Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 11

Disclaimer
A AUTODESK.
THIS PUBLICATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS MADE AVAILABLE BY AUTODESK,
INC. "AS IS." AUTODESK, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE MATERIALS.

Trademarks

Autodesk, AutoCAD, DWG, and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or
trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and
specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear in this document.

Document Licensing
This curriculum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
License.

Please see the Autodesk Creative Commons FAQ for more information.

Introductory Notes
This Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide was written using the 2015 version of this product and uses screen
captures from the full Revit application that includes all disciplines (Architecture, Structure, and MEP). Please
note that this tutorial may also be used with dedicated versions of Autodesk® Revit® Architecture or earlier
versions of Revit going back to release 2012.

Nomenclature used in this tutorial:

Text entry required by user Bold
Command, key entry, or button clicks ALL CAPS
Selection of named items or elements Italics

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 12

Table of Contents

Topic Step series Page

Getting Started 4
Understanding the Revit User Interface 8
Creating a Project Steps 01 - 05 15
Creating Walls Step 06 17
Creating Terrain Step 07 19
Adding Exterior Walls Step 08 22
Adding a Roof Step 09 24
Adding Floors Step 10 26
Adding Interior Walls Step 11 29
Adding Doors Step 12 32

Adding Windows Step 13 35

Adding a Curtain Wall Step 14 39
Attaching Walls to the Roof Step 15 40
the Entrv Deck Step 16 43
Adding a Slo(!ed Floor Step 17 45
Adding Stairs and Railings Step 18 47

the Roof Step 19 53

Documenting the Project Step 20 56
Creating a Solar Studl£ Step 21 64
Creating a Sheet Step 22 67
Create a gbXML EX(!Ort Step 23 69
A1rnendix: Mouse Interface and
Shortcuts
73

Estimated time of completion of all steps: 4 - 8 hours hands-on

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 13

Getting Started
Understanding the Basics
In this lesson, you learn what Autodesk Revit is and how its parametric change engine benefits you and your
work. You begin \J\lith the fundamental concepts on which Revit is built. You learn the terminology, the hierarchy of
elements, and how to perform some common tasks in the product.

Understanding the Concepts

What is Autodesk® Revit® 2015?

The Revit platform for building information modeling is a design and documentation system that
supports the design, drawings, and schedules required for a building project. Building information
modeling (BIM) delivers information about project design, scope, quantities, and phases when you
need it.

In the Revit model, every dra\J\ling sheet, 20 and 30 view, and schedule is a presentation of
information from the same underlying building model database. As you work in dra\J\ling and schedule
views, Revit collects information about the building project and coordinates this information across all
other representations of the project. The Revit parametric change engine automatically coordinates
changes made anywhere-in model views, dra\J\ling sheets, schedules, sections, and plans.

What is meant by parametric? Key term you should know

The term parametric refers to the relationships among all elements of the model that enable the
coordination and change management that Revit provides. These relationships are created either
automatically by the software or by you as you work. In mathematics and mechanical CAD, the
numbers or characteristics th at define these kinds of relationships are called parameters; hence, the
operation of the software is parametric. This capability delivers the fundamental coordination and
productivity benefits of Revit: Ch an ge anything at any time anywhere in the project, and Revit
coordinates that change through the entire project.

The follo\J\ling are examples of these element relationships:

• The outside of a door frame is a fixed dimension on the hinge side from a perpendicular
partition. If you move the partition, the door retains this relationship to the partition.

• Windows or pilasters are spaced equally across a given elevation. If the length of the
elevation is changed, the relationship of equal spacing is maintained. In this case, the
parameter is not a number but a proportional characteristic.

• The edge of a floor or roof is related to the exterior wall such that when the exterior wall is
moved, the floor or roof remains connected. In this case, the parameter is one of association
or connection.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 14

How does Autodesk® Revit® 2015 keep things updated?

A fundamental characteristic of a building information modeling application is the ability to coordinate

changes and maintain consistency at all times. You do not have to intervene to update drawings or
links. When you change something, Revit immediately determines \J\lhat is affected by the change and
reflects that change to any affected elements.

Revit uses 2 key concepts that make it especially powerful and easy to use. The first is the capturing
of relationships \J\lhile the designer works. The second is its approach to propagating building
changes. The result of these concepts is software that works like you do, without requiring entry of
data that is unimportant to your design.

Element behavior in a parametric modeler

In projects, Revit uses 3 types of elements: Key points to know

• Model elements represent the actual 30 geometry of the building. They display in relevant
views of the model. For example, walls, windows, doors, and roofs are model elements.

• Datum elements help to define project context. For example, grids, levels, and reference
planes are datum elements.

• View-specific elements display only in the views in \J\lhich they are placed. They help to
describe or document the model. For example, dimensions, tags, and 20 detail components
are view specific elements.

Revit e lements

Model Datum View -specific

e lements elements elements

Host Model Annotatio n Deta il

elements components components components

Walls Stairs Text notes Detail lines

Grids
Floors Windows Tags Filled regions
Levels
Roofs Doors Symbols 2D Detail
Reference planes
Ceilings Dimensions components

Beams
Structural
Struct columns
Isolated footings Elements
30 rebar

Pipes Mechanical,
Ducts Electrical,
Sprinklers Plumbing
Air terminals Elements

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 15

There are 2 types of model elements:

• Hosts (or host elements) are generally built in place at the construction site. For example,
walls and roofs are hosts.

