Table of Contents

Dedication
Preface

iii
xvii

Chapter 1: Introduction to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2009

Introduction to Autodesk Revit Architecture 2009
Autodesk Revit Architecture as a Building Information Modeler
Basic Concepts and Principles
Understanding the Parametric Building Modeling Technology
Understanding Autodesk Revit Architecture Terms
Creating a Building Model Using Parametric Building Elements
Visibility/Graphics Overrides, Scale, and Detail Level
Extracting Project Information
Creating an Architectural Drawing Set
Creating an Unusual Building Geometry
Flexibility of Creating Special Elements
Creating Structural Layouts
Working on Large Projects
Working in Large Teams and Coordinating with Consultants
Starting Autodesk Revit Architecture 2009
User Interface
Invoking Tools
Title Bar
Menu Bar
Toolbar
Design Bar
Type Selector Bar
Element Properties Button
Options Bar
Drawing window
Project browser
Status Bar
View Control Bar
Keyboard Accelerators
Dialog Boxes
Multiple Document Environment
Interoperability of Revit Architecture
Building Information Modelling and Revit Architecture 2009
Autodesk Revit Architecture Help
Revit Architecture 2009 Help

1-2
1-2
1-2
1-4
1-4
1-6
1-8
1-8
1-8
1-8
1-9
1-9
1-9
1-9
1-10
1-11
1-11
1-12
1-12
1-13
1-15
1-17
1-17
1-18
1-18
1-18
1-19
1-19
1-19
1-20
1-21
1-21
1-22
1-23
1-23

vi

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Architects & Designers

Context Sensitive Help
Getting Started
Tutorials

1-25
1-26
1-26

Chapter 2: Getting Started with Revit Architecture

Starting a New Project
Setting Units
Length Unit Settings
Area Unit Settings
Volume and Angle Unit Settings
Slope Settings
Currency Setting
Snap Settings
Dimension Snaps
Object Snaps
Temporary Overrides
Saving the Project
Using the Save As Tool
Using the Save Tool
Using the Save to Central Tool
Modifying Other Settings
General Tab
Graphics Tab
File Locations Tab
Rendering Tab
Spelling Tab
SteeringWheels Tab
ViewCube Tab
Closing a Project
Exiting Revit Architecture
Opening an Existing Project
Opening an Existing Project Using the Open Tool
Model Display Tools
Using the Zoom Tools
Using the Orient Tool
Navigation Tools
Other Display Options
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

2-2
2-3
2-4
2-4
2-5
2-5
2-5
2-5
2-6
2-7
2-8
2-8
2-8
2-10
2-10
2-11
2-11
2-12
2-13
2-13
2-14
2-14
2-16
2-17
2-18
2-18
2-18
2-21
2-21
2-24
2-24
2-29
2-30
2-33
2-35
2-36
2-37
2-37

Table of Contents

vii

Chapter 3: Creating the First Project

Creating a Building Project
Sequence of Creating a Building Model
Understanding Wall Types
Creating Exterior Walls
Understanding Wall Properties
Sketching Walls
Sketching Interior Walls
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Tutorial 3- Apartment 1- Interior Walls
Tutorial 4- Club- Interior Walls
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

3-2
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-17
3-18
3-19
3-27
3-33
3-40
3-45
3-45
3-47
3-48
3-49

Chapter 4: Using Basic Building Components-I

Using Doors in a Building Model
Adding Doors
Understanding Door Properties
Adding a Door to a Wall
Using Windows in a Building Model
Adding Windows
Understanding Window Properties
Adding a Window to a Wall
Doors and Windows as Wall Openings
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

4-2
4-2
4-4
4-7
4-9
4-9
4-11
4-13
4-15
4-15
4-26
4-31
4-32
4-33
4-34
4-35

Chapter 5: Using the Editing Tools

Creating a Selection
Selecting Multiple Elements
Restoring the Selection
Removing Elements from a Selection
Moving and Copying Elements

