Tutorial 1 – Autodesk Revit
Building a Model and Creating Drawing Sheets
1. Overview
1.1 Software
The software used in this workshop to produce a 3D BIM model is Autodesk Revit. An overview of
the software is available on the below link.
http://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit-family/overview
Revit 2024 is available in the computer lab, the Engineering Virtual
Desktop, and available for download in the link below for your own device:
http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/revit
1.2 Learning outcomes of Today
The purpose of this tutorial is to give you the skills to produce a 3D BIM model and to create drawing
sheets based on the information of the model.
2. Getting started
Open Autodesk Revit 2024.
MODELS > New …
In the ‘New Project’ window, choose:
- Template file > Construction Template
- Create new > Project
1
Click OK
2.1 User Interface
2
2.2 Menus and tools
Menus and tools offer commands to
• Open, save and export files
• Add and modify building components, rooms, etc.
• Annotate the model, such as dimensioning
2.3 Project browser
The Project Browser offers a hierarchical view of the project, including Floor Plans, Sections,
Elevations, 3D Views, and Drawing Sheets.
3
2.4 Properties
The Properties view shows types, parameters and settings of selected objects, such as Floor Plans
and building components.
2.5 View panel
In the View panel the actual model content of different views (e.g. Floor Plan, Section, 3D View) is
displayed.
4
3. Preparation
3.1 Grid
Before we start creating our 3D building model we want to make sure that all components
are properly aligned. For this purpose we define a grid consisting of horizontal and vertical
axis.
MENU: Architecture > Datum > Grid
VIEW: Create four vertical grid lines (1, 2, 3, 4) at a distance of 6000 mm, and four horizontal grid
lines (A, B, C, D) at a distance of 4000 mm.
3.2 Levels
In order to specify the height of storeys we can define different Levels at different heights.
PROJECT BROWSER: Elevations, South
MENU: Architecture > Datum > Level
- Create one additional Level 2 at an altitude of 7000 mm.
5
4. Building components
4.1 Columns
The first building components we’d like to add are Columns. In order to perform a structural analysis
of the building later, we add twelve 300x300mm concrete Structural Columns according to our Grid.
The columns are created at Level 0, in the direction of Height up to Level 1.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Build > Column > Structural Column
MENU: Modify | Place Structural Column > Height + Level 1
Notice in the properties window that by default, the columns are UC-Universal Columns-Column
UC305x305x97. In order to change these to Concrete columns, we will need to load a different Revit
‘family’:
PROPERTIES: Edit type > Load
From the UK library select the folder “Structural Columns” > “Concrete” > “Concrete
Rectangular.rfa” (a preview is available).
6
*Note: If the UK library is not available on your device, you can download it from this link:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit/downloads/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-
revit-2023-content.html
You will recognise that the column section types available are different from the one we want to
use. We will duplicate this type and adjust the dimensions:
Type Properties > Duplicate
Change Name to “300 x 300mm” > OK
Adjust Parameter “h” to 300 > OK
Now you are ready to place the twelve Structural Columns according to the Grid.
Hint: You can place the columns manually at each grid intersection point, but a way to place all 16
columns faster is to use the At Grids command:
MENU: Modify | Place Structural Columns > At Grids
VIEW: Select all Grid lines using Ctrl-Key
MENU: Modify | Place Structural Columns > Finish
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
You see the result in the Floor Plan view. However, you may want to check the 3D View, too.
7
PROJECT BROWSER: 3D Views > {3D}
Now, we need to make sure that the columns will be residing on the Pad Foundations.
VIEW: Select all Columns
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Base Offset = -480.0 > Apply
4.2 Foundations
The next components we’d like to add are foundations. To support the columns we
choose to use Pad Foundations of size 1000x1000x500mm.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Structure > Foundation > Isolated
If no proper Revit Family is loaded, we load from the UK library “Structural Foundations” > “Pad
Foundation-Rectangular.rfa”, then select the appropriate type > OK
8
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Offset = -480.0 > Apply
VIEW: Now you are ready to place the twelve Pad Foundations according to the Grid.
You might not be able to see the Foundations in the Floor Plan of Level 0 and get the following
Warning. This is because the “View Range” of this Floor Plan does not include objects that are below
Level 0.
