managing Clashes
BIM Glue Mobile Workflow:
Application Collaboration and
Coordination
Create markups
for review and
share them with
other team
members.
Video: Creating
and Sharing
Markups
BIM 360 Field
Use interoperability workflows between Revit and Navisworks to see your design
in the context of other models and to check for conflicts.
Coordination Models
Utility Install
Before exporting a Revit model, optimize it for use in Navisworks. Prepare Revit
views specifically for exporting the needed elements. Set export options to
control how the Revit model is read at the time of export.
Views
Create a custom 3D Control which elements Learn how to use visibility
view for exporting the are visible in the view and graphics options to
model to Navisworks. for export to control the display of
Navisworks. elements in a view.
Project Management
Navisworks can work with models from Revit in 2 ways: opening a native NWC
file exported from Revit, or opening a Revit model directly.
View and coordinate multiple files in Navisworks. You can also perform simulations,
quantification, or clash detection.
Navisworks Tools
Navigate within the Select elements in Examine the Use the Clash
Navisworks model. the Navisworks properties of Detective tool to
model. selected find clashes in the
elements. model geometry.
Learn how to use
Navisworks Manage
to detect clashes in
aggregated models.
Video: Clash
Detection Using
Navisworks Manage
Elements in Revit are also referred to as families. The family contains the
geometric definition of the element and the parameters used by the element.
Each instance of an element is defined and controlled by the family. Loadable
families are created in external RFA files and imported, or loaded, in your
projects.
Before creating a loadable family, you must plan and make decisions about the
way a family is going to behave in the model. Planning behaviors and listing the
information needed for the family will help you make decisions as you create the
family in the Family Editor.
Plan
Understand the Understand the Plan the geometry, Learn about family
workflow used tools and the detail level, templates and how
when creating a terminology used parameters, and they affect the
family. in the Family behaviors needed behavior of the
Editor. for the family. family in model
Workflow: files.
Loadable Families About the Family Plan a Loadable
Editor Family Video: About
Family Templates
Create Family
Types
Using advanced family techniques, you can nest geometry and build relationships
between family parameters. You can also add parameters or sub-categories to control
the visibility of family geometry.
Nested Families
Learn how you can Create a nested To control the Create families
use nested family by creating scheduling and that feature
families to bring or opening a host tagging behavior of interchangeable
multiple families family, and loading a nested family components.
together and use instances of other when it's loaded
Create a Nested
them as one families into it. into a project, use
Family with
family. the Shared setting.
Create a Family Interchangeable
About Nesting and with Nested Create a Family Components
Sharing Loadable Components with Nested and
Families Shared
Components
To control
geometry, build
connections from
the parameters of
the host family to
the parameters of
the nested family.
Associate Family
Parameters
Control Visibility
Other
Use type catalogs Check The Revit Use reference Understand how to
when you do not Clinic blog for tips lines to control work with units in
want to load more to help you when angular formulas.
than 6 types into a creating families. relationships in
Revit Clinic:
project, but instead families.
Revit Clinic: 10 Inconsistent Units
want to specify
Revit Family Tips Control Angular
only the types
Dimensions with
needed for your
Reference Lines
model.
Create a Type
Catalog
Explore some
examples of
loadable families
to better
understand the
process of family
creation.
Examples of
Loadable Families
MEP Families
Families used for MEP workflows have elements not used for other families. Connectors
allow the families to be used in systems and connected to MEP services in the model.
Connectors
Position the
primary connector
to dictate
connection
behavior. As you
build the family,
you can move and
swap primary
connectors if
needed.
Select a Primary
Connector
Lighting