What Do You Constrain?

There are so many opportunities to 'constrain' things in the Revit model. Every time you use Align tool, there is a lock to constrain. Every time you dimension you can use the EQ function or lock the dimensions. TheWalls can be constrained to Levels, Floors to Walls, Ceilings to Walls etc. Then there are details, would you constrain 2x4 Detail Components to the 3D walls in a plan detail?

I generally have found constraining to be more trouble than it's worth most of the time. In a perfect world where I can remember all of the constraints and their implications they would be great but...

Please take a look at the poll on the sidebar and vote on what your view is. Also, you can comment on this post on things you have found worth constraining.

Revit Design Adventures: Plywood and Drywall Quantity Take-offs (12)

We're taking a little detour in our design adventure. Suppose we are asked to provide a quantity take-off for the plywood used on the roof, or drywall on walls? In my opinion quantity take-offs are usually best done using an algorithm in a Revit schedule. This is a better long term and live solution. Problem is, it's not always visual and takes some practice to get formulas tested and working. Specifically for the use of plywood on a wood framed roof you can use the following method...

Copy the model.
Make a System Panel called Plywood.
Make a Sloped Glazing Roof type called Plywood Takeoff.
Convert the roof to the Plywood Takeoff style you've just made.
Make Panel Schedule, filter the name for Plywood. Apply a Conditional Format for 32 sq.ft. this will at least identify your full pieces.

This same idea can be applied to walls for other 'panelized' takeoffs.

Next Post in Series: Pesky Stock Families
Previous Post in Series: Ceiling Bulkheads

Revit on a Mac :BIM Manager

Might be a year old post but still valid...

Revit on a Mac :BIM Manager

New Revit Essentials Training Video

Here's my latest adventure, an 8.5 hour Revit Architecture Essentials video. I use a model and workflow similar to the Revit Design Adventures posts. We work through a project from start to finish, learning Revit along the way. There are some free videos here.

Hope you have as much fun learning Revit as I have!

Arch | Tech: Friday Reprieve #29

Thanks Eddy for posting this. It's just amazing.

Arch Tech: Friday Reprieve #29

Revit Design Adventures:Ceiling Bulkheads (11)

So now things are starting to roll. The client understands that we can meet their expectations so now they getting more excited about the process. This is really good but we need to continue managing expectations. While it is now easier to explore different versions for visualization it still takes some time, our valuable time. We are fighting against the 'CSI: New York mentality'...cool music for 15 seconds and voila! full facial reconstruction complete. When all parties know that endless options are not 'free' they focus on the task at hand.

So, knowing this, the client has decided to explore a three skylight version with lower ceiling bulkheads. This would be considered a third iteration and a good time to Saveas. The ceiling is made with the sketch option. The sketch has a boundary around the outside edge as well as the inside edge thus creating the cutout. The walls are made using a custom wall type that would represent the framing and drywall needed for the bulkhead. Using the Attach Wall command we are able to attached the top of the wall to the underside of the roof and the base to the ceiling. The ceiling must fully extend under the wall, the thickness of the wall. As we model all of this we are making sure that these elements are going to the correct phase. All of the view and rendering settings are the same as previous so rendering is a snap. This entire iteration has lasted an hour or so. But what about those pesky potlight, or 'recessed can', families that come with Revit? Let's talk next time about some problem families that come with the Revit package and how to fix them.

Next Post in Series: Plywood and Drywall Quanity Take-offs


Previous Post in Series: Second Iteration Complete

More Top Gear ...drive the track.

Do U Revit?: The AUGI Forums are back!

AUGI was down for a while but is back online...

Do U Revit?: The AUGI Forums are back!

Encore! Machinima and Screenshots of the 48 hour Architectural Jazz Jam | ARCH Virtual#comment-26731

Beyond Revit...

Encore! Machinima and Screenshots of the 48 hour Architectural Jazz Jam ARCH Virtual#comment-26731

Archinect : Jobs : Revit Architect, SBLM Architects

Revit job...

Archinect : Jobs : Revit Architect, SBLM Architects

Construction Activity Expansion Index

An interesting interactive map of construction activity in the USA...

Construction Activity Expansion Index

Revit OpEd: Dept. of Bugs - Revit Framing Does Not Play Nice

Steve Stafford gives us a heads up on a bug in Revit Structure...

Revit OpEd: Dept. of Bugs - Revit Framing Does Not Play Nice: "Avan Amalsad wrote to me today asking me if I could corroborate her observations and those of one of her clients, she works with Microdesk a..."

ORUG Meeting Feb.10th

More info here...

Revit Design Adventures: Second Iteration Complete (10)

So why did we need 8 or 9 posts just to cover the first iteration and only one post for the second? First, the initial nine posts are including the setup and modeling of the basic building. They really only represent a few hours of time. The second reason is that the second iteration has very little to change. So let's get this done.

In the last post we left off here...

Save as, new version.

The client has mentioned that a sloped ceiling is preferable so we will start modelling that. We need to get rid of the existing skylight wells (that we worked so hard to make, typical) and draw a thicker roof on top of the existing roof.

Phasing is always an issue that you need to think of first. Because the new roof configuration is both roof and ceiling we will need to make another one in the same place as the existing and put it on Phase 1.  The skylights were hosted to the existing roof and now we need to rehost them to the Phase 1 roof.

We render it again and send it to the client in under an hour, all in. (Should have waited a day before emailing it ;-)) They like it but now wonder how a bulkhead with lights might look. This will present some modeling challenges as well as fixing a little foible in the stock Revit pot-lights.

Next Post in Series: Ceiling Bulkheads
Previous Post in Series: Dirty Little Secret

In the spirit of skylights...

