Faster Families for Autodesk Revit MEP David Butts Gannett Fleming, Inc

Transcription

1 David Butts Gannett Fleming, Inc MP6895-L (Repeat of MP1477-L) New and improved for Revit MEP 2013! It is time to learn how to get your content modeled quickly and save money on your projects. This hands-on lab starts with creating your own family templates; we will provide great samples you can take home with you. We will cover using the Shared Parameter Exporter and present guidelines for defining your own shared parameters. We will examine in detail editing object styles to use the improved materials, and we will wrap up by modifying fittings for duct and pipe to improve your designs. This extremely popular lab, which filled up quickly last year, can really help you get the most out of your Revit for MEP engineers. Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to: Set up a family template and work with manufacturer content Import multiple parameters at once with Shared Parameter Exporter Maximize materials for families and object styles Customize pipe and duct fittings About the Speaker David is a BIM Specialist for Gannett Fleming, a multi-discipline engineering firm based in Camp Hill, PA, with 60 offices in the US and overseas. Based in the Raleigh, NC office, he provides BIM Implementation and training for the firm's engineering design software, including Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD MEP/P&ID and more. He has 27 years of experience in both the design and Autodesk VAR channel, spending 13 years working as an instructor and consultant for the Autodesk building design product line. l David also worked as a training manager while in the channel, and was a member of the Autodesk ATC Advisory Board for He is a Revit Architecture Certified Professional, and also earned the MEP Implementation Certified Expert title. David has spoken at AU for several l years, and was named the Top Speaker for both labs and lectures at AU As an author, he also contributes to 4D Technology's CADLearning training programs and has written several training manuals on Revit MEP. You can reach David via at dabfvnc1@nc.rr.com.

2 Introduction Revit 2013 represents the next generation of building information modeling software for Autodesk. One thing that hasn t changed is the need for each firm to develop families that match their design process needs. Since our firm works on a large variety of projects, from water and wastewater treatment, to transportation facilities and more, the amount of content can be daunting. As we progress into our implementation, developing content experts becomes critical. Having specialists that focus on equipment and systems that are related to their practice area greatly enhances our ability to keep this cost to a minimum. But without consistent guidelines and matched practices, a company can get into trouble in a hurry. Inconsistency between groups can really drag the process down, so we train our specialists to do things the same way, and follow one standard. Most important, they have to be able to create their content quickly, so the bottom line is not impacted. In this lab, we re focusing on four areas that will help you get your families finished faster, while helping you save time in the project. The resources for the lab also include samples of families to help you get started, so let s take off and get your families fast! Setting up Family Templates and Working with Manufacturer Content In order to streamline this process as much as possible, it s important to use a common starting point. The best method I ve found is to set up what we call starter families, or family templates. You can define these families to include default parameters, object styles, reference planes and more. I typically like to break these down by family type, but at a minimum, I would create one for each category. In the case of mechanical equipment, you can go further for example, I have separate templates for pumps, air handling units and more, that include the specific shared parameters that are used in schedules for a project. The next several steps cover setting up these default families and templates, so let s get started. 2

3 Family Types and Categories Our first exercise examines how Revit address the different types of families in a project. In Revit MEP, we work with two default types of families: - Non-hosted similar to a block in AutoCAD, this item can be placed anywhere in a model, and is referenced to the level it s placed on. - Hosted Including face based types for generic faces, walls, ceilings, etc., this type is attached to another surface if the surface moves, the family moves. Typically the most widely used type is non-hosted, and is common for most end-of line mechanical and electrical equipment. In our firm, we prefer non-hosted for plumbing and light fixtures as well. For hosted families, we start with generic face based for data, communication, lighting, electrical, security and telephone devices. It s also important to understand how different types of families serve different purposes. An example of a hosted family that I would use for electrical equipment includes power panelboards. Power panels, which are defined by how they re used, automatically include a connection for devices, so they can be assigned to a panel. This is controlled by the family category. By changing the category to a different subtype, such as other panel, the behavior of the panel changes. Exercise 1 Reviewing Family Types and Categories To run this exercise, begin by opening rvt. Once the file is open, set the 1 Power view current. 1. Pick the blue electrical panel, and then choose Edit Family to see how the panel is defined. 3