Consequently, we have to adjust the View Range of Floor Plan Level 0 accordingly.
PROPERTIES: Extents > View Range > Edit…
View Range > View Depth > Offset: -1000 > OK
9
4.3 Beams
Next, we’d like to add 300x600mm Structural Concrete Beams.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Structure > Beam
PROPERTIES: Edit Type
Type Properties > Load > “Structural Framing” > “Concrete” > “Concrete - Rectangular Beam.rfa” >
OK
VIEW: Now place the first beam starting from the upper left column towards the bottom left
column.
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
10
Unfortunately, the Beam is placed according to our Level 0, at the level of our Foundations. This is
why we need to adjust the Offset.
PROJECT BROWSER: 3D Views > {3D}
VIEW: Select the Beam
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Start Level Offset = 4000.0, End Level Offset = 4000.0 > Apply
If necessary, adjust the View Range of the view Floor Plan Level 0 to be able to see the Beam in the
Floor Plan.
ALTERNATIVE 1:
Repeat the above procedure in order to add the remaining 3 Structural Beams at the axis 2, 3 and 4
as well as 4 Structural Beams at the axes A, B, C and D.
ALTERNATIVE 2:
In order to avoid constructing and adjusting every beam separately, we can use the Copy-
Tool.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
VIEW: Select the Beam
MENU: Modify | Structural Framing > Modify > Copy
MENU: Check the box ‘Multiple’
VIEW: Select the centre of the upper left column as Start Point
11
VIEW: Select the centres of the columns at axis A-2, A-3 and A-4, respectively.
Create a Beam starting at Column A-1 and ending at Column A-4. Then copy this Beam to axis B, C
and D as described above.
The result should look like this:
Now, let’s copy the structural framing system (columns and beams) of the ground
floor to the first floor. To do this we make use of the (1) “Filter” functionality and the
(2) “Clipboard” functionality.
PROJECT BROWSER: Elevations > North
VIEW: Select all building components by specifying a rectangular area using the mouse.
12
Below is the selection result. However, as we do not want to copy the foundation components we
apply a ‘Filter’ to our selection set.
MENU: Modify | Multi-Select > Selection > Filter
Filter: Uncheck ‘Structural Foundations’ > OK
MENU: Modify | Multi-Select > Clipboard > Copy to Clipboard
MENU: Modify | Multi-Select > Clipboard > Paste > Aligned to Selected Levels
Select Levels: Level 2 > OK
13
Unfortunately, the upper columns overlap with the bottom columns. In order to fix this, we select
these columns using the Filter functionality and update their ‘Base offset’ property.
View: Select upper floor columns using the Filter
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Base offset = 0.0 > Apply
4.4 Floors and slabs
The next building components we’d like to add are floors and slabs. First, we add a
Foundation Slab of 480mm thickness.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Build > Floor > Floor: Architectural
PROPERTIES: Select Type ‘Floor-Grnd-Bearing_...’
MENU: Modify | Create Floor Boundary > Draw > Rectangle
Now draw a rectangle from upper left corner of the upper left column to bottom right corner of the
bottom right column.
MENU: Modify | Create Floor Boundary > Mode > Finish
14
Next, we add a floor slab as the ceiling of the ground floor.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 1
MENU: Architecture > Build > Floor > Floor: Structural
PROPERTIES: Select ‘Floor-Upper_160mmConc…’
MENU: Modify | Create Floor Boundary > Draw > Rectangle
VIEW: Now draw a rectangle from the centre of the upper left column to the centre of the bottom
right column.
MENU: Modify | Create Floor Boundary > Mode > Finish
Check result in 3D View. Repeat the steps above at Floor Plan Level 2 for the ceiling of the first floor.
4.5 Walls
Next, we would like to add exterior walls, in particular, exterior masonry walls and curtain
walls as well as interior walls.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
PROPERTIES: Extents > View Range
MENU: Architecture > Wall > Wall: Architectural
15
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Basic Wall-Ext_215Bwk’
MENU: Modify | Place Wall > ‘Height’ + ‘Level 1’
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Top Offset = -600.0 > Apply
VIEW: Draw the centre lines of the walls based on the centres of the columns D-1 to A-1 to A-4 to
C-4 to C-3.
