Creating Conceptual mass in REVIT and Creation of Sinusoidal curve and a Parametric stadium using Dynamo

CREATING CONCEPTUAL MASS IN REVIT AND CREATION OF SIUSOIDAL CURVE AND A PARAMETRIC STADUIM USING DYNAMO

INRODUCTION:

• Dynamo is a plug-in for Autodesk Revit. It is an open source visual programming language for Revit, written by designers and construction professionals. It is a programming language that allows you to type lines of code; while also creating an algorithm that consists of nodes.
• Establishing visual, systemic, and geometric relationships between the different parts of a drawing is key to the design process. Workflows influence these relationships from the concept stage to final design. Similarly, programming allows us to establish a workflow, but through formalizing algorithms.
• Using Dynamo, you can work with enhanced BIM capabilities in Revit. Dynamo and Revit together can be utilized to model and analyze complex geometries, automate repetitive processes, minimize human error, and export data to Excel files and other file-types not typically supported by Revit. Dynamo can make the design process more efficient, with an intuitive interface and many pre-made scripting libraries available as well.
• The user interface for Dynamo is organized into five main areas, the largest being the workspace where programs are processed. The user interface sections include:
  • Main menu
  • Toolbar
  • Library
  • Workspace
  • Execution bar
• The workspace is the place where designers develop visual programs, but it is also the place where any elaborate geometry is previewed. Whether you are working in a home workspace or in a custom node, you can navigate the workspace by using the mouse or buttons on the top right. However, you can change the navigation preview by switching from one mode to another in the lower right.

1) Using Dynamo create a set of sinusoidal points and create a curve and create a surface out of the curve.

 Aim:

To create a set of sinusoidal points, a curve and a surface out of the curve using Dynamo.

Procedure: 

• Initially, open the architecture template of Revit software and go to manage tab.
• In manage tab select the dynamo.
• Then a new dynamo window opens and then click on new option.
• Now, start the process by inserting three integer slider.
• This can be done by typing integer in the library search panel.
• Rename the three integer sliders to start, end and Step accordingly.
• Now, type range in the search panel of the library and insert it.
• Now, connect the three code integers as input to the range block.
• Now, search points by coordinates in the search panel.
• Then, connect the range block to the x coordinate of the point by coordinate block.
• Now, we have to produce sin wave out of these points for which we have to insert sin function which is given by math.sin option in the library.
• Sin values are very small so, we need to amplify it. For this, insert code block and give the number
• This code block needs to be multiplied to the sin block.
• For this, search product function in the library.
• Input for x value is sin block and for y value is code block and the product is connected to the z value of point by coordinates.
• Again insert point by coordinates and connect the range to the x value, math.sin to the y value and code block to the z value.
• Hence, the set of sinusoidal points are obtained.
• Now, we have to convert them to a curve.
• The curve can be created from nurbscurve.
• Search Nurbscurve in library and choose nurbs cuvrve by control points
• Now, connect the Points by coordinate block as input for the nurbs curve. A line will be developed connecting the points.
• Hence the sinusoidal curve is created.
• Next step is to create the surface.
• For this, first create a list.
• This can be done by searching list.create in the search panel of library.
• Then connect the two nurbs curve to the list.
• This will serve as the input for surface by loft block.
• For this, search surface by loft and connect the list with the surface by loft.
• Hence, the surface is developed out of the curve.

Result:

• A set of sinusoidal points have been created as follows

• Sinusoidal curve connecting points is developed as given below

• Surface is developed out of the curves as follows

2) Create a conceptual layout of floor plan in dynamo . Using the tools available in dynamo link the lines to appropriate model elements in Revit by choosing the wall types and wall parameters. Make use of the sliders to slide through the height of the wall and length of the wall.

Aim:

To create a conceptual layout of floor plan in dynamo.

