Revit Families for Mechanical Engineers

Welcome to Revit Families course for Mechanical Engineers

In this course you’re going to learn about:

• The Different Kinds of Families

• Working with Families in Revit project

• Using the Family Editor to create and edit your own family

• Shared Components in a Project and how we can scheduling them easily

• How to create families starting from scratch using pre-defined templates 

• Dealing with DWG Block then convert it into smart family

Revit is a design and documentation platform that supports the design, drawings, and schedules required for building information modeling (BIM), and allows for coordination among all team members.

BIM is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operation. 

In the Revit model, every drawing sheet, 2D and 3D view, and schedule is a presentation of information from the same virtual building model.

Revit provides schedules, quantities, and material takeoffs to quantify and analyze the components and materials used in a project.

Practicing is needed to be sure that you understand all tips in the course, when you start design or work on a specific project, you may have problems, which will lead you to the solutions.

That’s why it’s so important to download the working files I’ve prepared for each course.

Open the video you want to watch, hover the mouse over any point in the screen, at the upper left corner, Resources available label appears, click to show the side menu which has Sections and Lectures, and show the downloadable files as well. Click the file to start downloading.

Revit is a design and documentation platform that supports the design, drawings, and schedules required for building information modeling (BIM), and allows for coordination among all team members.

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:   

• Know about Revit and BIM technology.

• Starting the software and recognize user interface.

• Control the saving reminder, assign default view discipline, apply color theme, customize the keyboard shortcuts, control the working of double-click mouse, and place the location of ready-made templates and library files.

• The safe and easy way to open the standalone file.

• Assign a starting view.

• Recognize project user interface.

Let’s start Revit software.

Starting with user interface, on the left, Project section within the recent projects list.

Use Open when you can’t find the desired project in the recent projects list.

New to create project using template from installed libraries or you can pick up one of these ready-made templates, which can be changed as you desire, I select the Imperial ready-made templates for different disciplines.

On Families section within the recent families.

Use Open when you can’t find the desired family in the list.

Use New to create a family from scratch, or use a block made in another software, and Autodesk Seek to download product for use in your Revit projects. 

To access commands easily, use Quick Access Toolbar, at the upper left of the screen.

At the right, there’s an Info Center, for logging on Autodesk server, exchanging Apps, and searching for specific subject in the community.

Revit within release year and the file name can be found at the upper middle.

Press Help drop-down list, to read more about subjects, use Help button.

To know about the latest updates in Revit, click What’s New?

Also, Autodesk provides some tutorials, articles, and Apps to get more knowledge and functions for the software.

Be aware that “Resources list is needed the internet connection”.

In Revit, you can control the saving reminder alert, assign default view discipline to display, select discipline tool to display in the ribbon, apply color theme, customize the keyboard shortcuts, control the working of double-click mouse, improve performance of Graphics, place the location of ready-made templates and library files, choose where the rendering will be done, and specify its files location, and control appearance of tools such as: SteeringWheels and ViewCube.

It’s too risky to click the Revit file to open, probably the project will be crashed.

The safe and easy way to open the standalone file is using Open command. There’re many ways to do that:

You can select the file from the list.

Using the Application menu, click Open list, select Project.

Open dialog box appears, navigate to the location where you’ve saved your file, select the file, and click Open.

Or you can use Open in Project section

When you open a recent file, the last saved view will be displayed.

You can specify which view will be opened.

To access commands easily, use Quick Access Toolbar.

Quick Access Toolbar is located on the left side of the title bar.

In the Quick Access Toolbar, you will find tools such as open, save, undo, redo, tag, text, and switching to a 3D view.

Creating design geometry is often done parametrically in Revit, which means that the related elements in the design are defined by linked parameters defining the interaction between the two.

By the end of this chapter, you'll know about:

• The three different types of elements in Revit project.                                                 

• Making relations between elements using Constraints. 

• The difference between type properties and instance properties.

• Ways to select the various kinds of elements in a project.

• The function of TAB key.

• Create, save and modify a selection.

• How to control size of the element graphically.

Revit uses 3 types of elements in project: model elements, datum elements, and view-specific elements.

There are 2 types of model elements: Hosts and Model components.

In Revit, any element in the model has a parametric linked defines its relationship with other element.

As this view, a relationship is created between the Grid and Curtain, which means if the grid moves, curtain moves instantly, if the grid aligns to another element, the curtain follows the grid.

When a selection includes elements of different categories, you can use a filter to remove unwanted categories from the selection.

