Learning Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

Learning Autodesk Revit Structure 2010

Hands-on exercises demonstrate the concepts of building information modeling and the

tools for parametric design, analysis, and documentation.

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Contents ■ iii

Contents Introduction ix

Chapter 1: Building Information Modeling 1

Lesson: Building Information Modeling for Structural Engineering 2

About Building Information Modeling 3

About Bidirectional Associativity 7

Chapter 2: Revit Structure Basics 9

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface 10

The Revit Structure User Interface 11

The Ribbon Framework 15

Guidelines for Using the User Interface 18

Exercise: Explore the Revit Structure User Interface 19

Lesson: Working with Structural Elements and Families 26

About Structural Elements 27

About Families 29

Guidelines for Working with Structural Elements and Families 32

Exercise: Work with Structural Elements and Families 33

Chapter 3: Viewing the Structural Model 37

Lesson: Working with Views 38

About Views 39

View Properties 44

Guidelines for Working with Views 55

Exercise: Explore and Create Views 56

Lesson: Controlling Object Visibility 62

About Controlling Object Visibility 63

View Templates 67

Modifying Line Styles 69

Using Filters 69

Guidelines for Controlling Object Visibility 72

Exercise: Control Object Visibility 73

Lesson: Working with Elevation and Section Views 75

About Elevation and Section Views 76

Controlling Visibility of Elevation and Section Tags 83

Guidelines for Working with Elevation and Section Views 84

Exercise: Work with Elevation and Section Views 85

Lesson: Working with 3D Views 93

About 3D Views 94

Navigating Through a 3D View 96

About Cameras 99

Creating and Modifying Camera Views 103

Changing Material Properties 105

Guidelines for Working with 3D Views 108

Exercise: Work with 3D Views 109

Chapter 4: Starting a New Project 115

Lesson: Starting a Project 116

About Projects 117

Creating Project Templates 121

Guidelines for Creating Project Template Files 123

Exercise: Set Up a Project and Transfer Project Standards 124

Lesson: Adding and Modifying Levels 128

About Levels 129

Adding and Modifying Levels 131

Guidelines for Adding and Modifying Levels 133

Exercise: Add Levels 134

Lesson: Creating and Modifying Grids 137

About Grids 138

Methods of Creating and Modifying Grid Lines 139

Guidelines for Creating and Modifying Grids 141

Exercise: Create and Modify a Grid 143

Chapter 5: Creating Structural Columns and Walls 149

Lesson: Working with Structural Columns 150

About Structural Columns 151

Loading Structural Columns 153

Creating Structural Column Types 153

Structural Column Tools and Options 154

Creating Openings in Structural Columns 158

Guidelines for Working with Structural Columns 159

Exercise: Add and Modify Structural Columns 160

Lesson: Working with Structural Walls 165

About Structural Walls 166

Structural Wall Type Parameters 168

Contents ■ v

Chapter 6: Creating Frames 187

Lesson: Adding Floor Framing 188

About Floor Framing 189

About Beams 191

Beam Properties 194

Adding Openings in Beams 195

Guidelines for Adding and Modifying Beams 196

Exercise: Add Floor Framing 197

Lesson: Working with Beams and Beam Systems 202

About Beams and Beam Systems 203

Beam System Properties 205

Methods of Creating Sloped Beams 206

Process of Creating a 3D Beam System 207

Guidelines for Working with Beams and Beam Systems 208

Exercise: Work with Beams and Beam Systems 209

Lesson: Working with Structural Steel Frames 217

About Structural Steel Frames 218

Setting Steel Frame Symbols in a Plan View 220

Process of Adding Bracing Members 221

Editing Braces 222

Guidelines for Working with Structural Steel Frames 223

Exercise: Work with Structural Steel Frames 224

Lesson: Working with Concrete Beams 230

About Concrete Beams 231

Options to Edit Concrete Beam Joins 232

Vertical Justification of Beams 235

Guidelines for Working with Concrete Beams 237

Exercise: Work with Concrete Beams 238

Chapter 7: Creating Floors and Roofs 243

Lesson: Adding Floors 244

About Floor Elements 245

Process of Adding a Floor Element 246

Creating Sloped Floors 247

Creating Shaft Openings in Floors 248

Guidelines for Adding Floors 249

Exercise: Add and Modify Floor Elements 250

