Getting Started with Revit

Example of the model built in the "Getting Started with Revit Architecture" tutorial by Autodesk

Introduction

Images may be from previous versions of Revit if there are no (important) changes.

This page uses abbreviations for the mouse buttons:

LMB: Left Mouse Button

MMB: Middle Mouse Button

RMB: Right Mouse Button

If, at any point, you make a mistake, you can use the Undo icon or Ctrl-Z to undo the last action.

Interface

Application button

The application menu provides access to common file actions, such as New, Open, and Save. It also allows you to manage files using more advanced tools, such as Export and Publish.

Ribbon

The ribbon displays when you create or open a file. It provides all the tools necessary to create a project or family. As you resize the Revit window, you may notice that tools in the ribbon automatically adjust their size to fit the available space. This feature allows all buttons to be visible for most screen sizes.

Options Bar

The Options Bar is located directly below the ribbon. Its contents change depending on the current tool or selected element.

Properties Palette

The Properties palette is a modeless dialog where you can view and modify the parameters that define the properties of elements in Revit. Typically you keep the Properties palette open during a Revit session. The Type Selector is located at the top of the Properties Palette.

Project Browser

The Project Browser shows a logical hierarchy for all views, schedules, sheets, families, groups, linked Revit models, and other parts of the current project. As you expand and collapse each branch, lower-level items display.

Status Bar

The status bar is located along the bottom of the Revit window. When you are using a tool, the left side of the status bar provides tips or hints on what to do. When you are highlighting an element or component, the status bar displays the name of the family and type.

View Control Bar

The View Control Bar is located at the bottom of the view window above the status bar. It provides quick access to functions that affect the current view.

If at any time you've closed an interface element (eg: the Properties Palette or the Project Browser), you can open them again through the

User Interface button in the View tab of the Ribbon.

Tooltips and help

If you hover your mouse over a tool in the ribbon, a quick help will appear that explains what the tool does. If you hold you mouse longer, more in-depth information on the tool is displayed (sometimes even with video).

Press F1 to access the Revit architecture Help.

The online Revit help is available at: wikihelp.autodesk.com/Revit

Navigation

Zoom

use the scroll wheel of your mouse

Pan

Click and hold your MMB

Orbit

Shift + MMB, or Shift + RMB

Selections

When you hover your mouse over an element in Revit, it is highlighted to indicate which object would be selected. If you than LMB-click it, the element is actually selected. When an element is highlighted, the Status Bar displays information on the element.

When multiple objects are eligible to be selected, you can use [TAB] to cycle through the list of elements that can be selected, changing which one is actually highlighted. This method is also useful to select an entire chain of walls. When one part of a chain of walls is highlighted, pressing [TAB] enables you to select the entire chain.

You can also drag a selection window to select multiple elements. There are two options:

Drag window left to right

Only elements that are completely within the window are used.

Drag window right to left

All elements that are within the window, either partially or fully, are used.

You may use the following keys to add to or remove from your selection. It can both be used when clicking elements individually and when dragging a window to select multiple.

hold Ctrl and select

Add to the current selection

hold Shift and select

Remove from the current selection

hold Ctrl+Shift and select

toggle selection: elements that are already selected will be removed frrom the selection, unselected will be added to the selection selected.</div>

You can also return to the previous selection. RMB-click and choose Select Previous or press Ctrl + [left arrow].

Creating a Project

Create a new Architecture Project

In the first exercise, you create and name a project in which you will create the building model at the top of this tutorial.

Create a project:

• Click the Application Button, under New, click Project.
• Under Template file, you normally make sure the metric, Architectural Template is selected. The exact options you get may depend on the version of Revit you've installed.

For the BK2OV2 course: you click Browse, and select one of the four templates of the "rijtjeswoningen" (BK2OV2MS workshop 1/Opgave workshop 1 link: "Downloads", link to "bk2ov2-templates_rvt2018.zip")

• Under Create New, make sure Project is selected,
• Click OK.

Name and save the project file:

• Click the Application Button, click Save.
• Browse to a convenient location to save your file (eg: My Documents).
• For File name, enter a convenient name, and click Save.

Zoom Region in South Elevation

Zoom to a view:

• In the Project Browser, open the Elevations (Building Elevation) list by clicking the plus-sign. A list of available Elevations unfolds. Double-click South (For the BK2OV2 course: e.g. "voorgevel").
• Enter ZR, to zoom to a specific region. Note that the cursor changes to a magnifying glass.
• In the drawing area, move the cursor diagonally and click to draw a rectangle around the level markers.

The area within the rectangle is magnified to fill the drawing area so that you can work with the level marker text. For more Keyboard Shortcuts: Click View tab/Windows panel/User Interface drop-down/Keyboard Shortcuts.

For the BK2OV2 course: read remainder of this page for information, but don't apply.)

Level Markers

Rename levels:

• Double-click the Level 1 text, enter 00 Foundation for example, and press ENTER. We add the numeric prefix (00) to the name so the plans are sorted properly in the project browser.
• In the alert dialog, click Yes to rename corresponding views. The floor and ceiling plans for Level 1 are now also renamed to 00 Foundation.

Using the same method, rename Level 2 to 01 Lower Level.

Create new levels:

• Type ZO to zoom out.
• In the Ribbon, make sure the Architecture (or Home) tab is selected. In the Datum Panel, click (Level). Note that you must be in an elevation (or section) view to be able to create Levels.
• The Modify|Place Level Contextual Tab opens.
• On the Draw Panel, click (Pick Lines)
• In the Options Bar, for Offset, enter 3000 (mm) for example.
• In the drawing area, highlight the 01 Lower Level line; when a dashed line is displayed above the level line, click to create a level (Level 3).

In the Ribbon, click (Modify) to end the command.

Progress at the end of 'Creating a Project'

Rename the new levels and all corresponding views.

Double-click the level dimensions, and enter new values when desired.

Save the project file.