• Model components are all the other types of elements in the building model. For example,
windows, doors, and cabinets are model components.

There are 2 types of view-specific elements:

• Annotation elements are 20 components that document the model and maintain scale on
paper. For example, dimensions, tags, and keynotes are annotation elements.

• Details are 20 items that provide details about the building model in a particular view.
Examples include detail lines, filled regions, and 20 detail components.

This implementation provides flexibility for designers. Revit elements are designed to be
created and modified by you directly; programming is not required. If you can draw, you can define
new parametric elements in Revit.

In Revit, the elements determine their behavior largely from their context in the building. The context
is determined by how you draw the component and the constraint relationships that are established
with other components. Often, you do nothing to establish these relationships; they are implied by
what you do and how you draw. In other cases, you can explicitly control them, by locking a
dimension or aligning 2 walls, for example.

Understanding Autodesk® Revit® 2015 terms

Most of the terms used to identify objects in Revit are common, industry-standard terms familiar to
most architects. However, some terms are unique to Revit. Understanding the following terms is
crucial to understanding the software.

Project: In Revit, the project is the single database of information for your design-the building
information model. The project file contains all information for the building design, from geometry to
construction data. This information includes components used to design the model, views of the
project, and drawings of the design. By using a single project file, Revit makes it easy for you to alter
the design and have changes reflected in all associated areas (plan views, elevation views, section
views, schedules, and so forth). Having only one file to track also makes it easier to manage the
project.

Level: Levels are infinite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hosted elements, such as
roofs, floors, and ceilings. Most often, you use levels to define a vertical height or story within a
building. You create a level for each known story or other needed reference of the building; for
example, first floor, top of wall, or bottom of foundation. To place levels, you must be in a section or
elevation view.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 16

 ---- -

Level 2 work plane cutting through the 30 view with the corresponding floor plan next to it
Key points to know
Element: When creating a project, you add Revit parametric building elements to the design. Revit
classifies elements by categories, families, and types.

Category: A category is a group of elements that you use to model or document a building design.
For example, categories of model elements include walls and beams. Categories of annotation
elements include tags and text notes.

Family: Families are classes of elements in a category. A family groups elements with a common set
of parameters (properties), identical use, and similar graphical representation. Different elements in a
family may have different values for some or all properties, but the set of properties-their names and
meaning-- is the same. For example, 6-panel colonial doors could be considered one family,
although the doors that compose the family come in different sizes and materials.

Category

I I

Family

••
Type • • • •

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 17

There are 3 kinds of families:

• Loadable families can be loaded into a project and created from family templates. You can
determine the set of properties and the graphical representation of the family.

• System families include walls, dimensions, ceilings, roofs, floors, and levels. They are not
available for loading or creating as separate files.

• Revit predefines the set of properties and the graphical representation of

system families.

• You can use the predefined types to generate new types that belong to this family within
the project. For example, the behavior of a wall is predefined in the system. However,
you can create different types of walls with different compositions.

• System families can be transferred between projects.

• In-place families are custom families that you create in the context of a project. Create an in-place
family when your project needs unique geometry that you do not expect to reuse or
geometry that mu st maintain one of more relationships to other project geometry.

• Because in-place families are intended for limited use in a project, each in-place family
contains only a single type. You can create multiple in-place families in your projects,
and you can place copies of the same in-place family element in your projects. Unlike
system and standard component families, you cannot duplicate in-place family types to
create multiple types.

Type: Each family can have several types. A type can be a specific size of a family, such as a 30" X
42" title block or a 32" x 84" door. A type can also be a style, such as default aligned or default
angular style for dimensions.

Instance: Instances are the actual items (individual elements) that are placed in the project and have
specific locations in the building (model instances) or on a drawing sheet (annotation instances).

Understanding the Revit User Interface

Rev it is a powerful CAD product for the Microsoft® Windows operating system. Its
interface resembles those of other products for Windows featuring a ribbon that contains the tools
used to complete tasks.

In the Revit interface, many of the components (such as walls, beams, and columns) are
available at the click ofa button. You can place these components in the drawing and immediately
determine whether they meet your design requirements.

The Revit interface is designed to simplify your workflow. With a few clicks, you can change the
interface to better support the way that you work. For example, you can set the ribbon to one
of the three display settings for optimum use of the interface. You can also display several project
views at one time, or layer the views to see only the one on top.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 18

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2 Quick Access Toolbar 11 Ribbon
3 lnfoCenter 12 Tabs on the ribbon
4 Options Bar 13 A contextual tab on the ribbon,
5 Type Selector providing tools relevant to the
6 Properties Palette selected object or current action
7 Project Browser 14 Tools on the current tab of the
8 Status Bar ribbon
9 View Control Bar 15 Panels on the ribbon

Hints
Project Browser. Select Views label at top of Project Browser window and right click to access
Properties to change View Filters.

Options Bar. The features sho\J\111 in this area are tool dependent. See the Wall Tool example
below.

