Introduction xxv
Part 1 • General Project Setup 1

Chapter 1 • Exploring the User Interface 3

The Ribbon 3

Using Tabs 4

Using Contextual Tabs 10

Using Family Editor Tabs 10

Customizing the Ribbon 12

Quick Access Toolbar 13

User Interface Features 14

Options Bar 14

Properties Palette 15

View Control Bar 17

Status Bar 21

Info Center 21

Exchange Apps 22

User Interface Control 22

Menus and Settings 23

Keyboard Shortcuts 25

Graphics 27

Context Menus 28

The Bottom Line 30

Chapter 2 • Creating an Effective Project Template 31

Understanding Templates 32

Understanding the Project Browser Organization 32

Determining Which Views Are Grouped Together 33

Sorting Views within Groups 34

Determining the Number and Types of Views Needed 35

Setting the Number of Levels 36

Working with Plan Types 37

Creating a Working View 37

Choosing Display Settings for Views 37

Visibility Settings for Template Views 39

Visibility Settings Shortcut: View Templates 45

Schedule Views 46

Establishing Project Settings 48

Object Styles 48

Drafting Line Settings 49

Export Settings 54

Annotation Styles 58

Project Units 62

Project Phases 63

Defining Preloaded Content and Its Behavior 66

Annotation Families 66

Component Families 68

System Families 71

MEP Settings 74

Creating Sheet Standards 77

Titleblocks 77

Sheet Organization 77

Preset Sheets (Not Placeholder Sheets) 78

The Bottom Line 81

Chapter 3 • Worksets and Worksharing 83

Understanding Central Files 83

Creating a Central File 84

Creating a New Workset 88

Working with Local Files 91

Creating a Local File 91

Synchronizing a Local File with the Central File 93

Managing and Using the Power of Worksets 96

Taking Ownership of Worksets 97

Working with Model Elements and Their Worksets 98

Controlling Visibility and Worksets 102

Enhancing Communication 106

The Bottom Line 108

Chapter 4 • Project Collaboration 109

Preparing Your Files for Sharing 109

Working with Linked Revit Files 112

Linking Revit Files 112

Using Shared Coordinates 115

Managing Revit Links 117

Controlling Visibility of Revit Links 119

Coordinating Elements within Shared Models 124

Monitoring Elements 125

Responding to Change Alerts 129

Reconciling Hosting 130

Maintaining Project Coordination 132

Working with Files from Other Applications 133

Linking CAD Files 133

Exporting Your Revit File to a CAD Format 136

Using Image Files in a Revit Project 138

Setting Options for Quality Control 141

Using Autodesk Revit Server 144

Using Cloud-Based Solutions 144

The Bottom Line 145

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

2D Data Types 148

MicroStation 2D DGN 148

DXF 149

2D Data for Standard Details 149

2D Data for Plans, Sections, and Elevations 151

3D Data Types 158

Revit Project File 158

Revit Family File 161

ADSK 161

IFC 162

AutoCAD DWG 163

SketchUp 163

Other File Formats 163

Point Clouds 164

The Bottom Line 165

Chapter 6 • Parameters 167

Understanding Parameter Basics 168

Choosing the Correct Parameter 168

Naming Parameters 168

Using Type Parameters 169

Using Instance Parameters 171

Setting Parameter Discipline, Type, and Grouping 172

Using Parameters in Families 175

Dimensional Parameters Lock Function 176

Parameter Types 176

Type Catalogs 178

Formulas 181

System Parameters 182

Lookup Tables 183

Using Shared Parameters 184

Using Parameters in Projects 189

Project Parameters 189

Parameters in Schedules 191

Creating and Using Parameters in Families and Schedules 193

View and Sheet Parameters 195

Working with Formulas 197

Sample Conditional Statements 198

Rounding 198

The Bottom Line 199

Chapter 7 • Schedules 201

Defining Schedules 201

The Fields Tab 203

The Filter Tab 206

The Sorting/Grouping Tab 208

The Formatting Tab 209

The Appearance Tab 213

Editing a Schedule 213

Scheduling Component and System Family Data 217

Mechanical Equipment Schedules 217

Lighting Fixture Schedules 218

System Family Schedules 220

Model Component Schedules 223

Using Schedules for Design and Analysis 225

Schedule Keys 226

Panel Schedules 229

Using Schedules for Project Management 231

Sheet List 232

View List 233

Note Block 234

The Bottom Line 236

Part 2 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Mechanical Design 237

