7th topic

The goal of the initial stage in model building is to produce a simplified object. For one object, many "specialized" models can be created that focus on certain aspects of the object or characterize the object with different levels of detail.

Modelling is a cyclical process. Understanding of the object is ever increasing, and the original model is continually refined. Shortcomings discovered after the first cycle due to knowledge gaps or errors can be corrected in the following cycles (Pic. 7.1).

The creation of a digital 3D model using design software is at the foundation of this process. The following video series will introduce two of the many software solutions capable of fully producing open BIM models (in the IFC file format) with all required element information.

It is worth mentioning that guidelines exist for how to create quality BIM models. One such set of guidelines (Common BIM Requirements 2012) can be downloaded here: 

https://buildingsmart.fi/en/common-bim-requirements-2012/

These guidelines cover the main points of model creation:

• the importance of the Project Origin Point;

• the importance of the floor/storey and elements related to it;

• specific elements to be used for specific design solutions (e.g., we use the “WALL” element to create a wall model);

• the importance of a clear description of the element (e.g., the exact name of the material).

These rules will be covered in the following Revit tutorials.

Wall

In Revit, the wall tool is located under the Architecture Tab. Click on the tab to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel.

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose wall type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own wall structure. To add additional layers to your custom floor just click the “Insert” button at the bottom of the table and you will see new layers added to the list. If you want to change a material, click on the three dots next to a Material name and choose from Revit’s internal material library.

Door and window

In Revit, the door and window are located under the Architectural Tab. Click on one of them to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel.

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose the door or window type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit dimensions to create your own component. If you want to change material, go to “Edit type” of the selected component, click on the three dots next to Material name and choose from Revit’s internal material library. 

Foundation

In Revit, the foundation is located under the Structural Tab. Click on it to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel. 

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose the floor type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own structure. Once you are happy with the settings, select the walls or wall that you want your foundation to be attached to.

Then just click on the little house icon on the top and you will see your new foundation in 3D view.

Floor/Ceiling

The floor/ceiling is located under the Architectural Tab. Click on it to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel. 

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose the floor type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own floor/ ceiling structure. 

To add additional layers to your custom floor, just click the “insert” button at the bottom of the table and you will see new layers added to the list. If you want to change the layer’s material, click on the three dots next to Material name and choose from Revit’s internal material library. 

Once you are happy with your custom floor structure, select the floor drawing shape from the ribbon and click on the white space in the plan view. After you finish drawing the floor, don’t forget to click “accept” in the upper ribbon. 

Also, don‘t forget to edit the ceiling altitude. Once all these steps have been completed, choose either manual or automatic ceiling modelling. Here we choose automatic and just hover with a mouse on the room where the ceiling will be modeled. You will immediately see the red contour of the proposed ceiling. Click with the left mouse button to confirm the placement.

Roof

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose the roof type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own roof structure. 

To add additional layers to your custom floor just click “Insert” button at the bottom of the table and you will see new layers added to the list. If you want to change layer’s material, click on the three dots next to Material name and choose from Revit’s internal material library.

Once you are happy with your roof settings, select drawing shape from the ribbon and click on the white space in the plan view. After you have finished drawing the roof, don’t forget to click “Accept” in the upper ribbon.

If you decided to edit the slope of your roof or just flatten it, select the edge that you want to edit, and adjust the properties in the properties panel.

Stair and railing

The stairs are located under the Architectural Tab. Click to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel. 

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose different stair types from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own structure. 

Once you are happy with your stair settings, select drawing shape from the ribbon and click on the white space in the plan view. You will see that Revit will automatically calculate the number of steps needed to reach the upper floor. If you decide to make your stair in a different shape, you can add several steps then just click on a place next to them to start a new set of steps. Those two sets of steps will be automatically connected with a landing. After you have finished drawing the stairs, don’t forget to click “accept” in the upper ribbon. The railing will be added automatically, but you can always edit or delete them.

If you decide to add a railing as a separate component, it can be found under the Architectural Tab. Click to see more detailed settings in the upper ribbon and properties panel.

Use the drop-down menu in the properties panel to choose a different railing type from Revit’s library, or click on “Edit type” to edit or create your own. 

Once you are happy with your stair settings, select drawing shape from the ribbon (3) and click on the white space in the plan view . Remember, you can always change the length of your railing by editing the number next to it.