4 2. Review the category change it to other panel. 3. Load the family into project and use the overwrite parameters option. 4

5 4. Try to connect the receptacles in the room to the panel (select all of the receptacles in the room choose the Power option on the Create Systems panel when the Electrical Circuits tab appears, pick the Select Panel tool) they won t do it, since it isn t a power panelboard. 5. Edit the family again, and change it back to panelboard. Reload into project check its distribution system (which should have stayed as a 120/208 Wye), then try to connect it will work this time because the category is correct for the use. 6. Select the panel again note the instance properties. The category tells Revit how to associate power panel specific parameters: 5

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7 7. Select the Motor Control Center, and notice how the type of information changes we use Switchboard as the part type for our MCC panels, to get the panel schedule to look and behave the way we want. 8. Change to the 1-Mech view. Pick the outdoor air handling unit, and then edit the family. Go to category, and review the types. Mechanical Equipment is a little less complicated there are only two types. The Normal part type is used for equipment that sits at the end of the duct line, while the Breaks into option allow it to be attached to a duct component. Both mechanical and electrical equipment are end of line sources, so they have different behavior they only define systems when they re connected up to other higher devices, but in most cases the rest of the MEP families for HVAC and electrical connect to them. 9. From the application menu, select New > Family. Take a look at the default list, which includes architectural, structural and MEP family templates all in one location. Revit provides both generic family templates, and templates that already have the category assigned. Usually, you can select one of these templates and start to create your 7

8 family but we ve got a better way to do this. We ll come back to this the next step is to learn how to use a repeatable process to quickly create the families you need. 8

9 Four Starter Components Reference Planes/Labels/Solids/Constraints Mechanical and electrical equipment represent the majority of content that we create. In order to do this efficiently, you have to understand the key elements to making a family. There are four parts: 1. Reference Planes these invisible surfaces are used to create the boundaries of your family. They also are used to control the size and shape, and are associated with the dimensions of the model. Reference planes also are used to place connectors for electrical, duct, pipe, conduit and cable tray components. 2. Labels After the references planes are defined, you add dimensions to control the reference planes. The dimensions are edited after they re placed to create a dimension label. The most common example of dimensional labels are ones that control length, width and height of a solid in a family but they can also be used to set the size of connections, and more 3. Solids the shapes that define the model, we add these once the reference planes are located in the model, and the dimensional labels add. To define the solid, you create the sketch by snapping to the reference planes once the solid is defined, if the reference planes move, the solid changes shape. 4. Constraints are the final step you take to associate the solid to the reference plane. You can add constraints while you re defining the solid, or after the solid is created. The constraint defines the relationship between the reference plane, the label and the solids in a family. Let s walk through the steps of creating the components keep in mind that if you consistently repeats these steps in sequence, you ll gain speed quickly. Exercise 2 Creating the Starter Components Start by creating a new family from the generic model.rft file the RFT file is the template that is used to create an.rfa, which is the file that gets loaded into the project. 1. From the application menu, select Open. Browse to the Family Templates folder, and select the Generic Model.rft file. 2. From the Create tab, Properties Panel, select the Family Categories and Parameter tool: 9

10 3. Set the filter to Mechanical, and then set the category to Mechanical Equipment, since we want this to control the visibility and behavior of the part. When finished, select OK to close the dialog. 4. Begin by defining the reference planes. Start with the floor plan view, ref level this is the same view you would have if creating a 2D block from the top. The reference plane tool is on the Create tab: There are already two reference planes in the view the vertical plane divides the left and right sides, while the horizontal plane defines the front and back the front is always the bottom side of the intersection. The intersection represents the insertion point (0,0 for the AutoCAD users). 5. The reference plane tool is located on the Create tab. If the component is to be placed by its center, add four reference planes around the centered planes as shown: 10

