Transcript Modelling Sydney - GC

Revit Technology Conference 2007
“Modelling in Revit”
Glenn Cunnington
Overview
•
Methods to keep your models Happy
•
The Power of the Massing Tool
•
Forgotten tricks of the Roof Tool
•
Shape Editing of Floors/Roofs
•
Using tools & thinking outside the box
•
Site Tools
•
Structural Tools
•
Links & Groups
•
Limitations of Revit
•
Family Creation

How to keep your model
happy 
•
What degree should I model to?
•
Ask yourself the following questions:
General
–
Is this seen in more than one view?
–
Is modelling this going to improve my documentation’s
Massing
buildability?
Roof Tool
–
Shape Editing
If I don’t model this is it going to cause co-ordination issues
between views that would benefit from being modelled in 3D?
Outside the Box
Site Tools
–
How large is the model I’m working on?
Structural Tools
–
Could I make use of this in future projects?
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
Answering these questions should help you make the
correct judgement.
How to keep your model
happy 
•
One hand should always be positioned over the “TAB”
key.
•
General
Massing
Take time to correctly set layer functions of Walls,
Ceilings & Roofs.
–
Ignore the titles & concentrate on the numbers
Limitations
–
Generally the most exterior finish layers I create as layer 5.
Families
–
This can save a lot of frustration!
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where
appropriate:
–
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Compound walls are basic walls that have had their layers
unlocked.
How to keep your model
happy 
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Make Use of Stacked & Compound Walls where
appropriate:
–
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Stacked walls are for more complex situations as shown
below:
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Make use of your Model for showing smart representations
of Roof Overhangs, Foundations or even future phases in
Plan.
General
•
There are two methods to do this:
•
The Linework Tool.
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
•
Limitations:
–
New Roofs or new lines in
roof sketches need to be
Limitations
manually added again using
Families
the linework tool.
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Overlaying Views
•
General
Limitations:
–
Massing
set to wireframe so there
Roof Tool
well be excess linework.
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
For roofs they need to be
–
This can be removed using
Site Tools
the linework tool & Invisible
Structural Tools
lines.
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
How to keep your model
happy 
•
In Revit you should place approximately and then
refine positions using the temporary dimensions.
•
General
“Select all Instances” to easily swap out elements
Massing
at a later stage.
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Use generic elements to begin with and then use
•
You can also use the Reload family in the project
Outside the Box
browser and actually select the family you wish to
Site Tools
replace it with to swap the family out in one step…
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Use Generic Massing families in pre-design/conceptual
studies.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Use grids and levels to establish and maintain
relationships.
•
General
Remember most of the modelling tools in Revit are
dynamic. Always check your options bar…
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
•
when there is a specific reason.
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Minimise locked relationships in a project. Only do so
•
Pin reference information to avoid accidental bumps…
•
Attach walls, columns to roofs, floors and beams. Let
Revit maintain these relationships for you.
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Create a line based family to model egress paths as
suggested by Steve Stafford.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2007/01/egress-path.html
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Try using floors and walls for joinery, doors for cupboards
etc…
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
How to keep your model
happy 
•
Leverage Data from previous projects…
– If you’ve done a detailed amenities layout with
fixtures, why not save that data out for later use.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
– We utilise numerous cut & paste projects for pre-setup
stairs, railings, walls and typical layouts.
The power of the Mass
•
Utilise massing for complex forms by using the “by face”
options for walls, roofs and floors.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
Check this out 
http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=402757
The power of the Mass
•
How about using the Mass tool to define a complex
building envelope and set back requirements.
–
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Use the co-ordination monitor to check for conflicts!
Forgotten tricks of the
Roof Tool
•
People often forget that you have an option for
segmentation on curved segments in Roof Sketches.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
You can use multiple slope arrows combined with slope
defining lines!
Shape Editing, Not quite
like Mystique from X-Men
•
In Revit 2008 we saw the release of this fantastic new
function of roofs and floors. What we’ve used it for so far:
–
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Tiling with a topping slab with falls to wastes.
Shape Editing, Not quite
like Mystique from X-Men
•
In Revit 2008 we saw the release of this fantastic new
function of roofs and floors. What we’ve used it for so far:
–
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Sloping Structural Falls that need to match street levels.
Shape Editing, Not quite
like Mystique from X-Men
•
In Revit 2008 we saw the release of this fantastic new
function of roofs and floors. What we’ve used it for so far:
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
–
Site Works
–
Just to name a few possible uses for this tool…
–
Get to know it!
Curtain Walls/Glazing & Railings and
their hidden skills (thinking outside
the box)
•
Try creating wall mounted railings for sunscreens. (Great
when curved walls are involved).
•
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Using embedded curtain walls for strip glazing and finding
at corners the wall isn’t cut correctly?
