Similar to biological families, Revit
families follow a certain order. For instance, a door is a ‘category’ of
different components. There are different kinds of doors, and these different
kinds of doors are different ‘families’. An example of a ‘family’ name would be
a ‘flush door’. Within the family of the flush door, there are options for the
flush door, based on dimension, material, etc. A flush door of a particular
dimension is a ‘type’ of flush door. All the elements in a project’s design are
created using families, including walls, roofs, doors, columns, beams, trusses,
windows, fixtures, annotation, mechanical components, plumbing fixtures,
lighting fixtures and other detailed components, and they can be created using
Revit for BIM (Building Information Modelling) requirements in architectural design drafting.
Revit family modelling within the BIM context
provides a range of advantages, namely:
- Improved layout plans
- Increased communication of plans
- Impressive Revit 3D modelling for marketing
- Detailed scheduling
- Customisation of projects
The creation of BIM models requires the
extensive use of families. Walls, doors, windows, stairs, etc. may be of
multiple types in the same project. A prime advantage of Revit families is that
any change to a type will be updated in every instance of that type throughout
the project design. For example, when the height of a window type is changed in
one place, all windows of the same type will be modified instantly and
automatically throughout the entire design.
The intelligent
model-based process of BIM technology helps plan, design, construct and manage
buildings and infrastructure and results in delivering specific outcomes with
time and cost savings. Revit families and BIM content can be created for
architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design. The
process to deliver Revit families with high standards includes:
- Selection of the family template
- Planning the parameters
- Creation of the model geometry
- Assigning of the object subcategories according
to requirements
- Setting up visibility rules
- Creation of family type
Revit allows created
families of components to be stored and reused in other projects. They can be
used as reference material by architectural designers to show prospective clients.
Builders, manufacturers, designers, engineers and other stakeholders in a project
are dependent on model creation services for intelligent and parametric models
that can host a complete group of components or equipment for BIM construction. Besides displaying
the parameters of actual equipment and geometric components of windows,
boilers, columns, etc. through graphics, Revit family modelling has other
advantages, such as:
- Formula and imported data result in
effective component design
- Regardless of size and design, the models
created are accurate
- Resizing of models is both possible and
economical
- Relationships and coordination between
various elements of a unit are maintained
- Enabling building analysis and estimating
Revit modelling can
create additional items like curtain wall panels, furniture, plumbing fixtures,
electrical fixtures, machine parts, elevators and HVAC pumps. Family creation
services include the following types:
- Structural
- Architectural
- MEP
- Building systems
- BIM
- Related custom and supporting content
Revit family creation, like real-life
families, provides many benefits due to the inter-relationships they provide in
a model. They are the driving force behind the success of BIM projects. With
skilled Revit BIM
practitioners available globally, accurate, cost-effective and viable project
design services can be ensured.