Lesson: Creating Roofs and Adding Structural Framing 255

About Roofs 256

Process of Sketching Roofs 258

Guidelines for Creating Roofs 259

Exercise: Create a Sloped Roof with Steel Framing 260

Chapter 8: Creating Foundations 267

Lesson: Adding Foundations 268

About Foundations 269

Creating Stepped Walls and Foundations 272

Guidelines for Adding Foundations 273

Exercise: Add Foundations 274

Exercise: Create an Elevator Pit 277

Chapter 9: Stairs and Ramps 281

Lesson: Creating Stairs 282

About Stairs and Railings 283

Creating Stairs 286

Guidelines for Creating Stairs 288

Exercise: Create U-Shaped and Monolithic Stairs 289

Lesson: Creating Ramps 293

About Ramps 294

Process of Creating Ramps 296

Guidelines for Creating Ramps 298

Exercise: Create a Ramp and Modify the Railing 299

Chapter 10: Creating Plan Annotations and Schedules 303

Lesson: Adding Dimensions 304

About Temporary Dimensions 305

About Permanent Dimensions 308

About Spot Dimension Symbols 313

Guidelines for Adding Dimensions 315

Exercise: Add Dimensions and Spot Symbols 316

Lesson: Working with Text and Tags 321

About Text 322

About Tags 323

Process of Adding Tags 326

Setting Text Placement Parameters 327

Guidelines for Working with Text and Tags 327

Exercise: Add Column and Beam Tags 329

Lesson: Creating Legends 334

About Legends 335

Guidelines for Creating Legends 338

Exercise: Create a Legend 339

Contents ■ vii

Chapter 11: Creating Detailing 353

Lesson: Working with Detail Views 354

About Detail Views 355

Process of Saving and Reusing a Detail View 362

Guidelines for Saving and Reusing a Detail View 363

Exercise: Add 2D Annotations to a Detail View 364

Lesson: Adding Concrete Reinforcement 371

Adding 3D Reinforcement 372

Adding Detail Components 373

Guidelines for Adding Concrete Reinforcement 375

Exercise: Add Reinforcement Elements and Detail Components 376

Lesson: Working with Drafting Views 382

About Drafting Views 383

Process of Creating and Reusing Drafting Views 384

Guidelines for Reusing Drafting Views 385

Exercise: Create a Drafting View 386

Lesson: Working with CAD Details 392

Options for Importing and Editing CAD Files 393

Guidelines for Working with CAD Details 396

Exercise: Import and Edit DWG Details 398

Chapter 12: Creating Construction Documentation 403

Lesson: Working with Sheets and Titleblocks 404

About Sheets and Titleblocks 405

About Revision Tracking 407

Process of Creating Sheets by Using Customized Titleblocks 412

Creating Revision Clouds 413

Guidelines for Working with Sheets and Titleblocks 414

Exercise: Create a Sheet by Using a Titleblock 415

Lesson: Printing Sheets 420

Print Settings 421

Print Setup Settings 423

Guidelines for Printing Sheets 425

Exercise: Print a Sheet Set 426

Lesson: Exporting Content to CAD Formats 428

Settings for Exporting Content 429

Process of Exporting Views to CAD Formats 431

Guidelines for Exporting Content to CAD Formats 432

Exercise: Export Views 433

Appendix 435

Although this guide is designed for instructor-led courses, you can also use it for self-paced learning.The guide encourages self-learning through the use of the Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 Help system.

■ Completing the exercises

■ Installing the exercise data files from the CD

■ Imperial and metric datasets

■ Notes, tips, and warnings

■ Feedback

This guide is complementary to the software documentation For detailed explanations of features andfunctionality, refer to the Help in the software

Course Objectives

After completing this guide, you will be able to:

■ Describe building information modeling methodology and its benefits

■ Use different parts of the Revit Structure user interface and work with different types of structuralelements and families

■ Use the different views listed in the Project Browser, control the visibility and graphical

representation of objects in a structural model, and work with elevation, section, and 3D views

■ Set up a project and transfer standards between projects, add and modify levels in a structuralmodel, and create and modify grids

■ Work with structural columns and structural walls

■ Add floor framing using beams, work with beams and beam systems, add and edit structural steelmoment and braced frames, and work with concrete beams

■ Add floors in structural models, create a roof, and add structural framing to the roof for support