M odify I Place Wall Heigh • Unco n • 20" o· Location Line: Wall Centerlin • D Chain Offset: o· o· ;:] Radius: r o·

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 19

Architecture Ribbon

Modify Wall Door Window Component Column Roof Ceiling Floor Curtain Curtain Mullion Railing Ramp Stair
System Grid
Select • Build Circulation

loo -tr .,Q, Sign In

IA) l\_ [CO] [81 Area •

"p lll!, Vertical
Show
[} Ref Plane
!S Grid
Model Model
Text Line
Model
Group
Room Room
Separator
Tag
Room • Tag Area
By
Face
Shaft
r Dormer
Set
rm Viewer
Model Room & Area • Opening Datum Work Plane

Structure Ribbon

Autodesk Revit 2015 • STUDENT VERSION 1

Insert Annotate & Site Collaborate View Mana

Column Floor Truss Brace Beam Isolated Wall Slab Rebar Area Path Fabric Fabric Cover
System Area Sheet
Select • Structure Foundation Reinforcement •

llffi i} 1'.4 .!::!:. Sign In

]\_ [CO] l..:J

.........
n
Component Model Model Model By Shaft Wall Vertical Dormer Grid Set Show Ref Viewer
Text line Group Face Plane
Model Opening Datum Work Plane

Systems Ribbon

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Architecture Structu Insert & Site Collaborate View Mana e Add· lns Modi
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uct
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Select •
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HVAC
Duct Terminal
v
Equipment
Mechanical :w
Placeholder Pipes '110 Flex Pipe
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Fixture
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Electrical
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Device lighting
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Component Set
rt.
[}

Electrical Model Work Plane

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 110

Insert Ribbon

· '""' Autodesk Revit 2015 - STUDENT V

Architecture Structure S em & Site Collaborate Ma

l:::j Revit IFC CAO Markup

Point Manage Import Import
Cloud links I
CAO gbXML
Insert • Image Manage
from file Images
Select • Link Import

VERSION - Project! - floor Plan: Level 1

e Add-Ins Modi

Storch Autodt!sk St!tk

Load Load as Find and download building product models, drawings, and specs
Family Group
Load from Library Autodesk Seek

Annotate Ribbon

{ '° e . "' . "" . . ,/ Autodesk Revit 2015 · STUDENT VERSION -

& Site Ad

./ H 6
Architecture Structure Collaborate View Mana e
-0 Spot Elevation CJ Revision Cloud A Text
Al igned Linear Angular 0 Diameter
Spot Coordinate tl Region • PJ.J Detail Group • Check Spell ing

ff Arc Length .,..., Spot Slope Component • Insulation Find/ Replace

Select • Dimension • Detail Text

Project! - floor Plan: Level 1 1. Type a ktyword or phrost 00 £f ti .Q. Sign In

d-lns Modi 8 •
""' Beam Annotations t T 1/: View Reference r.;J Duct Legend
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Tag b y Tag
Multi- Category Room Tag tJjJ Tread Number Pipe Legend
Symbol 1
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Category All Material Tag @ Space Tag Multi - Rebar • : :: Color Fill Legend llllil m1
Tag • Color Fill I Symbol

Analyze Ribbon
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S ems Insert Annotate Analyze Massi Site Collaborate View Mana e Add-Ins

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=./
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Analytical Analytical Ched< Consistency Space Space Space Zone
Combinations Conditions Adj ust Reset Supports Checks Separator Tag
Select • Loads Boundary Conditions • Analytical Model Tools • Spaces & Zones •

bctl • f loor Plan: Level 1 I

' • Type a ktyword or phrost loo £f ti .Q. Sign In
Modi

IT] Lid e h
Heating and Panel Schedule/ Duct Pressure Pipe Pressure Energ ...
Cooling Loads Schedules Quantities Loss Report Loss Report ==
Reports & Schedules • Ched< Systems Color Fill

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 111

Massing & Site Ribbon

0
Show Mass
by View Settings
. In-Place Place
Mass Mass
Curtain Roof
System
Wall Floor

Select • Conceptual Mass Model by Face

Type a keywor

Toposurface Site Parking Property

Component Component ad Line (

Model Site Modify Site

Collaborate Ribbon

.. io B r · "" · "" · · / ' i0 A G · :-.: Autodesk Revit 2015 - STUO

Architecture Structure S ems Insert

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Active Worlcset:

Select • Manage Collaboration Synchronize •

p ENT VERSION - Projectl - Floor Plan: Level 1 h Type a kt!yword

Mana e Add-Ins Modi

Copy/ Coordination Coordination Reconcile Interference

Monitor Review Settings Hosting Check
Coordinate

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Arcllitectur Struct ms lnse

Q :!'iil Visibility/ Graphics Show Hidden Lines (Sll Plan Views - EE Schedules -
View :t4 Filters lb] Remove Hidden lines g Rende< in Cloud 30 Sectt0n Callout
Elevation • DupliC<lte View • of; Scope Box
Templates .. Thin Lines [!9 Cut Profile ii Rende< Gallery View [;I Legends •
Select • Grnph1cs

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b Sheet Q Mat<;hlme

r:f' :evisio; " -<jt View I Switch User

Windows Intefface
Sheet Composition Windows

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 112

Manage Ribbon

ll'i Project Parameters l"ltl Trans-fer ProJect Standards

� Project Un,15 Purge Unused MEP Settings •

t:'a Panel Schedule Templates •

Addrt10nal
""' Project Information J;I. Shared Parameters Settings
Select • Settings

� t ' � Manage Images

l:.. Coordinates
el Positjon •
ProJect Location
Design
Options Main Mod�I
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= � Decal Types
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Manage ProJect
Phases

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l� Edit
Selection Inquiry Macros

Add-ins Ribbon

□
�

Select •
,
External. Glue
Tools
External

Mark 1: These are examples of free plug-ins that you may obtain from the Autodesk Exchange to
add additional productivity enhancements to Revit.