11 Before After 6. Once the planes are added, add dimensions to define labels. From the annotation, tab, pick the aligned dimension: 7. Pick the reference planes in sequence as shown left, center, right then place the dimension string by picking a point between the planes. 11

12 8. Once they re placed, choose the EQ grip to make them equidistant this will make the object grow or reduce in size based on the overall dimension, from the center of the model. 9. Repeat this step to add the equidistant dimensions to the front, center and back planes: 10. Once these are added, we can place overall dimensions for width (pick the front and back planes) and length (pick the left and right planes): 12

13 11. Now that we have the horizontal planes defined, let s add the 3D aspect by added a reference plane for the height. Change to the front elevation and add a reference plane. 12. After it s placed, add a dimension to indicate the height of the unit. A quick way to do this is to pick the dimension grip the dimension will become permanent: One note I always name planes name the plane controlling Height as Unit Top (not to be confused with Carrot Top). BIG tip: Name all your reference planes it makes it easy to pick them out when setting a work plane current! 13

14 13. Once the dimensions are added, we can add the labels. Pick the height dimension on the options bar, select the label tool. 14. Choose ADD PARAMETER when the dialog appears, name the parameter Height (these are case sensitive, so use Title Case so it looks professional). 14

15 15. Select OK to finish. Close this view to go back to the plan view. 16. Edit the left to right dimension, and add the label, LENGTH. 17. Edit the front to back dimension, and add the label WIDTH. Here s the tip be consistent, try to use the same labels for all types of equipment, regardless of how they re used. 15

16 Next, we ll add the solid some users add this first, but by already having the planes, I can use them to create the solid, and constrain it while I create it so it moves when the reference planes move. 18. From the Create tab, select Extrusion. On the ribbon, pick the rectangle to create box shape. 19. Snap to the lower left corner first, then pick the upper right corner. We re going to jump ahead to the constrain part notice all the locks these are constraint locks and appear whenever you use a reference plane or other surface to create a solid. Pick all four locks to constrain the solid to the reference plane. 16

17 20. Pick the green check mark on the ribbon to finish the solid. If you don t create all constraints when you build the part, you can always come back and add a constraint later. 21. Change to the front view notice how the top of the solid doesn t match the height. Pick the modify tab, and then pick the align tool. 17

18 22. Always pick the item you want to stay in place first when using the align tool, so pick the reference plane first. 23. Next pick the top of the solid the solid will match the plane. Pick the lock icon to constrain the top of the solid to the plane. 18

19 Pick Modify to complete the command. Now you ve covered the four main parts for defining the geometry of the model. Here s the fast part save this family as Raw Mechanical Equipment NON-HOSTED. You can now use this family as a starter family, instead of using the RFT template. If you were to rename the family by changing its extension to an RFT file, then everything you ve created to this point is locked and uneditable so we don t do this. We just leave it as an RFA file, and keep it with our other family templates. There s more you can add to this family to save you time we ll cover this a little later. 24. Undo what you ve done back to the start point. Name this Vendor Mechanical Equipment Non-Hosted. Now you can import a vendor s 3D.SAT,.DWG or.skp (Sketchup) model to create your part. From here you can add a connector, parameters, etc. as needed to complete the model. Exercise 3 Importing a DWG Model into a Family Once the starter family is defined, you can use it to create a new custom family, based on a manufacturer s model. In the next exercise, we ll use the starter family we just created, and create a new pump family. To begin, continue from the last saved family, the Vendor Mechanical Equipment Non- Hosted.rfa file. Make sure the Ref Level view is the current view. 1. Since this file is already open, we can use it to make a new pump model for the project. From the insert tab, select Import CAD. When the dialog opens, select the Sludge Pump drawing. A couple of notes about this model: 19