For example, if the selection includes walls, windows, and furniture, you can use a filter to omit the furniture from the selection.

You can select all of the elements that are similar to the selected element in the current view, or throughout the project.

One of the most important keys on the Keyboard is the Tab key, which can be used to speed up our work on a project.

When you need to control more than an element at once, you may need to create a selection, then save this selection in case you want to do changes again.

Filters provide a way to override the graphic display and control the visibility of elements that share common properties in a view.

You can add or remove elements to a saved selection. All what you need to do is, selecting the saved selection, and click Edit button in Selection Panel.

You can control size of the element graphically using drag points which will be displayed once you select the element.

A family is simply a collection of elements with identical use, common parameters, and similar geometry. 

Working File: (rme_advanced_sample_project)

System families are defined within the Revit project file, not in an external family file. 

Working File: (Technical_school-current_m)

Loadable families are families used to create building components such as doors,windows, furniture, and plumbing fixtures 

Working File: (rme_advanced_sample_project)

Different elements belonging to a family may have different values for some or all of their parameters. These variations within the family are called family types.

The Family Editor is a graphical editing mode that allows you to create and modify families to include in your project.

Working File: (Column)

You load families that contain nested components or nested and shared components into a project using the same methods as any other family.

Working File: (The Second Home)

A family that contains nested and shared families works as any other family within a project. 

Working File: (The Second Home)

Working File: (rme_advanced_sample_project)

Create an instance of a family type in the project, or change the family type for an existing element.

Working File: (rme_advanced_sample_project)

Use the Family Editor to make changes to existing families or to create new families.

Working File: (PIPE LAYOUT-END)

Working File: (rme_advanced_sample_project)

Working File: (The Second Home)

Working File: (The Second Home)

Hi! At this section, I am gonna show you how to create a simple AC unit with duct, electrical, and pipe connectors. Beginning from a specific template supplied with Revit, using the tools in the Family. When we finish the family, it will be tested in a sample project before using it to create elements in the projects.

Open Revit software, on the families section, click New, browse to the template files according to system unit, then choose your template, I am gonna use “Generic Model”, and click Open.

The template includes multiple views, such as plans and elevations.

In the Family Category, from the filter list select mechanical, then Mechanical Equipment, and click OK

Save the family using Ctrl+S or save button on the quick access toolbar

Type the family name, notice family file extension (rfa), click option button to specify the number of backup files, and click OK, then click Save.

Hi! I am gonna show you how to form the Base of the AC unit, from the project browser, open Ref. Level,

In the Family Editor, you can add a reference lines in any view and use the same drawing tools and techniques used when adding model lines.

When you sketch a reference line, it displays as a single line.

On the Ribbon, Create Tab, Datum Panel, click “Reference Line”

Using the drawing tools, and sketch two lines, click Modify to end the command

Create the form using extrusion tool

On the Ribbon, Forms Tab, select “Pick Lines”,

Be sure to Check on Lock,

You can set the depth of the geometry before sketching it, enter a value in the Depth text box on the Options Bar.

Pick existing sketch lines, watching the status bar to know what you are picking

Click Modify tab Modify panel  (Trim/Extend to Corner).

Select the four lines, when selecting the lines that need to be trimmed to form the corner, make sure you click the part of the line to be retained.

Click modify or Esc button to end trim command, then click correct sign to apply extrusion of the form.

The base is created.

Hi! I am gonna show you how to apply specific material to the base

On the properties pallet

Click in the text box before “Material” under [Materials and Finishes] section, click the button, at the material browser dialogue, you can type the material name you want, or use the list to find it

Double click to select the material, click Apply, then click OK

Notice material shows at the properties pallet

Click home icon to show the base in 3D view

Change detail level to Fine and visual style to Realistic to see the new material.

You can modify an extrusion after creating it

In the drawing area, select the Base

You can re-set the depth on the Option Bar

You can also resize the extrusion in a 3D view by selecting it and then dragging it to resize it

You can change the visibility, material, or subcategory of the extrusion from the properties palette

In the Family Editor, click (Edit Extrusion)

To add elements, Click (Pick Lines) or use other sketching tools

I am gonna change the location of elements by clicking and moving the cursor

and then Use Constraints by closing the locks between elements.

____________________________________

Working File [Create the unit]

Hi! In this video I am gonna show you how to annotate the Base, add new parameter, sketch reference plane.

