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

1. BIM and its benfit over 2d CAD tool.

• BIM is Building Information Modelling.
• It is a concept created by autodesk.
• Revit helps in achieving BIM as a process.

Features in BIM:

• BIM is divided into 2 concepts:

a) Coordination: is the key feature in BIM.It helps in coordination of multiple disciplines.Like revit offers in coordination of projects in architecture,structural,mechanical etc. in single projects as independent design theme units.

b) Computation: calculation of quantities of material,performing analysis.To create material schedules,quantity schedule,performing energy analysis in revit.In structural discipline in revit,robostructutral analysis helps in computing the response to load applied in a building.

• Autodesk CFD,for computing floor and thermal computation in specification to mechanical engineering.
• Revit is a BIM tool that helps in acheiving coordinating and computing as a part of model.

Benefits over 2D CAD tool:

• It saves a lot of time.
• The modification of the model in one view will in turn reflect on other view.
• Unlike 2d tool,we do not have to edit the modification in the plan,elevation etc. where as in revit changes made in one view will be automatically loaded in all other views.
• If we select a wall in one view,the same wall in all other views will be selected and gets modified thus saving time.
• The changes will affect the quantities and computation also.
• It also reflect in the paper space and model space.

2. Category,family and element

Category:

• Categories are group of elements having common properties.
• It is predefined by the software.Like a dor,window is an example of category.
• We can insert element of our choice and create a category.
• It controls the organization,visibility,graphical representation and scheduling options of the family within the project.

Family:

• Family is different elements having same properties.Like a single flush door it has different sizes having the same property.
• Family is a groupingof 2d or 3d information that serves to represent a discrete building or documentation element in the project.
• It defines parametric,graphical and documentation requirements.

Element:

• Element is the basic feature which cannot be subdivided.Like in single flush door, the different sizes represent the element.
• Single flush door of sizes 30"x80",30"x84".
• Element is specific representation in family defined by distinct parametric,graphical and documentation characteristics which make it unique from other types in the family.

Instance:

• It is an individual represetation of a type in the project defined by unique parametric,graphical and documentation characteristics which make it unique from other instances in the project.

Eg:

• Go to insert tab,click on load family.

              

• A dialogue box appears,from that click on doors,which is the category.

• Another list of doors appears,double flush panel,double glass,double sliding these are families.

• Click on door single panel
• Then a dialogue box showing different sizes of doors appears,the different sizes represent elements.

• Select 30"x80" and click ok,then the door gets loaded in the door properties in architectural tab.
• Go to architectural,select doors(category),go to single flush(family) and select 30"x80"(element) which is loaded.

• Click on the 30"x80" size door and place it in a wall created,this is the instance.

3. Setting up a project

Aim: setting up revit software for a project:

a) creating template and setting units

b) saving the file

c) Adding project information

d) Creating backups

Procedure:

• Open the project file,select the architechural imperial template for units.

• Type UN for units and change it to meters.

• To save the file: Go to file tab and click on save option and save the name as "project 2".

• Click on save.
• Go to manage tab,click on on project information tab.

• The project information dialogue box appears,enter the organisation name,project details.

• Setting backups:
• Go to file menu,click on save as click on project.

• Click on options in the save as dialogue box.
• File save option dialogue appears,enter the no of backups as 3.

• Click on OK and the click save.

Result: revit software is set for the project.

4. Levels and Grids

Aim: to create levels and grids

Levels:

• ground floor @0',first floor @10',second floor @20',Roof @30'.

 Grids:

• Transverse grids A,B,C,D,E@10' spacing.
• Longitudnal grids from 1 to 10 @20' spacing.

Tools: level and grid

Procedure:

Creating levels:

• Open a new project with imperial architechural template.
• Go to elevation-east in project browser.
• Already there are two levels by default.

• Level 1 at 0' and level 2 at 10'.
• Rename the level 1 as ground floor by double clicking the level.
• Rename the level 2 as first floor -10'.

