3 Building Information Modeling
EXPLORING THE USER INTERFACE
To introduce the user interface of the Revit platform, it is crucial to understand the terms discussed next.
PrOject
A project is the single database of information for the design (i.e., the BIM). The project file contains all information for the building design, from geometry to
construction data. This information includes components used to design the model, views of the project, and drawings of the design. By using a single project file, it is easy to alter the design and have changes reflected in all associated areas (plan views, elevation views, section views, schedules, and so forth). Having only one file to track also makes it easier to manage the project.
level
Levels are infinite horizontal planes that act as a reference for level-hosted ele-ments, such as roofs, floors, and ceilings. Most often, levels are used to define a vertical height or story within a building. A level is created for each known story or other needed reference of the building, for example, first floor, top of wall, or bottom of foundation. To place levels, you must be in a section or eleva-tion view.
In Figure 3.8a, the user interface is labeled. In the sections that follow, we navi-gate and become familiar with the user interface items.
riBBOn
The ribbon displays when you create or open a project file. It provides all the tools necessary to create a project or family.
Application button
Ribbon
Project browse Option bar
Tab Panel
Drawing Area Status Bar View Control Bar
(a)
FIGURE 3.8 (a) Revit platform user interface. (Continued)
As you resize the Revit window, you may notice that tools in the ribbon automati-cally adjust their size to fit the available space. This feature allows all buttons to be visible for most screen sizes.
exPanded PanelS
An arrow next to a panel title or item indicates that you can expand the panel or item to display related tools and controls (see Figure 3.8c).
By default, an expanded panel closes automatically when you click outside the panel. To keep a panel expanded while its ribbon tab is displayed, click the pushpin icon in the bottom-left corner of the expanded panel.
(b)
(c)
FIGURE 3.8 (Continued) (b) Revit ribbon and (c) Expanded panels in Revit.
dialOg launcher
Some panels allow you to open a dialog to define related settings. A dialog launcher arrow on the bottom of a panel opens a dialog (see Figure 3.9).
cOntextual riBBOn taBS
When you start using certain tools or select model elements, a contextual ribbon tab displays tools that relate to the context of that tool or element. In many cases, the contextual tab merges with the Modify tab. A contextual ribbon tab closes when one exits the tool or clears the selection. For instance, when you select a floor such as concrete on a metal deck, the contextual ribbon tabs shown in Figure 3.10 appear.
FIGURE 3.9 Dialog launcher.
You can specify whether a contextual tab automatically comes into focus or the current tab stays in focus. You can also postulate which ribbon tab displays when you exits a tool or clears a selection.
Quick acceSS tOOlBar
The Quick Access toolbar contains a set of default tools (Figure 3.11). This tool-bar can be customized to display the tools used most often. The Quick Access toolbar can display above or below the ribbon. To change the setting, on the Quick Access toolbar, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar drop-down Show below the Ribbon (Figure 3.12a). Navigate the ribbon to display the tool that you want to add. Right-click the tool and click Add to Quick Access Toolbar (Figure 3.12b).
To Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
To make a quick change to the Quick Access toolbar, right-click a tool on the Quick Access toolbar and select one of the following options:
• Remove from Quick Access Toolbar, which removes the tool
• Add Separator, which adds a separator line to the right of the tool StatuS Bar
The Status bar is located along the bottom of the Revit window (Figure 3.13). When a tool is used, the left side of the status bar provides tips or hints on what to do. When highlighting an element or component, the status bar displays the name of the family and type.
OPtiOnS Bar
The Options bar is located below the ribbon (Figure 3.14). Its contents change depending on the current tool or selected element.
FIGURE 3.10 Contextual ribbon tabs.
FIGURE 3.11 Quick Access toolbar.
(a)
(b)
FIGURE 3.12 (a) Customize the Quick Access toolbar and (b) Add a Quick Access toolbar.
FIGURE 3.13 Status bar.
FIGURE 3.14 Option bar.
To move the Options bar to the bottom of the Revit window (above the status bar), right-click the Options bar and click Dock at bottom.
PrOPertieS Palette
The Properties palette is a modeless dialog where you can view and modify the parameters that define the properties of elements in Revit (see Figure 3.15).
OPeningthe PrOPertieS Palette
On starting Revit for the first time, the Properties palette is open and docked above the Project Browser on the left side of the drawing area. If the Properties palette is subsequently closed, it can be reopened using any of the following methods:
• Click Modify tab Properties panel (Properties).
• Click View tab Windows panel User Interface drop-down Properties.
• Right-click in the drawing area and click Properties.
Type Selector Properties Filter Display Type Properties
Instance Properties
FIGURE 3.15 Properties palette.
You can dock the palette to either side of the Revit window and resize it horizontally. You can resize it both horizontally and vertically when it is undocked.
The display and location of the palette will persist from one Revit session to the next for the same user.
Typically, the Properties palette is kept open during a Revit session to assist in the following:
• You can select the type of element that will be placed in the drawing area or change the type of elements already placed.
• Viewing and modifying the properties of the element one is placing or of elements selected in the drawing area.
• Viewing and modifying the properties of the active view.
• Accessing the type properties that apply to all instances of an element type.
In most cases, the Properties palette displays both user-editable and read-only (shaded) instance properties. A property may be read only because its value is com-puted or given automatically by the software or because it hinges on the setting of another property. For instance, a column’s analytical model properties are only edit-able if the value of its virtual model property Enedit-able Analytical model is checked.