■ Add foundations to a structural model

■ Create stairs and various types of ramps

■ Add dimensions and spot dimension symbols, work with text and tags, create a legend with notes,annotation symbols, and legend components, and work with different types of schedules

■ Work with detail views, add 3D and 2D reinforcement elements and detail components to

concrete detail views, and work with drafting views and CAD details

■ Work with sheets and titleblocks, print sheets, and export Revit Structure content to CAD formats

Prerequisites

This guide is designed for new users of Revit Structure

It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of:

■ Basic structural engineering and design skills

■ Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Microsoft® Windows® XP, or Microsoft® Windows® Vista

Using This Guide

The lessons are independent of each other However, it is recommended that you complete

the lessons in the order that they are presented unless you are familiar with the concepts and

functionality described in those lessons

Each chapter contains:

Introduction ■ xi

Completing the Exercises

You can complete the exercise in two ways: using the book or on screen

■ Using the book

Follow the step-by-step exercises in the book

■ On screen

Click the Learning Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 AOTG icon on your desktop, installed from the

CD, and follow the step-by-step exercises on screen The on screen exercises are the same as those

in the book The onscreen version has the advantage that you can concentrate on the screenwithout having to glance down at your book

2 When the setup wizard begins, follow the instructions on screen to install the data

3 If the wizard does not start automatically, browse to the root directory of the CD and double-clickSetup.exe

Unless you specify a different folder, the exercise files are installed in the following folder:

C:\Autodesk Learning\Autodesk Revit Structure 2010\Learning\

After you install the data from the CD, this folder contains all the files necessary to complete eachexercise in this guide

Imperial and Metric Datasets

In exercises that specify units of measurement, alternative files are provided as shown in the followingexample:

■ Open i_export_ifc.rvt (imperial) or m_export_ifc.rvt (metric)

In the exercise steps, the imperial value is followed by the metric value in parentheses as shown in thefollowing example:

■ For Length, enter 13'2" (4038 mm)

For exercises with no specific units of measurement, files are provided as shown in the followingexample:

■ Open c_boundary_conditions.rvt (common)

In the exercise steps, the unitless value is specified as shown in the following example:

■ For Length, enter 400

Notes, Tips, and Warnings

Throughout this guide, notes, tips, and warnings are called out for special attention

Notes contain guidelines, constraints, and other explanatory information

Tips provide information to enhance your productivity

Warnings provide information about actions that might result in the loss of data, systemfailures, or other serious consequences

Building information modeling (BIM) is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable

information about a project from design through construction and into operations The Revit platform

is purpose-built software for building information modeling

Building information modeling (BIM) makes sustainable design practices easier by enabling architectsand engineers to more accurately visualize, simulate, and analyze building performance earlier in thedesign process

Chapter Objective

In this chapter, you will learn about building information modeling methodology

Lesson: Building Information Modeling for

Lesson: Structural Engineering

This lesson describes the building information modeling (BIM) process for structural engineering.Applying building information modeling results in better drawings, shorter timelines, and improvedproductivity It offers an opportunity for building industry professionals to design, construct, andoperate buildings of higher quality at a lower cost and at reduced environmental impact

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

■ Describe building information modeling

■ Describe bidirectional associativity

Lesson: Building Information Modeling for Structural Engineering ■ 3

About Building Information Modeling

Building information modeling is a building design and documentation methodology based on

coordinated, reliable, high quality information It enables design and construction teams to create andmanage information about a building project consistently and reliably across the scope of the project.The information is stored in a single building model This ensures that the information is coordinated,consistent, and complete

The building industry has traditionally illustrated building projects with manually created drawings.Information was added to these illustrations by using notes and specifications With the advent ofCAD technology, this process was automated However, the output of manual drafting, graphics CADsystems, and object-oriented CAD systems remained the same: a graphic abstraction of an intendedbuilding design

The development of the building information modeling methodology represents a new way of thinkingand working The ability to model with objects minimizes tedious drafting by having one 3D objecthandle multiple 2D representations when placed in a project More important is what you can do withthe model You use the coordinated data inherent in the model to visualize, simulate, and analyze yourdesigns and make better informed design decisions

Building information modeling supports large team workflows to improve project understanding andenable more predictable outcomes The visibility that BIM provides to all members of the project teamcontributes to its success through better coordination, improved accuracy and the ability to makemore informed decisions earlier in the process

Definition of Building Information Modeling

BIM is an integrated process that allows professionals to explore a project’s key physical and functionalcharacteristics digitally before it is built

