1

Contents
Foreword .......................................................................................... 4
What's New? .............................................................................................. 5
Revit Software ................................................................................... 6
Revit Working Environment ........................................................... 14
Exercise Files .................................................................................. 22
Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling ................................................. 27
1-1 Start a new Architectural Project ................................................... 28
1-2 Create First Floor Slab................................................................... 32
1-3 Setup Levels .................................................................................. 38
1-4 Draw Walls ..................................................................................... 43
1-5 Draw Restroom Partitions .............................................................. 51
1-6 Add Doors ...................................................................................... 57
1-7 Add Windows ................................................................................. 61
1-8 Add Stairs ...................................................................................... 66
1-9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab ................................. 74
1 - 10 Finish Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors and Windows .............. 82
1 - 11 Add Ceilings ................................................................................... 86
1 - 12 Add Roof ........................................................................................ 91
1 - 13 Add Room Information ................................................................... 95
Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems ............................................. 103
2-1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling ........................................ 104
2-2 Create Spaces ............................................................................. 118
2-3 Create Zones ............................................................................... 136
2-4 Zone Color Fill Legend ................................................................ 146
2-5 Energy Analysis ........................................................................... 152
2-6 Place Air Terminals...................................................................... 163
2-7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems ....................................... 179
2-8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems ............................................ 198
2-9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts..................................................... 206
2

2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans ................................................... 213

2 - 11 Second Floor Air Systems ........................................................... 228
Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems ........................................... 231
3-1 Prepare Hydronic Piping Modeling .............................................. 232
3-2 Place Radiators and Boilers ........................................................ 237
3-3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs ....................................................... 244
3-4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler ............................................. 259
3-5 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs .................................................. 270
3-6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler ....................................... 278
3-7 Add Circulator Pumps .................................................................. 288
3-8 Organize Mechanical 3D Views................................................... 304
Chapter 4 Electrical Systems ...................................................... 309
4-1 Prepare Electrical System Modeling............................................ 310
4-2 Define Required Lighting Levels.................................................. 322
4-3 Create Space Lighting Analysis Schedule .................................. 335
4-4 Add Lighting Fixtures ................................................................... 338
4-5 Adjust Stairwell Spaces ............................................................... 346
4-6 Add Switches ............................................................................... 351
4-7 Place Receptacles ....................................................................... 356
4-8 Create Electrical Usage Reports ................................................. 364
4-9 Add Electrical Equipment............................................................. 367
4 - 10 Create Power Circuitry................................................................. 376
4 - 11 Create Lighting Circuitry .............................................................. 386
4 - 12 Circuit Mechanical Equipment ..................................................... 399
4 - 13 Create Panel Schedules .............................................................. 409
4 - 14 Define Circuit Loads .................................................................... 416
4 - 15 Draw Conduits ............................................................................. 421
4 - 16 Create Switch Systems................................................................ 442
Chapter 5 Plumbing Systems ...................................................... 453
5-1 Prepare Plumbing Modeling ........................................................ 454
5-2 Add Plumbing Fixtures................................................................. 460
 3

5-3 Create Toilet and Floor Drain Lines............................................. 472

5-4 Connect Urinal Drain Lines .......................................................... 482
5-5 Connect Lavatory Drain Lines ..................................................... 488
5-6 Create Flushing Water Piping...................................................... 499
5-7 Create Lavatory Supply Water Piping ......................................... 509
5-8 Copy to and Connect Second Floor Plumbing Systems ............. 515
5-9 Add Sanitary Vent Pipes .............................................................. 527
5 - 10 Add Water Heater ........................................................................ 544
Chapter 6 Fire Protection Systems ............................................. 561
6-1 Prepare Fire Protection System Modeling................................... 562
6-2 Create Sprinkler Design Schedule .............................................. 569
6-3 Place Sprinklers ........................................................................... 572
6-4 Connect Sprinklers ...................................................................... 577
6-5 Modify Pipe Diameters................................................................. 596
6-6 Tag Pipe Diameters ..................................................................... 604
6-7 Add Fire Cabinet .......................................................................... 613
6-8 Connect First and Second Floor Fire Protection Systems .......... 621
Chapter 7 Interference Check...................................................... 629
7-1 Interference Check within Project ................................................ 630
7-2 Interference Check between Projects ......................................... 631
Appendix ...................................................................................... 641
Offset/Elevation Chart............................................................................ 641
About the Author .................................................................................... 642
Exercise File Hyperlink .......................................................................... 643
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4 Foreword

Foreword
From 2004 to 2013, author had been working at Intel California Folsom campus, around
6000 employee’s research center with seven buildings and one energy center, maintaining
and updating all the facility drawings, helping Intel In-house engineers with mechanical and
electrical projects, and providing as-built drawings for vendors to do all the renovation
works of the site. During that period, we just used the popular AutoCAD software to do the
drafting. Although in 2011 Intel has bought the License of Revit, but at Folsom site we didn’t
promote and use Revit to do the projects.

In 2013 spring, author left Intel and went back to Taiwan. During a short term working at an
architectural firm I got a chance to touch Revit. I found that Revit is an interesting software
but a tough one. In 2013 fall, author came back to Sacramento; I took one semester Revit
MEP course at Cosumnes River College. Nevertheless, the material that the professor
provided in lab session was out of date, I had to spend a lot of time to try and learn by
myself, as well as research online to get the information of the course.

During 2008 to 2010, Autodesk once provided user with many Revit tutorial materials (such
as Architectural, Structural and MEP). They also translated those tutorials into different
languages. After 2010 they dropped them. In 2011, Autodesk once released a more than
two thousand pages Revit MEP User’s Guide. But after 2012, users can only go online to
watch tutorial videos and browse web pages of related topics.

Since author has got involved with many MEP drawings at Intel, therefore Revit MEP did not
beat me. In my last year at Intel, I had keyed in hundreds of panel schedules from
handwritten schedules into Excel files. When I created them, I found the circuits in Excel
files are just dead records, they are not linking to the equipment in building. When
electrical equipment changed, added or removed, we still have to manually update these
Excel files. But had I use Revit to create these electrical equipment, not only I could
generate panel schedules quickly and accurately, but also could update them when
equipment changed. Another problem is, when there are hundreds of panels in our site,
finding a particular panel is a challenge. Had I use Revit to model all the panels; I could
easily find and spot a particular panel by using Revit’s System Browser.

Besides, during my period at Intel, a cross site CAD group spent a lot time to establish an
Intel CAD Standard that includes thousands of AutoCAD Layers and Blocks to be used for
Intel facilities and projects. In this Standard, it specifies the purpose and usage of every
layer. But the problem is, although we have this in-house standard, there is no enforcement.
It’s only for reference. It also arises many arguments among users and vendors. But if we
 Foreword 5

use Revit, we don’t have to worry about the layers, because Revit has setup all the
mandatory object categories and sub-categories for us, although it is autocratic, but there
won’t be any layer compatible issue between drawings.

Since Revit is a rigorous software, users need to be very methodical to work with, thus
author choose Step by Step approach to lead readers step into the world of Revit. Author
does not have deep MEP background, but is willing to demonstrate the uses of the software
to help the MEP professionals to move into the era of Revit.

What's New?
In 2019 edition of this book we assign Energy Analysis Space Type information for each
space for better Cooling Loads Calculation.

