Project First Set-up

Example of the BK4ON4 project model

This software section is under construction. During this process we try to keep existing links (already covered in the TOI-Pedia) intact. We are planning to upgrade and to set up an additional pages that cover current Revit developments and some BIM theory background.

Introduction

In this tutorial you will create your first model setup for BK4ON4. To create the model you will need the BK4ON4 template with the location. This file can be downloaded at BK4ON4 Downloads en Links

This page uses abbreviations for the mouse buttons:

LMB: Left Mouse Button

MMB: Middle Mouse Button

RMB: Right Mouse Button

Tooltips and help

For explanation about navigating around in Revit go to Revit Interface.

Mouse navigation:

Zoom

use the scroll wheel of your mouse

Pan

Click and hold your MMB

Orbit

Shift + MMB, or Shift + RMB

• 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

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

Video Eerste opzet

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Creating a Project

Create and name a project in which you will create the building model.

New Project

Browse and select BK4ON4_template

Create a project:

• Click the Application Button, under New, click Project.
• Under Template file, select the BK4ON4_template. Browse to the location of the template on your computer.
• 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 Project_BK4ON4, and click Save.

Now the file extension of your project should be .Rvt and not .Rte

Zoom to a view:

Zoom Region in South Elevation

Level Markers

In the BK4ON4 project template 7 levels are present, which can be renamed, deleted, duplicated etc.

• In the Project Browser, open the Elevations (Building Elevation) list by clicking the plus-sign. A list of available Elevations unfolds. Double-click South.
• 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.

Rename levels:

• Double-click the Level 1 text, enter 00 Foundation (Dutch: Begane Grond), 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.

• Rename the other levels.

Create new levels in the BK4ON4 project:

Change level height

• Enter 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) or other desired distance.
• In the drawing area, highlight the 07 Level line; when a dashed line is displayed above the level line, click to create a level (Level 8).
• Using the same method you can create multiple levels.

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

Rename the new level and corresponding view:

Double-click the level dimensions to change them, and enter new values:

• In the Ribbon, click Modify.

• Save the project file.

Create floors and walls with Mass objects

In the BK4ON4 project template you can find the building masses situated in the location. To change a mass go to the 3D view.

• In the Project Browser, open the 3D Views list by clicking the plus-sign. Double-click 3D.

Go to the 3D view to change a mass object'

Modifying the Mass

Next we'll change the mass and create floors and walls:

Select and Modify a mass object'

• Select the Mass you've created
• In the Modify Mass tab, click (Edit In-Place)

or Double Click the Mass with your mouse (LMB).

• Select one of the upper edges of the mass:

• Use the arrows to drag the outer edges, making a different shape.

• Click on the numerical dimensions to change the line lengths.

• Click (Finish Mass)

When you select the Mass, you can apply some quick modifications:

Apply quick modifications'

Using the blue arrows, you can move each of the faces. The movement is always perpendicular to the face.

more editing options

more about editing of masses can be found here.

You could now create new walls in this Mass.

Using the Mass to create Floors

In this section we'll use the mass to create floors.

Click Mass floors'

Apply Mass floors to levels'

Result Mass floors'

Massing&Site tab, Click Floor'

Select multiple Mass Floor levels'

Result Mass floors'

Step 1:

• Select the Mass
• On the Modify|Mass tab Click Mass floors
• Select the Levels where to place floors. Now thin floor levels are created. Note that in the properties the gross floor area has been given.

Step 2:

• On the Massing&Site tab, Click Floor
• Select multiple Mass Floor levels with LMB (Left mouse button).
• On the Modify|Place floor by Face, Click Create Floors. Now the floors (families) are created.

Change visibility Mass

Visibility/Graphics tab'

Deselect Mass'

To change the visibility of the model go to the View tab and Click Visibility/Graphics. Here you can change the visibility settings to hide or show hidden mass objects.

• Go to the Model Categories tab in the Visibility/Graphics Window
• Go to Mass and deselect mass to hide mass objects. Now mass objects will be hidden in the 3D view. Only the Floors or Walls will be visible

Using the Mass (Faces) to create Walls

In this section we'll use the faces of the Mass to create walls.

The result after creating walls by Face

• Select your mass, change the Visibility/Graphics settings if necessary (see above).
• On the Massing&Site tab, in the Model by Face panel, click (Wall by Face)
• In the Properties Palette you can change the type of wall that will be created by selecting the desired Wall Family from the pull-down.
• Select the face of the Mass. A wall on this face is created.
• You may select additional faces to create walls for.
• Click Modify or press Esc to finish.

Note that the wall you've created will not change automatically when you change the shape of your Mass after you've created the Walls by Face. You need to select the Wall(s) and click (Update to Face) in the Ribbon.

Instead of a normal wall, you can also create a Curtain Wall on a face. Use the (Curtain System by Face) for this purpose. Refer to Revit Modeling: Basic Elements for information on how to modify this Curtain System and create Mullions.