20 o The original model was defined in Solidworks as an SAT file. Use the Autodesk Inventor Fusion program to save the file as a DWG if you want to edit it in AutoCAD that s what I did for this lesson. o Converting a SAT file to a 3D DWG creates an Autodesk freeway component. To get Revit to use individual surfaces, explode it in the DWG. I take mine all the way down to individual shapes, so I can delete any extraneous geometry that I don t want to show in the model. I recommend renaming the block to something specific, so that it clearly defines the object in the model. o Make sure you purge the model prior to importing it into you model. Change the colors to Black and White; I only use the default colors if I m trying to do a rendering, but with the new materials behavior, it s better to control this in Revit as opposed to the source model Set the positioning to Origin to Origin, And you can uncheck the Orient to View option if inserting into a 3D view, but leave it checked if importing into a plan view: 20

21 Revit 2013 includes a new feature that helps get the linework into a model cleaner. The Correct Lines that are slightly off axis tool will correct lines that are 0.1 degree off axis. While this works great with equipment models, don t use this option when importing a site plan into a project. 2. Open will bring the model into the family. If you get a warning dialog box, ignore it. 3. Change to front view. To move the part, you ve got to unpin it, so select the 3D model pick the pushpin grip to unpin it: 4. Once it s unpinned, use the align command to move the pump up to the Ref Level workplane: 21

22 5. Now that you ve got the model defined, you can add connectors and other parameters as needed. We ll add the connectors for now, so switch to a 3D view. From the Create tab, choose the pipe connector tool. Add connectors to the pipe connection point on the pump: This works best when the model is exploded first, but you can also use the workplane option to locate the connector. My preference is to use the face on an exploded model, for ease of use. Note: Use the View Cube to orbit around the model to place connectors. The connectors will be constrained to the surface they are placed on (the only exception is the conduit surface connector, which can be located anywhere along a specific surface). 6. Next up pick the Electrical Connector tool from the Create tab, and add the connector to the top of the lift pipe: 22

23 7. Pick Modify to complete the command then pick the electrical connector. Change the properties of the connector to match the image below: 8. With connectors, you need to edit each connection and define its parameters. Remember that any parameters you want to include in a connection (such as the voltage), in most cases, should be defined as a shared parameter. 9. With the pipe connections, select one make sure that you set the parameters such as size and flow to what you want. One item you ll want to change is the name of the connection be clear, so that when it s picked, you can see what s purpose is: 23

24 Once you ve added the connectors, load this one into the project. It s controlled by Mechanical Equipment since that s how we started this family, so use the visibility graphics command (VG) to turn its visibility on and off. The part is now ready to use review the type and instance properties, and connect pipes if you ve got the time. You now have a more accurate representation of the part, when you work with the vendor to provide the true models. When to Use Shared Parameters vs. Family Parameters Now that we have the modeling part of the family complete, let s take a look at the data associated with the model. Revit includes a couple of primary parameters you ll use with families shared and family. The key difference is that Shared parameters can be used to populate schedules and tags. Shared parameters are stored in a text file, which can only be edited in Revit. Family Parameters are for the most part dimensional parameters but some default values, such as electrical load classification, or apparent load, can still be added to schedules depending on the part type. The best approach is to make any parameter shared, if you might use it in a schedule, tag or both. 24

25 Super Tip: Once a shared parameter is added to your family or project, that parameter belongs to that family or project. If changes have to be made to the parameters, the change should be made in the shared parameter file, and then updated in the affected family or project file. It s critical to plan how you re defining the Shared Parameters before placing them in families or projects. One way to get the parameters exposed is to use an associated parameter, which looks at the default family parameter, and makes it available to use in a schedule. It has to be the same units and format to work, so we ll check to see if the parameter is a family parameter first. Exercise 4 Adding Family Parameters To begin, make sure you have the project rvt open, and the 1-Lighting view set current. 1. Select one of the light fixtures. Choose the Edit family tool on the ribbon to review it: 2. Once the family is open, check the family types: 25

