Manual RevitMEP13 Content

8/11/2019 Manual RevitMEP13 Content

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Revit MEP 2013:Content Creation

Student Guide

Revision 1.0 June 2012


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Advanced Solutions, Inc.Revit MEP 2013: Content Creation

Revision 1.0

Prepared and Produced by:

Advanced Solutions, Inc.1901 Eastpoint Parkway, Suite 301Louisville, KY 40223

1-877-GET-ASI1 (438-2741)www.AdvancedSolutions.com

Copyright 2012 Advanced Solutions, IncAll Rights Reserved

This document may not be reproduced or revised without express written permission from AdvancedSolutions Inc., and any subsidiaries of Advanced Solutions Inc., of Louisville, KY. AdvancedSolutions reserves the right to alter product offerings and speci cations at any time without notice,and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Dataset les are provided with permission by Advanced Solutions Inc. of Louisville KY. Dataset lesmay not be used for any other purpose other than as training examples for this course. Any otheruse of this background, as well as all other datasets, including but limited to any .RVT, .RTE, .RFA,.XML, .DWG les is expressly prohibited.

We trust that this manual and downloadable datasets help you to get the most out of your RevitMEP 2013 software investment. So enjoy and happy learning!

We welcome any comments that you may have regarding this training manual. Please forward anycomments to: [email protected].

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Revit, Ecotect and Revit MEP are registered trademarks or trademarksof Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or af liates in the USA and/or other countries. Allother brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodeskreserves the right to alter product offerings and speci cations at any time without notice, and is notresponsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

General Disclaimer:NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LANGUAGE TO THE CONTRARY, NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN CONSTITUTES NOR ISINTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER, INDUCEMENT, PROMISE, OR CONTRACT OF ANY KIND. THE DATA CONTAINEDHEREIN IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT REPRESENTED TO BE ERROR FREE. ADVANCEDSOLUTIONS ITS AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES OROTHER EXPENSES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF ITS MATERIALS OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANYFAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION EVEN IF ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES, ARE

ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, LOSSES OR OTHER EXPENSES. NO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGESCAN BE SOUGHT AGAINST ADVANCED SOLUTIONS FOR THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS BY ANY THIRD PARTIES ORFOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT RESULT OF THAT USE.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS INTENDED TO BE OR GENERAL INTEREST TO YOU AND IS PROVIDEDAS IS, AND IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY. NOTHINGHEREIN CONSTITUTES PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE A COMPREHENSIVE OR COMPLETESTATEMENT OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED THERETO. ADVANCED SOLUTIONS DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THEDOCUMENT OR INFORMATION WILL BE ERROR FREE OR WILL MEET ANY PARTICULAR CRITERIA OR PERFORMANCEOR QUALITY. IN PARTICULAR (BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION) INFORMATION MAY BE RENDERED INACCURATE BYCHANGES MADE TO THE SUBJECT OF THE MATERIALS (I.E. APPLICABLE SOFTWARE).


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Table of ContentsPreface ii

Chapter 1 Family Editor 1-1

1.1 Family Overview 1-2

1.2 Family Editor Environment 1-19

1.3 Family Categories, Parameters and Types

Chapter 2 Revit MEP - Object Family Creation 2-1

2.1 De ning Components from Outside Sources 2-2

Exercise: De ning Components from Outside Sources

2.2 Object Family Creation - De ning a Light Fixture 2-21

Exercise: Creating a Light Fixture Family

2.3 Object Family Creation - De ning a VAV Box 2-41

Exercise: De ning a VAV Box

2.4 Editing Parametric Fittings 2-67

Exercise: Modifying a Duct Elbow 2.5 Adding Clearance Objects and Subcategories 2-71

Exercise: Adding a Subcategory to a Family

2.6 Creating Type Catalogs 2-77

Exercise: Creating a Type Catalog 2-80

Chapter 3 Revit MEP - Annotation Family Creation 3-1

3.1 Creating Custom Tags 3-2

Exercise: Creating a Custom Tags 3-7

Chapter 4 Project Templates and Settings

4.1 Understanding Key Project Template Settings and Procedures 4-2

4.2 Working with Phases 4-9

4.3 Customizing Panel Schedules 4-15

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Revit MEP 2013: Content Creation

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PrefaceThis book is intended to be used as a guide during the training class and as a reference to be used after thecourse. This book is not a comprehensive reference for all aspects of Revit MEP, it is intended to provide theuser with the more advanced concepts of families, templates and other tools needed to advance a users skilllevel with the software.

