2014 RTCEUR Jay Zallan Line Based Lab

Sessions 9 and 10 | 1pm to 3:45 pm Friday, October 31st 2014

BIM Junkies Life on the Lines Lab | Parts A & B Jay B Zallan VDC BIM Director

Class Description When you complete this course and start to live your Revit “Life on The Line”, you will be able to create Line Based Families for any occasion; from Adaptive Components to standard Revit Families; Cabinetry to Trellis’s; Retail Fixtures to Site Layouts, Detail components and the obligatory: more... Class Description

Key Learning Objectives 1. Learn methods to create Revit content that fits Early Design through Construction and on into FM and Operations. 2. Learn techniques to communicate, make and manage flexible Revit content, not only in size and shape but in Use Cases. 3. Master techniques to build Revit Line Based Families that interchange as project needs vary & new teams take over the models.

Tags: Architecture, BIM Management, General (multi-discipline). Advanced [email protected] @JayZallan

BIM Junkies Life on the Lines Jay B Zallan | VDC BIM Director

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About | J

Architecture | Technology | Creativity

These are Jay B. Zallan’s professional passions. An oft intense and well experienced VDC BIM Leader. Jay is also an Artist and AECO technologist; has worked in AECO running the gamut from Designer to Project Manager and on into the VDC BIM leadership realms. Bringing unique & qualified insights into the business & creative processes of AECO Jay focuses on helping teams deliver on project success goals. Building efficient project delivery, communication and collaboration strategies Jay leverages technology and teamwork toward such ends. Mr. Zallan has more than 20 years of Architectural experience and enjoys a varied & diverse portfolio of Architecture and Art. Jay is an Autodesk Expert Elite member, Autodesk Implementation Certified Expert, he is the AUGIworld magazine Revit Editor and Graphic Standards’ BIM Advisory Board contributor, as well as President of the Los Angeles Revit Users Group. Jay is and has been a highly rated speaker at Autodesk University, Revit Technology Conference North America as well as Europe, The BIM Workshops and a lecturer on Creativity & Architecture at the University of Southern California, Cal Poly, LACMA, as well as various AIA & CSI events. Portfolio: http://jbzallan.wix.com/portfolio Email: [email protected] Twitter: @JayZallan


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First Line of Attack | Planning These concepts and (maybe all family) methods can be transposed to many, many other families; at times exactly, at times similarly, at times just in spirit. Planning is fundamental to creating with predictability, flexibility and…success.

Planning schema for BIM (& life ;-)

Assess Consider what you want, when you want it. Assess the parametric needs, graphic needs, informational needs, etc. Think (about what is needed now as well as what might be needed later; one can always make the family progressively more complex), Re-Consider (how complex it needs to be), Re-Think (the final output needs...don't put in any more than you need but no less either). Also mix-in conversations with others...this always helps prove or disprove perceived concepts and usually saves overall project time. And then…

Plan Plan how to create what you want, when you want it, etc… Capture and diagram everything from the assessment phase and strategize the desired results. (A Family-Planning example is included at the end of this document!)

Create Create the best you can; and what that means is better than you ever have previously. The planning should allow this! If training is needed; do it. Remember the internets… Someone has most likely done “it” before,


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or at least tried something similar and by reading other’s successes and failures you can propel yourself further than you might have expected previously.

Validate This is to find out if in fact the content project is moving forward successfully. Validate the first piece, the first set of pieces and the entire library…Do an honest review, use a peer group as well…find if it truly works perfectly and if not then repeat the process for those items, rebuild until “perfect” and then move forward.

Line(r) Notes | Families and their Templates Flex (Test) at Every Step (The better one gets the more this needs

to be done consciously ;-)


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o Successful Flex=Save o Unsuccessful Flex + Fix + Flex again (Repeat until Successful

Flex) ALWAYS MAKE AT LEAST 1 TYPE!!! NO MATTER WHAT!!!

