Getting Started with Revit Architecture

Example of the model built in this tutorial

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Interface
o 2.1 Tooltips and help
o 2.2 Navigation
o 2.3 Selections
3 Creating a Project
4 Creating Walls
5 Creating Terrain
6 Adding Exterior Walls
7 Adding a Roof
8 Adding Floors
9 Adding Interior Walls
10 Adding Doors
11 Adding Windows
12 Adding a Curtain Wall
13 Attaching Walls to the Roof
14 Modifying the Entry Deck
15 Adding a Sloped Floor
16 Adding Stairs and Railings
17 Modifying the Roof

Introduction

This tutorial is an update version of the "Getting Started with Revit Architecture" by Autodesk (Original PDF by
Autodesk). That tutorial is shipped with Revit Architecture 2009, but was never updated to Revit 2011 and
higher. We've updated the tutorial to correspond with Revit (Architecture) 2013 in the metric system. Images
may be from previous versions of Revit if there are no (important) changes.

This page uses abbreviations for the mouse buttons:

LMB: Left Mouse Button

MMB: Middle Mouse Button

RMB: Right Mouse Button

Interface

Application button
The application menu provides access to common file actions, such as New, Open, and Save. It also
allows you to manage files using more advanced tools, such as Export and Publish.
Ribbon
The ribbon displays when you create or open a file. It provides all the tools necessary to create a project
or family. As you resize the Revit window, you may notice that tools in the ribbon automatically adjust
their size to fit the available space. This feature allows all buttons to be visible for most screen sizes.
Options Bar
The Options Bar is located directly below the ribbon. Its contents change depending on the current tool
or selected element.
Properties Palette
The Properties palette is a modeless dialog where you can view and modify the parameters that define
the properties of elements in Revit. Typically you keep the Properties palette open during a Revit
session. The Type Selector is located at the top of the Properties Palette.
Project Browser
The Project Browser shows a logical hierarchy for all views, schedules, sheets, families, groups, linked
Revit models, and other parts of the current project. As you expand and collapse each branch, lower-
level items display.
Status Bar
The status bar is located along the bottom of the Revit window. When you are using a tool, the left side
of the status bar provides tips or hints on what to do. When you are highlighting an element or
component, the status bar displays the name of the family and type.
View Control Bar
The View Control Bar is located at the bottom of the view window above the status bar. It provides
quick access to functions that affect the current view.

If at any time you've closed an interface element (eg: the Properties Palette or the Project Browser), you can
open them again through the

User Interface button in the View tab of the Ribbon.

Tooltips and help

If you hover your mouse over a tool in the ribbon, a quick help will appear that explains what the tool does. If
you hold you mouse longer, more in-depth information on the tool is displayed (sometimes even with video).

Press F1 to access the Revit architecture Help.

The online Revit help is available at: wikihelp.autodesk.com/Revit

Navigation

Zoom - use the scroll wheel of your mouse

Pan - Click and hold your MMB

Selections

When you hover your mouse over an element in Revit, it is highlighted to indicate which object would be
selected. If you than LMB-click it, the element is actually selected. When an element is highlighted, the Status
Bar displays information on the element.

When multiple objects are eligible to be selected, you can use [TAB] to cycle through the list of elements that
can be selected, changing which one is actually highlighted. This method is also useful to select an entire chain
of walls. When one part of a chain of walls is highlighted, pressing [TAB] enables you to select the entire chain.

You can also drag a selection window to select multiple elements. There are two options:

Drag window left to right

Only elements that are completely within the window are used.
Drag window right to left
All elements that are within the window, either partially or fully, are used.

You may use the following keys to add to or remove from your selection. It can both be used when clicking
elements individually and when dragging a window to select multiple.

hold Ctrl and select

Add to the current selection
hold Shift and select
Remove from the current selection
hold Ctrl+Shift and select
toggle selection: elements that are already selected will be removed frrom the selection, unselected will
be added to the selection selected.</div>

You can also return to the previous selection. RMB-click and choose Select Previous or press Ctrl + [left arrow].
Creating a Project

Create a new Architecture Project

In the first exercise, you create and name a project in which you will create the building model at the top of this
tutorial.

Create a project:

Click the Application Button, under New, click Project.

Under Template file, make sure the a metric, Architectural Template is selected. The exact options you
get may depend on the version of Revit you've installed.
Under Create New, make sure Project is selected,
Click OK.