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
MENU: Architecture > Build > Wall > Wall: Architectural
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Curtain_Wall-Exterior_Glazing’
MENU: Modify | Place Wall > ‘Height’ + ‘Level 1’
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Top Offset = -600.0 > Apply
VIEW: Draw the centre lines of the walls based on the centres of the columns C-3 to D-3 to D-1.
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
16
Next, create exterior walls of type ‘Basic Wall-Ext_215Bwk’ with Base Offset = 0.0 and Top Offset
= -600.0 at the first floor, as depicted below.
Now, we want to detail our design by constructing interior walls on both the ground and the first
floor of our building.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Wall > Wall: Architectural
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Wall-Int_...’
MENU: Modify | Place Wall > ‘Height’ + ‘Level 1’
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Top Offset = -600.0 > Apply
VIEW: Draw the centre lines of the walls based on the centres of the columns B-1 to B-2 to A-2.
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
17
Accordingly, create interior walls at the first floor (Level 1) as depicted below.
4.6 Windows and doors
In this section, we are concerned with adding windows and doors.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Build > Window
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Windows_Sgl_Plain 1360x910mm’View: Place windows on axis 1, as
depicted below. Then repeat this step to add windows on axes 1, A, and 4. (You do not have to care
about the exact locations!) Press ‘Esc’ to finish the command.
18
Repeat the same procedure on Level 1 (first floor) for the axes 1, A, 4, and D. The result is depicted
below.
Next, we’d like to an entrance door at Level 0 (ground floor).
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Build > Door
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Doors_ExtDbl_Flush 1810x2110mm’
View: Place the door on axis C, as depicted below (left). Press ‘Esc’ to finish command.
Now, we place interior doors on both Level 0 and Level 1.
MENU: Architecture > Build > Door
19
PROPERTIES: Select type ‘Doors_IntSgl 910x2110mm’
View> Place the door on axis 2, as depicted above (right). Press ‘Esc’ to finish command.
Repeat the steps above to add interior doors at Level 1 (first floor), as depicted below.
Now, the current status of our building looks like what is illustrated below.
4.7 Stairs
Now we need a stair leading from Level 0 (ground floor) to Level 1 (first floor).
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
20
MENU: Architecture > Circulation > Stair > Stair by Component
MENU: Modify | Create Stair > Components > L-Shape Winder > Check box ‘Mirror
Preview’
VIEW: Place the Stairs, similar to what is depicted below (left).
VIEW: Select the entire Stair (incl. railings) using the Selection Rectangle, as depicted above
(right)
MENU: Modify | Multi-Select > Modify > Rotate > Angle: 90.0 > Confirm with ‘Enter’.
Now, we can check the location of this stair by switching to the Default 3D View, then select
the entire building, apply the Filter functionality (select everything but Floors, Railings,
Stairs and Structural Foundations), and hide selected components (icon at the bottom of the View
Panel).
21
What we still recognise is that there is a shaft missing, e.g. a recess in the floor slab at Level 1. In
order to fix this, we create a shaft component.
VIEW: Temporary Hide/Isolate > Reset Temporary Hide/Isolate
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Opening > Shaft
PROPERTIES: Constraints > Base Constraint = Level 0, Base Offset = 0.0,
Top Constraint = Up to Level: Level 1
MENU: Modify | Create Shaft Opening Sketch > Draw > Rectangle
VIEW: Pick the lower left corner and then the top right corner of the Stair as depicted below.
MENU: Modify | Create Shaft Opening Sketch > Mode > Finish
You might want to check the result in the 3D view (see below). Finally, we need to add
some Railings around the recess.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 1
22
MENU: Architecture > Circulation > Railing > Sketch Path
VIEW: Draw the Sketch Path as depicted below (left)
MENU: Modify | Create Railing Path > Mode > Finish
The result is depicted below (right).
Now, there is only one problem left: There is a beam directly running through the shaft. You can
visualise this problem if you use the Filter functionality to hide all components except Floors and
Structural Framing (beams).
In order to fix this, we switch to the Floor Plan of Level 0 and adjust the View Range as depicted
above (right). Then select the respective beam component and move the endpoint as depicted
below.