The Autodesk Exchange app link is located in the upper right hand corner of the user interface next to
the help button.

Modify Ribbon

A
Architecture Structure S ems lnsert Annotate Anal ze Massi� & Site Collaborate View _M._ana
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Context tabs display as youwork. The Modify I Place Wall context tab is shown.

Note: Context tabs only appear when an object of that type is selected in the canvas window.

Walls Windows

o. Pick
Edit Edit Pick
Family New Host amily New Host

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Profile
Mode Host Mode Hos
Mode

Aut o d e sk ® Re v i t® Ge t t i ng St a r t e d Gui d e 113

The View Cube
You can click and drag the ViewCube to reorient the view of a model to a custom viewpoint or click on
one of the twenty-six predefined viewpoints that are available. As you drag, the mouse pointer
changes to indicate that you are reorienting the current view of the model. If you drag the ViewCube
close to one of the preset orientations and it is set to snap to the closest view, the ViewCube rotates
to the closest preset orientation.

s
The Steering Wheel
Pressing and dragging on a wedge of a wheel is the primary mode of interaction. After a wheel is
displayed, click one of the wedges and hold down the button on the pointing device to activate the
navigation tool. Drag to reorient the current view. Releasing the button returns you to the wheel.

Navigation Bar
You can control which navigation tools are displayed on the navigation bar with the Customize menu.
The Customize menu is displayed by clicking the Customize button. From the Customize menu, you
click the navigation tools that you want displayed on the navigation bar. The position of the navigation
tools on the navigation bar is predefined and cannot be changed .

...

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A u t o d e s k ® R e v i t ® G e t t i n g S t a rt e d G u i d e 114
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03 Zoom to a view
1) In Project Browser, double-click Elevations (Building Elevation) SOU TH .

2) Enter ZR, to zoom to a specific region. Note that the cursor changes to a magnifying
glass.

3) 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.

___
10' - Q"\J

___ 1
O' - CT'\J

04 Rename levels

1) Double-click the Level 1 text, enter 00 Foundation, and press ENTER. Use a number as
a prefix to the name so the plans are sorted by level.

2) In the Alert dialog box, click YES to rename corresponding views. The floor and ceiling
plans for Level 1 are renamed 00 Foundation.

Project Browser - Revit 2015_Get1ing S... X

s :o: Views {all)

e Floor Plans
00 Foundation
Level 2
Site
& Ceiling Plans
00 Foundation
Level 2
& Elevations (Building Elevation)
East
North
South
West
la Legends
!El Schedules/Quantities
llii'.l Sheets (all)

3) Using the same method, rename Level 2 and its corresponding views as
01 Lower Level.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 116

 05 Create levels in the building

1) Enter ZO to zoom out.

.!-0 Level
2) Click Architecture tab Datum panel LEVEL.

3) On the Draw panel, click PICK LIN ES.

4) On the Options Bar enter 10 [3000 mm] for the Offset.
5) In the drawing area, highlight the 01 Lower Level line; \J\lhen a dashed line is displayed
above the level line, click to create a level (Level 3).

6) Using the same method, create a level above Level 3.

7) On the Panel Level tab, click MODIFY to end the command.

8) Rename the new levels and all corresponding views:

• Level 3: Rename as 02 Entry Level

• Level 4: Rename as 03 Roof

9) Double-click the level dimensions, and enter new values:

_ _ _ _ _ 02 Entry Level I'\
• O' O" [O mm]: Change to -14' O" [-5250 mm] 0'-0"--......

• 10' O" [4000 mm]: Change to -10' O" [-3050 mm]

• 20' O" [7000 mm]: Change to O' O" [O mm]
_ _ _ _ _01
• 30' O" [10000 mm]: Change to 1 O' O" [3050 mm]
_ _ _ _ _ 00
10) Press ESC twice to deselect and exit command. - 14'- 0" \:IP

11) Save the project file.

Creating Walls
In this exercise, you work on different levels to add foundation walls to the project.

- .. .

- -·
I 1
I

The completed exercise

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 117

06 Create walls
1) In Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 00 Foundation to open that view in
the drawing area.
CJ
2) Click Architecture tab Build panel wan WALL.

3) In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-down and select Basic Wall:
Retaining - 12" Concrete [Basic Wall: Retaining - 300mm Concrete].

4) On the Options Bar below the tool ribbon:

• For Height, select 02 Entry Level.

• For Location Line, verify that Wall Centerline is selected.
• Verify that Chain is selected.
5) In the drawing area, draw walls on the foundation level:

• Click in the lower-right quadrant to select the wall start point.

• Move the cursor to the left, enter 40' [12000 mm], and press ENTER.
NOTE: You do not need to specify the unit; Autodesk® Revit® software uses the
units specified in the project template.

• Beginning at the new endpoint, move the cursor up, enter 22' [6900 mm], and press
ENTER.

• Move the cursor to the right, enter 40' [12000 mm], and press ENTER.

6) On the Modify I Place Wall tab, click MODIFY to exit the command.
7) In Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 01 Lower Level.
8) Click Architecture tab Build panel
9) In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-down and select Basic Wall:
Foundation- 12" Concrete [Basic Wall: Foundation - 300mm Concrete].

10) On the Options Bar, for Depth, select 00 Foundation and for Location Line, verify that
Wall Centerline is selected.