26 3. When the dialog appears, select the Load Classification Parameter. Choose the modify icon to review how it s defined: 4. Right now it s a family parameter, so we need to convert it to a shared parameter in order for it to be scheduled. Select the Shared Parameter option, and then pick Select: 26

27 If you get a dialog asking you to choose a shared parameter file, browse to the class dataset folder under the model guide folder > general_guide, and select the Revit Master Shared Parameters v2_1.txt file. If the default parameter group is not Construction, choose the Edit button, and then locate this file. We ll talk more about this file in the next section. 5. Once you get to the shared parameters dialog, change the group to Electrical Loads. Select the Load Classification parameter, and then choose OK: 6. Notice than the name is now grayed out since it s now controlled by the shared parameter. Leave it as a type for now, since we want this to apply to all examples. Select OK twice to complete the command and exit the family types dialog. 7. Now we want to check the connector, to make sure the connector s load classification value is exposed, and can be used in a schedule. Select the electrical connector, and look at the properties palette: 27

28 8. Notice how the Load Classification is grayed out that means it s already associated with another parameter to check this, pick the associate button on the right side of the field (note if it s not grayed out in your model, go ahead and associate it): 9. This opens the Associate Family Parameter dialog. As long as the units and format are the same, the parameter is associated with the one we just made into a shared parameter so now it can be scheduled. Select OK to close this dialog. Normally, you d have to actually edit the family and assign this value directly to the connector, but with some families, they re already assigned. By having it defined as a shared parameter now, it has great flexibility and use in the model. In the next section, we ll examine how to quickly load shared parameters into your families. Important note: Avoid using a character in a parameter name that can be interpreted as a mathematical symbol. Example: parameter name Load Classification or Load_Classification, NOT Load-Classification. So characters such as: +, -, *, /, or ^ are nono s. 28

29 Importing Shared Parameters into Families There s a lot more to families than we can cover in one lab, but one of the biggest time savers is the Shared Parameter Exporter. In order to get the most out of this, I ve split this lesson into two parts. The first part covers the Revit Modeling Guidelines, which give you a great place to start when defining your standards. Once you review this, you need to know how to quickly add these parameters to your families. Let s take a look at how to improve the data in your models. Revit Modeling Guidelines A few years back, Autodesk published the Revit Model Content Style Guide. Version 2.1 was release in late 2009 but it still have relevance in how it identifies parameters. Here s the fast part it already comes with a master shared parameter file to help the MEP engineer get started. To help you get started and see what s available, begin by opening the Revit Master Parameters List XLS file. This file shows you the category, part type, parameter name, group, type, GUID, discipline and type of parameter. What I really like about this file is that it also lists what parameters are default system parameters that occur in every Revit project: Use this file to help you plan how you re going to use these parameters in your families. Exercise 5 Adding Shared Parameters In this exercise, we ll take a look at how to add shared parameters to your families. To begin, make sure you have the project rvt open, and the 1-Lighting view set current. 1. On the Manage tab (either in family or project files), select the Shared Parameters tool. 29

30 2. Browse to the class dataset folder under the model guide folder > general_guide, select the Revit Master Shared Parameters v2_1.txt file: 3. Select Open. This will set this file as the default source for your shared parameters. Once it s set, change the group to electrical loads. Pick the Apparent Load parameter, and then pick properties: 30

31 4. You can t modify a shared parameter once it s created, so you have to create it from scratch if you need to add one. Be aware if you delete a parameter, then add it back with the same name, the GUID identifier will also be changed so you could have two parameters in a model with the same name, but sourced by different components. Once you get your parameters set, stick with them and test, test, test. Big tip: Load your shared parameters to your starter families. 31

32 Exporting and Converting to Shared Parameters Every once in a while, you ll need to export parameters you have loaded into a project, so they can be used in another project. You may also want to convert family parameters to shared parameters, so they can be used in a schedule. Revit includes an extension, the Shared/Project Parameter tool that helps you convert these parameters. For example, we might have received or edited a family where Ballast Voltage and Load Classification were defined as a family parameter, but we want to use them in a schedule. Let s see how this works. Exercise 6 Using the Shared/Project Parameter Tool To being, make sure you have the project file, rvt open. 1. From the Extensions tab, select the Tools option on the Autodesk Revit Extensions panel. Select the Shared/Project Parameters tool. 2. When the dialog appears, there are three file locations and a file you need to select: 32

