Tag Archives: Tips

Adaptive Component – Everyday Uses part 1

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This past year was a good one and I had the privilege to speak at several conferences and one of the most popular topics was adaptive components (my sessions were titled Everyday Uses of Adaptive Components). I thought I should share some of the process and families that I had presented.  This is going to be a series of posts discussing the process of adaptive components, their advantages and pitfalls as well as a tutorial on how to create a few.

Family Template Types

When starting an adaptive family, the first step is to understand what templates are available and decide which template is the most appropriate for the task at hand.  There are three templates that provide a starting place for an adaptive family: Curtain Panel Pattern Based.rft, Generic Model Adaptive.rft, and Generic Model Pattern Based.rft.  Even though the curtain panel pattern based family sounds like it can only be used on a divided surface of a mass, etc, it can actually be used similarly to a normal adaptive family.  Additionally, starting from the Curtain Panel Pattern Based template, and then changing the category to generic model would produce the same result as starting with the generic model pattern based family.

Generic Model Pattern Based / Curtain Panel Pattern Based

When starting with one of the pattern passed templates, there is a grid system (tile pattern), along with 4 points on that system, and reference lines connecting those points.  Unlike many family templates, these points, grids and lines are not static and can be adjusted.  To change the tile pattern and the amount of adaptive points, select the grid system (must be done by selecting the outside of the grid), and in the type selector, change the grid tile pattern type.  Depending on which tile pattern is chosen, the quantity of adaptive points may adjust along with the grid system.

TilePattern_TypeSelector

Note: To flex the family select the grid system and change the spacing in the instance properties

TilePattern_Properties

This type of template is ideal for creating a shape or panel that needs a specific quantity of points.  The downside to using this template type is that additional adaptive points can’t be added, the adaptive points can’t be re-ordered, and there can never be shape handle points in the family.

Generic Model Adaptive

This template is the most flexible type, but it also starts from basically a blank slate – only a couple of reference planes.  This means everything has to be created from scratch, starting with adding adaptive points and reference lines. This template type does allow for an infinite amount of adaptive points, as well as the flexibility to re-order the adaptive points at will and to add shape handle points.  This template type will allow for levels to be generated, but the levels DO NOT transfer to the project or massing environment; basically they simply act as horizontal reference planes.

GenericModelAdaptive

Note:  The Generic Model Adaptive looks extremely similar to the massing template, however adaptive points can’t be created in the massing environment.

 

Up next Adaptive Component – Everyday Uses Part 2

Revit Basics – Group Origin Points

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I am not a big fan of groups I tend to think they get over used in lieu of families, but this post isn’t going to get into that.  With that said there is a time and place for their use and when they are being used I think there are a couple of tips that I see commonly overlooked.  The simplest tip to discuss is the groups origin point.  When a group is created it will place a symbol in the center of the objects being grouped, this symbol is the origin point.  This symbol is used not only for the origin point when placing the group but also as the origin when the group is being changed from one type to another.  To adjust where this is located simply select the group and drag the symbol to a location that is better than the random center(ish) area of the group.  This way placement of the group is easier as well maintaining it’s placement when the group type is changed.

Group_InsertionPoint

In the image above a group was created for alignment of several schedules onto sheets, the “Group Origin” was moves such that is could easily be snapped to the title block.

Another tip is the fact that groups can be changed just liked any family.  If a group is selected it can the be changed via the “Type Selector” just like any family.  This is why it is important to pay attention to the “Group Origin” as stated above.

Group_TypeSelector

Last tip for the day is if you are only using a group one time consider ungrouping it and purging the group out of the model.  It is a known fact that groups will slow Revit down especially when they are over used.

Spot Slope Revit

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While helping set up a template with a client there was a discussion on how the graphic should look for the spot slope symbol, hence this post.

While  placing a spot slope there is an option to change the graphic representation to be either Arrow or a Leader.  However this option is not available in a plan, only vertical views such as sections.  This can also be done after placement in the properties dialog.

SpotSlopeTriangle

The type properties for spot slopes also allow for more options and variations on the display as well as the units:

  • Slope Direction allows for the slope to point down or up, however if the triangle option is used then it just changes the insertion point
  • Leader line Length changes the length of both the arrow and the triangle option
  • Similar to other dimension types the units format can be changed.  With slopes some firms like to display roof slopes with a Ratio/12 while displaying sloping floors with a ration or percentage.  By duplicating the slope type all of these options can be available.
  • Using alternate units will allow for Ratio as well as percentage or whatever combination in needed

SpotSlopeProperties

Sizing Reference Planes

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I was doing some work with The Ant Group doing some detail work when Jim Balding (JB) mentioned a tip that I can’t believe I hadn’t been using for years.  When I create family content I am very specific about making sure the reference planes aren’t longer than needed, centered in the family etc., especially when working with detail components or generic annotations and tags.  I have family templates for most family types, my detailing template has been set such that the reference planes are centered, equal length and around 4″ (100mm) in length.  When I start a family from this template on of the first things I do is unpin the reference planes and stretch each end to the desired length for that component.  JB asked why I didn’t use the scale command?  He showed how he uses scale by selecting the reference plane(s) and scaling it from the center point, clicking the end then clicking again at the desired final length.  This really is a great tip when both of the reference planes need to be sized equally.

 

Vertical Face Based Template

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I had mentioned this tip to a bunch of speakers at the BIM Workshops and they had never heard of this so I figured it should be a post, especially since one of them came up and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

When creating face based families the biggest complaint I hear is the fact that if the element is going to be placed on a vertical face, in the family the front is the plan view.  I agree this can be confusing, so why not create a vertical face based template instead of using the OOTB horizontal face based template.  Impossible you might think, well up until a year ago I thought so too, until  I learned about a workaround on changing a wall, ceiling or floor based family to a face based family from our local user group (RoMBIS).  Note you will have to have Revit MEP or Revit for this tip to work, if you have Revit Architecture or Revit Structure then you will have to download my version.  The thing I noticed when using this tool is that if I converted a Wall Based element then the surface it uses as the face is vertical.  This is when I decided to use these steps to create my own Vertical face based family.  I haven’t tried but I am sure the same thing could be achieved for an upside down face if a ceiling hosted family was converted.  However I will save all my readers the headache and post the file for download for everyone to use.

FaceBasedVertical

Here is the BD Mackey Face Based Vertical Template, there is an additional reference plane “Actual Face” as well as a parameter “Offset from Surface”, as I always build in a face offset for my hosted families.