Creating Levels, Grids, Layout and model elements for a residential unit using REVIT

1) What is BIM? Summarize the features of BIM and benefits of using BIM over 2D CAD tools.

BIM: -

• BIM integrates multi-disciplinary data to create detailed digital representations that are managed in an open cloud platform for real-time collaboration.

Features of BIM: -

• Easy access to information

BIM is a physical representation of the physical and functional characteristics of the building process, that provides every minute detail of the project. Every stakeholder makes their discipline-specific input to make it a comprehensive shared information resource about the structure. One can easily access the right information at the right time that provides a reliable basis for decision making during a structure’s entire lifecycle.

• Making the process more extensive

CAD software enables users to work accurately in 3 dimensions- length, breadth and depth. However, BIM modelling services providers are allowed to work in five dimensions, time and cost being the additional dimensions. They are thus able to produce accurate cost and material estimates and precise time schedules of the project even as the design is being developed.

• More comprehensive overview of the project

BIM models not only present 3D geometric view of the structure, they provide a more comprehensive overview of the entire building process. It covers every component of this process from geometrical aspect of the design to spatial relationships, from light analysis to provision of various services, from topographical information to quantities or properties of building components, and so on.

• Lifelike views

BIM design tools allow you to obtain various views from a building model and produce high-quality, accurate drawings. These views are based on a single definition of each object and thus give a more realistic and accurate idea of the final structure.

Benefits of using BIM over 2D CAD tools: -

There are several advantages to BIM, including the following:

• BIM offers a more complete representation of a building’s design. It takes more than the building’s core components into account. For example, BIM allows you to design electrical and HVAC systems, as well as the building itself. This means the project team can take full advantage of the space and resources available.
• BIM pulls your documents into a single database. Several people can work on the same model and save it to the cloud. This allows for instant updates, so you won’t waste time searching for documents when you need to make changes.
• A BIM model will allow you to prefabricate important components ahead of time. You won’t have to adjust them based on the building design. Instead, such components are part of the initial design.
• You can provide much more to your clients using BIM than you could with CAD. The models you give to your clients update constantly as you work on your project. Your client can check in any time, which leads to quicker approval for milestones and more efficient project development.
• Resource tracking is a key component of BIM models. You’ll be able to figure out how much of each resource you need during the design stage. This improves the flow and efficiency of construction.

2) Understand the concept of Categories, Families, Elements, Instances in Revit. Go to Insert Tab, choose a category. Pick a family and element. Understand the instances and insert it to Revit model

AIM: - To Understand the concept of Categories, Families, Elements, Instances in Revit. Go to Insert Tab, choose a category. Pick a family and element. Understand the instances and insert it to Revit model

Category:

• This is located at the top of the hierarchy within the Revit families. Categories control the organization, visibility, graphical representation and scheduling options of a particular set of families within the project. Examples of categories are doors, windows, columns, ducts, etc.

Family:

• The simple definition for families in Revit is that it is a group of components used to build a model, for example, walls, windows, stairs, doors, bathrooms, fixtures, showers, etc., with a common set of properties, or parameters, and a related graphical representation.

Elements:

• Elements in Revit are also referred to as families. The family contains the geometric definition of the element and the parameters used by the element. Each instance of an element is defined and controlled by the family. Model elements represent the actual 3D geometry of the building

Instance:

• Enables you to modify the parameter value separately for every instance.

PROCEDURE:

1. Open a file previously or create a new project.
2. Click on load family in insert menu

3. Load family dialogue box appears, select the desired component and click open

4. Now, click on any required family(window) of a category in architecture menu and select the loaded member, drag to insert it wherever needed.

RESULT: Inserting of family of a category is done successfully.

3) Setting up a Project – Open a project file with architectural template. Save the file with appropriate name. Set up the project units to Imperial / Metric based on your convenience of modelling. Complete the project information under the Manage tab. Set up the maximum backups for project file to 3

AIM: To Setting up a Project – Open a project file with architectural template. Save the file with appropriate name. Set up the project units to Imperial / Metric based on your convenience of modelling. Complete the project information under the Manage tab. Set up the maximum backups for project file to 3

TOOLS USED: New, save as, project units, manage tabs.

PROCEDURE:

1. After opening Revit, click on new and select architectural template and click ok.

2. Click on the project units' tool in the manage menu.

3. Click on any one of the measurements and click on unit type as required and click ok

4. Click on the project information tool in the manage tool bar.

RESULT: The operations mentioned are done successfully.

4) Understand the concept of Levels and Grids. Follow the naming and conventions. Create the following Levels: (Convert to metric equivalents if metric is your units)
Ground Floor @ 0’
First Floor @ 10’
Second Floor @ 20’
Roof @ 30’

Grids Transverse Grids A, B, C, D, E @ 10’ spacing
Longitudinal Grids from 1 to 10 @ 20’ spacing

AIM: To Create the following Levels

Ground Floor @ 0’
First Floor @ 10’
Second Floor @ 20’
Roof @ 30’

Grids Transverse Grids A, B, C, D, E @ 10’ spacing
Longitudinal Grids from 1 to 10 @ 20’ spacing

TOOLS USED: Architecture, grids, levels.

PROCEDURE:

1. Create a new project file of architectural template, change units to feet and inches.

2. In the project browser, go to elevation views and select any direction.

3. In the architecture tab, click level option and create a level by typing the required offset from the nearest level.

4. Now click on plan view and click on grid tool which is below level option and create grids by setting required offsets transversely and longitudinally.

RESULT: The grids and levels are successfully drawn.

5) 3D modelling of residential unit – From looking at your house / or a place you aspire. Create a conceptual layout of the residential unit. You can measure using a tape or you can access your residential plan to create a similar layout.

AIM: 3D Modeling of a residential house, to create a conceptual layout of the residential unit.

TOOLS USED: Architecture, wall, view, default 3D view.

PROCEDURE:

1. Open a new architectural template

2. Using wall tool in architecture menu, draw otter boundary of the residential unit.

3. Complete the layout using different types of walls for partition walls and interior walls.

4. Create a floor using floor tool and set boundaries for floor.

5. Click on 3D view in the view menu tab.

RESULT: The required 3D layout of residential unit is created.

6) In the layout created draft the level of details you are planning to include – Dimensions of room, components you plan to add in the residential unit.

AIM: To add details such as dimensions of room and components to add in residential unit.

TOOLS USED: Annotate, Linear.

PROCEDURE:

1. In the previously created project, go to Linear option in annotate menu bar and fix a point drag until the other line to get the measurement.

2. Click Text option in annotate to write all the rooms

RESULT: The required details are added to the project.

7) Identify the residential model elements such as Door, Windows, Tables, Chair, Couch, Bed, Lamps from the library and insert them to the model .

AIM: To add residential model elements such as doors, windows, tables, chairs, couches, beds, lamps from the library and insert them into the model.

TOOLS USED: Load family, Insert tab, view menu, architecture menu, doors, windows, component tools.

PROCEDURE:

1. In the architecture tab click on doors and windows and select the place wherever they must be added.

2. Click on load family in the insert menu, load required elements, click ok.

RESULT: The required elements are added successfully.

PLAN VIEW:

3D VIEW: