HOW TO CREATE SIMPLE 2D FAMILY

These instructions show you how to create a family that has 2D representation for plans, elevations & sections. In 3D it will only appear as its plan representation as if drawn on the floor.

Simple 2D families should only be used as placeholders until a proper families are made.

Start with a template.

Start by selecting New under Families from the opening screen of Revit:

Browse to the standard template location:

S:\Revit Templates\Families\:

Choose an appropriate template file.

If in doubt use Specialist Equipment (Furniture is rarely used, and even then only for loose furniture), with Dims.

Avoid hosted templates (e.g. Wall hosted, Ceiling hosted etc). If you can't find an appropriate template try the AutoDesk folder.

Now you have a new family file.

Set size parameters to match the object you are drawing.

Under Home tab, Properties panel, click on Properties button:

Edit Height, Width and Depth to match your object.

Rename the current Family Type.

Type names should describe its size: e.g. 200d x 500w x 900h

If it comes in more than one size under Family Types on upper right choose New... button.

Name it sensibly and edit sizes for each new type.

Create Plan representation.

Next add detail to the plan view.

Go to the Ref. Level floor plan view.

Set the Work Plane:

Under Home tab, Work Plane panel, Set button,

select Name, then Level : Ref. Level.

Draw Model Lines:

Under Home tab, Model panel, Model Line button,

Select an appropriate subcategory (leave it as default if you don't know).

Select the pick line drawing tool.

Select one of the reference planes, then click on the padlock symbol so it shows a closed padlock.

This will lock the sketch line to the reference plane below it.

Repeat for other reference planes.

Then select the Trim to corner (i.e. fillet) button on Modify panel.

Fillet each corner, make sure you select the part of the line you want to keep.

Draw any other lines you want.

Change the subcategory if required.

You can also add dimensions (dimensions and text won't appear when you place a family in a project),

Under Annotation tab, Dimension panel, generally use Aligned.

If you select a line its defining dimensions will become editable. When blue click on a dimension number and type in the numbers you want.

You can also lock those dimensions (select the dimension, click on the padlock symbol) so even if parameters change (e.g. Width, Depth) that dimension will always stay the same.

Set Visibility

Next set how these plan lines will appear in other views.

Select the lines you have drawn.

In the Properties window select the Edit button opposite Visibility/ Graphics Overrides.

In the Family element Visibility Settings dialog box untick Front/Back and Left/Right.

If you don't want the family to appear at Coarse detail level setting untick it. Or if you only want some lines to not appear repeat sequence above, but only select the lines you don't want to appear at Coarse detail level.

Draw side elevation.

Next create a drawing representing the left/right elevations.

Go to the Left elevation view.

Set the Work Plane to be Reference Plane : Center (Left/Right).

Note that in the elevation view there are 4 reference planes plus the Ref. Level level.

These reference planes represent the Top, Bottom, Front (right side) and Back (left side) of your object.

You will want the family to hide whatever is behind it in elevation & section views.

To do this use at least one Masking Region rather than just lines.

Under Annotation tab, Detail panel, Masking Region Button.

The lines used to draw the boundaries of Masking Regions will print, so they are effectively the same as lines.

They are on a subcategory, so change the subcategory if appropriate. Note there is an <Invisible lines> subcategory.

You can use the pick line tool and lock them to the reference planes like you did in plan view.

Hit the green tick in Mode panel when you have finished.

You can add more detail over the top of the masking region with lines.

But make sure you use Symbolic Lines. These will only appear in elevational and section views.

Under Annotation tab, Detail panel, Symbolic Line Button.

You can change subcategory, add dimensions and lock dimensions as you did above in plan.

Draw Front elevation.

Next create a drawing representing the front/back elevations.

Go to the Front or Placement Side elevation view.

Set the Work Plane to be Reference Plane : Front.

Next draw at least one masking region as you did for side elevation above.

Under Annotation tab, Detail panel, Masking Region Button.

You can add Symbolic Lines as well.

Check your work.

Go to the 3D view.

Note that only the plan representation is visible.

Under Home tab, Properties panel, click on Properties button:

Change the dimensions and check the extrusion changes as well (best done in 3D view).

If it works rename the current Family Type, or create New types, as required.

Type names should describe its size: e.g. 200d x 500w x 900h

Change dimensions to suit each type.

When you are happy with your new family save it.

Under the purple R in top left corner, select Save As.

Browse to S:\Revit Libraries\Project Libraries\yourjob.

Give it a sensible name. Format is:

Category_description type, description specific type.projectnumber

Then hit Options... button:

Make sure Maximum backups is 1.

Change Preview Source to 3D View:Preview

Hit OK, the Save on Save-As dialog.

Finished!