When you have gained some control over the primary building elements in Revit and start to create digital models of new and existing buildings you will find yourself at some stage wanting to add a component to the model BUT you cant find it in the library. !!
What do you do ?
One of the choices you have is to create your own content and we do this using the Family Editor. The Family Editor in Revit is a very powerful tool, in fact it will become one of the most important tools you will use in your digital modelling career. It brings together many techniques in creating geometry, controlling geometry and making the geometry measurable for scheduling.
In order to master the Family Editor you must understand and master work plains
Why select to use the Family Editor over the the Conceptual Massing Editor or visa versa ?
REVIT Families - Bones, Brains, Balance and Body... Daryl Gregoire Method: The 'Four B's' or simply put '4B' approach.
Here is the family creating 4B approach and it is VERY important to maintain the order in which it is laid out.
Bones = Family Template and Category, Named and Unnamed Reference Planes, Reference Lines, Reference Levels
Brains = Dimensions, Labels/Parameters (w/formulas), Automatic Sketch Dimensions, Pins, Arrays,(w/labels), Groups, Nested Families
Balance = Flex the Brains and Bones (and keep flexing)
Body = Solids/Voids, Model Lines, Symbolic Lines, Masking Regions, Annotation and Detail Components . . .
So when you want to start making families you can use the above approach (in that order) and it will help make life much easier. I think most people are like me and they get excited when making families and jump ahead to the 'Body' part right away and that causes problems. RESIST !
Family Creation Procedures 1
Where do I start?
Family Templates: How do I decide which template to start from?
Don't select a template just based on the category, thinking about the functionality first will give you more options.
Functionality is not tied to the category but is tied to the template.
The category adds the family parameters, built in parameters and subcategories required for that category. Also this selection will effect how the family schedules.
Note: It does take some learning all the special cases in Revit.
Family Templates: Decision tree, 2D vs. 3D family?, 2D – What is the use?
Detail Item, Profile, Annotation, Titleblock
3D – Does the family require specific functionality?
Yes – What is the special functionality for?
Baluster,Structural Framing,Rebar,Pattern Based
No – Does the family require a host?
Yes – Which host?
Wall Based,Ceiling Based,Floor Based,Roof Based,Face Based
No – Then chose from:
Standalone (Level Based),2 Level Based (Column),Line Based,Adaptive
Then choose a category.
Many of the family template are open to multiple categories giving you different functionality depending on your choices.
Example: User wants to build an escalator
If they follow the category first, the user will have adjust the escalator height on placement and any time the floor to floor height changes.
If they follow the functionality first you can end up with a 2 level aware escalator that re-adjust its size automatically when the floor to floor height changes.
Template behaviors vs. category behaviors
Template have behaviors built in in relation to hosting, placement methods or even special editors
While categories have behaviors that are controlled by the settings in the Family Parameters under Family Category and Parameters dialog.
Changing the category changes the options available in the Family Parameters list. Some of the options include "Always Vertical", "Cut with Voids When Loaded" and "Shared"
Additionally setting the category changes the available built in sub-categories and parameters.
Visual example – Generic Model to Doors
The Process:
The “process” for building families is the most important aspect of family creation that one needs to learn.
Process order:
Pick your template
Plan (Insertion Point, Parametric Origin, etc.)
Layout Reference Planes (add The Bones)
Add Parameters and Constraints (add The Muscles)
Add multiple host thickness types (for testing hosted families)
Add 2 or more types
Flex Types and Host (Testing Procedure)
Add a Single Level of Geometry ( add The Skin)
Repeat until you are satisfied with the results
Test in Project Environment (create testing project)
Tips for Success:
A successful piece of content meets all the users needs for BIM.
Build not only for the user but how the information will be use along the whole BIM life cycle.
Ask yourself
What is your use case? And how will it be used?
What is the proper level of detail and or level of development for this piece of content?
Additionally try to meet all requirements for: Proper graphic representation in all view types.Enough information provided to support the down stream applications.Good parametrics for the expected use cases and good performance
So....when you have mastered Revit familys......
Subpages (1): Family Editor Exercises