If you don’t create at least 1 Type DO NOT PASS GO DO NOT COLLECT $200 and YOU’RE FIRED ;-)

It’s a recommended to setup family templates with objects that will be repeated throughout (like Line Styles, etc.) This may generate many .rft’s for each kind of family template but it does follow a standard BIM workflow:

o Make it Once, Use it Many Times

Modifying a family template Create a family from an existing .rft Save the family Make modifications Save Change .rfa to .rft (accept the Windows’ warning)

Some items will not go away after this so do be mindful of what is included in the modifications

Our Plans | Lining Up 00 | Preliminary Geometry | Detail Item | Seed Family Sheet Waterproofing

01 | Detail Item | Line Based Component Sheet Waterproofing

02 | Generic Model w/ Nested Casework | Line Based Rig Kitchen Base Cabinet

03 | Generic Adaptive w/ Nested Column | Line Based Rig Corinthian Column


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00 | Preliminary Geometry | Detail Item | Seed Family

STEP 00 | Make Geometric “Seed” Family

(Included in Lab Materials –we can skip this step in class ;-)

If you have only one line needed you may not want to nest as we are...but if there are more than one (and I can see many more) then this method does fit with the “build it once, use many times” philosophy... PROCESS | Big R (Application Button) > New > Family > Detail Item.rft >

Create Length Parameter: Create a vertical Reference Plane (RP) to the right of the insertion Ref Plane, Dimension (from Ref Plane to Ref Plane > Parameterize the Dimension > Name=Length > OK | Once back in the family environment flex the dimension (now a parameter) to verify that it works; if so move on, if not undo and start step 00 over)

o Save As: 01 00 Seed Lines Create One Type per Line Style (Line styles are pre-made for this

lab but in your world these would need to be created ;-) o Family Types > New Type > Dash 05 > Apply > New Type >

Dash Dot Dot 05 > OK Draw a Dash 05 line and lock it to the horizontal Ref Plane, be

sure to snap to vertical Ref Planes so Length works > Flex, if good Save (If not retry) > Select the line and push the Associate Parameter button to the right of “Visible” (per image below) > Make a New Parameter called Dash 05 (this will be a visibility parameter that we’ll hook up to the Type) > OK

Draw a Dash Dot Dot 05 line and lock it to the


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horizontal Ref Plane, be sure to snap to vertical Ref Planes so Length works > Flex, if good Save (If not retry) > Select the line and push the Associate Parameter button to the right of “Visible” > Make a New Parameter called Dash Dot Dot 05 > OK

Setup the Types Make sure the proper line is associated to the similarly named “Type”.

Flex Length, etc. Save (When working properly) Load into Project (Included in Lab Materials –we will skip this step

in class ;-)

Seed Family with “Dash Dot Dot 05” and “Dash 05” lines shown individually

01 | Detail Item | Line Based Component Our planning process ;-) dictated that we create the detail component with the following requisites: (Note: T = Type, I = Instance) Family Name | Sheet Waterproofing Type Name 01 | Tyvek Type Name 02 | Typar Parameterization: Length (I) Built-in | Family Types (T) | Offset from placement points (I)


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STEP 01 | Make the Family PROCESS | Big R (Application Button) > New > Family > Detail Item Line Based.rft

o At this point one would nest (AKA: load) in the Seed Family (But this is Included in the Lab Materials –we will skip this step in class ;-)

STEP 02 | Make Two Types PROCESS | Family Types Button > New… Family Types > Name “Tyvek” > New… Family Types > Name “Typar” > OK > Save.

The Family Types Button

Family Types dialog

STEP 03 | Create Offset Parameter (So there is a variable gap between our insertion and the geometry). PROCESS | Reference Plane (RP) -Input above families’ Ref Plane (about 3” to 6” away, exact distance not important (yet)) > Create a Dimension (from Ref Plane to Ref Plane (NOT REF LINE) > Parameterize the Dimension > Name=Offset > OK | Once back in the family environment change the dimension (now a parameter) to 1”, if it works move on, if not undo everything and start step 3 over)

STEP 04 | Create Geometry PROCESS | Load the “seed family” from step 00 (if not already done ;-) > Place an instance of one type of the nested family (location not


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important (yet) > Select it and from the Options Bar: > choose Label > Add Parameter –Name it “Geometry Type” > OK. > Save. This Family Types Parameter allows hot-swapping from the Families’ Type Dialog…

STEP 05 | Nested “Family Type” | Graphics Control PROCESS | Family Types > Set “Geometry Type” for Type “Typar” to be Dash Dot Dot 05 > Apply > Change Type to be “Tyvek” > Set “Geometry Type” for Tyvek to be Dash 05 > Apply > Flex back and forth and if types change properly Save (If not go back and retry).