It is imperative that Revit MEP Fundamentals and the corresponding vertical segment (or a fundamentalunderstanding of Revit MEP is demonstrated) is taken prior to taking this class.

This book is organized by chapters, sub-chapters and exercises. Each chapter has multiple sub-chapters andmany of the sub-chapters have exercises. The datasets for the exercises will be provided to the student priorto the start of the class. The intent of this book is to be able to cover the material in a single day.

The agenda for Revit MEP 2013: Content Creation offered by Advanced Solutions is listed below:

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Preface

Revit MEP 2013: Content Creation AgendaChapter 1 Family Editor

Family Overview Family Editor and Environment Family Categories, Parameters and Types

Chapter 2 Object Family CreationDe ning Components from Outside

Object Family Creation - De ning a Light Fixture Object Family Creation - De ning a VAV Box Editing a Parametric Fittings Adding Clearances Objects and Subcategories Creating Type Catalogs

Chapter 3 Annotation Family Creation Creating Custom Tags

Chapter 4 Project Templates and SettingsUnderstanding Key Project Template Settings and Procedures

Understanding Key Family Template Settings and Procedurres Working with Phases Customizing Panel Schedules

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Using this Book and DatasetsThroughout this book pay special attention to the Tip icons. The icons will highlight additional hints orsuggestions pertaining to the topic being covered.

To obtain a copy of the datasets for this book, please contact Advanced Solutions at 1-877-GET-ASI1 or [email protected].

The datasets were created in Revit MEP 2013. The les cannot be opened in a previous version of thesoftware. To obtain a free trial version of Revit MEP please contact your Advanced Solutions Sales Associateor navigate to Autodesks website to download a free trial.



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Chapter 1

Family Editor All versions of Revit include the family editor, which is a separate graphical interface dedicated speci callyto customizing and creating content. As with projects, families are de ned by starting from a template. Theprogram includes several examples of templates that help the user quickly de ne a part that exhibits thedesired behavior.

In order to gain a full understanding of how families are de ned and edited for use in a project, the userwill learn in this rst chapter how the Family Editor interface differs from the project interface. This chapteralso includes the steps used to create family types, parameters, reference planes, solid extrusions and 2D

symbology.

This chapter introduces:

Understanding Family Types and Templates with the Family Overview

Navigate the Revit MEP 2013 Family Editor Interface

Understand Family Categories, Parameters and Types


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1.1 Family OverviewRevit MEP is a parametric modeling program that is driven by elements . An element is a representation ofan object in Revit. There are two categories of elements in Revit model and annotation . A model elementcan range from a wall, door, window, VAV box, light, pump to a diffuser. Elements can also be annotationcomponents, such as dimensions, text, tags, etc., that help document a model.

A family groups elements with a common set of parameters (properties), identical use, and similar graphicalrepresentation. Different elements in a family may have different values for some or all properties, but the setof properties - their names and meaning - is the same.

Families are created as three types:

- System Families - physical components that are simple in shape but can have a large variety of sizes; - system families are de ned within the project environment (typically created and saved within the

template le); - Duct, pipe, conduit and cable tray are examples of system families. - Component Families - more complex components that have few variations in size;

- component families are created within the family editor environment; - air terminals, pumps and light xtures are examples of component based families. - In-Place Families - speci c shapes and dimensions that are stored in a project but can be pasted into other projects; - in-place families are created within the project environment; - in-place families are families that are unique to the project.

