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Starting a Revit ArchitectureProjectSection 1:

Skill Objectives

This section covers the following skill objectives:

■ Use AutoCAD® data to set up a Revit® Architecture project.■ Create and manage drawing sheets.

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Skill Objectives

This section covers th wing skill objectives:

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2 ■ Section 1: Starting a Revit Architecture Project

Setting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data

Performance Task

After completing this lesson, you will be able to perform the following task:

■ Use AutoCAD data to set up a Revit Architecture project.

Introduction to Revit Architecture Projects

An AutoCAD project typically consists of a set of drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, sections, and schedules created as 2D graphics.

A Revit Architecture project consists of a single file that contains all the 2D and 3D views and documentation related to the building design.

Definition of a Revit Architecture Project

A Revit Architecture project is a complete 3D representation of an architectural design together with associated construction documents such as details and schedules. The information related to the building model is represented in 2D and 3D views and schedules stored in a single project file.

A Revit Architecture project consists of the following:

■ Project environment■ Components and views

Project Browser displaying project views

2 ■ S ti 1 St ti R it A hit t P j t

S i U P j i h A CAD DSetting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data

Performance Task

After completing this lesson, you will be able to perform the following task:

■ Use AutoCAD data to set up a Revit Architecture project.

Introduction to Revit Architecture Projects

An AutoCAD project typically consists of a set of drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, sections, andschedules created as 2D graphics.

A Revit Architecture project consists of a single file that contains all the 2D and 3D views and documentation related to the building design.

Definition of a Revit Architecture Project

A Revit Architecture project is a complete 3D representation of an architectural design together with associated construction documents such as details and schedules. The information related to thebuilding model is represented in 2D and 3D views and schedules stored in a single project file.

A Revit Architecture project consists of the following:

■ Project environment■ Components and views

Project Browser displaying project views

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Setting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data ■ 3

Project Environment

When you design a building model in Revit Architecture, you also define the project environment. You manage the project environment from the Project Browser. The project environment includes the views and visibility settings of the building model components. A new project is usually created from a project template. Views, such as floor plans, ceiling plans and elevations, are automatically loaded into the Project Browser depending on the chosen template. The project environment settings are saved with the project, and you can customize them at any point in the design process.

Revit Architecture project environment

3

P j E iProject Environment

When you design a building model in Revit Architecture, you also define the project environment. You manage the project environment from the Project Browser. The project environment includes theviews and visibility settings of the building model components. A new project is usually created from a project template. Views, such as floor plans, ceiling plans and elevations, are automatically loaded into the Project Browser depending on the chosen template. The project environment settings are saved with the project, and you can customize them at any point in the design process.

Revit Architecture project environment

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4 ■ Section 1: Starting a Revit Architecture Project

Components and Views

The Revit Architecture project environment provides components and views for creating a building model. You can add parametric building components to a project such as windows, doors, and walls. You can also create views, such as plan, section, elevation, and 3D views. If you make any changes to a view, all views are automatically updated to reflect the change. All views are organized in the Project Browser. The view that you activate in the Project Browser is displayed in the view window.

Project’s first floor furniture plan view activated in the Project Browser

4 ■ S ti 1 St ti R it A hit t P j t

C d ViComponents and Views

The Revit Architecture project environment provides components and views for creating a building model. You can add parametric building components to a project such as windows, doors, and walls. You can also create views, such as plan, section, elevation, and 3D views. If you make any changes toa view, all views are automatically updated to reflect the change. All views are organized in theProject Browser. The view that you activate in the Project Browser is displayed in the view window.

Project’s first floor furniture plan view activated in the Project Browser

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Setting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data ■ 5

Examples of Projects

AutoCAD and Revit Architecture projects are shown in the following illustrations.

AutoCAD project arranged on a layout

Revit Architecture project arranged on a drawing sheet

5

E l f P jExamples of Projects

AutoCAD and Revit Architecture projects are shown in the following illustrations.

AutoCAD project arranged on a layout

Revit Architecture project arranged on a drawing sheet

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6 ■ Section 1: Starting a Revit Architecture Project

Introduction to AutoCAD Data in Revit Architecture

AutoCAD data provides base vector drawings that you can use as references in Revit Architecture. To use AutoCAD data, such as details, note blocks, or plans, in your Revit Architecture projects, you must either link or import the data.

Linked AutoCAD Drawings

Linked AutoCAD drawings in Revit Architecture behave like xrefs in AutoCAD. Changes that you make to the data in the linked AutoCAD drawing are updated in the Revit Architecture project whenever the link is reloaded.

You can link the following types of AutoCAD data:

■ Details■ Note blocks■ 2D and 3D toposurface maps■ Legends

You can link an AutoCAD drawing to a view in your Revit Architecture project and place it on a sheet. You can use section tags, detail tags, and callout tags to reference the view. All of the associated AutoCAD drawing information remains linked to the Revit Architecture project.

You can also acquire and publish coordinate systems between Revit Architecture and AutoCAD to synchronize the Revit Architecture coordinate system with the AutoCAD coordinate system. You should link AutoCAD data in workflows where some project work will be done in AutoCAD and you wish to update any changes to the AutoCAD drawings in the Revit Architecture project.