Coordinated, consistent information is used to:

■ Design innovative projects from the very earliest stages

■ Visualize, simulate, and analyze real-world appearance, performance, and cost

Autodesk Revit Structure and Building Information Modeling

Revit Structure is purpose-built software for building information modeling

Traditional drafting and CAD software represent the geometry of a design by using stylized symbolsfrom designated illustrations Some examples of these illustrations may be a series of plans,

elevations, and sections These illustrations are essentially independent of one another

Building information modeling software represents the design as a series of intelligent objectsand elements such as walls, beams, schedules, and plan views These objects and elements haveparametric attributes The information about these objects and elements is stored in a single buildingmodel You can extract any number of different views of the data from the model

Lesson: Building Information Modeling for Structural Engineering ■ 5

Revit Structure is a building design and documentation system that supports the design,

documentation, and even construction efforts required for a building project Because of its

parametric change technology, any change you make is automatically coordinated everywhere in yourproject, including model views, drawing sheets, schedules, sections, and plans

Building Information Tailored to the User

When using a building information modeling process, the building information is stored in a singlebuilding model instead of in a format predicated on a presentation format, such as a drawing file or aspreadsheet The building information model presents intelligent data for editing and review in viewsand formats that are appropriate for and familiar to the user Some examples of these formats are astructural detail or a framing plan

For example, information such as structural beams are represented differently in a framing plan thanthey are in a structural detail While the beam is represented by a symbolic line in plan, and a realisticrepresentation in detail, both are different representations of the same structural element

Managing Change with Building Information Modeling

Building information modeling solutions manage iterative changes in a building model throughout thedesign, construction, and operation phases A change to any part of the building model is replicated inall other associated parts

Maintaining a single, internally consistent representation of the building can improve drawing

coordination and reduce the number of errors in the documents As a result, building documentscan be of higher quality, and the costs of changes and coordination reduced Building informationmodeling tools can enable the design, construction, and occupancy of the building to proceed withless friction and fewer difficulties than conventional tools

BIM for Structural Engineering

BIM for structural engineers follows the same methodology for the entire structural engineeringprocess, focusing on a digital design model that can be used for coordination with architects, andmechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil engineers BIM is integrated with analysis, design, andconstruction documentation The design model can also be extended from design through fabricationand construction Autodesk has a complete portfolio of structural engineering software that supportsthis end to end workflow

At the center of the BIM workflow is Autodesk Revit Structure, integrating a multi-material physicaland analytical model This single model can be created on its own, or by leveraging 2D or 3D

architectural information

The Revit Structure model can be used throughout the interactive design process to collaborate withall parties involved The result is a coordinated and consistent design model that reflects the most up-to-date design

The analytical model is used to integrate Revit Structure and widely-used industry standard structuralanalysis and design applications, such as Autodesk® Robot® Structural Analysis Professional Theanalytical model contains information such as loads, load combinations, member sizes, and releaseconditions for use in leading third-party analysis applications The creation of the analytical modeluses engineering rules to produce a consistent analytical representation of the physical structure.Engineers can override initial analytical settings and edit the analytical model before linking to

Lesson: Building Information Modeling for Structural Engineering ■ 7

steel and concrete reinforcement using leading third-party detailing applications as well as AutoCADStructural Detailing AutoCAD® Structural Detailing software is a powerful solution for faster andefficient detailing and creation of fabrication shop drawings for reinforced concrete and steel

structures

About Bidirectional Associativity

A key feature of Revit Structure is bidirectional associativity, which ensures that changes to any

elements of the design model are immediately reflected in all views where those elements appear

Definition of Bidirectional Associativity

Bidirectional associativity is the ability of the building information model to coordinate changes

made in any view and propagate these changes out to all other views Bidirectional associativity isapplied automatically to every component, view, and annotation For example, a change in the sizeand location of a column is reflected in all plans, details, and schedules; all of which are associatedwith the column and influenced by the change in the column properties The beams framing into thecolumn are also affected by the changes and are automatically adjusted Revit helps ensure that plans,schedules, and building sections and elevations are immediately available, up-to-date, and accurate

Parametric Relationships

The term parametric refers to the relationships among the elements of a building design model Theserelationships enable the software to coordinate and manage the changes made to the building model.The relationships are created either automatically by the software or by you In mathematics andmechanical CAD, the numbers or characteristics that define these relationships are called parameters;therefore, the operation of the software is called parametric It is these parametric relationships thatdeliver fundamental coordination and productivity benefits provided by the building informationmodeling methodology