Name and save the project file:

Click the Application Button, click Save.

Browse to a convenient location to save your file (eg: My Documents).
For File name, enter Getting_Started, and click Save.

Zoom Region in South Elevation

Zoom to a view:

In the Project Browser, open the Elevations (Building Elevation) list by clicking the plus-sign. A list of
available Elevations unfolds. Double-click South.
Enter ZR, to zoom to a specific region. Note that the cursor changes to a magnifying glass.
In the drawing area, move the cursor diagonally and click to draw a rectangle around the level markers.

The area within the rectangle is magnified to fill the drawing area so that you can work with the level marker
text.

Level Markers

Rename levels:

Double-click the Level 1 text, enter 00 Foundation, and press ENTER. Use a number as a prefix to the
name so the plans are sorted by level.
In the alert dialog, click Yes to rename corresponding views. The floor and ceiling plans for Level 1 are
renamed 00 Foundation.

Using the same method, rename Level 2 and its corresponding views as 01 Lower Level.
Create levels in the building:

Enter ZO to zoom out.

In the Ribbon, make sure the Architecture (or Home) tab is selected. In the Datum Panel, click
(Level). Note that you must be in an elevation (or section) view to be able to create Levels.
The Modify|Place Level Contextual Tab opens.
On the Draw Panel, click (Pick Lines)
In the Options Bar, for Offset, enter 3000 (mm).
In the drawing area, highlight the 01 Lower Level line; when a dashed line is displayed above the level
line, click to create a level (Level 3).
Using the same method, create a level above Level 3 (Level 4).

In the Ribbon, click (Modify) to end the command.

Progress at the end of 'Creating a Project'

Rename the new levels and all corresponding views:

Level 3: Rename as 02 Entry Level

Level 4: Rename as 03 Roof

Double-click the level dimensions, and enter new values:

0 mm: Change to -5250 mm

4000 mm: Change to -3050 mm
7000 mm: Change to 0 mm
10000 mm: Change to 3050 mm

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Save the project file.

Creating Walls

The foundation walls

In this exercise, you work on different levels to add foundation walls to the project.

In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 00 Foundation to open that view in the drawing area.

In the Ribbon, open the Architecture tab. In the Build panel, click (Wall).

In the Type Selector in the Properties palette, select Basic Wall : Retaining - 300mm Concrete

If you don't have this Wall type in your list, you probaby didn't install the proper libraries during the Setup of
Revit. Refer to the installation manual to change which libraries are installed. Students of the faculty of
Architecture": refer to the manual provided by @Hok.

On the Options Bar:

For Height, select 02 Entry Level.

For Location Line, verify that Wall Centerline is selected.
Verify that Chain is selected.

When the 'Chain' option is selected, Revit creates a continuous wall through all points you click, chaining each
section to the previous. When 'Chain' is not selected, Revit will create a single stretch of wall for each two points
you specify: you specify a start and endpoint for each section.
So if you would want to create the same shape of three wall sections shown in the middle and Chain would not
be selected, you would have to click 6 times (start and end for each section, clicking two positions twice), as
shown in the example on the right.

Our first walls in Revit!

In the drawing area, draw walls on the foundation level:

Click in the lower right quadrant to select the wall start point.
Move the cursor to the left, enter 12000 mm, and press ENTER.

Note: You do not need to specify the unit; Revit Architecture uses the units specified in the project template.

Beginning at the new endpoint, move the cursor up, enter 6900 mm, and press ENTER.
Move the cursor to the right, enter 12000 mm, and press ENTER.

In the Ribbon, click Modify to exit the command.

Foundation level walls completed

In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 01 Lower Level.

In the Ribbon click (Wall, in the Build Panel on the Architecture tab)

In the Type Selector, select Basic Wall : Foundation - 300mm Concrete.

On the Options Bar:

For Depth, select 00 Foundation.

For Location Line, verify that Wall Centerline is selected.
Verify that Chain is selected.

Draw walls on the lower level:

In the drawing area, click the right endpoint of the south wall as the wall start point (center line).
Move the cursor to the right, enter 1950 mm, and press ENTER.
Move the cursor up, enter 1500 mm, and press ENTER.
Move the cursor to the right, enter 3150 mm, and press ENTER.
Move the cursor up, and select the intersection with the extension of the north wall:

Select the right endpoint of the north wall to complete the chain and connect the walls.

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Save the project file.