• To create a new level,in architecture tab click on levels,click on pick line option and give the offset as 10' and then click on the first floor level.

• Level 3 is created at 20' from the ground floor.
• Rename the level as second floor by double clicking the text of level.

• Similarly create the roof floor by offseting 10' from the second floor level.

Grids: longitudnal grids are drawn from right to left 1 to 10 and transverse grids from top to bottom A to E.

• Go to plan view,in the architecture tab,click on grid.
• Click on line and draw the grid line on the right side of the workspace.
• The grid number will be represented as 1,if not double click and enter the value 1.

• Again in architecture tab,click on grid and now select pick line and give offset as 20' and click on grid 1.

• As the distance between the grid is 20' withput moving out of command click on grid 2 and grid 3 will be created.

• Similarly create 10 grid line with a spacing of 20'.

• In transverse direction,draw a grid line by tool and mark as A in top.

• By pick line give an offset of 10' and pick the first grid.

• As the distance between the grid is 10',click on the grid B and then grid C will be created at distance of 10' without exiting from the command.

• Similarly create the grid upto E.

Result: levels and grids are created.

5. 3d modelling of resisential unit.

Aim: to draw the layout of 3d model of a residential unit.

Tools used:

• Walls - architectural tab.
• Project information-manage tab

Procedure:

• Go to metric architectural template,then create a new workspace.
• In manage tab go to project information and add the informations.

• Click on wall in architectural tab,in plan view draw the wall.
• Select height and draw the wall in level 1.
• Change the level 2 to 10' if it is not.
• Draw the wall of 8" thickness by clicking on the workspace. 

Result: The layout of 3d residential unit created.

6. Adding details of  room and components:

Aim: adding details of room and components.

Tools used:

• Door- in architectural tab
• Room- in architectural tab to add rooms
• Window- architectural tab
• Floor- in architectural tab

Procedure:

• In the layout created,dimension the rooms with annotate tab and then linear dimensions.
• Go to the architecture tab then select room and then select tag room(RT).
• Give the room number to each and every portion.

Placing of doors:

• Click on door componenet from the architectural tab and place it wherever required.
• Select single flush door of 36"x84" for room doors 30"x80" for toilet door.

Placing of windows:

• Click on windows from the architectural tab.
• Place fixed windows in kitchen,storeroom of size 36"x48".
• Select double casement windows from the windows pallet for the dinning room and bedroom of size 48"x60".
• For bathroom select fixed window of size 16"x24".

Creating floors:

• Click on floor in architectural tab,select 6" wall.
• Select pick points and select inside of walls and to draw click on line tool and select rectangular part to draw in one go.
• Then tick the box in the mode and the floor will be created.

Rooms marking:

• In architectural tab,click on rooms and place it in each room.
• Double click the text and insert the room name and size.

8. Inserting model elements:

Aim: Inserting elements to the layout

Tools used:

• Doors
• Windows
• Load family-from insert tab
• Table
• Chair 
• Couch
• Bed 
• Lamps

Procedure:

Placing of doors:

• Click on door componenet from the architectural tab and place it wherever required.
• Select single flush door of 36"x84" for room doors 30"x80" for toilet door.

Placing of windows:

• Click on windows from the architectural tab.
• Place fixed windows in kitchen,storeroom of size 36"x48".
• Select double casement windows from the windows pallet for the dinning room and bedroom of size 48"x60".
• For bathroom select fixed window of size 16"x24".

Inserting components:

• From the architectural tab click on components.
• Click on place a component,if not available go to insert and click on load families and select the table,then click open.
• Select the table from the properties list.
• Select the table we want to place,here we choose the dining table.
• Place the table in the required position.
• Similarly add the sofa and chairs.

• Similalry place the table with chair in the dining area.

• Similarly place bed in bedroom,cabinet,floor lamp in the desired location.

Result: The components are placed in the room.