14.4 Scaling equation for Masses

In This next post we are going to look at a scaling value that shrinks the floor profile from 100% at level 1 to 90% at level 15 and back to 98% at level 42. As with the rotation we are first going to test the equation in excel to see that we get the desired results before applying it to the geometry.

The equation we use is

1/(1/A+L/B+L^2/C+L^3/D+L^4/E+L^5/F) With the values of L = the floor level already applied(1-42)

A = 1
B = 45
C = -613
D = 19534
E = -1299480
F = 222316678

This will give us a value between 0.91 and 1.0, we will then multiply it by the RAR value we have previously setup to get our final radius value.

The next step is to move it across to revit, this is a little more complicated than previous as we are making some of the existing parameters obsolete.

In the 'base profile'(1) delete the 'M' parameter and the 'RAR' parameter, leaving just the Radius and L parameter. Loading into the import profile(2),

In the import profile(2), go to family types,

• make a new parameter this is a 'number' and 'instance', call it 'Scaling value'
• In the Formula area opposite, enter in the equation from excel but substitute the letters A-F for the number value as
  1 / (1 / 1 + L / 45 + L ^ 2 / -613 + L ^ 3 / 19534 + L ^ 4 / -1299480 + L ^ 5 / 222316678)
• Change the radius Formula to =RAR * Scaling Value
• Delete the M parameter
• Close the family parameters
• Select the Base mass(1) in the view and in its properties make the parameter Radius = Radius of the import profile(2),
• Load into 'Mass project' (3) and see the change

In the Mass Project(3)

You can add a multiplier, you will need to make a similar parameter in the 'import profile'(2) family and then make it = 'Mass Project'(3) parameter, in the 'import profile'(2) you then change the radius formula to = RAR * Scaling Value * Scaling Multiplier but I'll talk more about this multiplier next time.

Enjoy



Watch below now or download here

14.3 Controler Rotation Gizmo for Masses

In this next post we put in a Controller Element / Gizmo to adjust the rotation of the tower with a bit more of a fluid approach as appose to typing in numbers in the family type dialogue box.

Its simple enough,

1. A initial reference point,
2. A reference circle(using the point as the centre)
3. Then 3 reference lines(using 3D snapping), (Using the point and circle as the references)
4. 3 further reference circles using the previously drawn lines.
5. We add a angular dimension parameter,
6. After that we tell the tower rotation multiplier parameter it equals the (new angle / 30). As the angle is in degrees you may need to copy the degree sign from windows character map tool and paste it in after the 30 to convert the equation to a number.

Final step is to start playing with the gizmo to see how it works.

Watch video now or download here

14.2 Massing project, Tower rotation.

I always find it interesting how all the massing example you find online are usually towers, it must be easier or something. The main thing i would like viewers to take from these videos is not how to build a tower but to pickup one of the trick I'm showing and think about how they can use it in their own project, how a parameter here would work on their design etc. so note while watching try to think of these things.

For the 'Tower Rotation' we need to do a few things, first is to get a mathematically equation that suits what you want to do, this is usually the most difficult task and is best to look online for different equations. We will then test this equation in Microsoft excel to see if we get the desired results. you see here (in the 3rd column) how the rotation starts off big 2.5 degrees per level on the lower levels to just 0.5 degree towards the top, this is what I want, a more aggressive start and filtering out towards the end.

The equation we use is 90° + 1° * ((AM * L) - (0.025 * (1 + L) ^ 2)) the 90 degrees at the start is because we are going to use an angular dimension in revit and reference it from a horizontal reference plane to a vertical reference plane. When we are happy that the result is something that we like, we will migrate it to revit.

Now in revit we have 2 existing files which i am going to name No. 2 and 3,
-Import Mass profile (No.2)
-Massing Project (No.3)

As we are adding a rotation parameter to the profile it is best to make a 3rd family which is a nested profile inside of family No. 2, this is because rotation parameter in profile sketches tend to break the profile.

To make this new family

1. open 'Import Mass profile (No.2)' and do 'save as',
2. name it 'Base profile(No. 1)'.
3. Add the cutout of the circle to the sketch as per the video.
4. save family.

