Mass Modeling Blend

Introduction

In this tutorial we are going to make a blend mass with three profiles (boundaries). And modify the blend mass.

The mass is made as a conceptual mass family.

It is also possible to create a In place mass in a default Revit Project. An advantage of a conceptual mass family is that you directly can load the mass in your Revit Project

Create a conceptual mass family

With this way of creating masses you draw a specific family of it which you can load into your project

Click in the home screen of Revit on new conceptual mass under the family tab
A pop up screen appears where you select the conceptual mass family template file. Hit open
Now you can start drawing masses
After you finish your mass you can load him into project or just save it

Name and save conceptual mass family

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

Create new levels

Create two new levels

In the Ribbon, go to the Create tab. 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 5000 (mm)
In the drawing area, highlight the 01 Level line; when a dashed line is displayed above the level line, click to create a level (Level 2)
In the Options Bar, for Offset, enter 10000 (mm)
In the drawing area, highlight the 02 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.

In the Ribbon, click Modify.

Save the project file.

Create Blend

Draw first profile

Go to the 3D view in the Project Browser

Now you will draw the 3 blend profiles.

In the Draw panel in the Ribbon, click (Rectangle)
Draw a rectangle on your screen on level 1. Give the rectangle a length of 20.000 (mm) and a width of 8.500 (mm)

Draw second profile

The first profile has been drawn. Next we want to draw a new profile on level 2.

Click Top on the ViewCube in the right upper corner. Now you will go to the top view

In the Draw panel in the Ribbon, click (Rectangle)
In the Modify|Place Lines bar set the Placement Plane to Level 2

Draw a rectangle above the first profile on level 2. Give the rectangle a length of 15.000 (mm) and a width of 7.000 (mm). Start drawing in the top left corner.

Draw third profile

The first and second profiles have been drawn. Next we want to draw a new profile on level 3.

Click Top on the ViewCube in the right upper corner. Now you will go to the top view

In the Draw panel in the Ribbon, click (Rectangle)
In the Modify|Place Lines bar set the Placement Plane to Level 3

Draw a rectangle above the second profile on level 3. Give the rectangle a length of 17.000 (mm) and a width of 11.000 (mm). Start drawing in the top left corner.

In the Ribbon, click (Modify) to end the command or press the Escape key

Create Form

With the three profiles the blend will be created. Multiple profiles and profile shapes can be used to create blends.

Select the three rectangle profiles. Use CTRL and LMB (left mouse button) to add elements to your selection.

Click the lower part of the (Create Form) button, then (Solid Form).

The profiles are now extruded into a single shape. You can make quick adjustments the amount by moving the X,Y,Z handle up or down of individual elements. The X,Y,Z handles are green, blue and red respectively.

Modifying the Blend

Next we'll show how to add profiles and edges:

Select the top face of the blend you've created

In the Modify| Form tab, go to the Form Element panel and Click (X-ray)

Now you will see all points, edges, profiles off your mass that can be moved or deleted.

Create Profile

In the Modify| Form tab, go to the Form Element panel and click Add Profile

Move your mouse along a vertical edge and Click between the second and third profile. Now a new profile is created

Modify Profile

Modify profile: Select a single profile edge to move or move a whole profile

Modify profile boundary (bottom)

Select the bottom profile of the blend shape. (Use TAB and LMB to cycle through elements)
In the Modify| Form tab, go to the Mode panel and Click (Edit Profile)