Creating Terrain
In this exercise, you create a 3D view and add a toposurface to the building site.

In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 Entry Level.

Camera placement for our 3D view

Create a 3D view:

In the Ribbon, open the View tab. In the Create panel, click the arrow under (3D View) and click

(Camera).

Click in the upper right corner of the drawing area to place the camera.
Click to place the camera target point, as shown.

A 3D view is created. The view you create may differ slightly from the illustrations shown in the exercises
because of minor variations in camera placement. Drag the blue circular controls that display on the crop region
of the resulting view so that you can see the building.

In the Project Browser, expand 3D Views, right-click 3D View 1, and click Rename.

In the Rename View dialog, enter To Building, and click OK.

Create a graded building site:

In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click Site.

In the Ribbon, open the Massing & Site tab. The the Model Site Panel click (Toposurface).
On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -150 mm.
Add points to the left of the building, as shown. The order of the point selection is not important.
On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -4000 mm.
Add points near the center of the building, as shown. Contour lines are displayed.

On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -4300 mm.

Add points to the right of the building, as shown.
 In the Ribbon, on the Surface Panel, click (Finish Surface).

Create a building pad surface, which will cut out the toposurface to the specified depth:

In the Ribbon (Massing & Site tab), on the Model Site Panel, click (Building Pad)
In the Modify|Create Pad Boundary tab, make sure Boundary Line is selected
Click (Rectangle).
Select the outer endpoint at the lower left of the building, as shown.

Select the outer endpoint at the upper right of the building.

In the Ribbon, click (Finish).

 Finished terrain and Building Pad in our 3D view in
Revit

Open the To Building 3D view to see the results.

Save the project file.

In this exercise, you created a simple toposurface in Revit Architecture by selecting points. However, for most
projects, complex site models created by civil engineering professionals will be provided to you in DWG, DXF,
DGN, or point files. You can import these files into your Revit Architecture project where you can automatically
generate a terrain using the Toposurfacetool.
Adding Exterior Walls
In this exercise, you will build upon the foundation walls. You use the Draw option to create exterior walls that
extend to the roof level.

Add walls to the entry level:

In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 Entry Level.

You may want to adjust your zoom: use your scroll wheel (MMB drag to pan up/down and left/right) or
use ZR to zoom to a region.
In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Wall.
In the Type Selector, select Basic Wall : Generic - 200mm.
On the Options Bar, for Height, select 03 Roof, and for Location Line, select Core Face: Interior.

The Height setting defines how tall the wall is and establishes a relationship between the walls and the 03 Roof
Level. After you draw the walls, if you change the roof level height, the height of the walls will also change.

The Location Line settings defines the placement/alignment of the wall: in this case (Core Face Interior) the wall
will be placed with the inner side on the line you specify.

Beginning at the bottom right, trace the interior of the 3 existing retaining walls by selecting endpoints.

In the Ribbon, click Modify (or press ESC twice).

Finished exterior walls in Revit

Add walls to the lower level:

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan. Notice that the foundation walls are now visible at the right of the
plan, so that you can trace them.
In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Wall.
On the Options Bar, for Height, select 03 Roof.
Beginning at the left endpoint of the north foundation wall, trace the interior of the foundation walls by
selecting endpoints (again trace the interior side of the walls):

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Open the To Building 3D view.

Save the project file.

Adding a Roof
In this exercise, you create a roof using the footprint of the exterior walls. You specify an offset as you create
the roof so that the roof has an overhang.

Open the 03 Roof floor plan.

First line of our sloped roof

Draw a roof line:

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), on the Build Panel, click the arrow below Roof: . Then click Roof
by Footprint.
In the Draw Panel of the contextual Modify | Create Roof Footprint tab, click (Line).
On the Options Bar, verify that Defines slope is selected. This line will be the line that determines the
base of the sloped roof.
To draw the first roof segment, begin at the bottom left and trace the exterior edge of the south wall by
selecting the left wall endpoint and the intersection of the south and far east wall.

Offsets to create a overhanging roof

Create offset roof lines:

On the Options Bar, click (Pick Lines), clear 'Defines slope' and for Offset, enter 900 mm.
In the drawing area, highlight the west wall; when a dashed line is displayed on the exterior of the wall,
click to place the roof line. Repeat for the north and east walls.
 Extended roof lines form a closed roof area

Use the Trim/Extend tool to close the roof sketch:

In the Ribbon (Modify | Create Roof Footprint tab), on the Modify Panel, click (Trim/Extend).
Select the east roof line, and then select the south roof line. Repeat for the west and south roof lines.