5-2
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-4

viii

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Architects & Designers

Changing the Temporary Dimensions

Using the Drag Option
Dragging End-joined Components
Using the Move Tool
Using the Copy Tool
Trimming and Extending Elements
Using the Trim/Extend to Corner Option
Using the Trim/Extend Single Element Option
Using the Trim/Extend Multiple Elements Option
Cutting and Pasting Elements
Cutting Elements
Copying Elements to the Clipboard
Pasting Elements from the Clipboard
Rotating Elements
Mirroring Elements
Using the Pick Option
Using the Draw Option
Creating an Offset
Creating an Array of Elements
Linear Array
Radial Array
Matching Elements
Aligning Elements and Working with Constraints
Deleting Elements
Splitting Walls
Grouping Elements
Creating Groups by Selecting Elements in the Project Views
Creating Groups Using the Group Editor
Creating a Detail Group
Creating Model and Attached Detail Groups
Creating Duplicate Groups
Placing Groups
Swapping Groups
Modifying Groups
Excluding Elements from the Group
Saving and Loading Groups
Converting Groups to Linked Models
Deleting Groups
Creating Similar Elements
Pinning Elements
Resizing Elements
Using Diagnostic Tools
Measuring Distance between Elements
Selecting Elements Using the Element ID
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test

5-4
5-4
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-7
5-8
5-9
5-11
5-11
5-11
5-11
5-12
5-14
5-14
5-15
5-16
5-18
5-18
5-20
5-22
5-22
5-23
5-24
5-25
5-26
5-26
5-27
5-27
5-28
5-28
5-29
5-29
5-29
5-30
5-31
5-32
5-32
5-32
5-33
5-34
5-34
5-35
5-36
5-41
5-47

Table of Contents
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4

ix
5-48
5-48
5-49
5-50
5-51

Chapter 6: Working with Datum and Creating Standard Views

Working with Levels
Understanding Level Properties
Adding Levels
Modifying Level Parameters
Hiding Elements in a View
Controlling the Visibility of Levels
Working with Grids
Creating Grids
Modifying Grids
Grid Properties
Customizing the Grid Display
Controlling the Visibility of Grids
Reference Planes
Work Planes
Setting the Work Plane
Controlling the Visibility of Work Planes
Working with Project Views
Viewing the Building Model
Visibility/Graphics Overrides of an Element
Visibility/Graphics Overrides of an Element Category
Making Elements Transparent
Using the Temporary Hide/Isolate Tool
Plan Views
Elevation Views
Section Views
Using the Scope Box Tool
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

6-2
6-3
6-5
6-7
6-9
6-10
6-11
6-11
6-16
6-17
6-20
6-21
6-21
6-21
6-22
6-23
6-23
6-24
6-24
6-26
6-27
6-27
6-29
6-30
6-33
6-38
6-40
6-48
6-54
6-54
6-56
6-57

Chapter 7: Using Basic Building Components-II

Creating Floors
Sketching the Floor Boundary
Creating Roofs

7-2
7-4
7-6

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Architects & Designers

Creating the Roof by Footprint

Creating the Roofs by Extrusion
Modifying the Roof Shape and Properties
Shape Editing Tools for Slopes, Floors, and Roofs
Modify Sub-Elements
Draw Points
Draw Split Lines
Pick Supports
Reset Shape
Creating Ceilings
Creating an Automatic Ceiling
Sketching the Ceiling
Using the Pick Walls Method
Modifying the Ceiling
Rooms
Adding Rooms
Calculating Room Volumes
Cutting Openings in the Wall, Floor, Roof, and Ceiling
Joining the Walls with the Other Elements
Using the Attach/Detach Tool
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

7-6
7-9
7-12
7-15
7-15
7-16
7-17
7-17
7-17
7-17
7-18
7-18
7-19
7-20
7-22
7-22
7-26
7-26
7-28
7-29
7-30
7-35
7-43
7-43
7-45
7-45

Chapter 8: Using Basic Building Components-III

Using Components in a Project
Adding Components
Using Stairs in a Project
Adding Stairs
Modifying Stairs Properties
Creating Stairs by Sketching Runs
Creating Stairs by Sketching the Boundary and Riser Lines
Using Railings in a Building Model
Creating Railings
Modifying Railing Properties
Creating Ramps
Using Curtain Systems in a Project
Creating a Curtain Wall Using the Wall Tool
Creating a Curtain System by Lines
Creating a Curtain System by Face
Adding Curtain Grids
Modifying Curtain System Panels