Chapter 8 • HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 239

Modeling Spaces for Building Load Analysis 239

Creating Spaces 240

Placing Spaces 241

Creating a Space Properties Schedule 241

Modifying Space Properties 242

Creating Zones 245

Setting Building Construction Options 247

Performing Heating and Cooling Load Analysis 249

Load Analysis 251

Weather Data 252

Outdoor Air Infiltration 253

Sliver Spaces 253

Details 254

Heating and Cooling Loads Report 256

Performing Conceptual Energy Analysis on Your Building 259

Setting Up the Model 259

Keeping It Simple 262

Performing Energy Simulation 263

Analyzing Duct and Pipe System Pressure 264

Exporting gbXML Data to Load-Simulating Software 264

The Bottom Line 267

Chapter 9 • Creating Logical Systems 269

Managing Systems 269

Why Are Systems Important? 269

Mechanical Settings 271

System Browser 272

Setting Up Air Systems 273

Understanding Parameters 274

Creating Mechanical Systems 277

Setting Up Piping Systems 281

Understanding Parameters 282

Creating Pipe Systems 283

Creating Fire-Protection Systems 286

Setting Display Properties of Systems 286

Understanding Child and Parent Relationships in Revit Systems 287

Using System Filters 288

The Bottom Line 292

Chapter 10 • Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 293

Air Distribution Components 293

Mechanical Equipment Components 295

Air Conditioning/Handling Units 295

VAV Boxes 296

Ductwork 297

Duct Types and Routing 301

Creating New Duct Types 302

Using Automatic Duct Routing 302

Using Manual Duct Routing 307

Duct Sizing 312

Choosing a Duct Sizing Method 314

Using the Duct Routing Tools 319

The Bottom Line 322

Chapter 11 • Mechanical Piping 323

Mechanical Pipe Settings 323

Creating Piping Systems 324

Creating Pipe Types 326

Defining Fitting Angles 327

Selecting Fittings for Routing Preferences 329

Choosing Pipe Materials and Sizes 329

Adjusting the Pipe Sizing Table 329

Using the Fluids Table 330

Pipe Routing Options 331

Automatic Pipe Routing 331

Manual Pipe Routing 332

Pipe Fittings 338

Using Pipe Fitting Controls 339

Placing Valves 339

Adding Piping Insulation 340

Defining Systems Visibility through Filters 340

The Bottom Line 343

Part 3 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Electrical Design 345