–
Use a wall hosted generic model void to cutout the unwanted
part.
Curtain Walls/Glazing & Railings and
their hidden skills (thinking outside
the box)
•
For quick, highly customisable screens, battens use
curtain walls…
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Curtain Walls/Glazing & Railings and
their hidden skills (thinking outside
the box)
•
For Smaller Projects which can afford to be more detailed:
–
Use the sloped glazing system to model the ceiling grid
system with modelled T sections or a standing seam metal
roof.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
–
Or use curtain walls for pre-cast concrete construction
showing joints etc.
Site Tools – What Site
tools?
•
Understanding their limitations:
–
You cannot have sloping pads.
–
You cannot have vertical faces on your topography for retaining
walls.
General
–
Massing
Paths/Driveways with complex falls can now be created using
Roof Tool
point edits. However, you must use the linework tool to remove
Shape Editing
the vertices from each view.
Outside the Box
•
Refer to this post on AUGI for a
Site Tools
Structural Tools
great workflow given by Jerry (jetisart)
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
–
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=63962&page=2&pp=10
•
So what’s holding up your
building? Time to add some
structure…
Remember the trim tool works on beams!
•
Always host roof framing (ie: rafters) to the roof and give it
an offset to allow for purlins and cleans.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
Columns can attach to beams.
•
Modelling purlins, girts or joists? Use the structural
framing system tool.
•
So what’s holding up your
building? Time to add some
structure…
Accept that for the moment Revit Architecture leaves a
gap between beams. Fix this with detailing.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
To link or group, that is
the question
•
In Revit 2008 groups and links are now interchangeable.
•
This makes this decision less critical
•
Use the following outlines of benefits and limitations to
General
decide on per project basis what’s most appropriate to
Massing
you:
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
•
Groups
–
Can be tagged and quickly manipulated in the host file.
–
Can interact (to an extent) with surrounding geometry not part
of the group.
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
–
Can exclude elements from specific instances of a group.
To link or group, that is
the question
•
Links
–
Better for file size as all information is stored in the other file.
–
Tags have to be applied in the other file and the views linked
General
across (not possible for sections & elevations)
Massing
–
Roof Tool
Somewhat more reliable as they do not interact with elements
in the host file.
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
It is best practice to use non-hosted families when
grouping elements.
What? Revit has
limitations!
•
Unfortunately, no software is perfect and it does have its
limitations. Getting to understand what these are makes
your working relationship with Revit much more relaxed.
General
•
Massing
modelling task.
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Maintain efficiency. Give yourself a time limit on each
•
Stair & Ramp tools have a number of limitations:
–
Curved Monolithic Stairs with smooth underside anomolies.
–
They do not join to floors.
Links & Groups
–
The sketches have issues when overlapping themselves.
Limitations
–
Stairs going down from the current level don’t display
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Families
correctly.
What? Revit has
limitations!
•
Railing Tool
–
Baluster/support locations sometimes are just too varied to
position with this tool.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Let’s go raise a library of
happy families 
•
Family creation should be about leveraging as much data
as possible. Quality not quantity.
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
If it repeats it should be a family (Not In-place)
•
Nested sub-components setup with swappable parameters
allow for the maximum flexibility.
Let’s go raise a library of
happy families 
•
Nest detail components for highly detailed view specific
elements.
•
Add control arrows to all directional families.
•
Constrain all geometry in families via reference planes
Roof Tool
•
Flex Flex Flex
Shape Editing
•
Give reference planes strengths & labels
•
Use Transfer Project Standards to copy materials between
General
Massing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
families.
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
Arraying elements? Use nested families and constrain
them by their origin point in all 3 vertices for both the two
defining elements of the array. Check out my blog for a
detailed explanation on this.
Let’s go raise a library of
happy families 
General
Massing
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
•
It’s more efficient to create families as non-hosted first.
•
Avoid in-place families.
•
Set your origin (placement point) to a logical location.
•
Use line based families for complex linear objects.
Let’s go raise a library of
happy families 
•
Modelled something in-place and now discovering you
need it to repeat around your model?
–
Edit the in-place family, select all the geometry, copy to the
General
clipboard and paste into a new family of the same or
Massing
appropriate category.
Roof Tool
Shape Editing
Outside the Box
Site Tools
Structural Tools
Links & Groups
Limitations
Families
Conclusion & Questions?
•
The most important thing I think I can leave you with is:
•
MODEL TO A DEGREE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CO-
ORDINATE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
•
Sometimes its great to have a play and test Revit’s limits
by modelling to minute detail. However, you’ll soon find
that your computer will slow to a halt and the model will
become very frustrating.
•
ENJOY IT!!! I DO 
•
Any Questions?