In this section, you will find easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to work with building models and elements, categories, and parameters.
Part one includes: Model elements, Revit categories
Part two includes: Revit family types, and Changing parameters
Model elements
Every model element in a Revit project must either be placed (if it occupies a single location in a model, such as a specific piece of furniture) or sketched (if it covers a specific area, such as a floor or a roof).
For walls, beams, ducts, pipes, and conduit, because they have length, they are placed by first picking the start point and then the end point for each segment. Essentially, you draw a line to indicate each segment.
Exercise files:
N/A
Estimated time to complete topic:
15 minutes
Topic steps:
18
Placing walls
1. To place a wall, on the Structure ribbon in the Structure panel, click Wall.
2. In the Properties palette, expand the Type Selector and choose the type of wall you want to place.
3. In the drawing area, click to place the starting point of the wall. Then click again to place the ending point of the wall.
4. To end the command, in the ribbon select Modify or press ESC twice.
Placing a column
1. On the Structure ribbon, in the Structure panel, click Column.
2. On the Options bar, select Depth.
3. On the Options bar, specify the depth by selecting a level for the column to extend down to. Or select Unconnected and then specify the appropriate depth for the column.
4. Click to place a column in the drawing area.
5. To end the command, in the ribbon, click Modify or press ESC.
Placing ductwork, piping, conduit, and cable trays
1. To place a duct, pipe, conduit, or cable tray, on the Systems ribbon, click Duct, Pipe, Conduit, or Cable Tray.
2. In the Properties palette, expand the Type Selector and choose the appropriate type.
3. In the drawing area, click to place the starting point. Then click again to place the ending point.
4. Move the cursor to create a 90-degree angle and then click again to place another segment. Pay attention to the fact that a fitting was placed to connect the two segments.
5. To end the command, in the ribbon, click Modify or press ESC twice.
Placing MEP components
1. On the Systems ribbon, in the Model panel, click Component. Take note that there are also specific tools for placing specific categories of elements on the Systems ribbon.
2. In the Properties palette, expand the Type Selector and choose the component you want to place.
3. Click to place a component in the drawing area.
4. To end the command, in the ribbon click Modify or press ESC.
Revit categories
Categories are Revit’s main organizational structure for families. Categories are high-level groupings of elements, and they are intuitive to buildings. Categories include walls, windows, doors, ducts, pipes, structural framing, structural columns, and so on. If you went to a construction site and started pointing out individual objects, you would likely be calling out the category. Categories also determine the available parameters and how elements behave. The category tells Revit what the element is and how it is going to behave in a project.
Classes of Revit families
System families
System families are defined within a Revit project or project template. In other words, when you have a Revit project or even a project template, the system family is defined within that file. Some examples of Revit system families are walls, roofs, floors, ducts, and pipes.
Loadable families
Loadable families are defined in RFA family files. These files are created and modified in the Revit Family Editor. For that reason, they are considered external files or external to Revit project files. These RFA family files must be loaded into a project before they can be used to create a building information model. For that reason, they are called loadable families. Some examples are windows, doors, columns, beams, air terminals, plumbing fixtures, and lighting fixtures.
In-place families
In-place families are used for unique components that are specific to one project. In-place families are like creating a loadable family right in the project.
Ready for more? Head to Key Revit concepts part two for: Revit family types, Changing parameters
Or go back to the AEC Collection Quick Start Guide for Building Engineers