Procedure:

• Open a new architectural template.
• Go to manage tab and click on dynamo, select new.
• To create the wall, first we have to create four control points.
• Go to library, search points by coordinates in the search panel of the library.
• Coordinates are named as origin (0,0,0), control point 1(x,0,0), control point 2(0,y,0)  and control point 3(x,y,0).
• Now, provide two integer sliders to provide the values for x and y.
• Connect the x and y values to the coordinates.
• Now, we have to connect these points by a line.
• So for this, search line by start and end point  and insert 4 blocks.
• The input for these blocks are the points created previously.
• Hence, the layout of the floor plan is obtained.
• Now, search wall in the panel and choose wall by curve and height.
• So, for this input required are curve, height, level and wall type.
• For curve, combine all the four lines in a list by choosing list.create.
• For height, another number slider is chosen and name it as height.
• For level, search level in the search panel it will contain the levels availbale in your revit folder. Then choose the level0 to place the wall.
• For wall type, search wall type in the panel and it will display the wall types linked in the revit file.
• Now, we have to place the floor.
• For this, type floor in the library and select floor by outlinecurve, floor type and level.
• This can be viewed in the 3d view in revit.

Result:

The conceptual floor plan layout has been developed.

3) Create an array of model elements in Revit. Use dynamo to vary the properties of model elements by using the slider or code block

Aim:

To create an array of model elements in revit.

Procedure:

• Open a new architectural template in revit file.
• Go to architecture tab - Columns - Architectural column - Place the column (600mmx600mm).
• Now, similarly 20 columns are created.
• The properties of the model elements are varied using dynamo.
• Now, open dynamo.
• In the search panel of the library search select model elements, integer slider and set rotation then insert them.
• Now, select model elements block will be the input for family instance and integer slider ( rotation angle) will be input for degree.
• The rotation angle can be varied to desired value in integer slider.

Result:

The array of model elements have been created and their properties are varied through the blocks created in dynamo.

4) Create a conceptual mass in Revit and develop a parametric column by dividing the surfaces and apply the concepts similar to used in parametric walkway modelling. Use triangular bent or square shaped panels to add finish to the parametric column

Aim:

To create a conceptual mass in Revit and develop a parametric column by dividing the surfaces.

Procedure:

• Open revit software and under the families open a new - conceptual mass - mass.
• After selecting the mass from the conceptual mass folder, the new screen will be visible.
• Now, go to elevation view and create a level at 3.6m and name it as Height of wall.
• Next we use the spline tool to draw the walkway curve, as shown in the figure.
• Now, we have to create a profile through the curve.
• For this, we have to set the workplane at the points and develop a polygon at the workplane keeping the point as centre.
• Similarly, workplane and polygon is developed at all the nodes.
• For this, select all the polygons and the curve line and choose create form option.
• Now, select the entire form and then filter and retain only the form.
• Now, select the form - divide surface - Then provide the pattern (triangle bent).

Result :

The conceptual mass have been created in Revit

5) Use Dynamo to work on developing a Parametric Stadium. List your parameters and use the visual programming approach to complete the modelling, You can use the concepts discussed in parametric high rise tower in class for reference.

Aim:

To develop a Parametric Stadium using dynamo in Revit.

Procedure:

• Initially open a new architectural template in Revit and then open dynamo.
• Basic parameters to design a high rise structure is created as input in dynamo.
• Four integer sliders is taken from the library for  Number of levels, Floor to floor height, Bottom floor rotation, Top floor rotation.
• Now, insert a code block from the library to combine level and floor to floor height and type 0..#levels..Floorheight in the code block.
• Now, connect the integer sliders named as levels and floor to floor hegiht as input to the code block.
• Now, search coordinates by origin in the library and insert it.
• Then connect the code block as input for z coordinate in the coordinate by origin block.
• Six points are generated corresponding to 6 levels.
• Now, insert rectangle by width and length from the library.
• For this, inputs requied are coordinate system, length and width.
• So insert integer slider for length and width.
• Then connect the inputs for the rectangle block.
• Now we have to rotate the geometry.
• So, for this insert the rotate block from the library.
• The inputs required are Geometry : Rectangle block, Origin: insert an origin block from the library, Axis: insert vector Z axis from the library and Degrees: For this insert a code block and type Bottom..Top..#levels. The inputs for this code block is already available i.e, Bottom floor rotation, top floor rotation and levels.
• Now, we have to create surface, for this type surface by loft in library.
• Then connect Geometry to rotate block as input for Surface by loft.
• Hence, the parametric stadium have been created.
• The number of levels and width and length of the rectangle can varied accordingly.

Result:

The Parametric Stadium have been created