33 Note: Your locations can vary from the ones displayed above - for the source files, choose the Shared Families folder under the course dataset. Set the course dataset location for the destination and log file locations, for this lab. Source Files Location Specifies which files will be changes use the Skip option to exclude backup files; Destination Files Location Specifies the location of the modified files; Log File Location The program generates a log activity file here; Shared Parameter file - specifies what shared parameter file will be used as a source of the data. 3. Once you have all of the locations set, copy and paste any number of families you wish to convert into the source folder. These original files will not be modified. In your dataset, we ve already included a series of light fixtures from the default library that have the Ballast Voltage and Load Classification set as family parameters. 4. Then click Configuration; this will read all of the groups and parameters from the shared parameters text file you specified. Expand any groups and highlight a parameter. Click the right arrow to add it to the list to replace as a shared parameter. Specify which category to group the parameter under: 33

34 Note: When you copy a parameter from the left column to the right, it no longer appears in the left column. 5. Click OK when complete. 6. Click Run to start the conversion process. The modified family files will be copied into the destination files location. Open one of the families and make sure the parameter is now a shared parameter: 34

35 7. From the dataset folder, load the updated Plain Recessed Lighting Fixture.rfa file into the project, using the overwrite parameters option. Select one of the lights, and review the type parameters the updates parameters can now be used in a schedule. A BIG point in order for this to work, the matching shared parameter already has to exist and be formatted the same way for units in the shared parameter file, in order for this to work. One nice side effect of the utility since it s also saving the file, it will save it in the current release so that s a step you won t have to take when converting old files. If you run the utility to add shared parameters to a file that doesn t have the family parameter, it will simply load the shared parameter in the file. In some cases, you ll still need to associate parameters with connectors, but this still saves a tremendous amount of time, especially if you re tailoring a lot of families to meet your standards. 35

36 Here are a few more tips from the help file about using the Shared Parameter Converter: For some family parameters with same name already exist in source files -- Change the parameter from family parameter to shared parameter, and assign to the group (except for "other" group) according to configuration. For some family parameters with same name and different properties (Instance/Type) that already exist in source file -- Change the parameter from family parameter to shared parameter only, and leave the other properties the same. For a shared parameter with same name that already exists in source file -- it will regard this file as failed file and copy it to failed folder, which is at the same level of the destination folder. For example, if Voltage is already defined in a file, but has a different GUID number, the import will fail if you are loading it from a different shared parameters file (and also a different GUID number). Maximizing Materials for Families and Object Styles When it comes to adding materials to objects, Revit 2013 has got us covered. The improvements to materials helps Revit create a better analytical model. MEP Families are no different; it pays to understand where and when to apply these and get useful results. Let s take a look at how we would assign materials in a project. Exercise 7 Adding and Editing Materials for a Family To begin, open the Sludge Pump.rfa model. 1. From the Manage tab, select the Materials tool. The Material Browser and Material editor will open. 2. In the lower left corner of the dialog, select the AEC Materials section. The top side of the dialog shows all materials that are loaded for the current family. Browse to the Metal category, and then pick the Steel, Paint Finish, Blue material: 36

37 3. In this case, we want to make some changes to the material. Once the material is selected, two icons appear on the right. Select the right icon, which loads the material and opens it in the Material Editor. I used to think that materials were only applicable to renderings, but Revit 2013 added more data to the material definition. For example, this material includes four assets, which address graphics, appearance, physical and thermal conditions. 37