Since different type space has different occupancy density that would have different heat
generated from human body, and different type space also has different lighting and power
load density that would have different heat generated from lighting fixtures and power
devices.
6 Revit Software

Revit Software
The Revit building information modeling software is a design and documentation system
that supports the design, drawings, and schedules required for a building project. The
Building information modeling (BIM) created by Revit delivers information about project
design, scope, quantities, and phases.
Since Revit uses parameters to model building, it not only creates 3D geometric information
for us, but also adds valuable information to these graphic elements. For example, a
window can have basic information of materials and dimensions; it can also include light
transmittance, thermal resistance (R value), heat transfer coefficient (U value) information
for energy analysis, besides, we can add manufacturer, model, cost and URL (Uniform
Resource Locator) information for this window, thus make the created model very
comprehensive and useful.

Revit MEP
In the beginning, Autodesk Revit software was focused on Architectural modeling. Later,
Autodesk introduced Revit Structure and Revit MEP. In 2013 Autodesk merged Architecture,
Structure and MEP altogether. Now Revit has included all three disciplines makes it a single
 Revit Software 7

complete package. In Revit project editing screen we can see the first three tools tabs are:
Architecture, Structure and Systems. In Revit, Systems means MEP (Mechanical, Electrical
and Plumbing) systems.

Revit Terms
Before using Revit software we should familiarize some of Revit major terminologies. To
understand these terminologies will help us the executions of the software. It will also help
us understand the structure of the software and the design logic of Revit.

Project
In Revit, project is a database of information of our design (i.e. Building Information Model).
The project file contains all information for the building design, from geometry to
construction data. This information includes components used to design the model, views
of the project, and drawings of the design. In a project file, we can easily alter our design
and have changes reflected in all associated areas, such as: plan views, elevation views,
section views, schedules, and etc.

Element
In a project, Revit has three kinds of elements:
1 Model elements use to display the actual 3D geometry of the building, such as: walls,
doors, windows, roof, etc.
2 Datum elements help to define project context. Such as: grids, levels, and reference
planes.
3 View-specific elements use to describe or document the modeled buildings, such as:
dimensions, tags, and 2D detail components.
There are 2 types of model elements:
Hosts (or host elements) are generally built in place at the construction site, such as:
walls, roof, structural walls, ramps, etc.
Model components are all the other elements in the building model, such as: doors, windows,
furniture, beams, columns, AC units, electrical panels, sprinklers, etc.
8 Revit Software

There are 2 types of view-specific elements:

Annotation elements are 2D components that document the model and maintain scale
on paper, such as: dimensions, tags, and keynotes.
Details are 2D items that provide details about the building model in a particular view,
such as: detail lines, filled regions, and 2D detail components.

When creating a project, we add Revit parametric building elements to the design. Revit
classifies elements by categories, families, and types.
 Revit Software 9

Category
A category is a group of elements that we use to model or document a building design. For
example, categories of model elements include slabs, walls, doors, windows. Categories of
annotation elements include tags and text notes.

Family
We group elements with a common set of parameters (properties), identical use, and
similar graphical representation into a family. For example, M_Single-Flush door is a family.
Although different elements in this family may have different sizes or materials, but their
usages are the same, all are single panel interior doors.

Type
Each family can have many types. For example, a M_Fixed family in window category has
many types of different sizes such as: 0406 x 0610mm, 0406 x 1220mm, 0406 x 1830mm …,
etc. Type parameters can be examined and set in Type Properties dialog box.
10 Revit Software

Instance
Instances are the actual items (individual elements) that are placed in the project. In
building we place model instances, on drawing sheet we place annotation instances. As the
following figure, we placed one M_Fixed : 0915 x 1220mm window instance, 39 M_Fixed :
1420 x 1420mm window instances, and two annotation instances describing those windows.

Instance parameters can be examined and set on Properties palette.

 Revit Software 11

Object Style
The Object Styles tool of Revit is similar to AutoCAD’s Layers; it specifies line weights, line
colors, line patterns, and materials for model objects, annotation objects, and imported
objects in a project.
We can click Manage tab then select Object Styles to open Object Styles dialog box.

In Revit, the categories of objects are fixed; we cannot rename or delete them. However we
can create additional subcategories under these major categories. The subcategories
created by user only exist in that project which can be renamed and deleted. Besides, in
each view we can use Revit’s Visibility/Graphics Override tool to override these default
object styles.
12 Revit Software

Visibility/Graphics Override
We can open Visibility/Graphics Override dialog box in each view of a project to override
the original settings set in Object Styles of that view. We can also set the visibility, halftone,
detail level of the objects. The visibility in Revit’s Visibility/Graphics Override dialog box is
similar to the on/off or freeze/thaw in AutoCAD’s Layer Manager. Besides, we can filter and
do visibility/graphics overrides to specific objects. If a project has inserted linked models,
we can also do visibility/graphics overrides to them.
Note: we can type VG to open Visibility/Graphics Override dialog box.
 Revit Software 13

Level
Levels are finite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hosted elements, such as
floors, ceilings, and roofs. It also is a reference for placing other elements, such as windows,
lighting fixtures, lavatories, sprinklers, etc. We should create levels for all known stories or
other needed references of the building. To add levels, we must be in a section or elevation
view.

View Range
Every plan and reflect ceiling plan (RCP) view has a view property called View Range. The
view range has four horizontal planes (Top, Cut Plane, Bottom and View Depth) that control
object visibility and display in the view. The top and bottom clip planes represent the
topmost and bottommost portion of the primary view range. The cut plane is a plane that
determines at what height certain elements in the view are shown cut. View depth is an
additional plane outside of the primary range. We can set the level of view depth to show
elements below the bottom clip plane, by default, it is coincident with the bottom.

Attention! The view depth plane of a reflect ceiling plan view is higher or coincident with
top plane.
14 Revit Working Environment

Revit Working Environment

Starting Screen
When we execute Revit 2019 software we will see the following starting screen:

Projects
Open: Open a Revit related file. (or click a right icon to open a recent project file)
New: Use a Revit template file to start a new project.
Construction Template: Use default construction template to start a new project.
Architectural Template: Use default architectural template to start a new project.
Structure Template: Use default structure template to start a new project.
Mechanical Template: Use default mechanical template to start a new project.
Families
Open: Open a Revit family file. (or click a right icon to open a recent family file)
New: Use a family template to start a new family.
New Conceptual Mass: Use default mass family template to create a conceptual massing
model.
 Revit Working Environment 15

File Menu
When we click the File tab, Revit displays a menu that has: New, Open, Save, Save As,
Export, .… functions, similar to those application menus that some software have. On the
upper right, it lists recent accessed files. On the lower right, there is an Options button to
let us do some software settings, such as: User Interface, Graphic, File Locations, Rendering,
and etc.

InfoCenter
InfoCenter is a resource center that allows user to access many Autodesk product-related
information.

Help
Launch internet browser and go to Autodesk Revit 2019 online help web page.

Resources
Similar to InfoCenter, but added some online video links to introduce Revit software.
16 Revit Working Environment

Project Editing Screen

When we start a new project or open an existing project we will see a screen similar to the
screen below:

File Tab
Same as the File Tab in Revit starting screen.

Quick Toolbar
The Quick access Toolbar contains a set of default tools. We can customize this toolbar to
display the tools that we use most often.

Tools Tabs
Revit uses tabs to categorize its tools. By clicking the tab we can get the desired tools.
During the editing, sometimes Revit displays additional contextual tab and tools which are
relevant to the current operation or selected object.

Ribbon
The ribbon displays all the necessary tools related to the current tab. Tools are categorized
by different panels. If a tool or a panel has a little down arrow, we can click it to get more
tools.
 Revit Working Environment 17

File Name - View Name

Display the file name and view name of current view.

InfoCenter
Same as the InfoCenter in starting screen.

Options Bar
It displays conditional tools dependent on the current operation or selected element.

Properties Palette
On Properties palette we can examine and set the parameters that define the properties of
elements.

