Elevator families

[Sahay_R]

How much detail would you need to see in an elevator family? The families that we have are from Otis and they are fiendishly detailed and too large for the health of the model - showing guiderails, motors and controller, etc.

For the purposes of coordination with Structure and MEP - how much detail should there be left in the family?

[ennujozlagam · Accepted solution]

@Sahay_R Hello, have you try to download elevator families from Digipara elevatorarchitect. We only show lift car and guardrails in our model just indicative only for our side as an architect consultant the important thing is the clear width and length of the lift core and size of the lift car which M&E consultant provide for us. . Thanks

[bimscape]

I think the same strategy could be used for all BIM objects- and that is.....

-Unless the model is the basis for very realistic visual communication, then the objects do not need much "detail" at all

-The overall spatial volume that they require, plus any tolerences and operating / maintenance clearances are essential

-MEP connectors / structural propertiers, if relevent- so that the object can perform in systems analysis

-After that, I would suggest it's the non-graphical data that contains the value

The BIM Holy Grail is the balance between keeping the model lightweight and nimble, but still containing all the useful info required.

[Sahay_R]

Thank you, @ennujozlagam - that is pretty much what the team has asked for - doors, cab, minimum shaft outline, ladder, hoistway beam, control panel, rails. It's nice to know that I am on the right track. Now, if parts of the families that I have didn't have imported 3D Autocad - GRRR!!!

@bimscape - Ian, I completely agree. The health and agility of the model is paramount. As is, the elevator families that have been used are 2+MB each. My objectives are -

(a) to remove the 3D Autocad stuff

(b) remove extraneous items (brackets, counterweight, etc) and

(c) possibly combine 4 families into one, creating types with dimensional parameters. That will give us the required content with a quarter of the geometry, possibly around 1MB in size.

Hopefully, I shall succeed!

[bimscape]

Sounds like a good plan.

I thin k a lot of this is manufacturers not really understanding BIM- so they are only really impressed (and think their clients will be) if their objects are geometrically accurrate and include all the "bells & whistles". I have even seen a boiler component  that included 3d dials and switches- what actual value does that add to a model???? If people just stopped and asked themselves "Who needs this info and what do they need it for?" 

[Sahay_R]

@bimscape - Most manufacturer content is generated from their fabrication model. So you will find details like fasteners, brackets, information which has no value in an architectural model. However, I prefer more detail - it's easier to strip information out of a manufacturer family than to add it.

[bimscape]

Well they coiuld at least prove two versions- light BIM / Heavy Detail- to save you doing the work!!!!!

[Sahay_R]

@bimscape SSSHHHHH!! Job security!!

[fle]

DigiPara´s free Revit plugin DigiPara Elevatorarchitect might help you:
https://www.digipara.com/products/elevatorarchitect/ 

@fle - This reply has been edited by the moderation team as the link was no longer valid.

[Jimmy40165]

I visited Digipara elevatorarchitect and downloaded the software but it does not show up on my Add-Ins panel a...

[ennujozlagam]

try to check in your project browser , families and drag to your view plan?

[Jimmy40165]

Its nothing but a bunch of gibberish.

[fle]

Please contact digipara support : [email protected]

They will help you.

[Jimmy40165]

I think this is a scam, I tried to email this address, and this is what I got:

Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

      Subject:     REVIT 2024

      Sent:  4/12/2024 9:11 AM

The following recipient(s) cannot be reached:

      '[email protected] ' on 4/12/2024 9:11 AM

            None of your email accounts could send to this recipient.