In the Ribbon, click (Finish Roof). The resulting roof has an odd slope, which you correct in the next
step.

Modify the roof slope:

Select the roof. The properties are shown in the Properties Palette.
Under Dimensions, for Slope, enter 5 (degrees), and press ENTER.

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

 A sloped roof added to our project

Open the To Building 3D view. Select and modify the crop region as necessary to see the roof. You can do this by
clicking the border of the view and then dragging the edges by the blue dots that are displayed:

The walls are not attached to the roof; you will attach them in a later exercise.

Save the project file.

Adding Floors
In this exercise, you create floors in the building model. To create floors in Revit Architecture, you must sketch
them first in a sketch editor. You use 2 different sketching options, Pick and Draw, to sketch the floors.

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

Outline of the Lower Level floor

Create a floor using the Pick method:

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab) in the Build Panel, click (Floor).

In the Modify|Create Floor Boundary tab, make sure Boundary Line is selected
Click (Pick Lines), and in the Option Bar verify that Offset is 0.
Beginning with the north wall and moving counterclockwise, select the interior of the walls.
In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Enter ZR, and zoom in to the top right corner of the model. If the floor lines do not create a closed sketch, the
sketch is invalid and you need to clean the lines up. To be valid, the sketch must be a closed loop with no
disconnected or crossing lines.

This corner needs to be trimmed!

Create a closed sketch:

In the Ribbon, on the Modify Panel, click (Trim/Extend).

Trim as necessary. First click the crossing line (the vertical edge of our floor in this example), then click
the line that should be trimmed (the horizontal in our example), selecting the portion of each line you
want to keep.
Enter ZP to zoom to the previous display.

In the Ribbon, click (Finish Edit Mode).

In the alert dialog, click No. If you clicked Yes, the walls that finish on the lower level would be trimmed to the
underside of the floor.

Outline of the Entry Level floor

Create a floor using the Draw method:

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Floor. Verify that Boundary Line is selected.
Click (Line).
On the Options Bar, verify that Chain is selected.
Beginning at the lower left interior corner, select the lower endpoint of the west wall, and then select
the upper endpoint.
Move the cursor to the right, enter 11000 mm and press ENTER to draw the sketch line.
Move the cursor down to align with the outside of the wall, and click to specify the point.
Move the cursor to the right, enter 7000 mm, and press ENTER.
Move the cursor down to align with the inside of the wall, and click.
Move the cursor to the left, enter SZ to find the loop endpoint, and select the endpoint to complete the
floor sketch.

In the Ribbon, click (Finish).

In the alert dialog, click No.

 Our project in Shaded mode with the floors added

View the floors in 3D:

Open the To Building 3D view.

Select the wall as shown.

On the View Control Bar, click (Temporary Hide/Isolate), click Hide Element. The selected wall is
temporarily hidden so that you can see the interior floors.
On the View Control Bar, click (Visual Style), click Shaded with Edges.
On the View Control Bar, click (Temporary Hide/Isolate), click Reset Temporary Hide/Isolate.

Save the project file.

Adding Interior Walls
In this exercise, you add walls on the lower level and the entry level, and then modify the walls to create rooms
in the building.

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Wall.

In the Type Selector, select Basic Wall Generic - 200mm.

In the Ribbon, click (Line).

On the Options Bar, for Height, select 02 Entry Level.
For Location Line, select Wall Centerline.
Clear Chain.

Interior walls on the Entry Level

Add walls:

Zoom in to the west wall, move the cursor along the north wall centerline, enter 8000mm, and press
ENTER to specify the wall start point.

Move the cursor down, and click on the south wall centerline to complete wall 1.
In the Ribbon, click Modify.
Right-click on the wall, and click Create Similar.
Using the illustration at the right as a guide, place additional walls to create rooms.
 Interior wall split and trimmed to create corridor

Modify walls to create a corridor:

In the Ribbon, Modify Tab, click (Split Element), and click on wall 1 in the area indicated in the
illustration below.

On the Tools toolbar, click (Trim/Extend).

Trim the split wall to create a corridor. First click a horizontal interior wall at one side of the corridor (to
be), then click the vertical interior wall. Remember to click the part that you want to keep! If you make
a mistake, use Ctrl-Z to undo. Repeat for the other side of the corridor.