Families include sub-elements known as parametric types. A parametric type can be a speci c size of afamily, for example a diffuser may be available in several sizes i.e. 12 x 12 face with a 6 neck size or a 24 x24 face with a 8 neck size. Each diffuser size is a different type within the same family. In the image below, the type selector list displays one air terminal family (Supply Diffuser Rectangular FaceRound Neck) with multiple types (i.e. 12x12 6 Neck, 12x12 8 Neck):

Parameters are the properties of the element that add intelligence and real world information about thefamily which are referenced in schedules and tags within the project. Model elements can include 2 types ofparameters: type and instance parameters.

- Instance Parameters - associated data that is unique to each component;

- an example of an instance parameter is the offset (elevation) of the air terminal. The same air terminalmay be placed 50 times in the project, but may be placed on ceilings of varying heights.

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Family Editor

- Type Parameters - data that affects all examples and types of an element;

- examples of type parameters are the neck size parameter and model number and manufacturerinformation.

Within the project environment the parameters of an element are modi ed through the Element Properties dialog box, which is accessed by selecting an item, and then choosing the Element Properties icon on theribbon, or by hovering over an element in a view and right-mouse clicking, and then choose the ElementProperties option.

The example below demonstrates the type properties of an element. This area is accessed by selectingthe Edit/New button on the Element Properties dialog or by directly opening the Type Properties tool on theribbon:

When the edit type tool is selected, a new dialog will appear. In this case, the type parameters for the supply

diffuser show the speci c parameters that apply to all examples of that element, including:

- the connector size; - the width of the overall component; - the identity data for the element type, including model, manufacturer, type mark, cost, etc.



From here, additional types can be added to a family simply by choosing the Duplicate button and modifyingthe parameters to be unique to the new type.

Component Families

Component Families can be created several different ways, with each of them having their advantages andlimitations. It is important to understand how a family is created because it will determine how it is placed inthe model.

There are two types of component families non-hosted (standalone) and hosted that are used in the Revit

MEP application.

- Non-hosted (or standalone) elements can be placed anywhere and located in any level from any view.Non-hosted elements are associated to the level in which it is placed. For example if a piece ofequipment is placed on the second oor of the project, the equipment is associated to the second level. Ifthe second level elevation changes the equipment will adjust accordingly.

- Hosted elements must have a surface, workplane or face to be placed. As the host element is movedor modi ed, the hosted component updates with that component. An example of a hosted element is areceptacle that is placed on a wall. If the wall location shifts, the receptacle will shift accordingly.

Hosted elements can be faced based, wall based or ceiling based. Other types of hosted elementsinclude roof and oor based components, as well as line based components, but these are not usedas frequently with MEP elements.

TIP: Place the most commonly used component families in the project template. If a largenumber of component families are in the template, begin to segregate the templates intoconstruction speci c types.

Custom component families should be stored in a separate folder, such as a customfolder, to avoid confusion with the families that are provided with the software.

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Family Editor

System Families

In Revit, system type families represent linear components such as pipe and duct types. They have verysimple geometry, but can contain thousands of combinations of sizes. System families help to group elementsby similar construction materials for example, piping can include plastic, carbon steel, ductile iron, copper orstainless steel types. Each type that is de ned in a project can control the placement and selection of ttings.

System families are de ned in the project environment instead of the family editor and are typically createdand stored in a project template le. By de ning these systems in a template, they will already be included ina new project, but they may also be shared with other projects using the Windows copy and paste method, orby using the Transfer Project Standards tool (located on the manage tab of the ribbon).

Below is an example of the type properties of a pipe type family:

Each pipe type is unique, and includes parameters that control which ttings are used based on the type oftting.

Pipe types are primarily de ned by three main areas: Materials, Connection Types and Class :

The materials are de ned using the Mechanical Settings tool in the Type Properties dialog box. This toolincludes a list of options available for each parameter, including the roughness, connection type and scheduletype of the pipe:

The pipe type properties also includes a series of pipe ttings which allow the user to de ne the tting that willbe inserted when appropriate.