STEP 06 | Nested “Family Type” | Geometry Control PROCESS | Select nested Family “01 00 Dash 05” > push the Associate Parameter button for “Length” > Set that to “Length” (yes that’s what I just wrote: (Length from nest)=(Length in Host)) > Select nested Family “01 00 Seed Lines” > push the Associate Parameter button for “Length” > Set that to “Length” (yes again and for every Family Type built) > Save.

STEP 07 | Nested Family | Geometry Control Locking PROCESS | Align Each nested family to the vertical, insertion Ref Plane > Lock (per image at right) > Align each nested family to the “Offset” horizontal Ref Plane > Lock > Flex > Save (or ;-)


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STEP 08 | Final Flexing | The Real Test for Success | The Project PROCESS | Create a new Project from an OOTB (out of the box) template > Load the family > Place a few of each and switch types, change their lengths, etc. to see if it all works > If working OK to load into a real project…if not something needs fixing ;-) Yes, one does need to fuss with the corners to get them to meet with this method, due to the Offset (unless you build a parameter… one that we can say, that has a formula that equals the “Offset” parameter… that will keep it away from the direct click-locations by the same distance as the offset and make corners joined at creation ;) With these, you will now have the ability to Tag, Keynote, and generally have some “I” (Information) for our BIM!!! THIS IS the overriding point and will enable better projects, by adding consistency to Details… and we can employ a “NEVER USE LINES” approach… except Sketch mode, Area and Room separators that is ;-)

Voilà | End of 01 | Line Based Detail Component


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02 | Generic Model w/ Nested Casework | Line Based Rig The concept for the Cabinet Family this process creates can be used as a guide for many other families and rigs; even empty Design Rigs that simply wait for geometry to be nested and associated...

STEP 01 | Make the Family PROCESS | Big R (Application Button) > New > Family > Generic Model Line Based.rft

STEP 02 | Preliminary Setup PROCESS | Change the "Length" parameter to 8'-0" > Save


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STEP 03 | Nested Family Setup PROCESS | Open a Casework Family (Vanity Cabinet-Double Door Sink Unit.rfa) > Change “Width” to an Instance Parameter > Set the “Shared” checkbox to checked (“yes” in the yes/no schema) > “Load into Project” and place near the insertion Ref Planes of the Line Based Family > Save.

Checking the “Shared” box allows the Host (Generic Model) Family to remain unscheduled from our Casework when in a project, while enabling the cabinets to schedule as individuals. If the line based was changed to Casework we’d get messy schedules.


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STEP 04 | Create Offset Parameter PROCESS | Reference Plane (RP) -Input below the families’ insertion Ref Plane (about 3” to 6” away, exact distance not important (yet)) > Create a Dimension (from Ref Plane to Ref Plane (NOT REF LINE) > Parameterize the Dimension > Name=Offset > OK | Once back in the family environment change the dimension (now a parameter) to 2”, if it works move on, if not undo everything and start step 04 over)

STEP 05 | Locking and Rigging PROCESS | Align and Lock to the vertical Ref Plane (Left side of cabinet to the right side of Center Left/Right Ref Plane) > Align and Lock the back of the cabinet to the bottom of the Offset Ref Plane

In case you didn’t know ;-) The intersection of the Center Left/Right and the Center Front/Back Ref Planes is the insertion point of the family (AKA: where it will be on your cursor)...If you don’t already know these are Strong References and they also Define Insertion...if you don’t fully understand the differences between Ref Planes please refer yourself to F1 ;-)


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STEP 06 | Setting Up The Multiples Now, some of this may seem odd but go with me...

PROCESS 06a | Push the Family Types button > Add the parameters: Number of Cabinets –Instance, Integer Cabinet Spacing –Instance, Length Cabinet Spacing Maximum –Instance, Length > OK.


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PROCESS 06b | Select the locked cabinet > Associate it’s Length parameter to “Cabinet Spacing” > Array (that cabinet) to End > Constrained > Group and Associate > Quantity: 3 > Align/Lock all instances to the Offset Ref Plane > Align/Lock the last one (far right) to the ending Ref Plane. PROCESS 06c | Select an instance of the groups > Select the Array Control Line and associate it the parameter “Number of Cabinets”.