We had to split the wall first, before we could use trim. Otherwise too much of the wall would have been
trimmed. Note that there are other methods as well to achieve the same. This is just one of the options.

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

 Interior walls at the Entry Level

Draw walls:

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

Right-click on one of the half-tone walls shown in the underlay of the lower level, and click Create
Similar.
Using the illustration at the right as a guide, place additional walls to create rooms.
In the Ribbon, click Modify. The walls defining the rooms on the lower level and the entry level are
complete.

Save the project file.

Adding Doors
In this exercise, you load doors from the Revit Library folders into the project, and then add interior and exterior
doors to the model.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Door. There are a limited number of door types in the project because
there were few in the default template. You can load additional door types from the Revit Libraries.

Load Family dialog to load Door families

Load doors from the Revit Library folder:

On the Modify | Place Door contextual tab, click Load Family.

In the left pane of the Load Family dialog, click Metric Library. In the right pane open the Doors folder.
While pressing CTRL, select the door types: M_Bifold-4 Panel.rfa, M_Double-Glass 2.rfa, M_Single-Glass
3.rfa.
Click Open.

Exterior doors added to the Lower level

Add exterior doors:

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon, click Door.
In the Ribbon, Modify | Place Door contextual tab, clear Tag on Placement.
In the Type Selector, select M_Double-Glass 2 : 1830 x 2134mm, add a door to the east wall as shown,
and then click Modify.

Exterior doors added to the Entry level

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon, click Door.
In the Type Selector, select M_Double-Glass 2 : 1830 x 2134mm.
Place the door in the north wall, about 2700mm from the end of the retaining wall, as shown.

In the Type Selector, select M_Single-Glass 3 : 0915 x 2134mm.

Place the door in the short vertical wall, as shown.

NOTE To change the swing direction as you place a door, press SPACEBAR. To change the swing after a door is
placed, click the flip arrows.

Interior doors added to the Entry level

Add interior doors:

In the Type Selector, select M_Single-Flush : 0813 x 2134mm, and add 2 doors, as shown.

Interior doors added to the Lower level

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Door.
In the Type Selector, select M_Single-Flush : 0762 x 2134mm, and place 2 doors, as shown.
In the Type Selector, select M_Bifold-4 Panel : 1830 x 2134mm, and place 2 doors, as shown.

Our model with added doors in 3D, walls hidden

Open the To Building 3D view.

For an unobstructed view of the doors, select a wall, and on the View Control Bar, click (Temporary
Hide/Isolate), select Hide Category. All the walls in the view are hidden.

On the View Control Bar, click (Temporary Hide/Isolate), click Reset Temporary Hide/Isolate.

Save the project file.

Adding Windows
In this exercise, you work in elevation and plan views to add windows to the model. You use alignment and
dimension tools to more precisely position the windows.

Two windows added in the South wall

Add windows in an elevation view:

Open the South elevation view, and zoom in to the building.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Window.
In the Ribbon, Modify | Place Window contextual tab, clear Tag on Placement.
On the Modify | Place Window contextual tab, click Load Family.
In the left pane of the Load Family dialog, click Metric Library. In the right pane, open the Windows
folder.
Select M_Casement 3x3 with Trim.rfa, and click Open.
Add 2 windows, approximately as shown. You will position them and align them with thetop of the
retaining wall later. If either of the windows spans an internal wall, a warning about the conflict is
displayed; close the warning. You will resolve any conflict by movingthe windows while in a floor plan
view.
Click Modify

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

Because the windows are at the top of the wall, they are above the current view range for the plan.

The View Range Dialog

Modify the view range:

In the Properties Palette (the properties of Floor Plan: 01 Lower Level should be shown, otherwise:
double-click the 01 Lower Level Floor Plan again), under Extents, for View Range, click Edit.
In the View Range dialog, for Cut plane Offset, enter 2160 mm.
Click OK. The windows are now visible in the south wall.
If necessary, move the windows to resolve the conflict with the wall:

Select the right window, and drag it 200mm to the left side of the interior wall. Select the window and
edit the temporary dimensions, as needed.
Select the left window, and drag it 2775mm to the right of the west wall.

Type Properties of our 3x3 Window

Create a window type:

Open the South elevation view.

Select the window on the left.
In the Properties Palette, click (Edit Type).
In the Type Properties dialog, click Duplicate.
In the Name dialog, for Name, enter 0915 x 0915mm, and click OK.
In the Type Properties dialog, under Dimensions, for Height, enter 915 (mm).
Click OK.