23
4.8 Rooms
In order to specify functional spaces in this building and to run Energy Analyses for this
building we need to define Rooms.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Architecture > Room & Area > Room
MENU: Modify | Place Room > Upper Limit = Level 1, Offset = 0.0
VIEW: Click to locate the top left room on floor 0, as depicted below (left).
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
You can also tag a room and a description to it (below).
MENU:
Architecture > Room & Area > Room Tag > Room Tag
VIEW: Click to identify the predefined room you want to tag (see figure above (right))
Repeat the previous steps to create and tag the large Room on Level 0, as depicted below.
24
Subsequently, create and tag rooms 3 to 8 on Level 1, with the upper limit set to Level 2, as depicted
below.
5. Camera views and walkthrough
Now, we want to create an inside view of our building. For this purpose, we place a
Camera on the floor plan.
25
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: View > Create > 3D View > Camera
VIEW: Place the camera and define the viewing frustum similar to what is depicted below. The
camera view will automatically be created and displayed.
PROJECT BROWSER: 3D Views > 3D View 1
VIEW: Visual Style > Realistic
In addition to a static camera view we can also add a dynamic walking path in
order to create something like a walkthrough movie.
PROJECT BROWSER: Floor Plans > Level 0
26
MENU: View > Create > 3D View > Walkthrough
VIEW: Place the cameras and define the viewing frustums similar to what is depicted below (left).
MENU: Modify | Walkthrough > Finish Walkthrough
MENU: Modify | Cameras > Edit Walkthrough > Previous Key Frame (until camera is placed at the
origin of the walking path, see below, right)
PROJECT BROWSER: Views (all) > Walkthroughs > Walkthrough 1 (double-click)
VIEW: Select rectangular frame
MENU: Modify | Cameras > Edit Walkthrough > Walkthrough > Play
The actual walkthrough is now being displayed. You can also change the rendering settings (Visual
Style) to “Realistic”.
Esc-Key to terminate the command.
6. Dimensioning
Our 3D building model is now complete. However, in order to properly
communicate our design we need to add annotations, above all Dimensioning. In
Revit you can add aligned, linear (horizontal and vertical), angular and radial (or diameter)
dimensioning.
PROJECT BROWSER: Views (all) > Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: Annotate > Dimensioning > Aligned
VIEW: Select vertical and horizontal lines (e.g. wall faces) and place the dimensioning as you see fit.
Repeat these steps for all the floor plans.
27
7. Sections
Besides floor plans, sections play an important role when communicating building designs.
Since we have our 3D building model, sections can be derived automatically.
PROJECT BROWSER: Views (all) > Floor Plans > Level 0
MENU: View > Create > Section
VIEW: Specify the horizontal line that defines the section, as depicted below.
In order to check the section view, select the newly create section in the Project Browser:
PROJECT BROWSER: Views (all) > Sections (Building Section) > Section 1 (double-click)
28
The result should look like what is shown below.
Now you can start creating dimensioning for the section view as described above.
8. Drawing sheets
After having created floor plans, sections and elevations, we can start composing our
Drawing Sheets.
MENU: View > Sheet Composition > Sheet
New Sheet: Load… From the UK library select the folder “Titleblocks” and pick the Family you want
to load.
New Sheet: Select Titleblocks: ‘Title_Blocks_A1_Metric : Standard’ > OK
A new Sheet will automatically open. If not, you can open it as described below:
PROJECT BROWSER: Sheets (all) > A10…-Unnamed (double-click)
29
Now we can start adding different views to our Sheet.
ALTERNATIVE 1:
MENU: View > Sheet Composition > View
Views: Select ‘Floor Plan : Level 0’ > Add View to Sheet
VIEW: Place View on the Drawing Sheet
ALTERNATIVE 2:
PROJECT BROWSER: Views (all) > Floor Plans > Level 0 > Drag and drop this item on the Sheet in the
VIEW
The View of the Floor Plan Level 0 has now been added at the scale of 1:100. You can re-scale or
rename the view as described below.
VIEW: Select View frame
PROPERTIES: Graphics > View Scale = 1: 200 > Apply
PROPERTIES: Extents > Crop Region Visible: Uncheck (to set the View frame invisible)
Now you can add several other views to your sheet.
30
