Creating custom slab in Revit

[Anonymous]

Autocad Architecture user for years but brand new to Revit, so sorry if this is a dumb question.  How can I create a slab component that is other than 6" thick?

Now here's why I want to do that — I am designing a building that will cantilever out over a slope and there will be heavy timber columns that will need round footings. I haven't been able to figure out how to do this is Structure Foundations (suggestions welcome) so I am creating a 2' round slab to use as footings. Works fine except it is by default 6" thick. I don't know how to modify this to make it say 12" or 18" thick.

The larger question is — how do I take an existing family element, modify it as save for future use? I've googled extensively but haven't found a tutorial on this.

Many thanks

BB

[cbcarch]

You can use a Structural Column for your concrete piers ( probably not the best method to make a circular Floor and then make it "thicker"--although it could be done, by Duplicating the Type, change name to 18" Thick, change Properties > Edit Structure, change thickness of concrete material to 18".)

You specify the diameter and Material of the Structural Column, then its offsets from a Level--such as 30" below Level 1 for Bottom and 4'-0" above Level 1 for Top.

You may need to select Column>Structural, then Load family, select Structural>Column> Concrete. Load into your project.

Then place the column, select Properties, change offsets from Level, select diameter, material, etc.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Seems to work. I'm playing with it to try to get a clearer idea of what "Top Offset" and "Base Offset" means exactly, but the idea obviously works.

Wondering if you have any comments on how to modify existing family components and saving them for later use?

Appreciate it!

BB

[cbcarch]

Top and base Offsets are how far the element extends above and below the Level it is hosted by.

So--your piers might need to be 30" below grade for frost depth, and extend 4'-0" above grade, with a wood post on top of them. ( Just an example).

In Revit, set base offset to -2'-6" below Level 1, and top offset to 4'-0" above Level 1. Make sense?

To modify a family and then save it and load back into your project--

Open the family, or if selecting it inside a project--click Edit Family. Save-as, give it a new name and file location.

Make changes. Save. Load into Project. Scroll down in left part of screen to Families ( in the Project Browser)

and find the family--they are sorted by Family Type. You can then see it in the list, becasue you loaded it into your project.

To place it in your model, in Architecture Tab, select Component, place component, then select it from drop-down list.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the clear explaination. Appreciate it. As I'm learning Revit, I understand why so many firms are now choosing it over Autocad. Some things definitely need improvment but overall, it's not as fidgety as Autocad Architecture, except in some cases.

[cbcarch · Accepted solution]

Glad to help. Yep--coming from hand-drafting, to 2D Cad, to 3D Cad, then Revit--I can relate to what you are experiencing.

Just keep going--soon you will become better and better, and someday a Revit expert who can help other beginners!

(Please accept my solution if it solved you problem.)