Select the window on the right, and in the Type Selector, select M_Casement 3x3 with Trim : 0915 x 0915mm
(the Window Type we just created).
 Both windows aligned to the top of the wall

Align the windows to the top of the retaining wall:

In the Ribbon, on the Modify Tab, click (Align).

Select the top of the wall, and then select the top edge of the trim of one of the windows. Be careful to
select the top of the wall, and not the 02 Entry Level line.
Repeat for the second window.
Click Modify

3 windows added in the west wall

Add windows in plan view:

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan, and zoom in to the west side of the model.
In the Properties Palette of the 02 Entry Level Floor Plan, under Graphics, for Underlay, select None.
The plan below that was displayed in light gray, disappears.
In the Ribbon, on the View tab, click to activate thin lines so that element lines maintain their true
thickness in the zoomed view. Note that this button is also present in the Quick Access Toolbar.
In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Window.
In the Ribbon, verify that Tag on Placement is cleared.
In the Type Selector, select M_Casement 3x3 with Trim: 0915 x 1830mm, and place 3 windows on the
outside edge of the west wall, as shown.

Use the space bar to change the orientation of the window (which side is outside).

Click Modify

Dimension created for our windows

Reposition the windows to be equidistant from each other:

In the Ribbon, Modify tab, click (Aligned Dimension).

In the Options Bar, in the pull verify that Wall centerline is selected. For Pick, verify that Individual
References is selected.
Select the center line of the north wall, then select each of the window centerlines, and finally select
the horizontal interior wall.
Click to the left of the west wall to place the dimension line. Note that each of the four dimensions is
different.
 The windows are aligned to create equidistant
dimensions

Click , and then press ESC twice. The windows are moved so that all of the dimensions are equal.
Select the interior wall that contains the doors; move it up or down to see how the design intent is
maintained.
Select the top wall, move it up 1000 mm, and see how the walls resize and the windows redistribute
equally within the wall.
On the Quick Access Toolbar, click (Undo) or Ctrl-Z once to restore the top wall to the original
dimension.

Our project seen from the southwest with the added

windows

Select the dimension line, and press DELETE. In the warning dialog, click OK to delete the line but maintain the
constraints.

Zoom as desired, and open various plan, elevation, and 3D views to display the model results thus far.

Save the project file.

Adding a Curtain Wall
In this exercise, you change existing exterior walls to curtain walls. You then create a curtain wall type that you
can apply to other walls using the Match Type tool.

Changed northeast corner to Curtain Wall

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

Create a curtain wall at the northeast corner of the building:

Zoom to the east wall.

In the Ribbon (Modify tab), click (Split Element), and split the east wall just above the door.
Click Modify.
While pressing CTRL, select the upper portion of the east wall and the adjacent portion of the north
wall.
In the Type Selector, select Curtain Wall : Storefront. If a warning displays, click to close it.
 New Curtain Wall Type Properties

Create a curtain wall type:

Select the north curtain wall at an end so the whole curtain wall is selected. The tooltip and the status
bar will confirm the selection while hover with your mouse over elements (Walls : Curtain Wall :
Storefront).
In the Properties Palette, click (Edit Type).
In the Type Properties dialog, click Duplicate.
In the Name dialog, for Name, enter House 1200 x 1200mm, and click OK.
In the Type Properties dialog, under Vertical Grid Pattern, for Spacing, enter 1200 (mm).
Under Horizontal Grid Pattern, for Spacing, enter 1200 (mm).
Click OK.

Our project now has a curtain wall!

Match the type of the north curtain wall to the east curtain wall:

In the Ribbon, Modify tab, click (Match Type Properties), or enter MA.
Select the north curtain wall, and then select the east curtain wall.

Open the To Building 3D view. The new spacing is applied to both curtain walls.

Save the project file.

Attaching Walls to the Roof

In this exercise, you attach interior and exterior walls to the roof. When you attach the curtain walls, Revit
Architecture warns you of consequences and modifies the placement of mullions.

Open the 03 Roof floor plan.

The basic walls are now connected to the roof...

Attach the basic walls:

While pressing CTRL, select all the interior walls and exterior walls, except the curtain walls.

In the Ribbon, Modify | Walls contextual tab, click (Attach Top/Base).