Revit Design Adventures: Dirty Little Secret (9)

Here we are, only on the second iteration of this project and already I have a dirty little secret. Here it is: I drew the first iteration 'by eye'. I know, I know, bad idea. Point is, we always start a project lacking some important information. If we had all the information up front the client wouldn't need us. This is especially true when trying to win a job because we are gambling with time.

The entire second iteration will be done in about an hour because of our diligent setup. It is good practice when starting another iteration to do a 'save-as'.  If your model has been 'Workshared' (Worksets enabled) then make sure you check 'Make this a Central file' before saving.

The client has mentioned that a sloped ceiling is preferable so we will start modelling that. We need to get rid of the existing skylight wells (that we worked so hard to make, typical) and draw a thicker roof on top of the existing roof. Next time, let's talk about how we start incorporating the model (with actual dimensions), phases and sheets to complete the second iteration. 

Next Post in Series: Second Iteration Complete
Previous Post in Series: Presentation and Rendering

Book of the day...

Revit Design Adventures: Presentation and Rendering (8)

First Iteration: Presentation and Rendering

We are now done the first iteration. Our goal for this iteration is to reflect back to the client what they said that they wanted. Doesn't mean we have to like it. In fact, this may prove to them that they need some design advice. In this case, they came to the conclusion themselves that a new sloped ceiling would look better.

The rendering was done in a camera view. Interior: Sun only was the lighting choice. The materials right now are all just a generic white colour, as we had set up earlier. There are two section boxes with blacked out cut areas.

There are no titles on any of the viewports which is a setting in the Type Properties of the Viewports. This was simply a choice but reminds us of an important best practice: Make sure that you always 'Duplicate' when making any changes to Type Properties.

The client is now expecting another design iteration showing the sloped ceiling. We might also take this opportunity to reflect back some of the objects to be demolished. By doing this we will have a clearer understanding of what they want.

Next Post in Series: Dirty Little Secret
Previous Post in Series: Adding the Skylights and Wells

Book of the day...

Revit OpEd: AUGI | AEC EDGE Fall 2010 Available

Revit OpEd: AUGI AEC EDGE Fall 2010 Available:

I was happy to co-write an article on sustainable residential design using Revit. The co-authors are principles of a sustainable design firm named Solares. Check out their site: solares.ca.

"The newest issue of AUGI AEC EDGE, Fall 2010, is now available. There are high and low resolution pdf copies available now. I'm not sure..."

Revit Design Adventures: Adding the Skylights and Wells (7)

First Iteration: Adding the Skylights and Wells

Everything we are drawing will be drawn in views which have been set to Phase One, Show All.

Our client had provided some sketches which indicated that the skylights would be cut into the existing ceiling. Also, flared lightwells were requested.

The skylights are from the standard installed library. They are found in the Windows folder and are hosted to the roof; easy to install. The opening in the roof is automatically cut.

The openings in the ceiling is drawn using the By Face, Opening object. This will also be on Phase One.

Here's where things get 'squirrely', as they say. The flared lightwells will be drawn with an In-Place Mass object to provide the backing for the angled walls. You will need to make some Reference Planes to define the extents of the skylight wells. I recommend named Ref Planes (front and back) and an Extrusion. You can do this in a 3D view, right side. (On a side note, if there are any Revit developers or influencers reading this, please give us non-plumb walls.) Use Walls-By Face to add the walls to the edge of the skylight well. Pay attention to the location line of the wall as you add them.

You are able to group the first one you made, with one exception; the ceiling cut. For some reason Revit changes the Phasing of the cut when it's copied and it's not able to be adjusted in the Properties Palette. So, you can pick the skylight well walls as well as the skylight and group them. In this case it seems that the openings are better drawn separately. (If someone can 'shed some light' on this issue please comment.)

So far, we have spent about 3-4 hours setting up and drawing the first iteration. We just need to present this to client so that they can make some decisions. This first iteration was an exercise in reflecting back the sketch to the client. Now we, the designers, and the client can make some educated suggestions. So, let's take a look at how we do our rendering and presentation.

Next Post in Series: Presentation and Rendering

Previous Post in Series: Finishing the Shell


Lego of the Day: In honour of Top Gear...Something to read, something to drive, something to smash...

Revit Design Adventures: Finishing the Shell (6)

First Iteration: Finishing the Shell with Roofs, Floors, Ceilings etc.



Drawing the rest of the shell means adding floors, roofs, ceilings and the skylights with openings. The shell is on the Existing Phase as this is mostly an interior renovation.


Levels should always be made to finished STRUCTURE. (As apposed to finishes like carpet, tile etc.)

The floor top is aligned to the Level. Any floor finishes need to be thin and on top of the structural floor. We'll put the finish floor on later.

The roof bottom is aligned with the Level. But it may not be where you think. The bottom, outer edge of the roof is aligned with the Level. So in the case of wood, stick framed roofs you will need to move the roof down to the proper springing point.

The ceiling is based on an offset from the floor level to the underside of the ceiling. The default way to make the ceiling is 'Automatic' but this is not usually the way to go. You're better to go with the Sketch Ceiling option. Constraining the model should always be avoided.

Next Post in Series: Adding the Skylights and Wells
Previous Post in Series

Lego of the day:

Revit OpEd: Supplementary Files

Revit OpEd: Supplementary Files: "Ryan Duell, with Autodesk and The Revit Clinic, created a list of ten supplementary files for Revit and where they are located by default, R..."

#Revit Architecture Roombook Extension - The Sustainable Design Toolbox

Interesting news for those doing interiors and room data sheets...Haven't reviewed it yet but looks interesting.

#Revit Architecture Roombook Extension - The Sustainable Design Toolbox