8-2
8-2
8-5
8-5
8-6
8-8
8-12
8-14
8-14
8-16
8-16
8-18
8-19
8-19
8-20
8-20
8-21

Table of Contents
Adding Doors and Awnings to a Curtain System
Adding Mullions
Copying Elements from One Level to Another
Using the Paste Aligned Tool
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Tutorial 3- Elevator and Stair Lobby
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1

xi
8-22
8-22
8-23
8-23
8-24
8-31
8-34
8-42
8-42
8-43

Chapter 9: Adding Site Features

Creating a Toposurface
Creating Toposurface Subregions
Splitting a Toposurface
Merging Toposurfaces
Creating Toposurface Using the Imported Data
Setting the Site Properties
Adding Property Lines
Sketching Property Lines
Creating Property Lines Using Distances and Bearings
Creating Building Pads
Adding Site Components
Adding Parking Components
Adding Labels to Contours
Tutorial 1- Site Plan
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

9-2
9-4
9-5
9-6
9-7
9-7
9-9
9-9
9-10
9-11
9-13
9-14
9-15
9-16
9-32
9-32
9-33
9-34

Chapter 10: Using Massing Tools

Understanding the Massing Concepts
Creating the Massing Geometry
Using the Create Mass Tool
Editing the Massing Geometry
Creating Cuts in the Massing Geometry
Placing the Massing Geometry
Creating Building Elements from the Massing Geometry
Creating Walls by Selecting Faces
Creating Floors by Selecting Faces
Creating Roofs by Selecting Faces
Creating Curtain Systems by Selecting Faces
Controlling Visibility of the Massing Geometry

10-2
10-3
10-4
10-11
10-12
10-13
10-15
10-15
10-15
10-16
10-18
10-18

xii

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Architects & Designers

Adding Other Building Elements

Creating Families
Creating In-Place Families
Creating Families Using the Standard Family Templates
Tutorial 1- Office Building 2
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

10-19
10-20
10-21
10-22
10-31
10-45
10-46
10-47
10-50

Chapter 11: Adding Annotations and Dimensions

Adding Tags
Tagging Elements
Tagging All Elements in a View
Room Tags
Room Separation
Adding Room Tags
Adding Keynotes
Keynotes Legends
Adding Symbols
Adding Dimensions
Types of Dimensions
Dimensioning Terminology
Adding Permanent Dimensions
Baseline and Ordinate Dimensions
Editing Dimensions
Controlling the Tick Mark and Dimension Arrow Display
Creating Automatic Linear Wall Dimensions
Adding Spot Dimensions
Placing a Spot Dimension
Modifying Spot Dimension Properties
Converting Temporary Dimensions to Permanent Dimensions
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

11-2
11-3
11-6
11-6
11-8
11-10
11-10
11-12
11-13
11-14
11-15
11-16
11-18
11-20
11-22
11-22
11-24
11-25
11-25
11-26
11-27
11-28
11-37
11-37
11-38
11-40
11-41

Chapter 12: Creating Project Details and Schedules

Project Detailing in Autodesk Revit Architecture
Creating Details Using the Building Model
Creating a Callout View
Displaying the Callout View
Modifying Callout View Properties

12-2
12-2
12-3
12-3
12-4

Table of Contents
Creating Details in the Callout View
Crop Regions
Model Crop Region
Annotation Crop Region
Creating Drafted Details
Creating a Drafting View
Drafting a Detail
Line Styles Settings
Using Line Weights
Using Line Patterns
Adding Text Notes
Creating Text Notes
Editing Text Notes
Creating a Model Text
Revision Clouds
Creating a Revision Cloud
Adding a Revision Tag
Using Schedules in a Project
Generating a Schedule
Creating a Legend View
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1- Callout View
Tutorial 2- Apartment 1- Schedules
Tutorial 3- Road Section Detail
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

xiii
12-6
12-7
12-7
12-7
12-12
12-12
12-13
12-13
12-15
12-16
12-16
12-17
12-18
12-20
12-22
12-23
12-24
12-25
12-26
12-29
12-30
12-40
12-44
12-50
12-50
12-51
12-52
12-53