Updating the Design Model

A fundamental characteristic of Revit Structure software is the ability to coordinate changes andmaintain consistency You do not have to intervene to update drawings or links When you changesomething, the bidirectional associativity feature of the software determines the elements that areaffected by the change and propagates that change to any affected elements

Examples of Bidirectional Associativity

■ Flip a section line and all views update

Draw a wall in plan and it appears in all other views including material takeoffs

Before you begin to use Revit Structure, you need to become familiar with the interface and the

structural elements and families used to create structural designs

Chapter Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

■ Use different parts of the Revit Structure user interface

■ Work with different types of structural elements and families

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface

This lesson describes how to use the different parts of the Revit Structure® user interface You beginthe lesson by learning about the main user interface Then, you learn about the ribbon frameworkand some recommended practices for using the user interface The lesson concludes with an exercise

on exploring the user interface

Revit Structure provides a user friendly interface where tools and options are available on the ribbon

In addition, context menus provide quick access to commonly used tools The status bar providesinformation and tips that assist you while you work Familiarity with the user interface helps you workwith the software more efficiently

Revit Structure user interface with a project file open

Objectives

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 11

The Revit Structure User Interface

Revit Structure is a powerful application that uses the building information modeling methodology andruns on the Microsoft Windows operating system Like most Windows applications, the user interface

of Revit Structure features a ribbon with tabs and panels, toolbars, and dialog boxes that you can use

to perform various tasks You use the mouse to select buttons from the panels or toolbars to performoperations

Recent Files Window

Identifying the Primary User Interface Elements

Application Button Opens the application menu that provides access to common tools, such as

Save, Print, and Publish

Tab Contains tools, settings, and standard functions Only one tab can be active

at a time and the active tab is on top

Panel Groups buttons for similar functions and tools

Expanded Panel Expands a panel to display available actions and is indicated by an arrow

next to the panel name You can temporarily pin an open expanded panel

Button Starts a tool or operation

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 13

The following illustration shows the Project Browser, status bar, View Control Bar, and other elements

of the Revit Structure user interface

User Interface

Element

Description

Project Browser Displays a tree view of a logical hierarchy for all views, schedules, sheets, and

families in the current project

Status Bar Displays the name of the family and element type when you position the

cursor over an object Displays tips or hints when you use a comment

View Control Bar Provides shortcuts to commonly used view commands, such as View Scale

and Model Graphics Style

View Window Displays the view that you have selected in the Project Browser Views can be

tiled or maximized to fill the entire view window

Quick Access toolbar

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 15

The Ribbon Framework

Ribbon Tabs

The ribbon displays nine tabs and all tools in Revit are available on these tabs You make a tab active

by clicking its name Each tab consists of panels of grouped tools

Home Includes commonly used tools for placing building elements such as beam,

column, brace, wall, floor, and foundation This tab also includes toolsgrouped by circulation, reinforcement, Datum, Work Plane, and Model

Insert Includes tools for linking and importing files, loading family files, and

seeking content online

Annotate Includes tools for placing dimensions, detailing, drafting, text, tags, and

symbols

Modify Includes tools for editing objects, geometry, linework, and faces This tab

also includes copy and paste tools using the clipboard, inquiry tools, andphasing tools

Analyze Includes tools related to the analytical model, such as adding loads,

boundary conditions, and analytical checks and adjustments

Architect & Site Includes tools for creating conceptual masses and architectural tools,

including doors, window, roofs, and curtain walls This tab also includestools for modeling and modifying the site components

Collaborate Includes tools for collaboration with internal and external team members

This tab also includes tools for workset creation, workset management,and coordination

View Includes tools for controlling graphic appearance of objects, creating

views, and adding sheets This tab also includes options for togglingbetween views and displaying user interface toolbars

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 17

Element Properties

drop-down

Allows you to open either the Instance Properties or the Type Propertiesdialog box Using these dialog boxes, you can change the properties of either

an individual instance of a family type or all the instances of a family type

Type Selector

drop-down

Allows you to change from one type of element to another The contents ofthe drop-down change depending on the current tool or selected elements

