Mastering Autodesk Revit 2017 for Architecture

CHAPTER 14 Designing with the Family Editor

In previous chapters, we discussed the modeling techniques for system families such as walls, roofs, floors, and ceilings. Although system families are essentially rule-based assemblies applied to sketch-based forms, component families are more self-contained. Another way to explain the difference is that system families are the objects you usually quantify in terms of linear units, surface area, or volume, whereas component families are most often counted objects. Such families include doors, windows, furniture, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, specialty equipment, and so on.

In Autodesk^® Revit^® software, the Family Editor is where you’ll create these component families. If you’re familiar with other 3D modeling applications, the good news is that it will be easy to get started. But the really great news is that if you’ve never modeled in 3D, learning to create 3D content for the first time in Revit is a very satisfying process.

So relax, and prepare yourself for getting excited about design. Once you understand how to create parametric content in the Family Editor, you’ll probably realize you can do anything in Revit. We’ll begin this chapter by discussing some of the general topics that are important to understand about the Family Editor and creating component families. Then you will use some of this knowledge to create your own component family in a detailed exercise.

In this chapter, you’ll learn to:

• Get started with a family ...