1. Open 'Import Mass profile (No.2)' and delete the geometry or lines, keep everything else.
2. Load 'Base profile(No. 1)' into the file and change the placement setting from face to plane(top right of the screen). Place its centre point on the junction of the 2 reference planes.
3. Place an angular dimension on the horizontal reference plane and then the vertical reference line within the 'Base profile(No. 1)'.
4. Change the dimension to a parameter called 'Rotation' and it must be an instance type.
5. Open the family parameters and make a new parameter called 'AM' this must be a 'number ' and 'type' parameter. Set the value of 'AM' to 2.
6. Now add our equation from Microsoft excel beside the parameter called rotation. it must be typed into revit as 90° + 1° * ((AM * L) - (0.025 * (1 + L) ^ 2))
7. Save family

1. Open project file and reload 'Import Mass profile (No.2)' into it
2. It will take a couple of minutes to overwrite the existing shape.
3. We will now add a parameter in the project environment to change the angle multiplier(AM) parameter. in the family parameters add 'Tower rotation multiplier' it must be a number and type parameter, set it to 1. close dialogue box
4. Now select the profile family 'Import Mass profile (No.2)' in the view port and make the parameter 'AM   =   Tower rotation multiplier   . select ok twice to close dialogue boxes
5. Now re-enter the family parameters of the project file and set 'Tower rotation multiplier' to a value of 5, this will show you a drastic change. reset the value to 2 and then change the value in increments of 0.2 until happy with the shape.

In the next video we will make a controller in the model space that will modify the rotation, it will be a but like a giro-sphere type thing.

Watch video below now or download here.

Enjoy

Peter

14.1 Conceptual massing start

Hello Everyone,

I'm going to change the direction of my blog for the next few months, I'm going to drop the Modern house chapter and possibly pick it up again later in the year. For the next few months I'm going to concentrate on 'conceptual massing, formula's and panellization'. As i do not know much on the subject yet, I'm going to start very basic and move video by video into more detail and more complexity. When were finished all the videos in a few months, hopefully our design will look like the next 3 images.

To start we are going to make a simple circle tower with a massing project with 42 levels and a massing profile which we'll place on each of these levels. The next step is to loft our geometry from these profiles. On the way we'll look at formula's in the profile family and then controllers with in the project. At the end of the video you should have a tower that you can change the shape of the;

1. Width of tower by dragging a point controller
2. Height of tower through a 'FFL to FFL' Parameter
3. The intensity of the slope in the tower.

It should look something like this;

Tower with sloping value of -400mm extra per level

Tower with sloping value of -100mm extra per level

Enjoy

Peter

Download here or watch below now.

Detailed Revit Modelling Guide & Work Flow for Beginners

One of my viewers asked recently to post the workflow that i follow, so here it is. Excuse the formatting, copying across from indesign to blogger didn't really work(but its all in there).

Comment please, i'd like to see what others think?

Last post for this year, Hope everyone has a nice break over the holidays.

Cheers

Peter


This is an example of a modelling guide that will start you off from the beginning tru design/planning to construction :

Preparation (2-3 Hours (Max))

1. Prep Autocad files for importing, clean, explode, purge etc.
2. Save Autocad files into the same import folder (near where the revit central file folder will be located  server)

Setup (1 Day (Max))

1. Start new revit file base on the ‘Template’;
2. Create Worksets, (apply list in Revit standards document);
3. Save Central file (Naming convention per Revit standards document)
4. Save Local file (Naming convention per Revit standards document);
5. Create Levels (main plans), Enter elevation to create. Organise browser by applying ‘user’ parameter;
6. Next step is to Import base Autocad Plan/Site plan (done in ground floor plan);
7. Set Project North -vs- True North. Once finished delete Autocad file;
8. Re-import Autocad file in project north view, Pin drawing;
9. Set Extents, move elevations so that they are clearly around intended building/zone. Draw reference planes of out edges of building/zone, enter East elevation and drag the levels so that they start/stop on these reference planes, Repeat for the South elevation;
10. Set Grids, Either trace from the Autocad file or draw new ones over the acad file;
11. Now Import remaining Autocad files and move into correct location, using grid lines as the guides to help locate the plans properly (if you have no grids, reference planes must be drawn to help you align the different Autocad plans);
12. Setup Working views (duplicate original levels) rename the ‘copy‘ view with your initials at the front of the level name, organise browser by applying ‘user’ parameter;
13. The file is now ready to start modelling;