Family/Type Selector
It is at the top of the Properties palette. It identifies the currently selected family and type.
When we click the little down arrow we can select a different family and type from its drop-
down list.

Project Browser
The Project Browser displays the hierarchies of views, schedules, sheets, families, and other
parts of the current project. We can expand each branch to display its lower level items.

Drawing Area
This is the main area for us to do the modeling. There is a Navigation Bar at its upper right.
If in 3D view, there is another 3D View Cube at its upper right to help us set different 3D
viewing angles.

View Control Bar

The View Control Bar provides a few functions to set the properties of current view, such as:
View Scale, Detail Level, View Style, Temporary Hide/Isolate objects, etc.

Status Bar
The status bar provides tips or hints on what to do. When we highlight an element or
component, the status bar displays the name of the family and type.
18 Revit Working Environment

System Browser
When we press F9 function key Revit pops up a MEP System Browser on the right side of
drawing area. For MEP project, we can use this System Browser to find all components and
examine the hierarchies of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. It is a very useful
tool for MEP design and modeling.

We can dock the browser window above or below the drawing area or drag it into the
drawing area. Press F9 function key again to close it.
 Revit Working Environment 19

Context Menu
During the editing we can always right click the mouse button to pop up a Context Menu.
This menu will list the possible operations that we might conduct, which will accelerate the
editing process. For example, select a connector of a VAV box, right click mouse button, in
Context Menu select Draw Duct to draw a duct from that connector with correct type and
size.

Mouse Operations
Beside the Context Menu by right clicking, there are a few features of mouse operations:
 Wheel mouse wheel to zoom in and zoom out model in a view.
 Press wheel and move mouse to pan model in a view.
 In 3D view, press Shift key first, then press wheel and move mouse to spin 3D
viewing angle.
 When using mouse to pick objects, press Ctrl key can add objects to the selection set,
while press Shift key can remove objects from the selection set.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Revit provides many keyboard shortcuts to accelerate software executions. Below are a few
used in this book:
VG or VV (Visibility/Graphics)
WT (Tile Windows): Tile all opened view windows in drawing area.
ZA: Zoom All to Fit
ZZ: Zoom in Region
20 Revit Working Environment

Dimension Snaps and Object Snaps

During the editing we always want to use length and angular snaps and all kind of object
snaps to get to the desired point or location. We can click Manage and select Snaps to open
Revit Snaps dialog box and do these settings.

Beside open Snaps dialog box to do the settings, during the command execution we can key
in object snap abbreviations such as: SE (Snap to Endpoint) to temporarily turn on that
snapping.

Rearrange Properties Palette and Project Browser

Since the number of views, schedules and families of a project would be large; also the
property contents of an element would be many, we can dock Properties palette and
Project Browser side by side to make it easier to examine them and do the settings during
the modeling.
 Revit Working Environment 21

1 Drag Properties palette right to the drawing area.

Now the Project Browser extends to the bottom of Options Bar.

2 Then drag Properties palette back to the right of Project Browser.

22 Exercise Files

Exercise Files
During the modeling, author provides exercise files for each section of this book (including
the finished drawings) to let reader complete the model of each chapter seamlessly. By
going through complete modeling processes reader can learn the powerful capabilities of
Revit and understand what BIM is.
Reader can download the exercise files from author’s Google Drive, the hyperlink is located
at the end of this book in Appendix section. It’s a zipped file about 555 MB. After
downloaded the zip file, extract all the folders and files to a convenient place in your
computer.

\Architectural Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

02 Create First Floor Slab.rvt 1-2 Create First Floor Slab
03 Setup Levels.rvt 1-3 Setup Levels
04 Draw Walls.rvt 1-4 Draw Walls
05 Draw Restroom Partitions.rvt 1-5 Draw Restroom Partitions
06 Add Doors.rvt 1-6 Add Doors
07 Add Windows.rvt 1-7 Add Windows
08 Add Stairs.rvt 1-8 Add Stairs
09 Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab.rvt 1-9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls…
10 Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors, Windows.rvt 1-10 Finish Second Floor Interior Walls...
11 Add Ceilings.rvt 1-11 Add Ceilings
12 Add Roof.rvt 1-12 Add Roof
13 Add Room Information.rvt 1-13 Add Room Information
14 Architectural Modeling Finished.rvt Final Architectural Model
c Office Building.rvt Architectural background drawing of this
book

\Mechanical Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

02 Create Spaces.rvt 2-2 Create Spaces
03 Create Zones.rvt 2-3 Create Zones
 Exercise Files 23

04 Zone Color Fill Legend.rvt 2-4 Zone Color Fill Legend

05 Energy Analysis.rvt 2-5 Energy Analysis
06 Place Air Terminals.rvt 2-6 Place Air Terminals
07 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems.rvt 2-7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems
08 Create Primary Supply Air Systems.rvt 2-8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems
09 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts.rvt 2-9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts
10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans.rvt 2-10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans
11 First Floor Air System Finished.rvt First floor Air System drawing
12 Mechanical Air System Finished.rvt Final Mechanical Air System drawing

\Mechanical Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

13 Place Radiators and Boilers.rvt 3-2 Place Radiators and Boilers
14 Create First Floor Pipe Runs.rvt 3-3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs
15 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler.rvt 3-4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler
16 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs.rvt 3-5 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs
17 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler.rvt 3-6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler
18 Add Circulator Pumps.rvt 3-7 Add Circulator Pumps
19 Hydronic Piping Finished.rvt 3-8 Organize Mechanical 3D Views
20 Mechanical System Finished.rvt Final Mechanical Systems drawing

\Electrical Chapter 4 Electrical Systems

02 Define Lighting Levels.rvt 4-2 Define Required Lighting Levels
03 Create Space Lighting Analysis Schedule.rvt 4-3 Create Space Lighting Analysis Schedule
04 Add Lighting Fixtures.rvt 4-4 Add Lighting Fixtures
05 Adjust Stairwell Spaces.rvt 4-5 Adjust Stairwell Spaces
06 Add Switches.rvt 4-6 Add Switches
07 Place Receptacles.rvt 4-7 Place Receptacles
08 Create Electrical Usage Reports.rvt 4-8 Create Electrical Usage Reports
09 Add Electrical Equipment.rvt 4-9 Add Electrical Equipment
10 Create Power Circuitry.rvt 4-10 Create Power Circuitry
11 Create Lighting Circuitry.rvt 4-11 Create Lighting Circuitry
12 Circuit Mechanical Equipment.rvt 4-12 Circuit Mechanical Equipment
13 Create Panel Schedules.rvt 4-13 Create Panel Schedules
14 Define Circuit Loads.rvt 4-14 Define Circuit Loads
15 Draw Conduits.rvt 4-15 Draw Conduits
16 Create Switch Systems.rvt 4-16 Create Switch Systems
17 Electrical System Finished.rvt Final Electrical Systems drawing
24 Exercise Files

\Plumbing Chapter 5 Plumbing Systems

02 Add Plumbing Fixtures.rvt 5-2 Add Plumbing Fixtures
03 Create Toilet and Floor Drain Lines.rvt 5-3 Create Toilet and Floor Drain Lines
04 Connect Urinal Drain Lines.rvt 5-4 Connect Urinal Drain Lines
05 Connect Lavatory Drain Lines.rvt 5-5 Connect Lavatory Drain Lines
06 Create Flushing Water Piping.rvt 5-6 Create Flushing Water Piping
07 Create Lavatory Supply Water Piping.rvt 5-7 Create Lavatory Supply Water Piping
08 Copy to and Connect Second Floor Plumbing 5-8 Copy to and Connect Second Floor
Systems.rvt Plumbing Systems
09 Add Sanitary Vent Pipes.rvt 5-9 Add Sanitary Vent Pipes
10 Add Water Heater.rvt 5-10 Add Water Heater
11 Plumbing System Finished.rvt Final Plumbing System drawing

