Title Details

Don Bokmiller is a CAD/BIM Specialist at Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering in Norfolk, Virginia. He has more than 15 years of experience in the AEC field and is a well-known AUGI forum participant. Simon Whitbread has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. He is an Autodesk Certified Instructor who has taught Revit to students of all experience levels and is also a committee member for Revit Technology Conference (RTC). Plamen Hristov is the Director of Design Technology at Capital Engineering Consultants, Inc., and is leading the implementation of several BIM applications, including Revit. He lectures at Autodesk University, the Revit Technology Conference, and Ecobuild America, as well as at colleges and Revit User Groups.

Part 1 • General Project Setup 1

Chapter 1 • Exploring the User Interface 3

The Ribbon  3

Using Tabs  4

Using Contextual Tabs 10

Using Family Editor Tabs  10

Customizing the Ribbon  12

Quick Access Toolbar  13

User Interface Features  14

Options Bar  14

Properties Palette  15

View Control Bar 17

Status Bar 21

Info Center 21

Exchange Apps  22

User Interface Control  22

Menus and Settings 23

Keyboard Shortcuts  25

Graphics  27

Context Menus  28

The Bottom Line 30

Chapter 2 • Creating an Effective Project Template 31

Understanding Templates 32

Understanding the Project Browser Organization 32

Determining Which Views Are Grouped Together  33

Sorting Views within Groups 34

Determining the Number and Types of Views Needed  35

Setting the Number of Levels 36

Working with Plan Types  37

Creating a Working View  37

Choosing Display Settings for Views 37

Visibility Settings for Template Views  39

Visibility Settings Shortcut: View Templates 45

Schedule Views 46

Establishing Project Settings  48

Object Styles 48

Drafting Line Settings  49

Export Settings  54

Annotation Styles 58

Project Units 62

Project Phases  63

Defining Preloaded Content and Its Behavior 66

Annotation Families 66

Component Families  68

System Families 71

MEP Settings 74

Creating Sheet Standards 77

Titleblocks  77

Sheet Organization 77

Preset Sheets (Not Placeholder Sheets)  78

The Bottom Line 81

Chapter 3 • Worksets and Worksharing 83

Understanding Central Files  83

Creating a Central File 84

Creating a New Workset  88

Working with Local Files  91

Creating a Local File 91

Synchronizing a Local File with the Central File  93

Managing and Using the Power of Worksets  96

Taking Ownership of Worksets  97

Working with Model Elements and Their Worksets 98

Controlling Visibility and Worksets 102

Enhancing Communication 106

The Bottom Line 108

Chapter 4 • Project Collaboration 109

Preparing Your Files for Sharing 109

Working with Linked Revit Files 112

Linking Revit Files  112

Using Shared Coordinates 115

Managing Revit Links  117

Controlling Visibility of Revit Links 119

Coordinating Elements within Shared Models 124

Monitoring Elements  125

Responding to Change Alerts 129

Reconciling Hosting 130

Maintaining Project Coordination 132

Working with Files from Other Applications  133

Linking CAD Files  133

Exporting Your Revit File to a CAD Format 136

Using Image Files in a Revit Project  138

Setting Options for Quality Control 141

Using Autodesk Revit Server 144

Using Cloud-Based Solutions 144

The Bottom Line 145

Chapter 5 • Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data  147

2D Data Types 148

MicroStation 2D DGN  148

DXF  149

2D Data for Standard Details  149

2D Data for Plans, Sections, and Elevations 151

3D Data Types 158

Revit Project File 158

Revit Family File 161

ADSK  161

IFC 162

AutoCAD DWG 163

SketchUp  163

Other File Formats  163

Point Clouds 164

The Bottom Line 165

Chapter 6 • Parameters 167

Understanding Parameter Basics 168

Choosing the Correct Parameter  168

Naming Parameters  168

Using Type Parameters  169

Using Instance Parameters  171

Setting Parameter Discipline, Type, and Grouping 172

Using Parameters in Families  175

Dimensional Parameters Lock Function 176

Parameter Types  176

Type Catalogs  178

Formulas 181

System Parameters  182

Lookup Tables 183

Using Shared Parameters  184

Using Parameters in Projects  189

Project Parameters  189

Parameters in Schedules  191

Creating and Using Parameters in Families and Schedules  193

View and Sheet Parameters 195

Working with Formulas  197

Sample Conditional Statements  198

Rounding  198

The Bottom Line 199

Chapter 7 • Schedules  201

Defining Schedules  201

The Fields Tab  203

The Filter Tab 206

The Sorting/Grouping Tab  208

The Formatting Tab  209

The Appearance Tab 213

Editing a Schedule  213

Scheduling Component and System Family Data  217

Mechanical Equipment Schedules 217

Lighting Fixture Schedules 218

System Family Schedules  220

Model Component Schedules 223

Using Schedules for Design and Analysis 225

Schedule Keys  226

Panel Schedules 229

Using Schedules for Project Management 231

Sheet List  232

View List 233

Note Block  234

The Bottom Line 236

Part 2 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Mechanical Design  237

