Autodesk Revit 2017 for Architecture

No Experience Required

Eric Wing

• Publisher: Sybex
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781119243311
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: CAD-CAM
• Index: Computer Science

The only Revit tutorial guide based on a real project workflow

Autodesk Revit Architecture No Experience Required is the ultimate real-world guide for mastering this increasingly prevalent BIM software package. Using a continuous, step-by-step tutorial, this book walks you through all project phases as you learn the basics of Revit by designing, documenting, and presenting a four-story office building. You'll begin by learning your way around the interface and conventions, then jump right into design by placing walls, doors, and windows. Next you'll work with grids, beams, foundations, dimensions, and text as you build floors layer by layer, join walls, create ceilings and roofs, and place stairs, ramps, and railings. The instruction covers construction documentation, advanced detailing, and families, as well as site considerations including grading and top surface features to provide a well-rounded, real-world Revit skill set. The companion website features downloadable 'before and after' tutorial files that allow you to jump in at any point and compare your work to the pros.

The shift from 2D drafting to 3D building information modeling has made Revit a must-have skill for an increasing number of design, engineering, and construction professionals. This book is designed to teach you the basics quickly, using a real-world workflow, process, and pacing.

• Get acquainted with the Revit interface, then immediately start building
• Learn to place structural components, text, dimensions, and more
• Understand views, grids, editing, importing, exporting, and work sharing
• Generate construction documentation including schedules and material takeoffs

This simple yet engaging tutorial brings together all of the major skills a Revit user needs to know to complete real workplace projects. Whether read from beginning to end as a comprehensive lesson, or used as 'dip-in' reference for unfamiliar tasks, Autodesk Revit Architecture No Experience Required provides invaluable practical BIM instruction for every phase of a project.

CHAPTER 1
The Autodesk Revit World

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of presentations on how wonderful and versatile this 3D Autodesk® Revit® Architecture revolution is. You may be thinking, “This all seems too complicated for what I do. Why do I need 3D anyway?”

The answer is: you don’t need 3D. What do you do to get a job out—that is, after the presentation when you’re awarded the project? First, you redraw the plans. Next comes the detail round-up game we have all come to love: pull the specs together and then plot. This is a simple process that works.

Well, it worked until 3D showed up. Now we have no real clue where things come from, drawings don’t look very good, and getting a drawing out the door takes three times as long.

That’s the perception anyway. I’ve certainly seen all of this happen, but I’ve also seen some incredibly coordinated sets of drawings with almost textbook adherence to standards and graphics. Revit can go both ways—it depends on you to make it go the right way.

I’m sure you’ve heard about building information modeling (BIM). Although some say BIM is a process, not an application, I don’t fully buy into that position. Right now, you’re on the first page of BIM. BIM starts with Revit. If you understand Revit, you’ll understand building information modeling.

This chapter will dive into the Revit graphical user interface (GUI) and tackle the three topics that make Revit, well, Revit.

• 
  The Revit interface
• 
  The Project Browser
• 
  File types and families

The Revit Interface

Toto, we aren’t in CAD anymore!

If you just bought this book, then welcome to the Revit world. In Revit, the vast majority of the processes you encounter are in a flat 2D platform. Instead of drafting, you’re placing components into a model. Yes, these components have a so-called third dimension to them, but a logical methodology drives the process. If you need to see the model in 3D, it’s simply a click away. That being said, remember this: there is a big difference between 3D drafting and modeling.

With that preamble behind us, let’s get on with it.

First, Revit has no command prompt and no crosshairs. Stop! Don’t go away just yet. You’ll get used to it, I promise. Unlike most CAD applications, Revit is heavily pared down, so to speak. It’s this way for a reason. Revit was designed for architects and engineers. You don’t need every command that a mechanical engineer would need. An electrical engineer wouldn’t need the functionality that an architect would require. In the Revit Architecture 2017 interface, the functionality I just mentioned is available, but it’s tucked away so as not to interfere with your architectural pursuits.

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NOTE

This book is designed to cut to the chase and show you how to use Revit Architecture in a step-by-step fashion without having to read through paragraph after paragraph of theory just to find the answer you’re seeking. Datasets are provided on the book’s accompanying website (www.sybex.com/go/revit2017ner), but you can also use your own model as you go through the book. If you don’t want to read this book cover to cover, don’t! Although I recommend going from front to back, you can use the book as a desk reference by jumping to a desired topic. The datasets will be added in phases to accommodate this type of usage. Either way, get ready to learn Revit!

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You’ll find that, as you get comfortable with Revit, there are many, many choices and options behind each command.

1. To open Revit, click the icon on your desktop (see Figure 1.1).

   

   Figure 1.1 You can launch Revit Architecture from the desktop icon.

2. After you start Revit, you’ll see the Recent Files window...