In the Options Bar, verify Top is selected for Attach Wall.
In the drawing area, select the roof.
Click in the drawing area, or click Modify in the Ribbon to end the command.

...and now the curtain wall is also connected

(finally!) as seen in East Elevation
Attach the curtain walls:

Open the North elevation view.

Move the cursor over the curtain wall, and press TAB until the status bar indicates that the curtain wall

is selected, select the outside edge of the curtain wall, and then click (Attach Top/Base).
Select the roof.
In the error dialog about curtain wall mullions, click Delete Elements.

Open the East elevation view, and attach the east curtain wall to the roof.

All walls attached and displayed in 3D with shadows

Open the To Building 3D view.

On the View Control Bar, click (Shadows Off). Click Shadows On.

All walls extend up to the roof. Note the spacing of the top row of mullions/panels; because the spacing
parameter cannot be satisfied, mullions are created where the walls and roof attach.

Save the project file.

Modifying the Entry Deck
In this exercise, you modify the floor profile on the entry level to include a deck on the north side of the model.

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

Edit the profile of the floor:

Select the floor. In the Ribbon, Modify | Floors contextual tab, click (Edit Boundary).
In the Ribbon, click (Line).
On the Options Bar, clear Chain.

On the north side of the model, click on the north wall in line with the right vertical model line, move
the cursor up 3300mm, and click to place the endpoint of the line.

On the Options Bar, select Chain.

Trace the 200mm north wall from the left endpoint to the double door, and then down to the model
line.

In the Ribbon, click (Split element), and split the north model line at both sides of the door opening.

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Select the segment at the door opening, and press DELETE.
In the Ribbon, click Line, and complete the profile to the right of the door, as shown.
 First outlines of the Entry Deck

Draw a line beginning at the left endpoint of the north wall and extending up 1000mm.
Draw a line beginning at the upper endpoint of the previous line and extending to the upper endpoint
of the 3000mm vertical line drawn previously.

In the Ribbon, click (Finish Edit Mode).

In the alert dialog, click No as we don't want the walls below to attach to this floor.

A wall is added to our Entry Deck

Add a wall to the entry deck:

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Wall.

In the Type Selector, select Basic Wall : Retaining - 300mm Concrete.
On the Options Bar, for Location Line, select Core Face: Interior.
Draw a wall from left to right on the slanted floor line, as shown.
Select the wall.
In the Properties Palette, under Constraints, for Base Constraint, select 00 Foundation.

In the drawing area, select the floor, and in the Ribbon, click (Edit Boundary).

Select the short vertical line above the west wall, and drag it to the right, so the result is as shown in the image
below:

Click (Finish Edit Mode).

In the alert dialog, click No.

Our new Entry Deck in 3D

Open the To Building 3D view.

Save the project file.

Adding a Sloped Floor
In this exercise, you add a sloped floor to the entry deck to create a ramp up to the entry door.

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

Outlines of the sloped floor

Sketch the floor:

In the Ribbon, click Floor, and then click (Line).

On the Options Bar, verify that Chain is selected.
Beginning at the left endpoint of the 200mm north wall and moving counterclockwise, sketch the floor
to complete the deck previously drawn, as shown.
In the Ribbon, on the Modify | Create Floor Boundary contextual tab, click (Slope Arrow).
Select the midpoint of the west model line, and then select the east model line.
Select the slope arrow.
In the Properties Palette, under Constraints, for Height Offset at Tail, enter -600mm.

Click (Finish Edit Mode).

In the alert dialog, click No.

Our sloped floor in North Elevation

Open the North elevation view. The sloped floor begins at the lower level and extends to the entry level.

If the sloped floor does not meet the slope of the terrain, edit the floor sketch, and change the Height Offset at
Tail property of the slope arrow.

Note that you must go to the 02 Entry Level Plan View to be able to change the slope of the floor. The boundary
of a floor can not be changed in Elevation view (as its boundary is perpendicular to the view in elevations,
making it impossible to see the boundary properly). To change the slope of floor this is a unfortunate restriction,
but you must go into Edit Boundary mode to be able to change the slope arrow.
Adding Stairs and Railings
In this exercise, you complete the interior of the model by adding a staircase on the lower level, and then
adding and modifying railings on the lower level and the entry level.

Creating stairs

Open the 01 Lower Level floor plan.

Add stairs:

Zoom in to the east side of the model.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab, Circulation panel), click the arrow under (Stair) and choose
(Stair by sketch).
Click near the double doors to start the stair run.
Move the cursor to the left until the tooltip indicates that no risers remain, and click to specify the stair
endpoint.