\Fire Protection Chapter 6 Fire Protection Systems

02 Create Sprinkler Design Schedule.rvt 6-2 Create Sprinkler Design Schedule
03 Place Sprinklers.rvt 6-3 Place Sprinklers
04 Connect Sprinklers.rvt 6-4 Connect Sprinklers
05 Modify Pipe Diameters.rvt 6-5 Modify Pipe Diameters
06 Tag Pipe Diameters.rvt 6-6 Tag Pipe Diameters
07 Add Fire Cabinet.rvt 6-7 Add Fire Cabinet
08 Connect Fire Risers.rvt 6-8 Connect First and Second Floor Fire
Protection Systems
09 Fire Protection System Finished.rvt Final Fire Protection System drawing

The benefits of exercise files is that when reader get stuck with a section, he can skip that
section and continue with the next one, later when he has time he can come back to redo
the section that he has troubled with. Additionally, when finished one section, reader can
compare his work with the next exercise file to see if he has done correctly. Providing final
finished drawing of each chapter, reader can clearly see the final result that he will achieve.
Achievement is the key to learn software successfully. If a learner can achieve a milestone
of a section, with just a little achievement to gain some confidence, that will encourage
him/her to continue with more challenges.
In some sections author only guide reader with partial modeling, such as only complete the
first floor, or just complete the left side systems, reader needs to finish the second floor or
the right side system him/herself. To save time, reader or instructor can open the next
exercise file and jump to the next section directly.
 Exercise Files 25

For each chapter, reader should create an exercise folder such as: Electrical Exercise in
computer to save his/her works, thus after each section he/she can review the models that
he/she has done.
Reader should not just open and browse these exercise files without going through the
steps covered in this book. Remember! To learn a software, it is vital to exercise it and do
the project by yourself, only practice it back and forth in order to master it. Thus you can
learn the features and tricks of it, and even to learn some limitations of it.
26
 27

Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

First, in chapter 1, we are going to model a two story office building. This office building will
be the object building for us to model its MEP (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing) systems
that are covered by the chapters later in this book. It includes many private offices, four
open office spaces, different sized conference rooms, one lounge, two entrances, two stairs;
each floor has a men’s room and a ladies room and one mechanical/electrical room
respectively.
28 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

1 - 1 Start a new Architectural Project

In this section we will use an Architectural template file to start a new project.
Revit software comes with many templates that relate to disciplines such as: Architectural,
Structural, Mechanical, etc. We can choose a relevant template to start our project. In a
template file, it already sets up drawing units, views, levels and some settings which related
to the discipline. It also contains many related families. The file extension of template file is:
rte.

Use Predefined Template to create a project

1 Start Revit 2019. In its Starting Screen, under the Projects section, select “Architectural
Template”.

Note: If the Starting Screen does not display

”Architectural Template”, or your Architectural
template file is not Metric, select “New…”
under Projects. In New Project dialog box,
press Browse… button to find and open
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019
\Templates\US Metric\DefaultMetric.rte
architectural template file. Then press OK.
 1 - 1 Start a new Architectural Project 29

Now we are entering Revit’s Project Editing Screen. In Drawing Area, only displays: East,
South, West and North four Elevation Symbols.

Examine the Preset Views of Architectural template

2 In Project Browser, take a look of all the Views that the template file has.
30 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

In Revit templates, Level 1 and Level 2 views normally mean First Floor and Second Floor.

Note: The full name of Ceiling Plan is Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP), which is a plan view of a
structure above the cutting plane; surfaces above cutting plane such as ceiling are
projected downward.

Set Project Units

1 Click the Manage tab, then select Project Units.

2 In Project Units dialog box, click the example button of Length Format.
3 In Format dialog box, for Units select Centimeters, for Rounding select 2 decimal places,
for Unit symbol select cm, put a check mark on Suppress on trailing 0’s.

4 Click OK to complete the settings of Length format, click OK again to finish the settings
of Project Units.
 1 - 1 Start a new Architectural Project 31

Note: To increase Rounding decimal places can increase the accuracy of the drawing; also it
is much easier for us to find the discrepancies.

Display Project Base Point

1 Type VG or VV (Visibility/Graphics Overrides).
2 In Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog box, scroll down to Site and expand it.
3 Check the Project Base Point check box to turn it on.

4 Click OK to complete the setting. Now we can see that Revit displays the Project Base
Point at the center of the screen.
32 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Save Project
Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, create an
Architectural Exercise folder at a convenient location on your hard drive, enter 01
Architectural Setup Finished for File name, then click Save.

Close Project
Click the File Tab then select Close.

1 - 2 Create First Floor Slab

When starting modeling this office building, we create a 3868 cm x 2488 cm, 20 cm thick
slab.
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\02 Create First Floor Slab.rvt

Measure Distance between Elevation Marks

1 Click the Measure button on Quick Toolbar.

2 As shown on the left, click a point near west elevation symbol, then drag the dimension
line horizontally to the point near east elevation symbol.
3 As shown on the right, click a point near south elevation symbol, then drag the
dimension line vertically to the point near north elevation symbol.

The distances between west and east elevation symbols, south and north symbols are
about 5000 cm or 50 meters. The footprint of our office building is 3868 cm x 2488 cm, thus
we don’t need to adjust (move) these elevation symbols.
 1 - 2 Create First Floor Slab 33

Note: When measuring two points, all the dimensions displayed on screen are temporarily.

Draw a 20 cm thick Slab

4 Click the Architecture tab, select Floor.

5 In Family/Type Selector, verify that family is Floor, type is Generic 150mm.

Note: If Family/Type Selector is not displaying Floor and Generic 150mm, click the down
arrow on its right to find and select Floor family Generic 150mm type floor.

6 On Properties palette, click Edit Type, in Type Properties dialog box click Duplicate…
button.

7 In Name dialog box, change Generic 150mm 2 to Generic 200mm, press OK.

8 In Type Properties dialog box click Edit… button next to Structure.

34 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

9 In Edit Assembly dialog box, change the Thickness of Structure [1] from 15.00 cm to
20.00 cm, press OK.

10 Click OK again to finish the creation of new 20 cm slab.

11 Next, on Modify | Create Floor Boundary ribbon, select the Rectangle tool on Draw
panel, from lower left to upper right draw an approximate rectangle as shown.
 1 - 2 Create First Floor Slab 35

12 Click the bottom horizontal dimension; change its value to 3868.

13 Click the left vertical dimension; change its value to 2488.

14 When done, click Finish Edit Mode to finish the editing of floor boundary.
Now we have a 3868 cm x 2488 cm 20 cm thick floor.

Align Slab Center to Project Base Point

15 At lower left of the drawing area, on View Control Bar, click 1 : 100, then select 1 : 200
to change the scale to 1 : 200.

Now the elevation symbols became twice big, and when we do the dimensions in the
following steps, the dimension text will become twice bigger.
16 Click Aligned Dimension button on Quick Toolbar.

17 In Family/Type Selector, verify that family is Linear Dimension Style, type is Diagonal -
2.5mm Arial. Then on Properties palette, click Edit Type.
36 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

18 In Type Properties dialog box click Duplicate… button.

19 In Name dialog box, change Diagonal - 2.5mm Arial 2 to Diagonal - 2.5mm Arial Red,
press OK.
20 Scroll down Type Parameters to find Color, then click the Black button.

