Part 1 Adding and Modifying the Levels
Part 2 Locating the Building, Adding the Exterior Walls and the First Floor Interior Walls
Part 3 Adding the First and Floor Doors and Windows Part 4 Adding the Second Floor Walls, Doors, and Windows Part 5 Creating the First and Second Floor Roofs
Part 6 Dimensioning the First and Second Floor Plans
Part 7 Modifying the Door and Window Tag Families, Tagging the Doors and Windows
Part 8 Creating the First Floor, Garage Floor, Porch, and Driveway Slabs Part 9 Adding the Second Floor Plate
Part 10 Thickening the Edges of the Three Slabs Note: All screenshots are from the Autodesk® Revit® software.
Starting the Tutorial
Start Revit 2017 by clicking on the icon on the desktop.
Create a new drawing file using the Residential-Default template file.
Name the file RL1-1.
Open the file.
Note: Throughout the seven tutorials you will name the file according the part that you are completing. As you finish the part of the tutorial, save the file as the current part file name and then save the file as the next part.
RL1-1 – Adding and Modifying the Levels
First you will need to modify the levels that come with the template. These levels will control the heights of key features of the building. Slab Heights, Walls, Roofs, and other features rely on a level to control their location.
In the Project Browser, go to the Elevations (Building Elevation) view category and double-click on South. This will open the South Elevation.
Modify the Levels as shown in the chart. To change the height, select the level and then click on the numerical height. When the small box opens, modify the text. Delete any extra levels.
Level Name Height from First Floor
Plate Line 18’-0”
Second Floor 9’-0”
First Floor 0’-0”
Garage Floor -0’-4”
B.O. Footer -2’-0”
Updated Level Names and Heights To create the bend in the level marker,
click on the level line and then the Add Elbow toggle on the line.
Add Elbow Toggle Click, hold, and drag on the handles to
adjust the location of the level text.
This is the end of Part 1. Save your file as RL1-1.
RL1-2 – Locating the Building, Adding the Exterior and Interior Walls In this part you will locate the building on the site, create the building shell and add the interior walls to the building.
Open the RL1-1 file. Save the file as RL1-2.
In the Project Browser, switch to the First Floor view.
Click on the Light Bulb at the bottom of the view.
This is used to Hide or Display elements of the
drawing. Reveal Hidden Elements Tool
You will see a red symbol in the middle of the screen. The color indicates that these are hidden elements. Select the elements by drawing a fence around them, right-click, select Unhide in View, and then Category.
Unhide the Category
The elements will turn gray. Click on the Light bulb icon to turn off the Reveal Hidden Elements mode.
The elements that you revealed are used to mark the project base point.
Click on the center of the element to see the location of the mark.
Project Base Point
When you start the walls you will do so in relation to this point. The lower left corner of the property line will be placed later at this base point.
Select the Wall tool from the Architectural Ribbon, Build Panel.
All walls will be drawn to their default height of 20’-0”.
Wall Tool In the Type Selector,
select Basic Wall Exterior –Wood Siding on Wood Stud.
Exterior - Wood Siding on Wood Stud
Based on the drawing, draw the exterior walls to the locations shown.
Position the exterior walls so that the bottom of the building is 35’-6” and the left side is 9’-8” from the Base Point.
Measure the distance from the center of the Base Point to the exterior face of the walls.
You may use Reference Planes to help with this process.
Location of Building From Base Point
Select the base point and right-click on it.
Select the Category option in the Hide in View command.
You need to do this for both parts of the Base point.
After hiding both parts of the Base Point, the dimensions will also hide.
Hide in View (Category)
After completing the exterior walls, dimension the locations.
Use the Dimension Panel, Aligned tool.
Aligned Dimension Tool The exterior walls are to be dimensioned to the face of core and the interior walls
to the center unless shown otherwise. Use the Faces of Core option in the option bar when placing the dimensions
Faces of Core Option
Thin Lines Toggle
When placing the dimensions. Set the detail level to fine. To see the individual lines of the wall, click the Thin Lines toggle in the quick access toolbar.
This will help to see the core boundary of the wall.
When adjusting the locations of the walls, do not move the south and east walls.
You may also set the scale of the view to 1/8” = 1’-0” to see the dimension text clearly.
Detail Level Set to Fine
Extension Line Locations
Exterior Wall Dimensions
Next you will need to move the elevation markers so that they are around the outside edges of the walls.
Select all four elevation markers. You may need to select them separately and hold the CTRL key until all markers are selected.
Click on the Move tool in the Modify Panel.
Drag the mouse to the center of the walls and release the button. Position the markers as shown.
Markers Repositioned
Add the interior walls as shown. Change the type of wall in the Properties palette using the Type Selector. Do not include the notes.
Use the Align tool to align the two walls for the Kitchen and the wall at the south corner as noted. When aligning the walls, click the padlock so that the alignment remains permanent.
First Floor Interior Wall Dimensions
You may notice that the Basic Wall Interior – 6 ½” Partition wall has seam lines at both ends. This is due to the core material being Metal Stud rather than Softwood Lumber. Click on the wall to change its properties.
