Content in Revit - Families: Bill Knittle
Content in Revit - Families: Bill Knittle
Content in Revit - Families: Bill Knittle
Bill Knittle
About Me
Hosts
Model Components
Element Datum
View-Specific Annotations
Detail Items
Overview
Model Elements: These are the three-dimensional elements in Revit that are
visible in all 2D and 3D model views.
• Hosts: These are the model elements that typically represent building elements which are
constructed onsite. They can host Component elements.
• Components: These are the model elements that typically manufactured building elements
which are installed onsite. They can be hosted by Host elements.
Overview
Datum Elements: These are the three-dimensional elements in Revit that are
visible in 2D model views only.
• Levels/Grids: These are contextual elements that help define specific elevations or nodes in
space for Model elements to exist.
• References: These are contextual elements that also define contextual work surfaces for Model
elements or direct links to other views of the Model elements.
Overview
Annotation Elements: These are the two-dimensional elements in Revit that
are specific to the 2D view in which they are placed. Some can appear in 3D
model views.
• Annotations: These are documentation elements that enhance a view with construction
information.
• Detail Items: These are documentation elements that can overlay the Model elements or stand
alone to describe the finite constructions.
Loadable Model Families
The Anatomy of a Model Family
• Bones:
• Reference Planes: Infinite planar work planes to
model on or reference meant to resolve planar
relationships.
• Reference Lines: Definitive linear references to
model on that resolve linear or angular
relationships.
• Muscles:
• Parameters: Mathematical or Logical expression
meant to define a characteristic or relationship.
• Skin:
• Solid Forms: Geometric Volumes meant to create
matter that occupy space.
• Void Forms: Geometric Volumes meant to subtract
matter from a Solid Form.
• Nerves: (MEP only)
• Connectors: Intelligent links that connect
information from one point to another in MEP
building system distributions.
Loadable Model Families
Considerations
• Which Category will the Family represent?
• Will the Family require Sub-Categories
• Will the Family need many Types (Sizes or Options)?
• Will the Family require a Host?
• Where is the Family’s Insertion Point?
• How will the Family display at each Detail Level?
• How will the Family display from each View Direction?
• Will the Family need Material control?
• Will the Family’s Parameters appear in Schedules or
Tags?
Parameter Types
4 Kinds
• System Parameter: Pre-existing Parameters defined
inside of every Family. Most System Parameters can
appear in Schedules and Tags.
• Family Parameter: Parameters created in the Family
Editor mode that cannot appear in Schedules or Tags.
Family Parameters live inside the Family they were
created for.
• Project Parameter: Parameters created in the
Project environment that can appear in Schedules but
not in Tags. Project Parameters live inside the Project
they were created for.
• Shared Parameter: Parameters created in an external
text file that can appear in Schedules and Tags.
Shared Parameters are shared to multiple Families
and Projects.
Question and Answers
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