Rules may differ person to person. Before starting the content creation you should know the basics and the tools for content creation.
then try to follow the following rules
1) Planning
2) Select the correct Template
3) Draw the reference plan and add the desired parameter to it.
4) Test the Parameter
5) Create the model.
6) load the model into Revit Project.
all revit content is based on these simple guides.
Revit uses family templates to properly set your category.
Revit uses Reference planes to allow the creator basicguides to follow (Skeleton)
Revit uses constraints to manage the reference planes of the family (Muscle)
Revit uses Massing (extrusions, Voids, Blends) which get constrained to the reference planes to create your object size and shape (Skin)
Revit uses Parameters which allow control over the Massing, Connectors, and other pieces of Information. (Brains)
sketch out on paper what you are attempting to create. cut sheets may help also
plan ahead after each step is set TEST IT and repeat often
use the link below for samples on youtube
Hi Kadmonkee
Follow the following rules to be a good Content creator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghufZBjah2o&list=PLauYF3REhrHAc4jKahfaO41qcYw3lhPyi
I wonder if anyone knows of any rules
There are no rules. Just do what you think is right when creating your Revit families.
rules and procedures are not the same thing
my suggestions (recommendations) were based on experience and knowledge
I have seen the video before its 6 years old
There are some guidelines and procedures to build families correctly, but they differ from "standard" to "standard".
In the Netherlands the Dutch Revit User group (RevitGG) initiated the Dutch Revit Standards, which essentially became it's own foundation. Unfortunatly the site is currently only in Dutch. You can find the site here:
There is also an iniatiative from a Dutch based company called StabiPlan which creates tools on AutoCAD and Revit. They have the European MEP Content Standard. You can find them here:
There is also the ILS (Informatie Leverings Standaard - translates to Information Delivery Standard). This specifies how to specify parameters in families for multiple Open BIM standards. The English version of the page can be found here:
As with all standards, they have good points, but bad ones as well. I usually take out the good points which work well for me and try to stay as close to native Revit as possible, while maintaining as much functionality in the family itself and towards open bim standards. In the end, you'll get a feeling what will work best for you in projects.
@Anonymous You can find a document published by bimstore for Revit Content Creation Standards in below link:
https://storage.googleapis.com/bimstore-uploads/uk/uploads/software/bimstore-bible-v12.pdf
Also, you can have a look into the NBS BIM Object Standards in the below link:
https://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/nbs-bim-object-standard
These documents contains a set of rules or guidelines to be followed for Revit family creation for attaining there company standards, for example Parameter Naming, Type Naming, Family Naming etc.