BCLP-082- Revit Essentials -Creating Building Elements from Mass Instances.

Creating Building Elements from Mass Instances

·???????? In architectural design, creating building elements from mass instances is a crucial step in translating conceptual ideas into tangible structures. This process involves utilizing various tools and techniques to convert abstract massing studies into real-world building elements such as walls, floors, roofs, and curtain systems.

Utilizing Building Maker Tools:

Abstract Models:

·???????? Mass instances serve as abstract representations of building forms and facilitate scheduling of gross volume, surface area, and floor area.

Building Maker Tools:

·???????? Building Maker tools enable the creation of building elements from mass instances. However, it's important to note that these elements do not automatically update when the mass face changes.

Generic Models:

·???????? For unique or unusual shapes that don't require abstract modeling, generic models are preferred. Walls, roofs, and curtain systems can be created from faces within a generic model family.

Imported Solids and Polymeshes:

·???????? Building elements can also be generated from imported solids or polymeshes. However, specific considerations apply for optimal performance and compatibility.

Key Tools and Techniques:

Wall Creation:

·???????? Walls can be created from mass instances by selecting lines or faces using the Wall by Face tool. It's important to note that walls created in this manner require manual updating if the mass face changes.

Floor Creation:

·???????? Floors can be generated from mass instances using the Floor by Face tool or the Floor tool. Mass floors are first created to calculate floor areas within a mass instance.

Curtain System and Roof Creation:

·???????? Curtain systems and roofs can be placed on mass faces or generic model faces using dedicated tools. These elements offer flexibility in design but may require manual adjustments for changes in the mass.

Toposolid Creation:

·???????? Toposolids can be created on non-vertical faces of a mass using the Toposolid by Face tool. These elements provide a solid representation of terrain or surface features.

Management and Updates:

Extending Roof Boundaries:

·???????? After converting mass faces to a roof, shape handles can be used to extend the roof boundaries as needed.

Updating Elements:

·???????? Building elements created from mass faces do not automatically update with changes to the mass. The Update to Face tool allows for manual adjustments to reflect the current size and shape of the mass face.

Selecting Elements:

·???????? When updating elements associated with a mass instance or generic model, selecting the host entity first simplifies the process of selecting face-based hosts.

Creating building elements from mass instances is a dynamic process that bridges conceptual design with practical implementation. By leveraging Building Maker tools and understanding the nuances of element creation, architects and designers can effectively translate their design visions into tangible structures while adapting to evolving project requirements and design iterations.

Importing Massing Studies into Revit

·???????? Importing massing studies from external 3D design software into Revit is a powerful method to leverage conceptual designs and integrate them into detailed building models. This process allows architects to associate host elements with mass faces, facilitating the transition from conceptualization to implementation in Revit projects.

Workflow for Importing Massing Studies:

Create 3D Design:

·???????? Utilize 3D design software like Autodesk 3ds Max?, Trimble? SketchUp?, or Form/Z? to develop large-scale massing studies.

Export Design:

·???????? Export the completed design to a supported file format such as DWG or SAT from the design software.

Import into Revit:

·???????? In Revit, import the exported file into a mass family, treating the geometry as a mass object.

Place Mass Instances:

·???????? Load the mass family into the project and place instances of the mass family as needed within the project.

Associate Host Elements:

·???????? Use Revit to associate host elements such as walls, floors, and roofs with the faces of the imported mass component.

Considerations for Imported Geometry:

Faceted Nature:

·???????? Exported objects are faceted rather than smooth, potentially resulting in triangulated curved elements upon import into Revit.

Suitability for Mass Instances:

·???????? Imported geometry may not always be well-suited for mass instances due to complexity or format limitations. In such cases, utilizing the generic model category is recommended.

Joining Geometry:

·???????? Complex geometry in mass instances or generic models should be managed carefully to avoid performance issues, such as duplicated geometry.

Volumetric Information:

·???????? Some CAD formats may not provide geometry suitable for computing volumetric information and mass floors, leading to errors and warnings.

Best Practices for Importing Masses:

Complete Design Before Import:

·???????? Finalize the design in the external software before importing it into Revit to avoid challenges in updating the Revit family or project with subsequent changes.

Reduce Detail:

·???????? Simplify the imported mass by reducing unnecessary detail, reserving fine details like cornices or window details to be added as separate families within Revit.

Handling Mass Floors:

·???????? Ensure that imported mass families contain volumetric geometry to enable the creation of mass floors in Revit.

Importing Options:

Mass Family:

·???????? Import massing studies into a mass family for reuse across multiple projects.

In-Place Mass:

·???????? Import designs into an in-place mass within a project for one-time use specific to that project.

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Prepared by : Shiju Sasidharan, Sujisha V and BIMLABS Global Research Institute.

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