Modelling - Stage 1 (5 Days)
Building

• External Walls, Using ‘place holder’ generic walls types, model in the basic external walls. (windows and curtain walls will come later, just enclose building to begin with);
• Floors, Using ‘place holder’ generic floor types, model in the basic floor outline using the external walls as the boundary. (Floor finishes will come later, just the basic shape to begin with);
• Roofs, Using ‘place holder’ generic roof types, model in the basic Roof outline using the external walls as the boundary. If it is a pitch roof type generally set the boundary 300mm from the outside edge of the external walls. Place a section in the model and move roof height into the correct location;
• Columns, Using ‘place holder’ generic column types, place the main columns / structure, check the top of columns meet the correct floor slab or roof level above;
• Internal Walls, Using ‘place holder’ generic wall types (usually 100, 140 or 200mm) model in the internal layout, trace autocad plan if available, check the top of walls meet the correct floor slab or roof level above;
• Doors, Using ‘place holder’ generic door types, place the doors to each room in the model. Duplicate the basic door and create alternative sizes if the size you require is not in the template;
• Rooms, Place rooms into the project and rename as you move around the plan. If it is a ‘repeating’ type project, when your placing the rooms you should select the room types from the drop down liston the ribbon, this activates all the predefined schedules and filters for the room data sheets in the template;
• Windows / Curtain Walls, Generally all windows will be drawn as curtain walls to start off with as they are very flexible in their shape and divisions and do not require advanced window families to be available in the server library. We will generally use 100mm deep mullions for small windows and 150mm or 250mm deep mullions for shopfronts to begin with until we know actual size. The curtain wall type should be set to ‘automatically embed’ so it cuts its own shape out of the external walls;
• Sweeps, profiles custom canopies, Add any extra features, gutter, reveals or profiles to the external walls and roofs. Canopies are usually a roof or floor with a special edge profile;
• Ceilings, Place default ceiling height across the project using external walls and internal walls as the outline. If there are bulkheads, use a generic 50mm or 100mm wall type as vertical part of the bulkhead (if the bulkhead is curved us a custom sweep;
• Furniture (this may be done after site plan works depending on the type of project, the deliverables requested and deadlines);

Site Plan

• Toposurface, Model Toposurface by importing the survey Acad file, then place individual points over each level until the surface is built;
• Roads, Define roads outside of the site by adding a ‘sub-region’ to the toposurface;
• Building Pads, Cut the building shape and car park shape out of the toposurface by using Building Pads;
• Car park surface, Place the car park surface by using generic floor types. Slope the car park by adding a ‘sloped arrow’ to the floor;
• Car park components, Using the component tool place items such as car spaces, road marking signs, note the components should be hosted by the main slab (floor);
• Walkways and custom road markings, These are created by modelling a 5mm floor type (usually white for marking, green for walkways). If the main car park surface is sloped you should copy the ‘sloped arrow’ from the main slab and paste it into the sketch of the walkway. Set the floor 5mm offset from level so it is above the main slab;
• Kerbs, Model Kerbs or planter walls by using generic wall types usually 150mm or 215mm thick. Edit profile if required;
• Grass/Planter, Model Grass/Planter areas with a generic floor type with grass finish;
• Site furniture, place bollards, bins, benches etc. by placing components loaded from the library;
• Site entourage, Add for rendering and visuals, place trees and cars to the site, note the entourage should be hosted by the main slab (floor);

The initial modelling stage is complete, now it is time to setup views for printing and perspectives for rendering;

Views and Annotation - Stage 1 (3 Days)
Plans

• Setup Printing Views (duplicate original levels or working views) rename the copy with to the appropriate printing title, organise the browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter; 
• Create and apply Scope box to view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;
• Apply View Templates to plan views to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
• Annotate plan views with planning key notes, levels and dimensions as required;
• For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to plan views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white plans;

Elevations

• Place new Elevations/Elevation marker into the model if new elevation views are required. Rename with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;
• Move elevation Extents and Depth to suit each elevation;
• Apply View Templates to Elevation. Set shadows and sunlight to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
• Annotate Elevations views with planning key notes, spot elevations and dimensions as required. Use 2D entourage Detail Components such as planting and people to show more context;
• For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to elevation views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white elevations;

Sections

• Place new Sections into the model if new section views are required. Rename with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;
• Move elevation Extents and Depth to suit each section;
• Apply View Templates to section. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;
• Annotate Sections views with planning key notes, spot elevations and dimensions as required. Use 2D entourage Detail Components such as planting and people to show more context;
• For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to elevation views These are generally to be in addition to black and white elevations;
   

Site Plans

• Duplicate (-without detailing) the floor plan. Change the cut level to show the roof plan if required;
• Create and apply Scope box to view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;
• Annotate plan views with planning key notes, levels and dimensions as required;
• For presentations Colour and Shadows are added to plan views. These are generally to be in addition to black and white plans;