Click (Finish).
Modifief floor profile to accommodate the stairs

Edit the floor profile:

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

Zoom in to the east side of the model.

Select the floor, and in the Ribbon, click (Edit Boundary).

Click (Line).
On the Options Bar, verify that Chain is selected.
Click at the corner of the model lines below the stairs to specify the start point.
Move the cursor to the left, enter 1800 (mm), and press ENTER.
Move the cursor up, enter 1200mm, and press ENTER. This distance is the width of the stair and its
stringers.
Move the cursor to the right, and click on the vertical line to complete the sketch.

Click Modify.
Select the vertical model line closest to the stairs, and drag the bottom endpoint up to the endpoint of
the short horizontal line drawn previously.

Click (Finish).
In the alert dialog, click No.

The stairs in their final location

Move the stairs and railings:

Using a selection window, select the stairs and railings. To select only elements completely within the
boundary of the window, drag the cursor from left to right.

In the Ribbon (Modify | Multi-Select contextual tab), click (Move).

Click the lower left corner of the stairs as the move start point.
Click the lower corner of the modified floor profile as the move end point, and then press ESC.

Our stairs with pipe railing

Modify the railing type:

Open the To Building 3D view. You may want to hide some walls to clear your view.
Use the Navigation Wheel (or Shift-W) to change the camera angle (Orbit, Pan) and Zoom.
While pressing CTRL, select both railings (zoom in as necessary).

In the Type Selector, select Railing : 900mm Pipe.

 Lines for our Entry Deck railing

Add a railing to the entry deck:

Open the 02 Entry Level floor plan.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Railing.
Click (Pick Lines), and in the Option Bar, for Offset enter 150 (mm).
Zoom to the entry deck on the north side of the model.
Click the interior of the angled floor on the right, and then click the interior of the adjacent vertical floor
line, as shown.

Click (Finish).

The finished Entry Deck railing

Select the entire angled railing.

In the Properties Palette dialog, for Type, select 900mm Pipe, and click OK.

In the Ribbon, click (Edit Path) to adjust the path of the railing.
Drag the left endpoint to the right, so that the resulting railing extends just past the retaining wall.
Select the vertical railing, and drag the lower endpoint up until the resulting railing is 3000mm.

Click (Finish).
 Railing along the Entry Level floor

Add a railing on the north side of the stairs:

Open the 02 Entry Level Floor Plan

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Railing.
Click (Pick Lines), and in the Option Bar, for Offset enter 150 (mm).
Click to the left of the vertical floor line above the stairs, and then click above the left north edge of the
stairs.
Click Modify.
On the Tools toolbar, click (Trim/Extend).
Select the left side of the horizontal railing, and then select the vertical railing.

Click (Finish).

First lines for the railing

Add a railing to the balcony:

Zoom to the lower right corner of the model.

In the Ribbon (Architecture tab), click Railing.
Click (Pick Lines), and in the Option Bar, for Offset enter 150 (mm).
Click above the south floor line, and, continuing in a counterclockwise direction, click the interior of the
remaining 2 floor lines that define the balcony.
 Lines for the railing on the balcony

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Select the last line drawn, and drag the left endpoint to the right, just to the east of the exterior wall.
Select the south railing line, and drag the left endpoint to the right until it touches the exterior wall near
the door.

Click (Finish).

Railings along the balcony

Zoom in to the stairs, and use the same technique to add a railing below the stairs. If necessary, drag the right
endpoint of the railing to the wall on the right.

Open the To Building 3D view.

Save the project file.

Modifying the Roof
In this exercise, you modify the profile of the roof in order to extend the roof over the entry deck.

Open the 03 Roof floor plan.

In the drawing area, select the roof.

First step of the modified roof line

Modify the roof profile:

In the Ribbon (Modify | Roofs contextual tab), click (Edit Footprint).

Click (Split Element), and split the top edge of the roof profile by clicking to the right of the entry
deck.

Select the left segment of the split roof line, and drag the right endpoint up to align with the endpoint
of the slanted deck line.

The new roof footprint

Select the right segment of the roof line, and drag the left endpoint to the intersection with the vertical
floor line.
In the Ribbon, click (Line).
Draw a line from the end of the right segment up to the end of the left segment.

Click (Finish).
Our modified roof in 3D