AutoCAD drawing linked into Revit Architecture

6 ■ S ti 1 St ti R it A hit t P j t

I d i A CAD DIntroduction to AutoCAD Da i R i A hita in Revit Architecture

AutoCAD data provides base vector drawings that you can use as references in Revit Architecture. Touse AutoCAD data, such as details, note blocks, or plans, in your Revit Architecture projects, you must either link or import the data.

Linked AutoCAD Drawings

Linked AutoCAD drawings in Revit Architecture behave like xrefs in AutoCAD. Changes that you make to the data in the linked AutoCAD drawing are updated in the Revit Architecture project whenever the link is reloaded.

You can link the following types of AutoCAD data:

■ Details■ Note blocks■ 2D and 3D toposurface maps■ Legends

You can link an AutoCAD drawing to a view in your Revit Architecture project and place it on a sheet. You can use section tags, detail tags, and callout tags to reference the view. All of the associated AutoCAD drawing information remains linked to the Revit Architecture project.

You can also acquire and publish coordinate systems between Revit Architecture and AutoCAD to synchronize the Revit Architecture coordinate system with the AutoCAD coordinate system. Youshould link AutoCAD data in workflows where some project work will be done in AutoCAD and you wish to update any changes to the AutoCAD drawings in the Revit Architecture project.

AutoCAD drawing linked into Revit Architecture

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Setting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data ■ 7

Imported AutoCAD Drawings

You can also import an AutoCAD drawing into Revit Architecture. When you import AutoCAD drawings into Revit, no link is maintained with the original drawing and any changes made in AutoCAD are not reflected in Revit. You can snap to and trace over the imported AutoCAD drawings to create Revit Architecture project components. You should typically import drawings that do not need to be updated from AutoCAD like standard details or backgrounds and profiles for Revit Architecture family objects.

Introduction to the Process of Creating a Project with AutoCAD Data

Before you leverage your AutoCAD data to create a Revit Architecture project, you need to create levels and views in Revit Architecture into which you will import or link AutoCAD data. You may also need to prepare an import line weights text file to correctly map dwg/dxf pen colors to corresponding Revit Architecture line weights.

Process: Creating a Project with AutoCAD Data

The following steps describe the process of creating a project with AutoCAD data.

1. Create views.

Create views to correspond to AutoCAD drawings that you want to import or link to your Revit Architecture project.

2. Import or link AutoCAD drawings.

Import or link the AutoCAD drawings to Revit Architecture views, such as floor plans or drafting views.

3. Snap to and trace the AutoCAD geometry.

Snap to and trace the AutoCAD geometry to create your building model.

4. Make changes to the linked drawings.

Make any necessary changes to the linked detail drawings in AutoCAD, if required. The changes are updated automatically the next time you open your Revit Architecture project.

7

I d A CAD D iImported AutoCAD Drawings

You can also import an AutoCAD drawing into Revit Architecture. When you import AutoCAD drawings into Revit, no link is maintained with the original drawing and any changes made in AutoCAD are not reflected in Revit. You can snap to and trace over the imported AutoCAD drawings to create Revit Architecture project components. You should typically import drawings that do notneed to be updated from AutoCAD like standard details or backgrounds and profiles for RevitArchitecture family objects.

Introduction to the Process of Creating a Project with AutoCAD Data

Before you leverage your AutoCAD data to create a Revit Architecture project, you need to createlevels and views in Revit Architecture into which you will import or link AutoCAD data. You may also need to prepare an import line weights text file to correctly map dwg/dxf pen colors to corresponding Revit Architecture line weights.

Process: Creating a Project with AutoCAD Data

The following steps describe the process of creating a project with AutoCAD data.

1. Create views.

Create views to correspond to AutoCAD drawings that you want to import or link to your RevitArchitecture project.

2. Import or link AutoCAD drawings.

Import or link the AutoCAD drawings to Revit Architecture views, such as floor plans or drafting views.

3. Snap to and trace the AutoCAD geometry.

Snap to and trace the AutoCAD geometry to create your building model.

4. Make changes to the linked drawings.

Make any necessary changes to the linked detail drawings in AutoCAD, if required. Thechanges are updated automatically the next time you open your Revit Architecture project.

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8 ■ Section 1: Starting a Revit Architecture Project

Introduction

Many Revit Architecture users already have a lot of knowledge and legacy data from AutoCAD. This knowledge and data can be leveraged in a Revit Architecture project for greater efficiency. For successful creation of a Revit Architecture project using AutoCAD data, follow these guidelines.

Guidelines

■ Import or link AutoCAD drawings that contain geometry you can snap to and trace over.■ Use an Import/Link mapping text file to import pen numbers from a DWG™ or DXF™ file and map

them to a Revit Architecture line weight. ■ Use the Import/Link dialog box to determine the color, placement, and scaling of imported

geometry. ■ You can import or link AutoCAD drawings that contain 2D geometry, which you can use directly

on a sheet for plotting. You can also modify AutoCAD geometry in Revit Architecture by exploding and changing line work or layer and text properties.

