Autodesk® Revit® MEP: Fast Families for
Engineers
David Butts
BIM Specialist – Gannett Fleming
© 2011 Autodesk
Autodesk® Revit® MEP: Fast Families for Engineers
Getting Your Models Made FASTER!
Photo Courtesy of Gannett Fleming - Copyright 2011
© 2011 Autodesk
Class Summary
Let’s see how we create custom families in Revit MEP — and fast! You’ll gain
understanding of the behavior of different engineering objects; you’ll learn the
basics of creating custom content the most efficient way to save time and be
consistent; you’ll learn how to add parameters for families and schedules; and you’ll
review additional tools such as lookup tables, model review tools, and family
guides.
© 2011 Autodesk
Learning Objectives
At the end of this class, you will be able to:
 Describe key family concepts for family types and categories
 Explain the four key starter concepts: reference planes, labels, solids, and
constraints
 Describe additional resources: lookup table review, Revit modeling guidelines,
shared parameter converter, and model review tools
 Assess when and how to use shared versus family parameters
© 2011 Autodesk
Class Rules
Class Format is LAB Style
Class Rules:
Set your phones to Vibrate
Class Participation is Required and Random
Class ID is MP2531-L
Now – let’s roll!
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Family Types and Categories
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Family Types and Categories
Two primary types of component families:


Non-Hosted – behaves like an AutoCAD block – placed anywhere, referenced to the level
it’s placed on
Hosted – face-based family that associates with generic 3D faces, walls, ceilings, etc. – if the
surface moves, the family moves
Our most common is NON-HOSTED – mechanical and electrical equipment, plumbing, light
fixtures, etc.
Use hosted for electrical devices, data, communication etc.
All have to be defined by CATEGORY and PART TYPE
Category controls visibility, scheduling data, etc.
Part Type controls behavior (i.e. Electrical Panels)
© 2011 Autodesk
Family Types and Categories – Let’s see how this
works…
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Four Starter Components – Reference
Planes/Labels/Solids/Constraints
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Four Starter Components – Reference
Planes/Labels/Solids/Constraints
These objects are the primary parts of parametric families
Creating them in a repeatable and consistent sequence saves
time!
- Place Reference Planes First!
- Next, add dimensions and labels to control the location of
the reference planes
- Then add your solids, using the reference planes to control
the shape and size
- And create additional constraints as needed to control how
the solids are controlled by the planes
© 2011 Autodesk
Four Starter Components – Let’s see how this
works…
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Shared Parameters vs. Family Parameters – When
to Use
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Shared Parameters vs. Family Parameters
Two primary parameters for data used –
- Family parameters exist in the family itself, but can’t be used for schedules or tags
- Shared parameters are defined in an external text file, and are added to families – can
be used in schedules and tags
- Once a shared parameter is added to a family or project, it’s part of that item – no link is
maintained to the shared parameters text file
- Use family parameters for items like dimensional parameters
- Used shared parameters for any data you want to expose to schedules (i.e. voltage,
number of poles, fluid flow)
- Make sure all of your families use the SAME shared parameters!
© 2011 Autodesk
Shared Parameters vs. Family Parameters – Let’s
see how this works…
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Lookup Tables / Model Guidelines / Shared
Parameter Convertor / Model Review
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Lookup Tables
- Lookup tables are used with parts that have large numbers of size combinations and
options
- Piping/Duct/Conduit/Cable Tray all use .CSV tables that can be edited with Excel
- Type Catalogs use .TXT tables that let a user pick through specific component
family sizes and load only what they need
- Lookup Tables for fittings are stored in the Lookup Tables folder under your content
location
- Text File type catalogs are stored in the same folder as the part you define
- Both have to be in the right location before they can be used
- Parameters in the family must be spelled and case-matched to the parameter in the
lookup table or type catalog © 2011 Autodesk
Lookup Tables – Let’s review an example…
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Revit Model Guidelines
- Published in 2009 by Autodesk, to help provide guidelines for the creation of families
and content for Revit
- Great Planning resource to help you develop and maintain your standards for data
- Includes spreadsheets listing default program parameters and parameters provided in
shared parameter text files
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Revit Model Guidelines Shared Parameters File –
Let’s review an example…
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Exporting Shared/Project Parameters
- Subscription Extension Program that helps you add parameters to your models
- Works with your shared parameters file – copy/add to multiple files at once
- Can replace family parameter with shared parameter
- Family to Shared Parameters must be the same name, type and format in order to be
updated or added to your models
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Exporting Shared Parameters – Let’s see how this
works…
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Model Review – to Check your Data!
- Subscription Extension Program that helps you check your models and make sure the
data is present, accounted for and correct!
- Customizable – create your reports or use the default checks
- Use to test for items that can affect loads, sizing, and more
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Model Review – Let’s Review an Example…
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One more note – Check out Inventor Fusion
- Available from Autodesk Labs - http://labs.autodesk.com/technologies/fusion/
- Available until May 1, 2012
- Helps you work with and edit a variety of model format files, including .SAT, .STL, .IGES
and more
- Leverage models you may have developed in the past to use in Revit
© 2011 Autodesk
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© 2011 Autodesk
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© 2011 Autodesk