38 The last two are the important ones these properties can be used to sort data in a project, and impact energy analysis results. 4. Under Assets, select the Steel ASTM A36 values. Take a look at the bottom of the dialog: 5. The material now contains data about the material, including: a. General information this covers the name, description, keywords, subclass and source for the information b. Basic Thermal Properties includes the Thermal Expansion Coefficient, which describes how the size of an object where this material is applied changes with temperature. This value measures the fractional change in size per degree change in temperature at constant pressure. 38

39 c. Mechanical properties include: i. Behavior, which can be isotropic, transverse isotropic, or orthotropic. ii. You can also assign Young s modulus value, which measures the stiffness of the material. iii. Poisson s Ratio, when an object using the material is stretched or compressed, to an extension or contraction in the direction of the applied load; iv. Shear Modulus, which measure the ratio of shear stress to shear strain; v. Density, which measures the density per pound to cubic feet vi. And Damping Ratio, which measures how an object oscillates after being moved from their default position. d. Strength this lists yield strength, which is measured in kips per square inch, reduction factor for shear, and tensile strength. You can select the option to indicate if a material is thermally treated. The Material Editor dialog also allows you to add and delete materials, and create custom properties as needed. 6. In the dialog, go back up to the Graphics section. Select the Steel, Paint Finish, Blue graphics setting. Select the color: 7. Let s select the teal color as the default for this material. You can use a variety of sources to set the color, including RGB values and PANTONE colors. Select OK and then select Done to close the material editor. Close the material browser to complete the command. This will set the color for the material when it is assigned to an object. And this is where the important part comes into play. You have several ways to assign a material: 39

40 o It can be assigned by the family, to solids that are created directly from Revit tools. This does NOT apply to imported object s instance properties. o It can be assigned to an object style category or subcategory in a family. We ll take a look at this in a minute. o It can be assigned to a family or object style in a project again, this only applies to Revit solids, not imported categories. o For imported models, use the imported categories visibility graphics settings to control the applied material. 8. Save the family to store the changes. From the Manage tab, select Object Styles. 9. On the Imported Categories tab, select the 0 layer, and then select Rename. Name the new subcategory Pump Sludge: Note: If you are working from an imported DWG file, and want to apply different materials to different parts, such as the flange, edit the AutoCAD drawing and assign the solids to their own specific layers. 40

41 10. Click OK to exist the rename dialog. Select the material cell for the subcategory, and change the material to the new blue material: 11. Select OK to close the dialog. Save the family and then load it into a project. Once the file is in the project, toggle the graphics display options between shaded and realistic. You ll see the materials as they were assigned: Since we didn t change the appearance, the realistic option will display the original assigned material: 41

42 While we are just touching the surface of materials (pun intended), taking the time to do this will help you produce a better quality rendering or image. But don t go too crazy - make sure you limit your assigned materials and include only the ones you need on a project, to keep the file size reasonable. Customizing Pipe and Duct Fittings Our last topic includes getting your fittings to look and drive the way you want. And it s really simple, since editing an existing part is one of the easiest things to do in Revit. In this lesson, we ll take a look at two of the most important editing the lookup tables for fittings and editing default duct fittings Editing Pipe Lookup Tables The key to getting piping to look and behave you want lies in the lookup tables. With some parts, you have a lot of combinations for example, pipe fittings use hundreds of combinations. In our case we needed a ductile iron flange instead of a grey iron flange, so we ll duplicate the part, since it already has the same values. In this exercise, we will make a copy of an existing lookup table and use it to create a new lookup table for a modified pipe library/ 42

43 Exercise 8 Editing a Pipe Lookup Table To begin this exercise, Revit can be started with any project or family file open. 1. Use the open command to open a family from the dialog, pick the Imperial Library content shortcut. From the default content library, browse to this folder Piping\Fittings\Gray Iron Flanges\Class 125 folder. Open the Flanged Threaded GI Class 125 family: Note: For this class, the file is also located in the class dataset folder, under Gray Iron Flanges. 2. Once it s open, go to the Family Types dialog on the properties panel: There are two things to look at here the first is the lookup table name the second are the parameters that are associated with the dimensional parameters. 43