Chapter 8 • HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 239

Modeling Spaces for Building Load Analysis 239

Creating Spaces 240

Placing Spaces 241

Creating a Space Properties Schedule 241

Modifying Space Properties  242

Creating Zones  245

Setting Building Construction Options  247

Performing Heating and Cooling Load Analysis 249

Load Analysis  251

Weather Data 252

Outdoor Air Infiltration 253

Sliver Spaces 253

Details 254

Heating and Cooling Loads Report 256

Performing Conceptual Energy Analysis on Your Building 259

Setting Up the Model 259

Keeping It Simple  262

Performing Energy Simulation 263

Analyzing Duct and Pipe System Pressure 264

Exporting gbXML Data to Load-Simulating Software 264

The Bottom Line 267

Chapter 9 • Creating Logical Systems 269

Managing Systems 269

Why Are Systems Important? 269

Mechanical Settings 271

System Browser 272

Setting Up Air Systems 273

Understanding Parameters 274

Creating Mechanical Systems 277

Setting Up Piping Systems 281

Understanding Parameters 282

Creating Pipe Systems  283

Creating Fire-Protection Systems 286

Setting Display Properties of Systems  286

Understanding Child and Parent Relationships in Revit Systems 287

Using System Filters 288

The Bottom Line 292

Chapter 10 • Mechanical Systems and Ductwork  293

Air Distribution Components  293

Mechanical Equipment Components  295

Air Conditioning/Handling Units  295

VAV Boxes  296

Ductwork 297

Duct Types and Routing 301

Creating New Duct Types 302

Using Automatic Duct Routing  302

Using Manual Duct Routing 307

Duct Sizing  312

Choosing a Duct Sizing Method  314

Using the Duct Routing Tools 319

The Bottom Line 322

Chapter 11 • Mechanical Piping 323

Mechanical Pipe Settings  323

Creating Piping Systems  324

Creating Pipe Types  326

Defining Fitting Angles 327

Selecting Fittings for Routing Preferences  329

Choosing Pipe Materials and Sizes  329

Adjusting the Pipe Sizing Table  329

Using the Fluids Table  330

Pipe Routing Options  331

Automatic Pipe Routing 331

Manual Pipe Routing 332

Pipe Fittings  338

Using Pipe Fitting Controls 339

Placing Valves  339

Adding Piping Insulation  340

Defining Systems Visibility through Filters 340

The Bottom Line 343

Part 3 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Electrical Design 345

