Revit Families for Mechanical Engineers (English)

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)

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.

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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

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

Create\Connectors\Duct 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

Create\Connectors\Electrical 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

In this lecture I am gonna create the body of the family using [Extrusion] command, then adjust its category

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

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.

We’ve learned how to create a family from scratch, what if I want to insert a CAD bock to work on

under the Families category

click on the New button

find out a mechanical equipment template in Imperial folder

click Open

I'm going to import AutoCAD block

on the ribbon, Insert tab, click Import CAD

Import CAD Formats dialog appears

navigate to the folder containing the block and choose the file

which would be found at the downloadable materials

When you expand the Files of type drop-down

you can see that Revit can import several files

In the lower portion of the dialog

you can see several options for controlling how the file will be imported

In the Colors drop-down, select Preserve to keep the color the same

In the Layers/Levels drop-down, select include All layers from the CAD file

In the Import units drop-down, change the setting from Auto-Detect to inch

In the Positioning drop-down, select the default , Auto - Origin to Origin

Then, click Open

We can see the block in the view 

Check dimension to be sure I’ve selected the correct scale and unit

You can call the command by type dim on the keyboard.

To set the family as a mechanical equipment

On the ribbon, in the Modify tab, select Family Category and Parameters

then mechanical equipment

In the lower portion of the window

hit the button before OmniClass Number

expand the listing to select HVAC Distribution Devices

then click OK

and OK again

click home  icon to see the 3D view

When you select the imported CAD file, the entire file is treated as one object

Looking in the Properties palette, you can see the actual file name 

Also, be aware that the CAD file is pinned

for attaching the connectors, I am gonna explode the block

click Partial Explode

start creating connectors beginning with Air systems

hit duct connector

pick up the face

call the command again to attach Pipe connectors

hit tab twice to select the whole face

click left button to select it

repeat the last step again for the second pipe connector

set major options for all the connectors according to the fluid, system and size

test the family by creating new Revit project

hit ctrl+tab to return to the family editor

and select Load into Project

Looking in the Type Selector, you can see the family

Feel free to adjust the offset

Click in the drawing area to place the family

Hit the West Elevation

Start to draw main duct

notice the size in the option bar

And we can draw return and supply pipes as well

Change visual style to fine and realistic for more clarify.