11) Draw walls on the lower level:

• In the drawing area, click the right endpoint of the south wall as the wall start point.
• Move the cursor to the right, enter 6' 6" [1950 mm], and press ENTER.
• Move the cursor up, enter 5' [1500 mm], and press ENTER.
• Move the cursor to the right, enter 10' 6" [3150 mm], and press ENTER.
• Move the cursor up, and select the intersection with the extension of the north wall.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 118

 _____ ........ _ -3

Intersection and Vertical

• Select the right endpoint of the north wall to complete the chain and connect the
walls.

12) On the Place Wall panel, click MODIFY. ote se the iew ouse on t top to
re iew wh t you modeled retty ne t
13) Save the project file.

Creating Terrain
In this exercise, you create a 30 view and add a toposurface to the building site .

.. ,.·

·• .r---- -

The completed exercise

07 Creating terrain

1) In Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 Entry Level.

2) Create a 30 view:

• Click the View Create 30 View II @I camera CAMERA.

• Click in the upper-right comer of the drawing area to place the camera.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 119

 • Click to place the camera target point, as sho\J\111.

A 30 view is created. The view you create may differ slightly from the illustrations sho\J\111
in the exercises because of minor variations in camera placement. Drag the blue circular
controls that display on the crop region of the resulting view so that you can see the
building.

3) In Project Browser, expand 30 Views, right-click 3D View 1, and click RENAME.

4) In the Rename View dialog box, enter To Building, and click OK.

5) Create a graded building site:

• In Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click Site.

• Click Massing & Site tab Model Site panel roposurtace TOPOSURFACE.
• On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -0' 6" [-150 mm].
• Add points to the left of the building, as shown. The order of the point selection is not
important.

• On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -10' [-4000 mm].

A ut o d e sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gu i d e I 20

 • Add points near the center of the bu ii ding, as shown. Contour lines are displayed.

I
I
J
I

·I

/-

• On the Options Bar, for Elevation, enter -11' [-4300 mm].

• Add points to the right of the building, as shown.

I\ I

• Click Edit Surface tab Surface panel surtace FINISH SU RF ACE.

ote to see ontours ssin ite odel ite set
6) Create a pad surface: ontours

Building
• Click Massing & Site tab Model Site panel Pad BUILDING PAD.

• On the Draw panel, click p RECTANGLE.

• Select the outer endpoint at the lower left of the building, as shoWTI.
• Select the outer endpoint at the upper right of the building.

A ut o d e sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gu i d e I 21

 • On the Create Pad Boundary tab, in the Building Pad panel, click Mode FINISH EDIT
MODE.

7) Open the To Building 3D view to see the results. ote use the iew house i on
8) Save the project file. In this exercise, you created a simple toposurface in Autodesk Revit
by selecting points.

However, for most projects, complex site models created by civil engineering
professionals will be provided to you in DWG, DXF, DGN, or point files. You can import
these files into your Revit project where you can automatically generate a terrain using
the Toposurface tool.

Adding Exterior Walls

In this exercise, you build upon the foundation walls. You use the Draw option to create exterior walls
that extend to the roof level.

The completed exercise

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 22

08 Adding exterior walls

1) Add walls to the entry level:

• In Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 02 Entry Level.

• Click Architecture tab Build panel
• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-down and select Basic Wall:
Generic - 6" [Basic Wall : Generic - 200mm].

• On the Options Bar: for Height, select 03 Roof, and for Location Line, select Core
Face: Interior.

The Height setting defines how tall the wall is and establishes a relationship between
the walls and the roof. After you draw the walls, if you change the roof height, the
height of the walls will also change.

• Beginning at the bottom right, trace the interior of the three existing retaining walls by
selecting endpoints.

you n t see the ound tion hit

es pe twi e o to roperties or the
ntry le el under the tents
iew n e dit under the iew
epth e el h n e it ound tion
_J K
I I
• On the Place Wall tab, click MODIFY.

2) Add walls to the lower level:

• Open the 01 Lower Leve/floor plan. Notice that the foundation walls are now visible
at the right of the plan, so that you can trace them.

• Click Architecture tab Build panel

• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-down and select Basic Wall:
Generic - 6" [Basic Wall : Generic - 200mm].

• On the Options Bar, for Height, select 03 Roof.

• Beginning at the left endpoint of the north foundation wall, trace the interior of the
foundation walls by selecting endpoints.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 23

 E9
IEndpoint l

===:::2·:J:I=:::'...i•

• On the Place Wall tab, click MODIFY.

3) Open the To Building 3D view.

4) Save the project file.

Adding a Roof
In this exercise, you create a roof using the footprint of the exterior walls. You specify an offset as you
create the roof so that the roof has an overhang.

The completed exercise

09 Adding a roof

1) Open the 03 Roof floor plan.

2) Draw a roof line:

• Click Architecture tab Roof drop-doWTI ROOF BY FOOTPRINT.

• On the Draw panel, click IZl LINE.

• In the Options Bar, verify that Defines slope is selected.
• To draw the first roof segment, begin at the bottom left and trace the exterior edge of
the South wall by selecting the left wall endpoint and the intersection of the South
and far-east wall.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 24

 ote i you n t see w lls
o to iew iew n e
h n e iew epth e el
57' - 0" = to one le el elow

3) Create offset roof lines:

• On the Draw panel, verify lliiflPICK WALLS is selected.
• On the 0 tions Bar, for Offset, enter 3' 900 mm], and clear Defines slope.