Chapter 13: Creating Drawing Sheets and Plotting

Creating Drawing Sheets
Adding Drawing Sheet to a Project
Adding Views to the Drawing Sheet
Modifying the View Properties
Panning Viewports Added in Sheet
Rotating Viewports in the Sheet
Adding Schedules to the Drawing Sheet
Modifying the Building Model from the Drawing Sheet
Duplicate Dependent Views
Creating Dependent Views
Adding Matchline to the Dependent Views
Printing in Autodesk Revit Architecture
Printing Drawing Sheets and Project Views
Selecting and Modifying the Printer Settings
Using the Print Setup Dialog Box
Previewing the Print Setup

13-2
13-2
13-5
13-7
13-9
13-9
13-9
13-11
13-11
13-12
13-13
13-14
13-15
13-15
13-18
13-19

xiv

Autodesk Revit Architecture for Architects & Designers

Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

13-20
13-25
13-26
13-27
13-29

Chapter 14: Creating 3D Views

Three-Dimensional (3D) Views
Creating Orthographic Views
Dynamically Viewing Models Using the Navigation Tools
Using the Orient Tool
Generating the Perspective Views
Using the Section Box
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Club
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

14-2
14-3
14-4
14-11
14-13
14-18
14-19
14-25
14-29
14-30
14-31
14-32
14-33

Chapter 15: Rendering Views and Creating Walkthroughs

Rendering in Revit Architecture
Rendering Workflow
Introduction to Materials
Assigning Materials by Using the Materials Dialog Box
Applying Lights
Using Decals and Entourages
Rendering Settings
Creating A Walkthrough
Creating the Walkthrough Path
Editing and Playing the Walkthrough
Recording a Walkthrough
Tutorial 1- Apartment 1
Tutorial 2- Office Building 2
Self-Evaluation Test
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

15-2
15-3
15-5
15-6
15-15
15-17
15-20
15-26
15-26
15-28
15-31
15-32
15-47
15-52
15-53
15-54
15-55

Table of Contents

xv

Chapter 16: Using Advanced Features

Creating Structural Components
Creating Structural Walls
Creating Structural Columns
Adding Structural Beams and Braces
Cutting Openings in Beams, Braces, and Columns
Generating Multiple Design Options
Generating Design Options for a Project
Presenting Design Options
Using Area Analysis Tools
Area Schemes
Area Plans
Area Schedules
Color Schemes
Creating Color Schemes
Masking Regions
Adding Masking Regions to a Project
Adding Masking Regions to a Detail Family
Adding Masking Regions to a Model Family
Using Project Phasing Tools
Understanding Phasing Concepts
Linking Building Models and Sharing Coordinates
Linking and Importing Models
Linking Revit Models
Nested Linked Models
Converting Linked Models to Groups - Binding Links
Managing Links
Including Elements of Linked Models in Schedules
Applying the Color Schemes of the Host Model to Rooms and Areas
of the Linked Models
Copying Linked Model Elements
Worksharing Concepts
Worksharing Using the Workset Tools
Process of Worksharing
Saving Methodology in Worksharing
Element Ownership Concepts
Purging Unused Element Families
Transferring Project Standards
Organizing the Project Browser
Generating Shadows
Revit Architecture Solar Studies
Generating Still Solar Study
Creating an Animated Solar Study
Revit Architecture Interoperability
Interoperability with Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk VIZ
Interoperability with Google SketchUp

16-2
16-4
16-5
16-8
16-9
16-10
16-10
16-12
16-12
16-13
16-14
16-16
16-16
16-17
16-22
16-22
16-23
16-23
16-24
16-24
16-26
16-26
16-29
16-30
16-32
16-34
16-34
16-35
16-36
16-36
16-37
16-37
16-44
16-44
16-46
16-46
16-47
16-47
16-47
16-48
16-49
16-52
16-52
16-53