Chapter 12 • Lighting  347

Efficient Lighting Design  347

Spaces and Lighting 347

The Reflected Ceiling Plan  350

Lighting Worksets 351

Lighting Analysis 352

Hosting Options for Lighting Fixtures and Devices  355

Lighting Fixtures in a Ceiling 356

Lighting Fixtures in Sloped Ceilings 357

Ceiling Changes  357

Overhead Fixtures in Spaces with No Ceiling 359

Wall-Mounted Lights 359

Switches  360

Site Lighting 362

The Site Plan  363

Site Lighting Layout 364

Site Lighting Analysis  364

The Bottom Line 369

Chapter 13 • Power and Communications  371

Modeling Methods for Power and Systems Devices  371

Using Annotation Symbols 373

Using Face-Hosted Families  373

Avoiding Interference of Symbols  377

Creating Circuits 379

Placing Devices and Equipment Connections 379

Disconnect Switches 381

Distribution Equipment and Transformers  383

Switchboards 385

Panels  386

Other Equipment  389

Creating Power Distribution Systems 391

Power Diagrams  393

Tips for Creating Power Diagrams 394

Creating a Fire Alarm System Model  394

Fire Alarm Riser Diagram 395

Fire Alarm Diagram Using Drafting Tools and Symbols 397

Modeling Conduit and Cable Tray  397

Defining Electrical Settings 399

Placing Conduit in a Model 401

Placing Cable Tray in a Model  404

Creating Family Types 405

The Bottom Line 405

Chapter 14 • Circuiting and Panels 407

Establishing Electrical Settings  407

Wiring Settings 408

Voltage Definitions 410

Distribution Systems  411

Load Calculations 412

Creating Circuits and Wiring for Devices and Fixtures  416

Editing Wiring 418

Editing Circuits 420

Drawing Wires Manually  424

Controlling Wire Display  427

Managing Circuits and Panels 428

Circuit Properties  429

Wire Properties 429

Panel Properties  429

Other Panels and Circuits 432

Using Schedules for Sharing Circuit Information  433

The Bottom Line 434

Part 4 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Plumbing  437

Chapter 15 • Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other) 439

Configuring the Plumbing Views  439

Global Settings and View-Specific Settings  440

Defining Systems Visibility through Filters 441

Working with Plumbing Fixtures  443

Working with Architectural Linked-in Plumbing Models 447

Creating Custom Pipe Assemblies 448

Copying/Monitoring Plumbing Fixtures 451

Choosing Pipe Settings and Pipe Routing Options  454

Sloping Pipe 454

Annotating Invert Elevation and Slope 457

Using Fittings  458

Using Pipe Fitting Controls 458

Placing Valves  458

The Bottom Line 460

Chapter 16 • Fire Protection  461

Understanding the Essentials of Placing Fire-Protection Equipment 461

Point of Connection  461

Fire Pump Assembly  463

Fire Riser Assembly  464

Sprinkler Heads  466

Creating Fire-Protection Systems  466

Creating a Fire-Protection Wet System  469

Filtering Fire-Protection Systems 470

Using Mechanical Joint Fittings 472

Routing Piping and Adjusting Settings  473

The Bottom Line 473

Part 5 • Managing Content in Autodesk Revit MEP  475

Chapter 17 • Solid Modeling 477

Solids and Voids 477

Extrusions  478

Blends  480

Revolves  482

Sweeps  484

Swept Blends  486

Joining Geometry  488

Voids 488

Reference Planes and Lines  491

Constraints and Dimensions  496

Visibility Control  501

In-Place Massing  503

The Bottom Line 508

Chapter 18 • Creating Symbols and Annotations  509

Using Drafting Tools in Revit 509

Drawing Arcs  511

Using Other Drawing Tools  512

Creating Filled Regions 513

Building a Symbol Library 513

Generic Annotations  514

Subcategories 515

Text and Labels  517

Detail Components 517

Controlling Visibility of Lines, Regions, and Annotations 520

Using Visibility Parameters 520

Using Constraints 524

Using Labels and Tags 526

Label Format Options  527

Labels and Linework  529

The Bottom Line 531

Chapter 19 • Creating Equipment  533

Modeling MEP Equipment 533

Hosting Options  534

Family Categories 536

Detail Level  538

Geometry for Connection Points  539

Equipment Pads  540

Adding Connectors to Equipment Families  541

Duct Connectors 546

Pipe Connectors  549

Electrical Connectors 551

Multiple Connectors in Families  553

Creating Clearance Spaces  561

Adding Parameters and Constraints  563

The Bottom Line 564

Chapter 20 • Creating Lighting Fixtures  565

Understanding Types of Lighting Fixture Families 565

Nonhosted Lighting Fixtures 566

Face-Hosted Lighting Fixtures 570

Face-Hosted Families for Wall-Mounted Lights  571

Fixture Types Based on Dimensions 572

Fixture Types Based on Fixture Performance and Lighting Characteristics  573

Naming Conventions 576

Performing a Lighting Analysis  576

Light Source Location  578

Light Source Definitions  579

Light Source Parameters  580

Using Fixture Families as Intelligent Objects  582

Using Parameters  582

Adding Connectors  583

Representing Light Fixtures on Construction Documents 584

The Bottom Line 590

Chapter 21 • Creating Devices  593

Modeling Device Geometry 593

Category and Parameters  594

Geometry and Reference Planes 596

Using Annotations for Devices  601

Adding Parameters and Connectors 607

Using Parameters for Labels 607

Adding Connectors  608

The Bottom Line 612

Chapter 22 • Details  615

Drafting and Detailing Tools 615

Line Styles  615

Regions 616

Detail Components 619

CAD Details  622

Using Drafting Views 623

Converting Details  624

Strategies for Creating a Detail Library  628

Inserting 2D Elements  630

Inserting Views 631

Model Detail Views  632

Plan Callouts  632

Section Callouts 635

The Bottom Line 636

Chapter 23 • Sheets  639

Creating a Titleblock  639

Using Existing CAD Graphics  640

Using Text and Labels  641

Using Logos and Images 644

Working with Sheets in a Project 645

Organizing Project Browser Sheets 646

Placing Views on Sheets  648

Working with Viewports 651

Adding Annotations  652

Placing Schedules 653

Using Sheet Lists  653

Making Sheet Revisions  657

Printing Sheets  659

Exporting Sheets  660

The Bottom Line 663

Appendix • The Bottom Line 665

Chapter 1: Exploring the User Interface 665

Chapter 2: Creating an Effective Project Template 666

Chapter 3: Worksets and Worksharing 667

Chapter 4: Project Collaboration  668

Chapter 5: Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 669

Chapter 6: Parameters 670

Chapter 7: Schedules  671

Chapter 8: HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 672

Chapter 9: Creating Logical Systems  673

Chapter 10: Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 674

Chapter 11: Mechanical Piping  675

Chapter 12: Lighting  677

Chapter 13: Power and Communications 678

Chapter 14: Circuiting and Panels 679

Chapter 15: Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other) 680

Chapter 16: Fire Protection 681

Chapter 17: Solid Modeling  682

Chapter 18: Creating Symbols and Annotations 683

Chapter 19: Creating Equipment 684

Chapter 20: Creating Lighting Fixtures  685

Chapter 21: Creating Devices 686

Chapter 22: Details 687

Chapter 23: Sheets  688

Index 689