• In the drawing area, highlight the West wall; \J\lhen a dashed line is displayed on the
exterior of the wall, click to place the roof line. Repeat for the North and East walls.

If
4) Use the Trim/Extend tool to close the roof sketch:

• On the Edit panel, click TRIM.

• Select the east roof line, and then select the South roof line. Repeat for the West and
South roof lines.

• On the Create Roof Footprint panel, click I FINISH EDIT MODE. The resulting
roof has an odd slope, which you correct in the next step.

A ut o d e sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gu i d e I 25

 I

I I

5) Modify the roof slope: ele t oo hen sele t dit ootprint eel t outh roo line in
the properites o he k slope o nd neter pply
• Select the roof. hen sele t reen he k to inish roo edit
• In the Properties palette, under Dimensions, for Slope, enter 1"/12" [5°), and click
APPLY.

• Click in the Drawing area to deselect the roof.

6) Open the To Building 3D view. Select and modify the crop region as necessary to see the
roof. The walls are not attached to the roof; you will attach them in a later exercise.

7) Save the project file.

ou will noti e outh w ll do not e tend to roo o i this
sele t w ll then sele t tt hed to op then sele t oo
epe t until ll w lls re tt hed to roo
Adding Floors
In this exercise, you create floors in the building model.

To create floors in Autodesk Revit, you must sketch them first in a sketch editor. You use
two different sketching options, Pick and Draw, to sketch the floors.

10 Adding floors

1) Open the 01 Lower Leve/ floor pl an. ddin loor to le el

2) Create a floor using the Pick method:

• Click Architecture Build FLOOR.

• On the Draw panel, click PICK LINES. eneri

• On the Options Bar, verify that Offset is 0.
• Beginning with the North wall and moving counterclockwise, select the interior of the
walls.

• On the Modify I Create Floor Boundary tab, click MODIFY.

3) Enter ZR, and zoom in to the top-right corner of the model. If the floor lines do not create
a closed sketch, the sketch is invalid and you need to clean the lines up. To be valid, the
sketch must be a closed loop with no disconnected or crossing lines.
est to oom into re s to m ke sure ll lines re losed nd you dont h e more th n
one line or the sket h

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 26

4) Create a closed sketch:

• On the Create Floor Boundary tab, click

• Trim as necessary, selecting the portion of each line you want to retain.

• Enter ZP to zoom to the previous display.

• Click Modify I Create Floor Boundary Mode FINISH EDIT MODE. reen
he k
5) In the Alert dialog box, click NO.

If you clicked Yes, the walls that finish on the lower level would be trimmed to the
underside of the floor.

Lower level floor highlighted in blue below. (shown for reference only)

--- O] RQ_QLI\

o see this iew on the loor le el

_ _ _ _ 02 Enny Level IC\ dd se tion iew o do this
iew e tion then dr w line
ross uildin ou le li k on tip
o rrow in se tion sym ol
IC\
: . : ·.· ' ? '
._· ·_: :· .........._+-
· _,__ _ 00

6) Create a floor using the Draw method:

ddin loor to e el with di erent
• Open the 02 Entry Leve/floor plan. method
• Click Architecture tab Build panel FLOOR.

• On the Draw panel, click IZI LINE.

• On the Options Bar, verify that Chain is selected .

../ Chain ffset: O' o·

A ut odesk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 27

 • Beginning at the South end of the West wall, select the interior endpoint of the West
wall, and then select the upper endpoint.
I I I I
I

\I
0

• Move the cursor to the right and enter 36' [10000 mm], and hit ENTER to accept.
This is kno\J\111 as the direct distance entry method.

• Move the cursor do\J\111 and enter 16' 6" [5300 mm] and hit ENTER to align with the
outside of the wall, and click to specify the point.

• Move the cursor to the right and enter 25' [9000 mm], and hit ENTER.
• Move the cursor do\J\111 and enter 4' 6' [1300 mm] and hit ENTER to align with the
inside of the wall, and click.

• Move the cursor to the left, enter SZ to find the loop endpoint, and select the
endpoint to complete the floor sketch.

J
• Click Modify I Create Floor Boundary Mode FINISH EDIT MODE.

7) In the Alert dialog box, click NO.

8) View the floors in 3D:

• Open the To Building 3D view.
• Select the wall as shown.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gui de I 28

 • On the View Control Bar, click Temporary H ide/lsolate HI DE ELEM ENT. The
selected wall is temporarily hidden so that you can see the interior floors.

• On the View Control Bar, click Visual SHADED.

• On the View Control Bar, click Temporary RESET TEMPORARY
HI DE/ISOLATE.

Entry Level floor highlighted in blue below. (shoWTI for reference only)

___ OJ Roof IC\

0 ;

--- -- - -- +----- _ 02 Entry Level IC\

IC\
. . : . ; ·. ·
.. _ 00

9) Save the project file.

Adding Interior Walls

In this exercise, you add walls on the lower level and the entry level, and then modify the walls to
create rooms in the building.

\
J
Ii

I II II I
I
I I I l I l I
The completed exercise

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 29

11 Adding interior walls
1) Open the 01 Lower Leve/ floor pl an.

2) Click Architecture tab Build panel

3) In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-do\J\111 and select

Basic Wall: Generic - 6" [Basic Wall: Generic - 200mm].

4) On the Options Bar:

• For Height, select 02 Entry Level.