Seam Lines
Click on the Edit Type button to open the Type Properties dialog box for the wall.
Edit Type Button In the Type Properties dialog box, click on the Edit… Button next to the Structure
parameter.
In the Edit Assembly dialog box, select the Metal Stud Layer material and then click the small box that appears next to the name of the material.
Type Properties Dialog Box Edit Assembly Dialog Box
The Material Browser dialog box opens. Search for the Softwood Lumber material in the search box at the top left. Select the material and click OK.
Note: To show the library panel at the bottom left, click on the Shows/Hide library panel tool.
Material Browser Dialog Box Click Ok in each of the dialog boxes to end the command.
The seam lines at each end of the wall are now gone.
Seam Lines Removed This is the end of Part 2. Save your file as RL1-2.
RL1-3 – Adding the First Floor Doors and Windows
Now that you have added the walls you will now place the doors and windows for the building.
Adding the Windows
Open the RL1-2 file. Save the file as RL1-3.
Continue in the First Floor view.
Select the Window tool from the Architectural Ribbon, Build Panel.
In the Type Selector, select the window based on the chart below. The door and window tags are for reference only. You be adding tags to your project later in the tutorial.
After adding the windows, dimension their locations as shown. Add missing dimensions using the Edit Witness Lines Tool. This tool is accessible by clicking on one of the dimensions on the drawing.
Edit Witness Lines Tool
The Slider with Trim Window style is not loaded with the template file.
Before you can add this window you will need to load the family.
Click on the Window tool in the Architecture Tab, Build Panel.
Window Tool
Click on the Load Family tool. The Load Family dialog will open. Scroll down to the Windows folder at the bottom of the folders.
Load Family Tool
Load Family Dialog Open the Windows Folder and Select the
Slider with Trim Family file. Click the Open button in the dialog box to load the family and close the dialog.
Slider with Trim Family File Some of the window sizes will need to be
created.
To do this, click on the window tool at select the window family in the Properties Window Type Selector.
Click on the Edit Type button to open the Type Properties dialog for the window family.
Edit Type Button
In the Type
New Window Type Name In the Type Properties
dialog box, modify the properties of the window.
Change the Width to 6’-0”
(72”).
The height will remain at 48” (4’-0”).
Width Changed Create the window types as shown in the table.
The name of the window type shows the width of the window first and then the height.
After placing Window #4 in the Bathroom click on the window and set the Head Height to 7’-0”.
The window will disappear after the change.
You will next create a Plan Region to resolve this.
Change Head Height to 7’-0”
Click on the Plan Region tool in the Plan Views tool in the Create panel.
Plan Region Tool Draw the boundary of the region around the area of
the window.
Plan View Boundary
Click on the Edit…
button in the Properties dialog.
Set the Cut Plane offset to 5’-6”.
Cut Plane Offset to 5'-6"
Click OK and then the Green Check to complete the command.
The window is now visible.
You may resize and hide the plan region boundary if you wish.
Window Visible
Adding the Doors
Next you will add the doors to the first floor.
Select the Door tool from the Architectural Ribbon, Build Panel.
In the Type Selector, select the door based on the chart below:
(Some families will need to be loaded from the US Imperial folder on the hard drive.)
Family will need to be loaded from Doors Folder.
Size is included.
H Door-Double-Sliding
72” x 84”
Family will need to be loaded from Doors Folder.
Size will be loaded.
J Single-Flush 30” x 80” Size is included.
When loading the Sliding Glass door, you will need to select the 72” x 84” size in the Specify Types dialog.
This will be the only size that you will need for the project.
Specify Types Dialog Box
After adding the doors, dimension their locations as shown on the next page.
First Floor Door and Window Locations
Scan the drawing for missing dimensions. If you find any, click on the dimension line and select the Edit Witness Lines tool in the Witness Lines panel.
To add dimensions to the existing chain, click on the element to dimension. When finished, click in open space.
This is the end of Part 3. Save your file as RL1-3.
RL1-4 – Adding the Second Floor Interior Walls, Doors, and Windows This part involves adding the second floor walls, doors, and windows. Some of the walls will need to be modified. By this time, you should have the first floor walls, doors, and windows located. Now you will need to lower the height of the interior walls to the correct height. This will be done in the 3D view.
Open the RL1-3 file. Save the file as RL1-4.
Switch to the 3D view.
To change the view to shaded color, pick on the small cube at the bottom left of the view and select Shaded.
Shaded View Setting
3D View of First Floor Walls
If some of the windows appear to be to position too low, click on the window and set the Head Height to 7’-0”.
Switch to the First Floor view.
You will need to split the exterior wall on the west side of the building at the corner where the Garage and Kitchen meet. You will also need to split the wall on the east side at the opposite corner.
First Split Location Second Split Location Split Tool Note: The reason for the split is so that you will have two separate wall types and will be able to lower the top of the garage walls separately.
Select the three garage walls. Set the height to Unconnected and the Height to 9’-10”.
Select the garage separation wall and set the height to Second Floor.
Change the separation wall to the new type.
Select the Interior – 6 3/4” Partition (1-hr) wall style from the type selector.