Note: the odd part is the Array Control Line disappears when you're able to select it...can you say known bug?

Below is an image of the Control Line selected... The oddity is that the Control Line seems to disappear or at least go invisible when hovering over it, so if you want to select it (and we do) and that control line disappears then click there, you are sure to select it since it looks like you can't. Yes that IS what I said. Perhaps one day we will get an answer from the developers as to why this is the case...still...

The "Number of Cabinets” parameter being applied to the Array Control

PROCESS 06d |Add formulas So now make the parameters be the following formulas and values, making sure to hit APPLY after inputting each formula. (Remember formulas ARE case sensitive!!!):

Number of Cabinets = Length / Cabinet Spacing Maximum Cabinet Spacing Maximum = 4’-0” Cabinet Spacing = Length / Number of Cabinets


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PROCESS 06e |Create a dimension from the CL of one of the cabinet groups and the CL of the one next to it > Associate Cabinet Spacing Maximum to the dimension > Flex > If this flex appears to break it “Remove Constraints”…(Even though it may appear to break, it will still work) So we can flex, verify, load it into a test project flex there and input them via the Component command...once verified then load into a project. Final Notes: Do you want to build in a Countertop? Use a nested family! Want to make an overhang parameter for left, right and front, as instance parameters too so those can be variable? ...Add an Upper Cabinet to the mix just like these lowers’ and you have a kitchen design rig that will get you off and running... Add Family Types Parameters for hot-swapping later and you’re cooking with fire ;-)

Voilà | End of 02 | Generic Model Line Based Rig w/ Nested Casework


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The Last Stop on the Line OK, now we’re onto our final piece, the puns are about to stop, but do take note, this last section has one main intention: To show that in most every case Adaptive Line Based Families are going to bring better results in shorter timeframes, allowing development and strategies to blossom. The piece we will create could have used the cabinet but I have two reasons not to use that same example:

1) Using the same pieces would be boring in a lab

2) I want these concepts to be built upon and combined, so using different examples and processes should illustrate more and thus open more possibilities…therefore that is where we will go now, in this lab… Shall we?

03 | Generic Adaptive w/ Nested Column | Adaptive Line Based Rig

STEP 01 | Make the Rig Family PROCESS | Big R (Application Button) > New > Family > Generic Model Adaptive.rft

STEP 02 | Create Variable Reference Line PROCESS | Create>Draw>Point Element>Place two (2) points (I like to align these to a ref-plane)>Set them to be Placement Points Adaptive (in the properties palette)>Select the two points>Spline Through Points.

Step 03 | Create a Divided Path PROCESS | Select the line>Divide>Divide Path You will now see the divided path and it’s nodes on top of the reference line.

Step 04 | Set the Division Method


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PROCESS |Select the divided path> Properties palette> Layout> Maximum Distance In this exercise we are using Maximum Distance, but different choices for different uses of course ;)

Step 05 | Parameterizing a Parameter We do this to enable variation from the project level, without having to use “edit family” PROCESS | Click the “Associate Parameters” button>Add Parameter>Then setup as follows: Name:

Column Spacing Maximum Kind of Parameter:

Instance Group parameter under:

Constraints Interim Extra Credit: Click into the “Edit Tooltip” button and write a tooltip that actually explains how to use the family!!! WINNING ;D

You know the associate parameters button right? If not it’s the tiny button to the left of association-available parameters, in the

properties palette…


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Step 05 | Nesting the Column PROCESS 05a | Open the column family: 00 Corinthian Column_Thx_Marcello Sgambelluri.rfa >Load (nest) that into the line based adaptive family>Place at the first dividing node. PROCESS 05b | Select the column>Modify | Columns>Modify>Repeat -See image for the (yes tiny) Repeat button I love that Autodesk hides huge functionality in tiny places, like minimal buttons and excruciatingly tiny arrows, etc. Below are images of the result in the family, followed by the result in a project environment. (The project environment has been changed to Maximum Spacing to be 5’-0”

Voilà | End of 03 | Generic Adaptive Rig w/ Nested Column

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2014 RTCEUR Jay Zallan Line Based Lab