• For Location Line, select WALL CENTERLINE.
• Clear Chain.
Modify I Place Wall I Heigh • <92 Enn • ) 20 o· l ocation Line<Sfa11 Centerlin • ) ff O"

5) Add walls:

• Zoom in to the West wall, move the cursor along the North wall centerline, enter 26'
[8000 mm], and press ENTER to specify the wall start point. Move the cursor down,
and click on the South wall centerline to complete wall 1.

• On the Modify I Place Wall tab, click MODIFY.

• Right-click on the wall, and click CREATE SIMILAR.
• Using the following illustration as a guide, place additional walls to create rooms.

.. •.

I II I
I
;

0 his w ll is rom west w ll

' he rest o the w ll lo tions
... , .. . ... . ... . .., re ust estim ted rom i ure
shown
6) Modify walls to create a corridor:

• Click Modify tab Edit panel le!:> J SPLIT. Click on wall 1 in the area highlighted
below.

• On the Edit panel, click TRIM.

• Trim the split wall to create a corridor, as sho\J\111.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 30

 I I
I

7) On the Modify tab, click MODIFY.

8) Drawwalls:
• Open the 02 Entry Leve/floor plan.
• Right-click on one of the half-tone walls sho\J\111 in the underlay of the lower level, and
click CREATE SIMILAR.

• Using the following illustration as a guide, place additional walls to create rooms as
highlighted in blue below. ou re estim tin w ll dimensions

I I
I
I

I
\
I

9) On the Modify tab, click MODIFY. The walls defining the rooms on the lower level and the
entry level are complete.

10) Save the project file.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 31

Adding Doors
In this exercise, you load doors from the Revit Library folder into the project, and then add interior and
exterior doors to the model.

The completed exercise

12 Adding doors

1) Click tab Build panel [J DOOR.

There are a limited number of door types in the project because there were few in the
default template. You can load additional door types from the Revit Library folder.

2) Load doors from the Training Files folder:

• On the Model panel, click LOAD FAMILY.
• In the left pane of the Load Family dialog box, click IMPERIAL LIBRARY [Metric
Library], and double-click on the DOORS folder.
• While pressing CTRL, select the door types: Bifold-4 Panel.rfa, Double-Glass 1.rfa,
Single- Glass 1.rfa [M_Bifold-4 Panel.rfa, M_Double-Glass 1.rfa, M_Single-Glass
1.rfa]. ould not ind the hi hli hted doors nste d o i old use ou le o ket
• Click OPEN. i k si e
3) Add exterior doors: or in le l ss use in le ull l ss
ood i e
• Open the 01 Lower Leve/floor plan.
• Click Architecture Build panel DOOR.
• On the Options Bar, clear Tag on Placement.
• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-do\J\111 and select Double-Glass 1
: 72" x 84" [M_Double-Glass 1 : 1830 x 2134mm], add a door to the east wall as
shown, and then click MODIFY.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 32

 • Open the 02 Entry Leve/floor plan.
• Click Architecture tab..,.. Build panel ..,.. DOOR.
• In Properties palette ..,.. Change Element Type drop-down and select Double-Glass 1
: 72" x 84" [M_Double-Glass 1 : 1830 x 2134mm].

• Place the door in the North wall 7' [2100 mm] from the end of the retaining wall, as
shown. o te door ppro i mtely
• In Properties palette ..,.. Change Element Type drop-down and select Single-Glass 1:
36" x 84" [M_Single-Glass 1 : 0915 x 2134mm].

• Place the door in the short vertical wall, as shown.

I I I I M
Ill I II
NOTE: To change the swing direction as you place a door, press the SPACE BAR. To
change the swing after a door is placed, click the flip arrows.

101 } (
II

4) Add interior doors:

• In Properties palette ..,.. Change Element Type drop-down and select Single-Flush:
32" x 84"[M_Single-Flush: 0813 x 2134mm], and add two doors, as shown.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 33

5) Open the 01 Lower Leve/floor plan.

• Click Architecture tab..,.. Build panel ..,.. DOOR.

• In Properties palette ..,.. Change Element Type drop-down and select Single-Flush:
30" x 84"[M_Single-Flush: 0762 x 2134mm], and place two doors, as shown.

. . .

• In Properties palette ..,.. Change Element Type drop-down and select Bifold-4 Panel:
72" x 84" [M_Bifold-4 Panel : 1830 x 2134mm], and place two doors, as shown.

. ..
your po ket doors don t it use sin le
lush door
I

6) Open the To Building 3D view.

7) For an unobstructed view of the doors, select a wall, and on the View Control Bar, click
Temporary Hide/Isolate ..,.. HIDE CATEGORY. All the walls in the view are hidden.

8) On the View Control Bar, click Temporary Hide/Isolate ..,.. RESET TEMPORARY
HI DE/ISOLATE.

9) Save the project file.

Autodesk® Revit® Getting Started Guide 134

Adding Windows
In this exercise, you work in elevation and plan views to add windows to the model. You use
alignment and dimension tools to more precisely position the windows.

The completed exercise

13 Adding windows

1) Add windows in an elevation view:

• Open the South elevation view, and zoom in to the building.

• Click Architecture tab..,.. Build panel ..,.. WINDOW.