Wall Type Selector Pick the Edit Type button to open the Type Properties dialog box.
Click the Preview>> button and then the View drop-down to show a section view of the wall preview.
Type Properties Dialog Box
Click the Duplicate Button and name the wall Interior – 6 3/4” Garage Partition (1-Hr).
Click the Edit button next to Structure.
Match the settings to the dialog box below.
Use the Insert button to add new layers to the wall. To change the material of the wall, click on the name of the material and click the small button to the right.
Edit Assembly Dialog Box Zoom in on the right side of the garage separation wall.
Turn on the Thin Lines toggle in the Quick Access tool bar.
If needed, use the Align tool in the Modify ribbon to align the top edge of the wall core as shown.
Select Faces of core in the options bar.
Faces of Core Option Selected
Trim the corner of the two exterior walls and then move the endpoint of the garage wall until it touches the corner. The wall join should clean up
automatically.
Before After
Garage and Interior Walls Lowered Switch to the Second Floor
view.
In the Properties for the view, set the Underlay to First floor.
Note: The underlay setting may already be set.
Underlay Setting
Your view should look like this…
Second Floor View with Underlay Set to First Floor Add in the Second Floor Walls.
All interior walls are Interior – 4 1/2” Partition and the exterior walls are Exterior – Wood Siding on Wood Stud.
Refer to the diagram for the location of the walls. Align the walls to the first floor walls where applicable.
Add in the Second Floor Doors and Windows.
Refer to the charts for the second floor door and window types and sizes.
Window Number Window Type and Size Notes 1 Slider with Trim 72” x 48” Size is included.
2 Slider with Trim 36” x 48” Size is included.
7 Slider with Trim 48” x 48” Size is included.
8 Slider with Trim 36” x 42” This size has been created.
Door Letter Door Type and Size Notes B Single-Flush 32” x 80” Size is included.
D Sliding-Closet 72” x 80” Size is included.
J Single-Flush 30” x 80” Size is included.
Note: Use the Opening-Elliptical Arch 36” x 84” for the opening in the second floor bath. You will need to load this family from the Autodesk Seek site or from the Custom Families folder on the website. When loading the family use the Insert Tab, Load Family tool. Use the Architecture, Component tool to place the family.
Second Floor Walls, Doors, and Windows
Select the exterior walls (except for the three Garage Walls) and change the Top Constraint in the Properties box to the Plate Line level.
Your 3D view should now look like this…
Second Floor Walls Added This is the end of Part 4. Save your file as RL1-4.
RL1-5 – Creating the First and Second Floor Roofs
Now you have the first and second floor walls, doors, and windows added. Next you will add the three roofs (Garage, Second Floor and First Floor). You will be using the footprint method for the roofs.
Open the RL1-4 file. Save the file as RL1-5.
Switch to the First Floor view. You will start by adding the Garage roof. The roof will be
placed 9’-0” above the first floor level.
Go to the Roof tool in the Architecture Ribbon, Build Panel.
Roof Tool
In the Properties Box, select the “Basic Roof Wood Rafter 8” – Asphalt Shingle”
roof style. You will use this style for all roofs in this project.
In the Properties palette set the Base Offset from Level to 9’-0”.
In the Options Bar, set the Overhang to 2’-0”.
Overhang Set to 2’-0”
Select the Pick Walls option in the Draw Panel.
Pick Walls Option In the Options Bar, check the Defines Slope check box.
Pick the West, North, and East Garage walls.
After adding the lines select them again and change the slope from 9”/12” to 4”/12”. Do this by picking on the number for the slope.
Turn off Defines Slope and change the pick mode to Pick Lines.
This is to the left of the Pick Walls mode.
Pick Lines Option
Pick the outside face of the garage separation wall.
Use the Trim/Extend to Corner tool to create an enclosed shape.
Enclosed Roof Sketch Click the Green Check to complete the roof.
When the Alert Box appears, click the Yes button.
Alert Box Switch to the 3D View to see
the
Garage Roof.
Completed Garage Roof Next you will create the roof on the South Side of the building.
Switch to the Second Floor view.
Add the south roof using the same methods as with the garage roof.
Set Overhang for the east and west edges to 1’-0”. The south edge is set to 2’-0”
overhang. The slope of the roof is 2:12.
The Base Offset from Level is set to 0’-0”.
When creating the sketch, the north side of the roof is set to the face of the wall.
Add a notch in the roof at the upper corners.
The dimension is optional and will disapear when the roof is completed.
Notch Dimension
Your roof should look like this…
South Roof Now you will attach the top of
the walls to the bottom of the roof.
While still in the 3D view, select the five walls on the south side of the house.
Walls Selected Select the AttachTop/Base tool in the Modify
Wall Panel.
Attach Top/Base Tool Pick on the edge of the Roof.
The walls will lower to attach to the bottom
of the roof.
Walls Attached to Roof
Note the two gray strips at the corners. This is due to the east and west walls not displaying correctly at the corners. You will need to paint the surface that is
Note the two gray strips at the corners. This is due to the east and west walls not displaying correctly at the corners. You will need to paint the surface that is