Options Bar Displays options for configuring elements you create or modify The options

change depending on the current tool or selected elements

Guidelines for Using the User Interface

User interface elements such as the ribbon, Options Bar, and Project Browser help you to work

efficiently The following guidelines help you to work with the user interface

■ Use the cursor tooltip to view keyboard shortcut commands for tools The cursor tooltip displayswhen you hold it over a button on the ribbon Instead of a command line in Revit, you can enterkeyboard shortcut commands to access tools For example, enter VG to open the Visibility/

Graphics dialog box

■ Control tooltip appearance by using the Options dialog box This helps you view the appropriateinformation for your experience level

■ While working with a tool, when no other action is active, the Modify action is active by default

To end a tool or operation quickly, press ESC twice to revert to the Modify status

■ Use the Options Bar to select command-specific tools such as setting wall height while you areplacing walls This is quicker than selecting and changing walls later

■ Use the Project Browser to create, delete, change, or switch between views This helps you quicklymanage the views in a project

■ Read the hints and tips displayed on the status bar while working These provide valuable

information about using the tools

■ Hide the Project Browser while working on big drawings so as to expand the view window anddisplay a larger part of the drawing To unhide the Project Browser, use the User Interface drop-down on the Windows panel of the View tab You can also toggle the ribbon display to enlargeyour view on small screens

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 19

Exercise: Explore the Revit Structure User Interface

You do the following:

■ Explore views of a model

■ Explore model properties using the interface

The completed exercise

Completing the Exercise

To complete the exercise, follow the

steps in this book or in the onscreen

exercise In the onscreen list of

chapters and exercises, click Chapter 2:

Revit Structure Basics Click Exercise:

Explore the Revit Structure User

Interface

Explore Views of a Model

1 Open c_rst_essentials_ui.rvt The file opens in

the 3D - Atrium view

Note: The illustrations in the exercise may vary

depending on how you navigate in the project

2 Examine the tab names on the ribbon

3 Click each tab and examine the panels thatthey contain Notice the organization of thesetabs and where different tools and options arefound

4 On the InfoCenter toolbar at the upper-rightcorner of the screen, expand the drop-down forHelp, as shown below

5 Press F1 to open the Revit Structure User's

Guide window Ensure that the Contents tab is

active

Become familiar with this help system You can

continually utilize this system throughout your

learning process and beyond

7 Examine the Project Browser It lists all theviews associated with the structural model.Notice that the 3D - Atrium view is bold,indicating it is the active view

The Project Browser always contains all theviews of a model and is used to navigatebetween the views You can easily create andname new views as required in your designprocess

8 To examine the different views available in thismodel, in the Project Browser, under Views(All), Structural Plans, double-click Level 2 Thisactivates the view

9 Return to the 3D - Atrium view

10 On the View Control Bar, change ModelGraphics Style to Shading with Edges

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 21

11 Right-click anywhere in the view window

Notice the context menu for this 3D view and

click View Properties

12 In the Instance Properties dialog box, for

Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit in the

Value field

13 In the Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog box,notice the visibility settings for this view

14 Click Cancel in both the dialog boxes

15 In the view window, place the cursor overthe curved foundation wall The edges willhighlight and a tooltip and the status bardisplay information about the wall

16 Click to select the curved foundation wall The

selected wall displays in blue A contextual

tab named Modify Walls opens on the ribbon

Notice the tools available on this tab

17 Right-click the selected curved foundation wall

Click Elements Properties to open the Instance

Properties dialog box

Note: To open the Instance Properties dialog

box, you can also click Element Properties

drop-down > Instance Properties on the Element

panel of the Modify Walls tab

18 In the Instance Properties dialog box:

■ Notice the properties of the wall

■ Click Cancel to close the dialog box

19 Click View tab > Windows panel > Close Hidden.This closes the different views you openedwhile exploring the model using the ProjectBrowser

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 23

Explore Model Properties Using the Interface

1 In the Project Browser, under Views (All),

Structural Plans, double-click Level 3 to open

the view

2 To zoom in to examine a portion of the view at

close range:

■ On the Navigation Bar at the right of the

view window, click the drop-down arrow

under the Zoom tool

■ Ensure that Zoom in Region is selected

3 Click and drag a selection box around the area

between grid lines H and K and grid lines 2 and

4

Note: If your mouse is equipped with a scroll

wheel, you can scroll in and out in any view

Hold down the scroll wheel and you can pan

side to side

4 Move the cursor over to the column at the gridintersection J3 to highlight it The column type

is displayed in the tooltip and on the status bar

5 Move the cursor over the edge of the floorslab to highlight the floor element Click toselect the floor element The color of the floorchanges to blue indicating the selection Thefloor type is displayed in the Type Selectordrop-down on the Modify Floors tab