For example the Standard pipe type has the Tee - Generic : Standard de ned as the default tee and The PVCpipe type has the Tee Sanitary - PVC - Sch 40 - DWV : Standard de ned as the default tee.

When the pipe is placed into the model the tee de ned in the properties of the pipe type will be placed:

Note that there are only two options for tees in the list, these are the only tees that are loaded into the project.(Note: Revit MEP includes a large library of ttings that comply with national standards such as ASTM and

AWWA ):

To expand the pipe library, load additional tting families into the project from the Imperial Library .

The default templates only ship with a few samples of pipe and duct types, so it is bene cial to startcreating unique types. If there are any variations that will be used on a regular basis it is bene cial to createcorresponding types as needed.

Creating a new System Family Type

This example walks the user through creating a new pipe type. Creating duct, conduit and cable tray typesfollows a similar methodology.

1. Open a project template (such as Systems Default.rte ).

Select Application Menu > Open > Revit le

Browse to the template location.

2. On the Project Browser, go to Families and locate the Pipes section. Note that only two pipe types arelisted in the template:

TIP: Create the most commonly used system families in the template prior to starting on aproject. If needed, use the Transfer Project Standards tool to share these types with other(or older) projects.

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Family Editor

3. To create a new pipe type, right mouse click on the standard pipe type and select Duplicate:

4. Right click on the new type named Standard (2). Choose Rename and change the name to CarbonSteel . Once the pipe type is renamed, right click on the pipe type and choose Type Properties .

5. In the element properties dialog, change the material to Carbon Steel.

Note the remainder of the settings the connection type is threaded , the class is schedule 40 , and thettings are all de ned to standard type ttings.

6. To create a new version of Carbon Steel, rename this version to Carbon Steel Threaded . Afterrenaming the le, choose the Duplicate button.

7. For the new type, choose the name Carbon Steel Welded . In the type properties dialogue, change theconnection type to Welded .

8. Select OK to close the dialogue.

Family Templates

Revit includes a series of default templates as a starting point to create families. Each template includesprede ned workplanes, surfaces and other settings to help streamline the creation of the components ratherthan starting from scratch.

To start a new family, select Application Menu > New > Family

When creating a new family, a dialog box will be displayed prompting the user to choose a template.

Understanding how the family will behave in the project prior to creating the part is important. Follow the bestpractices listed below to ensure the correct template is chosen from the start:

- Will the family be hosted? Should the family move with the architectural element that it is associated to? - Start with the Generic Model face based.rft family template; - After starting the family ensure to change the Family Category to the appropriate category:

Select Create tab > Properties panel > Family Category and Parameters


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- Does the user want control over the elevation and location of the object?- Start with one of the following templates:

- Data Device.rft - Data Panel.rft - Electrical Equipment.rft - Electrical Fixture.rft - Fire Alarm Device.rft - Lighting Fixture.rft - Linear Lighting Fixture.rft - Mechanical Equipment.rft - Plumbing Fixture.rft - Spot Lighting Fixture.rft - Telephone Device.rft - Note: If the typical MEP project has a linked architectural model, DO NOT start with a family template

that contains the following words: - Wall Based - Ceiling Based - Floor based - Roof based - Is the family going to be used as a duct tting? - Start with one of the following templates

- Duct Cross.rft - Duct Elbow.rft - Duct Tee.rft - Duct Transition.rft

TIP: Always start with a speci c template that relates to the type of part being created. Thesimplest form of a template to work with is the non-hosted type of component, which canbe placed anywhere in a project.

Prior to de ning any new component, open an existing example that is similar, any newequipment created should be made in the same fashion for consistency.

Avoid using templates that are related to architectural components (i.e. wall-based, ceil-ing-based, oor-based and roof-based). MEP components cannot associate through linkedles to these components, so the reference object cannot be used.


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