21 In Color dialog box, select Red swatch, press OK.

22 Click OK again to finish the creation of new dimension type.

Now we based on a dimension type which has black color created a new dimension type
which has red color and set it to the current type.
23 Next, select the left edge of slab, then click the project base point, then select the right
edge of slab, move the dimension line below the slab to complete the horizontal
dimension of the slab.
 1 - 2 Create First Floor Slab 37

24 Select the bottom edge of slab, then click the project base point, then select the top
edge of slab, move the dimension line to the left of the slab to complete the vertical
dimension of the slab.
25 When done, click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish the command.

26 Select the rectangle slab, then click one of its horizontal dimensions, change its value to
1934.

27 Select the rectangle slab again, click one of its vertical dimensions, change its value to
1244.

Now the center of slab has aligned to the project base point. We can delete these
dimensions which are just the tool to position our slab.
38 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

28 Hold Ctrl key, select horizontal and vertical dimensions, then click the button on
Modify panel (or press Del key) to delete them.

In order not to let the slab move accidentally, we use Revit’s Pin to lock it in place.
29 Select the slab first, then click button on Modify panel.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder you created in previous section, enter 02 First Floor Slab
Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 3 Setup Levels
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\03 Setup Levels.rvt

Change the Preset Height of Level 2

1 In Project Browser, double click South under Elevations to open Elevation: South view.
 1 - 3 Setup Levels 39

2 Use mouse wheel to zoon out model a little bit.

3 Select the Level 2 level line, then drag its right little control circle to the right of slab.

4 Drag its left little control circle to the left of slab to expand the level line.

5 Click the 400 cm, the level’s elevation.

6 Enter 370 to change Level 2’s height to 370 cm.

7 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Now the line and symbol of Level 2 moved down 30 cm.

Add New Levels

8 On Architectural ribbon, select Level.
40 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

9 On the Options Bar at the bottom of the Modify | Place Level ribbon, verify that Make
Plan View is checked, then click the Plan View Types... button.

10 In Plan View Types dialog box, ONLY

select Floor Plan, then press OK.

11 In Offset: box, enter 370.

12 On Draw panel, click (Pick Lines) button.
13 As shown below, move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 2 line, when seeing a blue
dashed line appear at the top of Level 2, press down the mouse button.

14 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Thus we create a Level 3 level line with an elevation of 740 cm.

15 Select Level tool on Architectural ribbon again.
16 On Options Bar, uncheck (turn off) Make Plan View, set Offset to 260 cm.

17 On Draw panel, click (Pick Lines) button.

 1 - 3 Setup Levels 41

18 Move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 1 line, when seeing a blue dashed line
appear at the top of Level 1, press down the mouse button.

Thus we create a Level 4 level line with an elevation of 260 cm.

19 Again, move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 2 line, when seeing a blue dashed
line appear at the top of Level 2, press down the mouse button.

Thus we create a Level 5 level line with an elevation of 630 cm.

20 On Options Bar, set Offset to 100 cm.

21 Move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 3 line, when seeing a blue dashed line
appear at the top of Level 3, press down the mouse button.
42 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Thus we create a Level 6 level line with an elevation of 840 cm.

22 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

23 Press and hold mouse wheel to pan to the level symbol side and zoon in a little.

24 Double click Level 3, the level’s name, rename

it to Roof. When Revit asks if you want to
rename the corresponding views? Answer
Yes.
25 Double click Level 4, the level’s name, rename it to Ceiling 1.
26 Double click Level 5, the level’s name, rename it to Ceiling 2.
27 Double click Level 6, the level’s name, rename it to Parapet.
 1 - 4 Draw Walls 43

Notice: When creating Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6, we unchecked (turn off) Make Plan View,
means we only use these levels for height references. Revit treats these levels by using
Black symbols to differentiate those levels with blue symbols that can make (create) plan
views. This is why when we rename Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6, Revit does not ask if we
want to rename the corresponding views.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 03 Level Setup Finished for File name. Click the File Tab
again then select Close.

1 - 4 Draw Walls
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\04 Draw Walls.rvt

Draw Exterior Walls

1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Level 1
view.
2 On View Control Bar, click 1 : 200, then select 1 : 100 to change the scale to 1 : 100.

3 Click the Architecture tab, select Wall.

4 In Family/Type Selector, verify that family is Basic Wall, type is Generic - 200mm.
44 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

5 On the Options Bar at the bottom of the Modify | Place Wall ribbon, select Height, and
Unconnected, enter 350 cm, set Location Line to Finish Face: Exterior, check Chain, set
Offset to 0 cm.

6 Follow the order below, draw exterior walls clockwise for the building:
lower left corner -> upper left corner -> right 1527.7cm -> down 100cm -> right 242.6cm
-> up 100cm -> upper right corner -> lower right corner -> left 1527.7cm -> up 120cm ->
left 812.6cm -> down 120cm -> lower left corner

Notice: When dragging the cursor to create a new wall, we can enter the desired distance
from keyboard for that direction.

7 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish drawing the walls.

Note: If we set Location Line to Finish Face: Interior, we can follow the order below to draw
walls counterclockwise:
lower left corner -> right 1527.7cm -> up 120cm -> right 812.6cm -> down 120cm ->
lower right corner -> upper right corner -> left 1097.7cm -> down 100cm -> left
242.6cm -> up 100cm -> upper left corner -> lower left corner
 1 - 4 Draw Walls 45

8 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to open the default 3D view.

Now we are viewing our model from RIGHT, FRONT, TOP angle.
9 Type VG, click Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Levels.

Draw Interior Walls

1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Level 1
view. (or, close the 3D view)
2 On Architecture ribbon select Wall.

3 In Family/Type Selector, click the down

arrow to find and select Basic Wall family
Interior - 135mm Partition (2-hr) type wall.
46 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

4 On Properties palette, click Edit Type, in

Type Properties dialog box click
Duplicate… .

5 In Name dialog box, change Interior - 135mm Partition (2-hr) 2 to Interior - 126mm
Partition, press OK.

6 In Type Properties dialog box click

Edit… button next to Structure.

7 In Edit Assembly dialog box, select the 8th layer: Finish 2[5] | Gypsum Wall Board | 0.95
cm, then press Delete button to remove it, press OK to finish the Editing.

Notice: Now the thickness of the wall changed from 13.55 cm to 12.60 cm.
 1 - 4 Draw Walls 47

8 Press OK again to finish the creation of new 12.6 cm interior wall.

9 On Options Bar, select Height, and Unconnected, enter 265.2 cm, set Location Line to
Wall Centerline, set Offset to 0 cm.

10 Then draw 12.6 cm interior walls to create three rooms at lower left of the building
similar to the figure below.

Note: 265.2 cm is the ceiling level 260 cm + the thickness 5.2 cm of the grid ceilings.

11 Click Aligned Dimension button on Quick Toolbar, on Options Bar select Wall centerline,
dimension the 4 interior walls we just drew.
48 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

12 Select the right interior wall of first room; change its bottom dimension to 484 cm.

13 Select the right wall of second room; change its bottom dimension to 720 cm.

14 Select the right wall of third room; change its bottom dimension to 300 cm.
 1 - 4 Draw Walls 49

15 Select the upper common wall of three rooms; change its left dimension to 484 cm.

16 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Now we have used the dimension method correctly positioned the interior walls of these
three rooms.

17 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view our model in 3D.

50 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Refer to the drawing below, draw the rest interior walls approximately, then use dimension
method to position them to the correct locations. (This is what I call “Draw then Adjust”
feature of Revit)

Of course we might use Copy, Move, Mirror, Extend, Trim Corner, Split, Align tools on
Modify panel to complete these interior walls.
 1 - 5 Draw Restroom Partitions 51

The reason to draw 265.2 cm high interior walls is that most spaces have hung ceilings, the
plenum space above these ceilings will run a lot of mechanical ducts and piping, therefore
these interior walls are not up to the slab above. Only interior walls around Elec/Mech
room, stairwell and restroom shafts (highlighted in red) are up to second floor slab. These
wall are 350 cm high, need to be drawn separately.