6 Click Modify Floors tab > Element panel >

Element Properties drop-down > Instance

Properties to open the Instance Properties

dialog box for the selected floor

7 In the Instance Properties dialog box:

■ Notice the floor properties If you change

these properties, only the selected floor

properties change

■ Click Cancel to close the dialog box

8 Examine the panels on the Modify Floors tab

Notice that the tab displays tools for modifying

9 Click Home tab > Structure panel > Wall Acontextual tab named Place Structural Wallopens Notice that the Options Bar below theribbon displays options such as Location Line,Chain, and Offset for sketching or placing newwalls

10 Click Place Structural Wall tab > Selection panel

> Modify to exit the Wall tool

11 Click the Annotate tab Notice the tools that areavailable on this tab

12 In the view window, select the floor slab asselected previously

13 Open the 3D - Atrium view

14 In the view window:

■ Zoom the view to fit and notice that thefloor slab is still selected

■ Clear the selection by clicking away fromthe floor slab

Lesson: Exploring the User Interface ■ 25

15 On the View Control Bar:

■ Click Model Graphics Style to open the

associated list

■ Click Wireframe to change the view to

wireframe

■ Apply the other model graphic styles

16 Return to the Shading with Edges style

17 Click View tab > Windows panel > Tile to display

all the views that you have opened

18 On the Navigation Bar in the active view:

■ Click the Zoom drop-down

■ Click Zoom All to Fit Notice that each view

is zoomed to fit within its tiled window

19 Close the file without saving changes

Lesson: Working with Structural Elements

Lesson: and Families

This lesson describes how to work with different types of structural elements and families You beginthe lesson by learning about structural elements and families Next, you learn some recommendedpractices for working with them The lesson concludes with an exercise on working with structuralelements and families

Structural elements, such as columns and beams, are used to model a building structure Revitprovides a standard library of elements, in which elements of similar types are grouped into families.These Revit families are groups of elements with common parameters and usage For example, asteel building can contain several different wide flange column sizes, such as W10x88, W12x65, andW14x82, but they all belong to the same wide flange column family You can create new families oreasily modify the existing ones using the Revit Family Editor, without the need for any programming

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

■ Describe structural elements

■ Describe families

■ State the recommended practices for working with structural elements and families

■ Work with structural elements and families

Lesson: Working with Structural Elements and Families ■ 27

About Structural Elements

Structural elements are the fundamental blocks of a building structure When you place an element in

a structural model, the individual element is called an instance of that element type The instances of

an element type have certain common parameter values Element instances are broadly divided intofour categories: datum, model, view, and annotation The model category is further subdivided intothe component and host categories

Datum Includes elements such as levels, column grids, and reference planes that establish

a context for the host and component elements These datum elements help layoutthe building structure

Model Includes elements such as walls, floors, columns, and beams that are used to model

a structural design

Component Includes elements such as beams, columns, braces, and foundations that fill the

details of a structural model

Host Includes elements such as walls, slabs, roofs, stairs, and ramps that form the basic

built-in-place structure of a model

Category

Description

View Includes elements such as structural plans, sections, and schedules that are

dynamic representations of a structural model, have their own properties, and can

be modified or deleted View elements control the annotation elements placed in aview If you delete a view, the annotations placed in the view are also deleted Viewelements do not control the host and component elements

Annotation Includes elements such as dimensions, text notes, section tags, and object tags that

are two-dimensional and are visible only in the specified view of a structural model.These elements help create structural documentation

of creating a structural model For example, when you draw a wall element in Revit, you do not need

to ensure that the wall layer is active as in a conventional CAD application In addition, you do notneed to draw the faces and internal structural details of the wall element separately The wall elementbehaves as a wall and has all the visual attributes of a wall, such as the required line weight and color.You can join a wall element to other walls, connect it structurally to floors and ceilings, and placewindows and doors in it

Intelligence is programmed into Revit elements so that their behavior is affected by the relationshipsthey share with other elements

Example of Structural Elements

The following illustrations show wall elements, wall instance parameters, and wall type parameters