44 3. The family refers to a lookup table which is a.csv table file that is used to list sizes for the default parameters. Since CSV files can be associated with Excel, you can use that program to open the file. 4. From Windows Excel open Flange Threaded GI Class 125.csv file located in the class folder: Note the headers across the top the first column nominal size of the fitting. The remaining headers are associated with the parameters in the family. The format goes something like this: PARAMETERNAME##PARAMETERTYPE##PARAMETERUNITS. For the second parameter, FDIA is the flange outside diameter parameter. Looking back at the family types, it s associated with the Flange Diameter value: Rather than taking up a bunch of instance parameters and having to define a large number of types, you can duplicate this table, and edit the parameters. The parameters in a lookup table can be these types: 44

45 Number just a raw number, up to 6 decimal places; Length a measurement, which can be made in feet, inches, millimeters, etc. Area square footage/yard/meter value; Volume cubic footage/yard/meter value; Angle measured as number values, but applied to the rotation angle for example, the angle of elbows would use this value So if I wanted the table to read inches instead of millimeters, change the last part of the statement, from FDia##length##millimeters to FDia##length##inches. 5. Let s edit this file delete the rows for sizes 1 to 3.5 by deleting the entire set of rows: 6. Save the file as Flange Threaded DI Class 125.csv. If you get the follow warning, select Yes: 7. Copy this to the default library for lookup tables, under the Pipe folder (note: the file cannot be used unless it is saved as a.csv file, and located in the folder specified for your lookup tables this is usually in the same location as your default content. 8. Go back to the fitting family type change the lookup table to look at your new table. 45

46 If you don t copy the CSV file first, you ll get an invalid formula error, so make sure you have the CSV file in the pipes lookup table folder (can t say this enough)/ Now the part can be placed with the new sizes. The sizes you deleted will no longer be available. Here s a big tip: When possible, use and edit existing tables it s much faster! Editing Duct Fittings Our last edit is so easy, it s almost stupid but it bears repeating since I keep getting asked about it. Revit includes a pretty comprehensive set of fittings, but this one is the one they missed. In this lesson, we ll learn how to make a transition elbow that allows for two different shoulder lengths. Exercise 9 Editing an Existing Duct Fitting To begin, open the default family, the Rectangular Elbow Mitered Transition.rfa file, located in the default Duct > Fittings folder in the Imperial Library. 1. Make sure the Ref Level view is the current view. 2. Notice how both shoulders use the same family parameter for the length. Select the Shoulder Length label at the top of the fittings. Once it s selected, pick the Label tool on the options bar: 46

47 3. Select the parameter, to access to drop-down menu. Select Add Parameter. 4. When the dialog opens, create a new family parameter. Name the new parameter Shoulder Length Right, and set the default value to instance. When adding dimensional values that don t need to be in a schedule, this is normally a family parameter. If you need to use it in a schedule, you can also set this to be an Instance Reporting Parameter, but for now we ll leave this step out. 47

48 5. Select OK. The label is now defined. For the other shoulder parameter you don t need to follow the same steps. Open the Family Types dialog. Select Shoulder Length, and then pick Modify. 48

49 6. Once you re in the Modify dialog, you can change the parameter type, name, and whether it s type or instance. You can also select a different group. Change the name to Shoulder Length Left: 7. Select OK to close the dialog. Once you ve made the changes to the part, save the family as Rectangular Elbow Variable Length Shoulder Tap. The part is now ready to use. Not everything in Revit is complicated. The range runs from the simplicity of editing a duct fitting to the complexity of editing pipe lookup tables. For either family, practice these steps and improve your library. 49

50 Conclusion Now you ve had a chance to get a quick look at the things I look for in families, how to build your starter families, and how to edit them quickly. As you get your library built, you ll appreciate how this consistent approach has helped your designers get their projects out the door faster and better coordinated. For more tips and trick, refer to my blog, The MEP CAD Engineer, at Thanks for attending! 50