On the properties palette Open Ref. Level to add width and length dimensions,

on the ribbon, Annotate Tab, select Aligned dimension,

pick the 1st point then the 2nd one to put the dimension,

do it one more time,

click Modify button to end the command,

select the first dimension,

on the Option Bar, from the list before Label option, choose Add Parameter

From the dialogue, there’s two sections: family parameter and parameter data

To create new parameter data for the width, choose the following

Parameter type, will be “Family parameter”

At section “Parameter data” type the name,

specify its type,

if you choose “Type” the parameter will be general which means it will fit all projects with the availability to change its data,

if you choose “Instance” the parameter will be unique which means it will be fit for only one project with specific data,

select dimensions to be the Group of parameter

Discipline will be common,

Type of parameter will be Length,

notice that Discipline and type of parameter are not active, which means they change according to other options which are Parameter type and the group

adjust the options then click OK

Repeat the previous steps to create new parameter for length

Open Front Elevation to add depth dimension,

First, draw reference plane, on the Ribbon, Create Tab, and select Reference Plane,

sketch line which represents the reference plane,

click modify button to end the command

Put suitable name for reference plane, from the properties palette, type the name in the text box, then click Apply

Now, I am gonna make a relation between the reference plane and the top of base, On the Ribbon, Modify Tab, select Align tool

First, select the parent item which will be reference plane, then the child item which will be top of the base,

Annotate the depth,

select the dimension to add depth parameter.

Hi! In this video I am gonna create the body of AC Unit using 4 reference planes

From project browser, open Ref. Level

From the Ribbon, Create Tab, and select Reference Plane

sketch 4 lines which represent the reference planes

click modify button to end the command

Create the form using extrusion tool

On the Ribbon, Forms Tab, Extrusion, select “Rectangular”

Sketch rectangular using 2 intersection points of the four reference planes

Create a relation between the rectangular and references planes, and close the locks  

Remember to set the depth of the geometry on the Option Bar

Click modify or Esc button to end extrusion command, then click correct sign to apply the command

A solid form extrusion is created

To view the extrusion, open a 3D view.

Hi! In this video, I am gonna show you how to use formulas to calculate values and control family geometry.

In the Family Editor, lay out reference planes.

Add dimensions, as required.

Label the dimensions.

Add the geometry,

and lock the geometry to the reference planes.

On the Properties panel, click (Family Types).

In the Family Types dialog, in the Formula column next to the appropriate parameter, type the formula for the parameter.

Hi! in this video I am gonna Dimension the unit to its reference planes

Go to Ref. Level

Click Annotate tab Dimension panel  Aligned, to determine the length and width of the unit

Place a dimension, and lock it in place to apply a constraint

Constraints build intelligence into the model, defining relationships between elements.

Dimension length and width

Then, dimension the unit to its reference planes

Assign parameters to label dimensions.

To set the clearance between the edge of base and unit

Select a line. A temporary dimension displays

Click the temporary dimension, type a new value, and press ENTER.

Repeat the last step one more time

To adjust the dimension parameters

In the Family Types dialog, in the Formula column next to the appropriate parameter

type the formula for the parameter

Click Apply, then OK.

Duct connectors are associated with ductwork, duct fittings, and other elements that are part of the air handling systems.

I am gonna create duct connector for the A/C Unit

Go to 3D view

CreateConnectorsDuct Connector

Pick up the face to place the supply duct connector

Select the connector to specify the following

Flow configuration

Possible values are: Calculated, Preset, System

For diffusers, the default Flow Configuration is specified as Preset

and for air handling equipment, the default Flow Configuration is specified as Calculated

Flow direction

In order for Revit to apply an ASHRAE table, a fitting or accessory must be part of a well-connected system with a known flow direction.

Possible values are: In, Out, Bidirectional

System classification

Possible values are: Exhaust Air, Supply Air, Return Air, Other Air, Fitting, and Global

Flow means the amount of air flowing at this connector

Create an instance parameter for Airflow

Repeat the previous steps to create the Return duct connector

When a component with an duct connector is selected, the Create Systems panel displays the Duct tool, which allows you to create a specific HVAC system: Supply Air, Return Air, Exhaust Air.                                             

Hi! In this video I am going to size the duct connectors

Select return duct connector, from the properties palette, click the button next to Height

Add parameter for Height,

then select it and click OK,

now the height is read only, which means it cannot be edit from the properties palette

Repeat the previous steps to create a new parameter for width

To edit the dimensions, from the Family Types dialog,

in the Value column next to the appropriate parameter,

type the new value, then click OK

the dimensions has changed

Repeat the steps to adjust the supply duct connector size.