■ You can leverage AutoCAD drawings as backgrounds for creating Revit Architecture projects or components. You can also import note blocks and titleblock geometry from AutoCAD.

■ Use the Manage Link dialog box to manage the loading and unloading of DWG files. Also use the object styles dialog box to keep track of imported DWG files.

8 ■ S ti 1 St ti R it A hit t P j t

I d iIntroduction

Many Revit Architecture users already have a lot of knowledge and legacy data from AutoCAD. Thisfknowledge and data can be leveraged in a Revit Architecture project for greater efficiency. For successful creation of a Revit Architecture project using AutoCAD data, follow these guidelines.

Guidelines

■ Import or link AutoCAD drawings that contain geometry you can snap to and trace over.■ Use an Import/Link mapping text file to import pen numbers from a DWG™ or DXF™ file and map

them to a Revit Architecture line weight.■ Use the Import/Link dialog box to determine the color, placement, and scaling of imported

geometry.■ You can import or link AutoCAD drawings that contain 2D geometry, which you can use directly

on a sheet for plotting. You can also modify AutoCAD geometry in Revit Architecture by explodingand changing line work or layer and text properties.

■ You can leverage AutoCAD drawings as backgroundundnds for creating Revit Architecture projects or components. You can also import note blocks and titleblock geometry from AutoCAD.

■ Use the Manage Link dialog box to manage the loading and unloading of DWG files. Also use the object styles dialog box to keep track of imported DWG files.

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Setting Up Projects with AutoCAD Data ■ 9

Exercise: Create a Revit Project from AutoCAD Data

In this exercise, you create a project in Revit Architecture by importing AutoCAD drawings.

You want to import existing AutoCAD drawings to Revit Architecture and use them as backgrounds to develop your project. The AutoCAD drawings contain dimensions and tags that you do not want to import, so you use the Specify Layers tool in the Revit Import/Link dialog box to remove them before importing the drawing.

You do the following:

■ Create a Revit Architecture project.■ Import AutoCAD background data for your project.■ Remove unwanted AutoCAD information before importing.

Create a Revit Architecture Project

The completed exercise

1. Click File menu > New > Project.

2. In the New Project dialog box:

■ Browse to the default templates folder.■ Select default.rte (DefaultMetric.rte) to

start a new project and click Open.■ Click OK.

3. Save the project on the desktop as House 1.

4. In the Project Browser, under Elevations (Building Elevation), double-click East.

5. On the Design Bar, Basics tab, click Level.

6. In the view window:

■ Draw a new level from left to right above Level 2.

■ Align the start and finish points of the level line with the other levels using tracking aids.

■ Press ESC two times to end the Level command.

■ By default, the new level is Level 3.

9

Exercise: Create a Revit Project from AutoCAD Data

In this exercise, you create a project in Revit Architecture by importing AutoCAD drawings.

You want to import existing AutoCAD drawings to Revit Architecture and use them as backgrounds todevelop your project. The AutoCAD drawings contain dimensions and tags that you do not want to import,so you use the Specify Layers tool in the Revit Import/Link dialog box to remove them before importing the drawing.

You do the following:

■ Create a Revit Architecture project.■ Import AutoCAD background data for your project.■ Remove unwanted AutoCAD information before importing.

Create a Revit Architecture Project

TThe completed exercise

1. Click File menu > New > Project.

2. In the New Project dialog box:

■ Browse to the default templates folder.■ Select default.rte (DefaultMetric.rte) to

start a new project and click Open.■ Click OK.

3. Save the project on the desktop as House 1.

4. In the Project Browser, under Elevations (Building Elevation), double-click East.

5. On the Design Bar, Basics tab, click Level.

6. In the view window:

■ Draw a new level from left to right aboveLevel 2.

■ Align the start and finish points of thelevel line with the other levels using tracking aids.

■ Press ESC two times to end the Level command.

■ By default, the new level is Level 3.

10 ■ Section 1: Starting a Revit Architecture Project

7. Double-click the height parameter of the level head and enter 20' - 0" (8000 mm) if this is not already the new level height.

8. Verify in the Project Browser that Level 3 views are added under Floor Plans and Ceiling Plans.

9. In the view window:

■ Select the Level 1 text.■ Rename Level 1 to Basement.

■ Press ENTER.

10. In the Revit dialog box, click Yes to rename the corresponding views.

11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 to rename Level 3 as Roof and Level 2 as Ground.

12. Save the project.

10 ■ S ti 1 St ti R it A hit t P j t

7. Double-click the height parameter of the level head and enter 20' - 0" (8000 mm) if this is notalready the new level height.

8. Verify in the Project Browser that Level 3 vieware added under Floor Plans and Ceiling Plans.

9. In the view window:

■ Select the Level 1 text.■ Rename Level 1 to Basement.

■ Press E

10. In the Revit dialog box, click Yes to rename the esponding views.

Repeat steps 9 and 10 to rename Level 3 as Roof and Level 2 asf Ground.

12. Save the project.

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