Save your work

When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, navigate to Architectural Exercise folder, enter 04 First Floor Wall Finished for File
name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 5 Draw Restroom Partitions

In this section we will use Revit’s model
lines to draw the partitions of toilets and
dividers between urinals in restrooms just
for references. In sections of Chapter 5
Plumbing Systems, we will place toilets,
urinals and lavatories that have MEP
connectors, and create plumbing systems
and piping for them.
52 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Open the exercise file: \Architectural\05 Draw Restroom Partitions.rvt

1 Click the Architecture tab, select Model Line.

2 Move cursor to the left wall face of right restroom, when Revit displays the distance
between the Nearest point and the horizontal wall below, enter 152 from keyboard.

3 Drag cursor horizontally to the right, enter 152 from keyboard.

4 Drag cursor vertically to the wall below, when it touches the upper face of the wall,
press down mouse button.

5 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to end the command.

Now we have finished a 152 cm x 152 cm handicapped toilet stall partitions.
 1 - 5 Draw Restroom Partitions 53

6 Select the upper horizontal partition line.

7 On Modify | Lines ribbon, click Array button.

8 On Options Bar, use Linear array, uncheck Group and Associate, enter 4 for Number.

9 Click an empty point in left restroom, drag cursor vertically up but DO NOT click, (the
dragging distance doesn’t matter) then enter 91 from keyboard.
Thus we arrayed the selected partition line 91 cm up 4 times (including itself).
54 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

10 On Architecture ribbon, select Model Line again.

11 On Draw panel click Pick Lines button.
12 On Options Bar, enter 50 for Offset.

13 Move cursor to the left wall face of right restroom, on its right a little bit, when seeing
Revit displays a blue dash line on its right, press down mouse button.
Now we copied the wall face line 50 cm to its right creating a green model line.

14 On Options Bar, enter 80 for Offset.

15 Move cursor to the model line we just created, on its right a little bit, when seeing Revit
displays a blue dash line on its right, press down mouse button. Click the leftmost
Modify button on ribbon.
Now we copied the model line 80 cm to its right creating another model line.
 1 - 5 Draw Restroom Partitions 55

16 Click the Modify tab, select Trim/Extend to Corner.

17 First trim the corners of the model lines, then delete the unwanted model lines to get
the result as shown.

18 Drag mouse from right corner to left corner to cross select all partition model lines in
right restroom.

19 On Modify | Lines ribbon, select Mirror - Draw Axis.

20 Use keyboard to enter SM (Snap Middle) to turn on Midpoints object snap, next pick the
midpoint of the shaft wall.
56 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

21 Then draw a vertical mirror axis.

22 After mirroring, click the leftmost

Modify button on ribbon.

Now we have mirrored the partition

and divider lines from right restroom to
left restroom.

23 On Modify ribbon select Trim/Extend Single Element.

24 Select the horizontal wall face for boundary, then select the vertical partition line below,
after extending click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
 1 - 6 Add Doors 57

25 On Modify ribbon select Trim/Extend Multiple Elements.

26 Select the vertical partition line for boundary, then select the two horizontal partition
lines on its right, after extending click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Thus we have finished the partition and divider model lines of restrooms.
Since there are many ways to draw these model lines, readers don’t necessarily use
author’s way. You can try your own method and way to draw them. These green model
lines will serve as references for section in Chapter 5 while placing MEP toilets and urinals.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 05 Restroom Partition Finished for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 6 Add Doors
In this section we will be practicing how to open doors on walls, and also how to flip doors
in and out, left and right.
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\06 Add Doors.rvt
1 On Architecture ribbon select Door.
58 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

2 Verify that the name on Family/Type Selector is M_Single-Flush and 0915 x 2134mm.

3 Drag the door to the upper wall of the lower left room.
4 Press Space bar to alter the door swinging.
5 Move it to let its dimension to the right wall become 10 cm, then press mouse button to
position the door.

After putting the door, we can select it; then click the Flip icons to flip it In and Out, Left and
Right.
 1 - 6 Add Doors 59

6 Use the methods above, refer to the drawing below, finish placing all the single doors on
first floor.

Load Additional Door Family

Since there is only one single door family comes with Architectural template, we need to
pick and load a double door family from Library to add it at the front entrance.
7 On Architecture ribbon select Door.
8 On Modify | Place Door ribbon select Load Family.

9 In Load Family dialog box, find and open C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019

\Libraries\US Metric\Doors\M_Door-Double-Glass.rfa.
10 In Specify Types dialog box, find and select 1800 x 2100mm type, press OK.
60 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

11 Drag this double door to the outer side of the wall of south entrance, move it left or
right to let its dimensions to both sides of the walls become equal.

12 Then press mouse button to center the door.

13 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to end the Door command.
14 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to see the 3D result of first floor door placements.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 06 First Floor Door Finished for File name. Click the File
Tab again then select Close.
 1 - 7 Add Windows 61

1 - 7 Add Windows
In this section we will be practicing how to create a new type of a window family. We will
also be practicing to use Revit’s Array and Mirror tools to quickly duplicate successive and
symmetrical windows.
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\07 Add Windows.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open that view.
2 On Architecture ribbon select Window.

3 On Properties palette, click Edit Type.

4 In Type Properties dialog box click Duplicate… .

5 In Name dialog box, change 0406 x 0610mm 2 to 1420 x 1420mm, press OK.
62 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

6 In Type Properties dialog box, set both

Height and Width to 142 cm.
7 Press OK to finish the settings of this
new window type.

8 Place a 142 x 142 cm window on the exterior wall of the room at lower left corner.
9 Pick the window just placed, click its left constrain dimension to the left wall, change it
to 43 cm. (Now the window moved to the correct location, this is the “Draw then Adjust”
feature of Revit)

10 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish placing the first window.

Notice: When picking the window, we can click icon to flip the window pane to inner or
outer.

11 Select the first window.

12 On Modify | Windows ribbon, click Array button, on Options Bar, use Linear array,
uncheck Group and Associate, enter 6 for Number.
 1 - 7 Add Windows 63

13 Click an empty point inside the room, drag cursor horizontally to the right but DO NOT
click, (the dragging distance on the screen doesn’t matter) then enter 240 from
keyboard.

Thus we arrayed the selected window 240 cm right 6 times (including itself).

14 On Architecture ribbon select Window again, drag the window to the left wall of south
entrance, move it left or right to let both dimensions become equal, then press mouse
button to center this window on the wall.
64 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

15 Select all the windows we completed on the left side.

16 On Modify | Windows ribbon, select Mirror - Draw Axis.

17 Click the project base point, then draw a vertical mirror axis.

Now we have mirrored left 7 windows to the right side of the building.

18 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

 1 - 7 Add Windows 65

Use the methods above, refer to the drawing below, finish placing all the windows on first
floor. The EQs on dimensions means they are equal distance on both sides. The small
window at north entrance uses 0915 x 1220mm type window.

19 After finish all windows, click the button on Quick Toolbar to see the 3D result of
first floor window placements.
66 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 07 First Floor Window Finished for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 8 Add Stairs
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\08 Add Stairs.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open that view.
When creating a turning stair, we need to know or calculate the width of steps in advance.
2 Click Measure button on Quick Toolbar.