Hi! In this video, I am going to create an electrical connector

Electrical connectors are used for any type of electrical connections, including power, telephone, alarm systems, and others

Go to 3D view

CreateConnectorsElectrical Connector

From Placement, select Face

Pick up the face to place the electrical connector

Click Modify to end the command

Select the connector to specify the following

System type, Click the arrow at the drop menu to see the list

Possible values are: Data, Power - Balanced, Power - Unbalanced, Telephone, Security, Fire Alarm, Nurse Call, Controls, Communication.

Select the appropriate option for the A/C Unit

Click in the cell next to Load Classification

Click the button, from the dialogue,

You can see Possible values which are: HVAC, Lighting, Power, Other.

select HVAC type

You can select Demand Factor as well or leave it as default

If you need to class the load, use this drop menu

Click OK to apply the type

 Add parameter for Voltage and Load

From the Family Types dialog

in the Value column next to the appropriate parameter,

type the new value, then click OK.

Hi! In this video I am going to Load the A/C Unit Family into a Project

Be aware that the project into which you want to load the family must be open

In the Family Editor, click Modify tab (Load into Project).

The family will remain open

If only one project is currently open, the family is loaded into that project, and the project displays in the drawing area.

Place the unit in the drawing area, then click modify to end the command

When A/C Unit is selected, the Create Systems panel displays one or more tools

the Duct tool, which allows you to create a specific HVAC system: Supply Air, and Return Air

the Piping tool, which allows you to create a specific hydronic piping system: Supply, and Return

the Power tool to create a Power system

In this section, you’ll do the following:

• Create a custom family for gas systems used in some medical applications

• Place pipe connectors

• Adjust the diameter for each connector

• And gas fluid for each pipe

• Insert the family into the project

• Recognize filters in Revit

• Create pipe system

• Create an appearance for each pipe

Be aware that, tutorials made up using Revit 2016

New

Open Revit software, on the families section, click New, browse to the template files according to system unit, then choose your template, I am gonna use “Generic Model”, and click Open.

The template includes multiple views, such as plans and elevations.

Extrusion

First, I am gonna create the body then place the pipe connectors

from the project browser, open Front Elevation,

I will create a form

On the Ribbon, Forms Tab, Extrusion, and select “Rectangular”,

enter a value in the Depth and offset text boxes on the Options Bar.

Start drawing the rectangular by two points, first one at the center,

the second point at (3,2)

3 ft width and 2 ft height, then click modify to apply the drawing command

Then click the correct sign to apply extrusion command

I am gonna move the form about 1’ 6” to the right to make the form be symmetrical at the Y-Axis

Click home icon to see the form isometric

Family Category

Adjust family type, from the ribbon, Modify tab, properties panel, Family Category,

In the filter list, select Piping, then Plumbing Fixtures,

At the Family Parameters section, I am gonna select (Use Radius) to be the default dimension for the pipe connector .

Placing pipe connectors will allow you to see where the system will be going to or where the system will be supplied from

In this video, you’ll do the following:

-        Create extrusion 

-        Set the working Plane

-        Place pipe connector

-        Setup properties of the pipe connector

-        Save the family

To create extrusion with a pipe connector

On the Ribbon

at the Create tab

in the Forms Panel

click Extrusion

First, select the working plane using Set option at the Work Plane Tab

From the dialog, choose Pick a plane

Click OK

move your mouse over the Face

you would notice that it is highlighted 

click the front face

then start drawing the first form using the circle tool

In the Option Bar

you can control the Depth, Offset and Radius of the form before placing it

Enter a value of the depth

and turn on the checkbox to input the Radius

click to place the first form

click correct sign to apply the command

copy the form twice using Copy tool

Be sure that the Multiple option is turn on

select the first point graphically, move the mouse cursor to select the second one, it should be 90 deg to the Y-Axis

