

Where should the origin point be? Is this a column family that would use the center of the circular base as the insertion point, or is this an accessible toilet that must always be placed 18 inches off the adjacent wall to meet code? This decision will help users when they start placing geometry. How much detail should be modeled? Is this family an electrical wall outlet that will only be seen in interior elevations from a distance, or is it a door family with raised panels and a sidelight that will be seen in an interior rendering of the project? This determination will help decide how much detail to provide in the family. How this family is hosted (or what it does or does not attach to) will determine which template file should be used to start the family.
#Family template revit 2014 download how to#
In any case, the way that this object should appear in views will determine how to define its visibility.ĭoes this family require a host? Is this family typically attached to another design element - a wall, or maybe a ceiling? Possibly it is a roof mounted mechanical unit. How should this family appear in different views? Is this an object that should be seen from plan view, elevation view, and/or sectional views? Maybe this is a 2D object that should only be seen in plan or elevation. This is an important point to consider before building a family, as it will dictate decisions that need to be made in the near future.

What size(s) does this family come in? Is this a custom piece of furniture that only comes in one configuration, or is this a window that is available in several preset sizes? Perhaps, this is a bookshelf that can be built in any length from between 2’-0” to 5’-0” wide.

This paper explores the use of families in Autodesk Revit - from the basics of the Family Editor to advanced topics and considerations when using families - all of which will provide the reader with a Best Practices approach to creating parametric component families in Revit.ĭesign Considerations Before creating a family in Revit, users should consider the following questions regarding their intended use of a family: Users can create a single family file that includes dozens of different options.īest Practices for Autodesk Revit Parametric Components (Families) Nested families add a level of strength and capacity to the process. For example, a user might nest a door hardware family into a door family. Revit Families also feature nested families - one family residing in another family. Mathematical formulas can be used in these parameters to create complicated geometry, or to drive parameters in a user defined solution (for example, using a formula in a window family that always makes the width of the window twice its height). Ultimately, it is the parameters that drive a family’s geometry. Once created, a family’s parameters remain exposed and can be edited directly within the Revit project. The parametric change engine enables a change made to a family to propagate throughout the entire project. Autodesk Revit Families are extremely powerful because they are driven by the Revit parametric change engine. These templates allow Revit users to focus on the geometry of the object, as they contain all the programming necessary “behind the scene”.
#Family template revit 2014 download software#
Family creation is made easy through the use of templates, which are provided with the software to help users get started with families. Users do not need to know any programming language to create content for Autodesk Revit. This can be easily accomplished using the Autodesk Revit Family Editor a simple graphical interface that allows users to model any object and apply the power of parametrics to that object. Despite the availability of large family libraries, users sometimes need to create custom components for a project. Manufacturers are creating Autodesk Revit Families that are available from their websites or included on product disks. A large number of predefined families are included with Revit. Any item that may need to be represented in a project can be created in a family. A family can be anything in Autodesk Revit software, from a table to a window to a two-dimensional representation of an anchor bolt. Revit Parametric Components are called families because one family type can contain many variations. This white paper examines Best Practices relating to Autodesk Revit Families. A powerful feature in the Revit suite of products, families help users manage data and make changes easily. AUTODESK® REVIT® BUILDING INFORMATION MODELINGīest Practices for Autodesk Revit Parametric Components (Families) Autodesk® Revit® Parametric Components (also referred to as Families) offer an open, graphical system for design thinking and form making.