3 Click two wall faces of south stairwell to get its horizontal net width of 287.4 cm.

Step width = (stairwell net width – gap between two turnings) / 2 = (287.4 – 4) / 2 = 141.7
cm.
 1 - 8 Add Stairs 67

Create New Railing Type

4 In Project Browser, expand Families, expand Railings, expand Railing, double click
1100mm type to open Type Properties dialog box.
5 In Type Properties dialog box click Duplicate… .
6 In Name dialog box, change 1100mm 2 to 1000mm 1 Baluster / Tread, press OK.

7 In Type Properties dialog box, change Top Rail Height from 110 cm to 100 cm, then click
the Edit… button next to Baluster Placement.
68 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

8 In Edit Baluster Placement dialog box, set Regular baluster family to M_Baluster -
Square : 25mm, set Dist. From previous to 20 cm, set Justify to Center, change Baluster
Per Tread from 2 to 1, set tread Baluster Family to M_Baluster - Square : 25mm, set all
Posts Baluster Family to None.

9 Click OK twice to finish the creation of this new railing type.

Now we can see there is a new 1000mm 1 Baluster /

Tread type railing in Project Browser.

Draw Stair
10 On Architecture ribbon select Stair.
 1 - 8 Add Stairs 69

11 Verify that the name on Family/Type Selector is Assembled Stair : 190mm max riser
250mm going.
12 On Properties palette, set Top Level to Level 2, then click Edit Type.
13 In Type Properties dialog box click Duplicate… .
14 In Name dialog box, press OK. (Here we don’t enter new name, just take the name that
Revit gives)

15 Click Non-Monolithic Landing next to Landing Type, then click the little square button on
the right to open another Type Properties dialog box.
16 In Type Properties dialog box, select System Family: Monolithic Landing.
70 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Now we can see there are Construction and Material and Finishes parameters for this
landing type.
17 Press OK to back to Assembled Stair Type Properties dialog box.
18 Set both Right Support and Left Support parameters to Carriage (Open).

19 Press OK to finish the settings of stair.

20 On Options Bar, set Location Line to Run: Left, set Offset to 0 cm, set Actual Run Width
to 141.70 cm, check Automatic Landing.

21 On Modify | Create Stair ribbon, click the right most Railing.

 1 - 8 Add Stairs 71

22 In Railing dialog box, select 1000mm 1 Baluster / Tread type that we created.

23 Pres OK to finish all the preparations for drawing stairs.

24 Pick the lower right end point of the left stairwell wall, move cursor straight up, when
seeing Revit displays 10 RISERS CREATED, 10 REMAINING at starting point, press down
mouse button.
25 Move cursor horizontally right, when it touches the face of right stairwell wall, press
down mouse button.
26 Move cursor down and pick the lower left end point of the right stairwell wall.
27 On Modify | Create Stair ribbon, click Finish Edit Mode to finish the stair.

28 When Revit displays the warning message, just close it.

72 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

29 Hold Ctrl key; select the inner and outer railings.

30 On Properties palette, change the Tread/Stringer Offset from 2.54 cm to 2.5 cm.

The reason we make this adjustment is because Revit’s default value for Tread/Stringer
Offset is 1 in. (2.54 cm). But in Metric system, the width of railing is 5 cm. if we zoon-in very
closely; we will see there is a tiny gap between the edge of railing and the edge of stair (or
stairwell wall). Since we will move the stair using its corner as a reference point (see the
coming steps). If we don’t make this adjustment, we might pick the wrong corner and move
it with a tiny discrepancy.

31 Drag mouse from left corner to right

corner to window select the stair and
railings, on Modify | Multi-Select
ribbon, click Move command.

32 Pick the upper left corner (Endpoint) of the outer railing.

33 Move cursor up and pick the upper left corner of the stairwell.
34 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish the moving of whole stair.
 1 - 8 Add Stairs 73

Now we have finished the south stair of the building.

35 Click the button on Quick Toolbar, and zoom in to see the 3D result of the south
stair.

Use the same methods to complete the north stair. The net width of north stairwell is 237.4
cm, step width = (237.4 – 4) / 2 = 116.7 cm.

Save your work

When both stairs are done, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As
dialog box, navigate to Architectural Exercise folder, enter 08 Stairs Finished for File name.
Click the File Tab again then select Close.
74 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

1 - 9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab

Open the exercise file: \Architectural\09 Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab.rvt

Extend First Floor Exterior Walls to Parapet Level

1 Select 6 major exterior walls of the building except the recessed exterior walls at south
and north entrances.

2 On Properties palette, change Top Constraint from Unconnected to Up to Level: Parapet.

Now these 6 major exterior walls have risen up to the height of parapet.
3 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
 1 - 9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab 75

Patch Second Floor Exterior Walls

4 In Project Browser, double click Level 2 under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Level 2
view.
5 Use VG to turn off Elevations.

6 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area.

Attention! Because in Architectural template, Level 2 plan view has set its Underlay Range
Base to Level 1, therefore we can see the grey interior wall outlines of Level 1.

7 On Architecture ribbon, select Wall.

8 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to find and select Basic Wall family
Generic - 200mm type wall.
76 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

9 On Properties palette, set Base Offset to -70 cm, set Top Constraint to Up to Level:
Parapet.
10 Draw 2 pieces of wall on second floor to fix the exterior walls at south and north
entrances. (Use the same direction as drawing the first floor exterior walls)

11 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view model in 3D.

Now we have finished all the exterior walls of the building including the parapet walls of
roof.

Add Second Floor Slab

1 Close 3D view window, or in Project Browser double click Level 2 under Floor Plans to
open that view.
 1 - 9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab 77

2 On Architecture ribbon, select Floor.

3 In Family/Type Selector, verify that current family is Floor, type is Generic 200mm.
4 On Modify | Create Floor boundary ribbon, click Rectangle button.

5 Draw a rectangle just inside the exterior walls of second floor.

6 Click Finish Edit Mode to finish the floor boundary.

7 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to end the command.
78 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

8 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view model in 3D.

Now we see the stairs are blocked by second floor slab when they are going up to second
floor. Thus we need to create two vertical openings for them.

Vertical Openings
1 Close the 3D view back to the Floor Plan: Level 2 view.
2 On Architecture ribbon, select Vertical (on Opening panel).

Please notice the prompt on Status Bar at bottom left:

3 First, use cross cursor to click the edge of the slab that we just did.
4 On Modify | Create Opening Boundary ribbon, click the Rectangle button, draw two
rectangles at the stairwells as shown. (When drawing the rectangle, zoom in and snap to
the end point of lower right railing and upper left corner of the stairwell)
 1 - 9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab 79

5 Click Finish Edit Mode to finish the creation of opening boundary. Click the leftmost
Modify button on ribbon.
Now on Level 2 floor plan view we can see all the stair steps going down to first floor.

6 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view these stairwell openings in 3D.

Shaft Openings
1 Again, close the 3D view back to the Floor Plan: Level 2 view.

Note: We can type WT (Window Tile) to display 3D and floor plan windows side by side to
avoid switching them back and forth.
80 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

2 On Architecture ribbon, select Shaft (on Opening panel).

3 On Properties palette, set Base Constraint to Level 2, set Base Offset to -20 cm, set Top
Constraint to Up to Level: Roof, set Top Offset to -20 cm.
4 Draw a 197.4 cm x 167.4 cm rectangle on top of the Rear Entrance as shown.

5 When done, click the Finish Edit Mode to finish the opening.

6 Click Architecture tab, select Shaft again.

7 On Properties palette, set Base Constraint to Level 1, set Base Offset to 0 cm, set Top
Constraint to Up to Level: Roof, set Top Offset to -20 cm.
8 On Modify | Create Shaft Opening Sketch ribbon, click the button, then draw a
rectangle on top of the restroom middle shaft.