type the displacement value and click enter

repeat the last steps one more time to create the third form

Click Modify to end the command

To place a pipe connector

On the Ribbon, in Connectors Tab, activate Pipe Connector

In the Placement panel in the contextual ribbon, select Face

Be aware that The connector should be placed at the proper location

click at the location on the first form

where you want to place the connector

you can see the pipe connector that you placed

repeat the last step twice

Click Modify to end the command

Select the connector element, by clicking on one of the three axis

In the Properties palette

Set Up the Flow Configuration

The available options are Calculated, Preset, and System

Calculated which means it calculates the fluid flow

Preset this means that we provide a desired flow 

System means it will be received the value from the whole system

Set Up the Flow Direction

Enter a value of nominal radius

click Apply

Add a short description for the connector element

Repeat the last steps for each pipe connector

Then Save the family with a proper name and location

Hi! In this video I am gonna load the Family into a Project

Open the project

In the Ribbon, Insert tab, Load from Library Panel, click Load Family

Go to the saved path, and select the family to be loaded, then click Open

Now the family is loaded into the project

To add the family to the drawing area

From the Ribbon, Systems Tab, Plumbing & Piping Panel, click Plumbing Fixtures

The family appears at the Properties Palette

Place it in the drawing area, then click modify to end the command

When the family is selected, the Create Systems panel displays the Piping tool

Now we are ready to create piping systems

Family in Revit go through several steps

Inserting, Placing, Creating a system, Connecting, and Editing

Inserting: By selecting the type from the library

Or download it from Autodesk/Manufacture site. Then load it into project

Placing: Locate the family at its place in the building using “type selector”

Creating a system according to the type

Connecting: After creating a system.

It’s time to connect the components together which means to create a Layout “schematic” manually or automatically

Editing: Sometimes we need to change an attribute of the family, first we need to switch from project to family environment

Second, select the parameter to adjust it

To Create the piping System

Select the family in the drawing area

Click Modify Plumbing Fixtures tab, Create Systems panel, Piping.

In the Create Piping System dialog, specify the following:

System Type which will be Other as I assigned it in the family editor

System Name: you can enter a name. I prefer to add same names

O2 as Oxygen

Click OK.

Select the connector for the assigned system

Reselect the family

Click Piping

enter a name

NO as Nitric Oxide

Click OK.

Select the connector for the assigned system

Select the family one more time

Click Piping

enter a name

N as Nitrogen

Click OK

The last system will be assigned automatically

You can see the systems at the System Browser

By selecting the systems at the View filter

You can notice the piping systems that has been created

click plus sign to expand the piping systems

expand the Other type

and here’s the three piping systems for the three different gases

When you need to give a different presentation for any component, use filter

Filter in Revit is a simple way to give a specific color, layer weight for any element

To do that, use keyboard and type VG, at the dialogue, select [Filters] Tab

Use [Edit/New] button to create new filter

Let’s focus on this dialogue

The left section to check the old filters, the below toolbar, to create new filter, duplicate, rename or delete old filter

The middle column for applying filter rules on selected components

The right one to specify the rules

To create new filter, choose [New] or [Duplicate] button to use some rules for old filter

I am gonna duplicate the sanitary filter

Select the filter then click [duplicate] button

Use [rename] button to change the name to O2

To Specify the new rules,

from [Filter By] dropdown menu, select [System Name]

Then select equals

Type the Gas name

Use [Filter list] to select the discipline,

which will be Piping,

to apply the filter, select all piping components [Accessories, Fittings, Insulation, Pipes sections]

then click [Apply] button

Use the last steps to create filters for the other gases

Click OK to close the dialogue

Now use [Add] button, to add the filters

select the three filters by “left click and Ctrl key”,

then click OK

start to adjust the color,

use buttons below [Projection/Surface]

there are 3 buttons: Lines, Patterns, and Transparency to be adjusted for each filter

for oxygen, adjust the line presentation by click [Override] button below [Lines]

from the window,

select Weight, Color, and Pattern of the line by click on each dropdown menu

repeat the last steps for other gases

then click OK

I am gonna draw pipe segment to test the filters

Select the family

Click pipe icon to Create pipe segment

Then draw another segment,

click modify to end the command

Change scale to see better

Create pipe segments for other gases

As we can see, the different color for each filter is applied

In Revit, if you can draw, you can define new parametric elements

You can add tags to identify elements in views

to apply the tag

Click Tag By Category.

On the Options Bar

select the options that you want to apply to the tag

Click on the piping segment

The pipe diameter is tagged

change the appearance of tag to show the system name

re-select the tag

click Edit Family on the Ribbon

then edit size label

add system name from the left list

then click OK

reload the family into project

select the option that you want to apply

now we got size and system name data

tag other segments using the new tag

Select the tag

right-click a tag in the drawing area

and click Create Similar

Click the piping segment to place the tag in the desired location.

Repeat one more time

To exit the Create Similar tool, press Esc twice.