• On the Options Bar, clear Tag on Placement. (white background)

li] 0 r<D
Load Model Tag on
Family In-place Placement

r Mode Tag

• On the Model panel, click LOAD FAMILY.

ould
• In the left pane of the Load Family dialog box, click Imperial Library [Metric Library], not ind
and double-click on the WINDOWS folder to open it.
this
• Select Casement 3x3 with Trim.rfa [M_Casement 3x3 with Trim.rfa], and click Open. window
• Add two windows, approximately as shown. You will position them and align them se
with the top of the retaining wall later. If either of the windows spans an internal wall, window
a warning about the conflict is displayed; close the warning. You will resolve any i ed
conflict by moving the windows while in a floor plan view.
or
simil r

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gui de I 35

 indows re ein pl ed in
ound tion w ll

2) Open the 01 Lower Leve/floor plan. Because the windows are at the top of the wall, they
are above the current view range for the plan.

3) Modify the view range:

• In the Properties palette, under Extents, for View Range, click EDIT.
• In the View Range dialog box, for Cut plane Offset, enter 7' [2160 mm].
• Click OK. The windows are now visible in the South wall.
indow lo tions re
4) If necessary, move the windows to resolve the conflict with the wall:
ppro
• Select the right window, and drag it 2' 6" [200 mm] to the left side of the interior wall.
Select the window and edit the temporary dimensions, as needed.

• Select the left window, and drag it 9' 6" [2775 mm] to the right of the West wall.

5) Create a window type:

• Open the South elevation view and select the window on the left.

• In Properties palette click ffi Edit Type EDIT TYPE.

• In the Type Properties dialog box, click DUPLICATE.
• In the Name dialog box, for Name, enter 36" x 36" [0915 x 0915 mm], and click OK.
• In the Type Properties dialog box, under Dimensions, for Height, enter 3' [915 mm].
• Click OK. h n e hei ht or width to e or
6) Modify a window:

• Select the window on the right.

• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-do\J\111 and select Casement 3x3
with Trim: 36" x 36"[M_Casement 3x3 with Trim: 0915 x 0915mm].

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 36

7) Align the windows to the top of the retaining wall:

• Click Modify Edit ID ALIGN.

• Select the top of the wall, and then select the top edge of the trim of one of the
windows. Be careful to select the top of the wall, and not the 02 Entry Level line.

• Repeat for the second window.

....
8) Add windows in plan view:

• Open the 02 Entry Leve/floor plan, and zoom in to the West side of the model.

--
• In the Properties palette, under Graphics, for Underlay, select NONE, and click
APPLY.

• Click View Graphics panel : .:: THIN LINES so that element lines maintain
there true thickness in the zoomed view.

• Click Architecture tab Build panel se the window you

• On the Options Bar, verify that Tag on Placement is cleared. re ted
• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-do\J\111 and select Casement 3x3
with Trim: 36" x 72"[M_Casement 3x3 with Trim: 0915 x 1830mm], and place three
windows on the outside edge of the west wall, as sho\J\111.

9) Reposition the windows to be equidistant from each other:

• Click Annotate Dimension / ALIGNED.

• Select the North wall, select each of the window centerlines, and then select the
horizontal interior wall.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 37

 • Click to the left of the West wall to place the dimension line. Note that each of the
four dimensions is different.

• Click , and then press ESC twice. The windows are moved so that all of the
dimensions are equal.

• Select the interior wall that contains the doors; move it up or do\J\111 to see how the
design intent is maintained.

• Select the top wall, move it up 3' [1000 mm], and see how the walls resize and the
windows redistribute equally within the wall.
se rrows on key o rd to mo e w ll north south w t h windows mo e
• On the Quick Access toolbar, click UN DO once to restore the top wall to the
original
dimension.

10) Select the dimension line, and press DELETE key. In the Warning dialog box, click OK to
delete the line but maintain the constraints.

11) Zoom as desired, and open various plan, elevation, and 3D views to display the model
results thus far.

12) Save the project file.

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art e d Gui de I 38

Adding a Curtain Wall
In this exercise, you change existing exterior walls to curtain walls. You then create a curtain wall type
that you can apply to other walls using the Match Type tool.

The completed exercise

14 Adding a curtain wall

1) Open the 01 Lower Leve/ floor pl an.
2) Create a curtain wall at the northeast corner of the building:
• Zoom to the East wall.

• Click Modify tab Edit panel ISPLIT, and split the East wall just above the
door.

• On the Modify tab, click MODIFY.

• While pressing CTRL, select the upper portion of the East wall and the adjacent
portion of the North wall.

• In Properties palette Change Element Type drop-down and select Curtain Wall:
Storefront. If a warning displays, click to close it.

Curtain Wall

Wall l

Exterior Glazing

Storefront

A ut ode sk ® Rev it® Get t in g St art ed Gui de I 39

 ote e use we tt hed the w lls to
the roo lre dy this step is not
ne ess ry ery the urt in w lls re
tt hed to the roo i they re mo e to
ne t se tion o instru tions odi yin
ntry e k
ket h th
 pro r m r shes
here o to ne t
se tion odi yin
oo it does
r sh pl e r ilin in
i ure elow nd then
mo e to ne t se tion
odi yin oo
 ote your windows mi ht h e een lre dy t ed ou mi ht
only see the result o this when t doors
kip this step
kip this step nd o to p e re tin ol r tudy
t rt here in
 t otton o s reen

ou n sele t tod ys d te or use the d te

i ien in instru tions

o ted t top y option r

mit rk the room s hedule
 kip this step

kip this se tion o to e his on ludes re t o