nzdan

Initial Set up:
If you have a custom template and are unsure where to start ensure you select the default template shipped with Revit to begin this project. I also use the quick access toolbar frequently in my video tutorials so follow the steps below if you would like to set this up.

[Show as slideshow]

 

Site survey and project setup:
Click link below to download a *zip file containing the 3D *dwg site survey.
Riversdale site survey (45)

Please see the first of my video captures below on importing the *dwg 3D site survey, setting true/project North, creating a typo surface and using scope boxes. Please note the video has no audio, the fullscreen toggle icon, left mouse clicks are highlighted red and right mouse clicks are highlighted blue.

The next video is on setting levels and using scope boxes:
Scope boxes and section boxes seem similar and can be confusing at first. Essentially you use section boxes in a 3D view to “crop” the geometry contained within this section box much like a crop region on a 2D view.

Scope boxes are used to control the extents of datum elements, in my example below I use a scope box to control the extents of the levels. When you associate a datum element (select level right click, under its elements properties) to a scope box the length of this element will stay consistent across all views tied to this scope box. When you need to adjust how these datum elements are displayed in all views you simply modify the scope box.

I also extensively use the hide in view and the review hidden elements tools in Revit, do use these tools with caution at the office as other staff might open your file and be unable to find objects you have hidden.

Creating a slab in the topo, basic walls and a roof:
A quick video showing the creation of the exterior form, based upon a 2D *dwg sketch from the site measure. I am not too concerned about accuracy as the renovation project is a separate building next to this existing bach. The existing model is primarily used for context and how the new renovation will “respond” to the existing building and site conditions.

Adding doors and windows:
Adding some basic doors and windows, loading families and adjusting parameters.

Creating a camera, exporting shaded views and basic rendering:
Every camera (or photograph) I create regardless of application I consider the 1/3 rule, i.e.

“The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.”

The video capture below demonstrates the creation of cameras in Revit, setting up the resolution and exporting shaded views, basic render settings and the creation of custom presets. The video finishes with a close up render of the corner of this bach to begin developing the materials.

Note: The most important (and expensive on render times) aspect of my custom presets is the Image Precision (Antialiasing), increase with caution as it can have a exponential effect on render times.

Materials, materials and more materials:

Using the photos above as a reference of the actual building the video capture below goes through the process of applying materials from the library, using my custom render presets ( 6 – 2 – 4 – 1 -1 – off – on – 1 – 1 – 4 all off) and finishes with creating a custom blue block material.

When you create custom materials and you want to keep them in a seperate directory to the default install you need to ensure you add the path of this new location to the “Render Apperance Library Location”. Maps contained within these locations will be included when you export a *fbx.

Create the following folder and path in revit:

C:\temp\custom materials

Note: I have found if you prefix your folder with a $ or the like Revit will not find the maps contained within this folder. Best to keep it simple. Also if you are working in a office network consult your IT/BIM manager on a appropriate shared writeable network location, and create the paths accordingly.

The render below has had custom maps applied to the block/brick wall, the deck in the background is the default “timber” material and the site has the default “Site – Grass” material applied. At a later stage I might adjust the hue of the blue and as the proposed extension is to the north-east of this house (the other side), I am not too concerned about modelling the details accuratly at this stage as you are not going to see them.

Please see the link below to download a *zip file containing the Revit file with the exisiting building & site, survey and existing *dwg files and the custom material maps.
Note: I have “purge unused” to reduce the file size.

The Bach - Step1 (24)

Lets move onto the renovation, open the next page to continue.

Click the little 2 just below this text to open the next page on developing the design from a sketch and using RPC content