Revit MEP: Tips & Tricks

[CoreyDaun]

Contents

· How to convert a Family to Face-Based

· A

[CoreyDaun]

Applies to: Revit 2011 and up

Many Families that are available for download are built to specifically host to a Wall, Floor, or Ceiling Element in a Revit Project. The problem with this becomes apparent when a Linked Model is involved - these Families CANNOT host to an Element within a Link Model. Therefore, Families that are hosted to a Face are necessary. Any of these element-specific Families can be converted to Face-Based with the following procedure:

1. Create a new Project and draw a Wall, Floor, or Ceiling - which ever element is an appropriate host.

2. Load in the desired Family and place one instance of each Type on the host Element. Exclude Types you do not wish to retain.

3. Save this Project somewhere temporarily and close it. Start another new Project.

4. Link the previous Project file into this one. The placement of the Linked Model is irrelevant.

5. Go to Collaborate tab » Copy/Monitor ▼ Select Link. Select the Linked Project and use Copy to create a copy of each of the placed Elements.

6. The Family is now converted to Face-Based and may be saved/exported from this Project to a separate file for later use.

Note: Only certain Categories are available for Copy/Monitor. If the desired Family is not of one of these, you can edit the Family prior to this process and temporarily change it to an applicable Category and then change it back when completed.

Please send me a Private Message with any comments or questions.

[CoreyDaun]

Applies to: All Releases of Revit

One of the more obnoxious shortcomings of Revit is the inability to include Elevation in any sort of Element Tag. This is mandatory, as it is very common practise to label the Mounting height of wall mounted devices, equipment, and light fixtures that are not at the typical height. There is, however, a method to accomplish this functionality:

1. Create a Family that consists of a small, very flat Extrusion, which will act as a "Shelf" to host a Spot Elevation.

2. Ensure that this Family's visibility can be easily controlled, either by assigning it to a Subcategory or by making appear on a specific, rarely-used Detail Level. This will allow the graphics for this element to be easily turned off in the Project.

3. Nest this Family into wall mounted devices so that the top face of the "shelf" aligns with the desired mounting level of the device (usually center).

4. In the Project, modify the Spot Elevation Tag to remove the leader and symbol and set to Display Elevation: Actual.

5. Turn the "shelf" Subcategory on or set it to the specific Detail Level for it to display. Place the Spot Elevation Tags upon the face of the "shelf".

6. Turn off the "shelf" when done so it doesn't print. The Spot Elevation remains on, follows the device, and reads the devices actual elevation.

Please send me a Private Message with any comments or questions.