Create Sheets

• Create New Sheets for each plan, section & elevation views. Title and number each sheet according to the  office standards;
• Place Views onto sheets. For plan views turn on sheet grids in the properties and align each view to the same space;
• Add keynotes, project notes and legends to sheets as required. Print and review drawings;
• Print and Review
• Print Sheets and review. Make changes and additions as required;
• Issue drawings for design review or planning as needed;
• At this stage the model should be backed up and recorded as a file separate from the ‘central file’ model;

Modelling - Stage 2 (20 Days)

- Develop Design

- Develop grid and pin it;

- Identify key sections, elevations and part plans. Create location plans and locate them as per TM-12;

- Detail and develop the fabric of the building, develop the structural scheme along side;

-Identify wall types, floor types and roof types needed in the project. Create these new type and number sensibly in line with standards document;

-Walls, Roofs and Floors that will become structural elements and eventually part of the structural model should be modelled separately. Eg. Lift cores, structural floor slabs. These element will be turned off later;

-Replace generic walls with developed wall types. Similarly this should be done for roofs;

-Floors should be separated into structural floors and architectural build ups. Floor finishes (except large finishes such as terrazzo or concrete screed) should not be included;

-Structural model should be developed by engineers and linked to model;

-Mechanical model should be developed by engineers and linked to model;

-Initial ceiling design should be settled, and Mechanical and Electrical object should be developed inconjunction with M+E engineers;

-Update curtain wall window glazing types to correct sizes of frames etc as the design develops;

-Model detail elements such as copings, flashings and cills as identified in sections where practical with wall sweeps and reveals.(Some finer detail will be done in 2D detail components later);

-The site layout should be checked: Updated wall locations and changing thicknesses can effect car parking spaces and clear widths;

-Where no consultant model is to be provided, link consultants Autocad information and update the model as required to show information eg. Condensate upstands etc.;

Views and Annotation - Stage 2 (15 Days)

-This is a general overview of the workflow for developing annotated drawings.

-Setup Printing Views (duplicate original levels or working views) rename the ‘copy’view with to the appropriate printing title, organise browser by applying ‘01 Printing Views’ to ‘user’ parameter;

-Create and apply Scope boxto view, Alternatively drag the crop region to desired extents;

-Apply View Templates to all views to get suitable graphics. If required change Visible Graphics (VG), Overwrite Elements in view or use the Linework Tool for visual clarity;

-Copy blank keynotes onto views. Print view and write down notes. Fill in the notes in the schedule view and place in correct location in the views as required;

-Use tags, dimensions, spot levels, keynotes, filled regions and detail components to annotate views;

-Use ‘Filled regions’ and detail lines to create site conditions over topography that does not show any buildup;

-Fill out and check schedules: door schedules, window schedules and room finish schedules in particular. Furniture schedules should be checked that the items on the schedule are activated properly;

-To accompany the door schedule elevations in drafting views should be created. These are done in drafting lines and 2D annotation. For jobs these can be copied from similar previous jobs\library;

-To accompany the curtain wall schedule, elevations of the glazing should be created. These elevations should be hidden at large scales;

-To accompany the Window and Louvre schedule, a legend view of the window blocks should be created;

-Generic details should be created in drafting views. These should be annotated and referenced in sections and plans. They should be placed on sheets;

-Sheets should be created and the views should be added to them. plans should be placed on sheets using sheet grid guides where possible. For sections and elevations the reference number should match that section number/letter;

-Schedules, legends, key notes, project risk notes should be added to each page;

-A construction legend should be created that references every element that are only described with automated tags. Also on this page there should be symbol legends, key notes legends and anything else that is referenced in the drawing set;

-Sheets should be printed, checked, reviewed and issued;

Backup Models and Revisions

Periodically the Revit model should be backed up at key stages as the model is always evolving and a past record models are difficult to keep with just 1 model. The stages the model should be backed up are

-Major concept design changes
-Planning
-Tender 1 (Information Issue before coordination with M&E)
-Tender 2 (Full Tender)
-Construction
-Any major changes at any workstage is probably worth a backup as well.

Process to backup the model.

-Detach Model from the Central Model
-Save new Model in the ‘Superseded models’ folder.
- The File name should have;
- Project Number, (09-077)
- Project Name (PMC House)
- Issue date (dd.mm.yy)
- Version (Work in Progress, Tender, Construction)
(00.000 Project Name - (Issue date) (Version))
Example (20.001 PMC House - (07.11.11)(Tender Issue))