Chapter 12 • Lighting 347

Efficient Lighting Design 347

Spaces and Lighting 347

The Reflected Ceiling Plan 350

Lighting Worksets 351

Lighting Analysis 352

Hosting Options for Lighting Fixtures and Devices 355

Lighting Fixtures in a Ceiling 356

Lighting Fixtures in Sloped Ceilings 357

Ceiling Changes 357

Overhead Fixtures in Spaces with No Ceiling 359

Wall-Mounted Lights 359

Switches 360

Site Lighting 362

The Site Plan 363

Site Lighting Layout 364

Site Lighting Analysis 364

The Bottom Line 369

Chapter 13 • Power and Communications 371

Modeling Methods for Power and Systems Devices 371

Using Annotation Symbols 373

Using Face-Hosted Families 373

Avoiding Interference of Symbols 377

Creating Circuits 379

Placing Devices and Equipment Connections 379

Disconnect Switches 381

Distribution Equipment and Transformers 383

Switchboards 385

Panels 386

Other Equipment 389

Creating Power Distribution Systems 391

Power Diagrams 393

Tips for Creating Power Diagrams 394

Creating a Fire Alarm System Model 394

Fire Alarm Riser Diagram 395

Fire Alarm Diagram Using Drafting Tools and Symbols 397

Modeling Conduit and Cable Tray 397

Defining Electrical Settings 399

Placing Conduit in a Model 401

Placing Cable Tray in a Model 404

Creating Family Types 405

The Bottom Line 405

Chapter 14 • Circuiting and Panels 407

Establishing Electrical Settings 407

Wiring Settings 408

Voltage Definitions 410

Distribution Systems 411

Load Calculations 412

Creating Circuits and Wiring for Devices and Fixtures 416

Editing Wiring 418

Editing Circuits 420

Drawing Wires Manually 424

Controlling Wire Display 427

Managing Circuits and Panels 428

Circuit Properties 429

Wire Properties 429

Panel Properties 429

Other Panels and Circuits 432

Using Schedules for Sharing Circuit Information 433

The Bottom Line 434

Part 4 • Autodesk Revit MEP for Plumbing 437

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

Configuring the Plumbing Views 439

Global Settings and View-Specific Settings 440

Defining Systems Visibility through Filters 441

Working with Plumbing Fixtures 443

Working with Architectural Linked-in Plumbing Models 447

Creating Custom Pipe Assemblies 448

Copying/Monitoring Plumbing Fixtures 451

Choosing Pipe Settings and Pipe Routing Options 454

Sloping Pipe 454

Annotating Invert Elevation and Slope 457

Using Fittings 458

Using Pipe Fitting Controls 458

Placing Valves 458

The Bottom Line 460

Chapter 16 • Fire Protection 461

Understanding the Essentials of Placing Fire-Protection Equipment 461

Point of Connection 461

Fire Pump Assembly 463

Fire Riser Assembly 464

Sprinkler Heads 466

Creating Fire-Protection Systems 466

Creating a Fire-Protection Wet System 469

Filtering Fire-Protection Systems 470

Using Mechanical Joint Fittings 472

Routing Piping and Adjusting Settings 473

The Bottom Line 473

Part 5 • Managing Content in Autodesk Revit MEP 475

Chapter 17 • Solid Modeling 477

Solids and Voids 477

Extrusions 478

Blends 480

Revolves 482

Sweeps 484

Swept Blends 486

Joining Geometry 488

Voids 488

Reference Planes and Lines 491

Constraints and Dimensions 496

Visibility Control 501

In-Place Massing 503

The Bottom Line 508

Chapter 18 • Creating Symbols and Annotations 509

Using Drafting Tools in Revit 509

Drawing Arcs 511

Using Other Drawing Tools 512

Creating Filled Regions 513

Building a Symbol Library 513

Generic Annotations 514

Subcategories 515

Text and Labels 517

Detail Components 517

Controlling Visibility of Lines, Regions, and Annotations 520

Using Visibility Parameters 520

Using Constraints 524

Using Labels and Tags 526

Label Format Options 527

Labels and Linework 529

The Bottom Line 531

Chapter 19 • Creating Equipment 533

Modeling MEP Equipment 533

Hosting Options 534

Family Categories 536

Detail Level 538

Geometry for Connection Points 539

Equipment Pads 540

Adding Connectors to Equipment Families 541

Duct Connectors 546

Pipe Connectors 549

Electrical Connectors 551

Multiple Connectors in Families 553

Creating Clearance Spaces 561

Adding Parameters and Constraints 563

The Bottom Line 564

Chapter 20 • Creating Lighting Fixtures 565

Understanding Types of Lighting Fixture Families 565

Nonhosted Lighting Fixtures 566

Face-Hosted Lighting Fixtures 570

Face-Hosted Families for Wall-Mounted Lights 571

Fixture Types Based on Dimensions 572

Fixture Types Based on Fixture Performance and Lighting Characteristics 573

Naming Conventions 576

Performing a Lighting Analysis 576

Light Source Location 578

Light Source Definitions 579

Light Source Parameters 580

Using Fixture Families as Intelligent Objects 582

Using Parameters 582

Adding Connectors 583

Representing Light Fixtures on Construction Documents 584

The Bottom Line 590

Chapter 21 • Creating Devices 593

Modeling Device Geometry 593

Category and Parameters 594

Geometry and Reference Planes 596

Using Annotations for Devices 601

Adding Parameters and Connectors 607

Using Parameters for Labels 607

Adding Connectors 608

The Bottom Line 612

Chapter 22 • Details 615

Drafting and Detailing Tools 615

Line Styles 615

Regions 616

Detail Components 619

CAD Details 622

Using Drafting Views 623

Converting Details 624

Strategies for Creating a Detail Library 628

Inserting 2D Elements 630

Inserting Views 631

Model Detail Views 632

Plan Callouts 632

Section Callouts 635

The Bottom Line 636

Chapter 23 • Sheets 639

Creating a Titleblock 639

Using Existing CAD Graphics 640

Using Text and Labels 641

Using Logos and Images 644

Working with Sheets in a Project 645

Organizing Project Browser Sheets 646

Placing Views on Sheets 648

Working with Viewports 651

Adding Annotations 652

Placing Schedules 653

Using Sheet Lists 653

Making Sheet Revisions 657

Printing Sheets 659

Exporting Sheets 660

The Bottom Line 663

Appendix • The Bottom Line 665

Chapter 1: Exploring the User Interface 665

Chapter 2: Creating an Effective Project Template 666

Chapter 3: Worksets and Worksharing 667

Chapter 4: Project Collaboration 668

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

Chapter 6: Parameters 670

Chapter 7: Schedules 671

Chapter 8: HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 672

Chapter 9: Creating Logical Systems 673

Chapter 10: Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 674

Chapter 11: Mechanical Piping 675

Chapter 12: Lighting 677

Chapter 13: Power and Communications 678

Chapter 14: Circuiting and Panels 679

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

Chapter 16: Fire Protection 681

Chapter 17: Solid Modeling 682

Chapter 18: Creating Symbols and Annotations 683

Chapter 19: Creating Equipment 684

Chapter 20: Creating Lighting Fixtures 685

Chapter 21: Creating Devices 686

Chapter 22: Details 687

Chapter 23: Sheets 688

Index 689