9 Click the Finish Edit Mode to finish the middle shaft opening.
 1 - 9 Draw Second Floor Exterior Walls and Slab 81

10 Click Architecture tab, select Shaft again.

11 On Properties palette, set Base Constraint to Level 1, set Base Offset to 0 cm, set Top
Constraint to Up to Level: Roof, set Top Offset to 0 cm.
12 Click the button on ribbon; draw a rectangle on top of the restroom left shaft.

13 Click the Finish Edit Mode to finish the left shaft opening.
14 Use the same method to finish the restroom right shaft opening.
15 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view our model in 3D.

Now we can see there are 6 openings on second floor slab.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 09 Second Floor Exterior Wall and Slab Finished for File
name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.
82 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

1 - 10 Finish Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors and

Windows
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\10 Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors, Windows.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click Level 2 under Floor Plans to open that view.

Turn off Underlay Floor Plan

2 On Properties palette, set Underlay Base Range Level to None.

Now Level 2 is quite empty, only has 4 exterior walls, 2 stairs going down and 4 shaft
openings.

Copy First Floor Center Core

3 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open that view.
 1 - 10 Finish Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors and Windows 83

4 Drag mouse from left corner to right corner to window select the central core of the
building.

5 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, select Filter.

6 In Filter dialog box, only select Doors, Lines and Walls three categories, press OK.

7 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, click Copy to Clipboard button.

84 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

8 Click the down arrow under Paste to drop down the list, select Aligned to Selected
Levels.
9 In Select Levels dialog box, select Level 2, press OK.

10 In Project Browser, double click Level 2 under Floor Plans to open that view.
Now we can see the first floor central core (except stair) were copied to second floor.

11 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Add Stair Railing

12 Zoom in the south stairwell.
13 On Architecture ribbon, select Railing.
 1 - 10 Finish Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors and Windows 85

14 In Family/Type Selector, find and select Railing : 1000mm 1 Baluster / Tread.

15 On Options Bar set Offset to 2.5 cm.

16 From the right end point of the inner railing on second floor draw a horizontal line to
the left stairwell wall, click the button to finish the creation railing path. Click the
leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

17 Click the 3D view button on Quick Toolbar; zoom in the central core of second floor.
86 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

Please refer to the layouts and dimensions of the drawing below to finish south side and
north side of second floor (including all windows and north stair railing). When drawing
interior walls, remember to select Basic Wall family Interior - 126mm Partition type, set wall
Height to 265.2 cm except those walls around Elec/Mech room and Shaft which we set
them to 350 cm. We can also use the copy and paste method, copy some interior walls from
first floor to clipboard and paste them to second floor, then do the editing to finish the
work.

Save your work

When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, navigate to Architectural Exercise folder, enter 10 Second Floor Interior Wall, Door,
Window Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 11 Add Ceilings
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\11 Add Ceilings.rvt
Since Revit’s grid ceilings we can only see their grids from below, thus we go to reflect
ceiling plan views to create them.
1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Ceiling Plans to open Ceiling Plan: Level 1
view.
 1 - 11 Add Ceilings 87

2 Use VG to turn off Elevations.

3 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area.

4 On Architecture ribbon, select Set (on Work Plane panel).

5 In Work Plane dialog box, set Specify a

new Work Plane to Level : Ceiling 1, then
press OK.

6 On Architecture ribbon, select Ceiling.

7 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to

find and select Compound Ceiling family 600 x
600mm Grid type ceiling.
8 On Properties palette, verify that Level is set to
Ceiling 1, set Height Offset from Level to 0 cm.
88 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

9 On Modify | Place Ceiling ribbon, verify that Automatic Ceiling is turned on.

10 Move mouse cursor inside the lower left room, when seeing that room is highlighted,
press down mouse button. Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

11 On Architecture ribbon, select Ceiling again, continue to click the inside of the enclosed
rooms shown to put the grid ceilings for them.

12 Again, on Architecture ribbon, select Ceiling.

13 On Modify | Place Ceiling ribbon, select Sketch Ceiling.

14 In south entrance, draw a closed boundary as shown on the left figure.

 1 - 11 Add Ceilings 89

15 On ribbon click the button to finish the creation of ceiling boundary.

16 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

17 Use the sketch ceiling boundary method; finish the other 4 grid ceilings separately.
90 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

18 On Architecture ribbon, select Set (on Work

Plane panel).
19 In Work Plane dialog box, set Specify a new
Work Plane to Level : Level 1, then press OK.

20 On Architecture ribbon, select Ceiling.

21 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow
to find and select Compound Ceiling family
Plain type ceiling.
22 On Properties palette, set Height Offset from
Level to 300 cm.

23 On Modify | Place Ceiling ribbon, verify that Automatic Ceiling is turned on.
24 By doing twice, click the inside of the recessed area of south and north entrances to
create plain ceilings for them.

Note: Since Plain type Compound Ceiling does not have surface pattern, thus we cannot see
them on ceiling plan, but if we draw section lines across them we can see them on
section views.
 1 - 12 Add Roof 91

Use the methods above and refer to the drawing below, complete all 600 x 600mm grid
ceilings for second floor.

Save your work

When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, navigate to Architectural Exercise folder, enter 11 Ceiling Finished for File name. Click
the File Tab again then select Close.

1 - 12 Add Roof
Open the exercise file: \Architectural\12 Add Roof.rvt

On this view we can see the hung ceilings of second floor.

92 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

1 In Project Browser, double click Roof under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Roof view.

2 On Properties palette, click the Edit… button next to View Range, set both Primary
Range’s Bottom and View Depth’s Level to Level Below (Level 2).

Now we can see the interior wall tops of second floor.

 1 - 12 Add Roof 93

3 On Architecture ribbon, select Roof.

4 In Family/Type Selector, verify that current family is Basic Roof, type is Generic - 400mm.
5 Press Edit Type to open Type Properties dialog box.

6 Press Duplicate… button, enter

Generic - 200mm for new type
name, press OK.

7 In Type Properties dialog box click Edit… button next to Structure.

8 In Edit Assembly dialog box, change the Thickness of Structure [1] from 40.00 cm to
20.00 cm, press OK.

9 Click OK again to finish the creation of new roof type.

94 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

10 On Properties palette, set Base Offset from Level to -20 cm.

11 On the Options Bar under Modify | Create Roof Footprint ribbon, turn off Defines slope.
12 Click the Rectangle button on Draw panel.

13 Draw a rectangle just inside the parapet walls; click Finish Edit Mode to finish the
roof boundary.

14 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon. When Revit displays the following message,
press No.
 1 - 13 Add Room Information 95

Now we only see two restroom shaft openings on roof floor plan view.

15 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view model in 3D.

Save your work

Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Architectural Exercise folder, enter 12 Roof Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again
then select Close.

1 - 13 Add Room Information

Open the exercise file: \Architectural\13 Add Room Information.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click Level 1 under Floor Plans to open that view.

Set Line Color and Pattern for Room Separator

2 Type VG, expand Lines category.
96 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

3 Click the Override… button next to <Room Separation>.

4 In Line Graphics dialog box, set Color to Magenta, set Pattern to Dash. Press OK.

5 In VG dialog box, expand Rooms category, turn on Interior Fill.

6 Press OK to finish settings.

Note: When creating rooms on second floor we need to do the same VG settings on Level 2
floor plane view.
 1 - 13 Add Room Information 97

7 On Architecture ribbon, select Room Separator.

8 In open areas draw six room separation lines (magenta dashed) as shown.

Create Rooms
1 On Architecture ribbon, select Room.

2 On Properties palette, set Constraint Upper Limit

to Level 2, set Offset to -20 cm, enter Office for
Identity Data Name.