Revit for Students
Revit for Students
lesson 1
Theory:
CAD Versus BIM
Revit Architecture: Introduction, Interface, and Sketching
This unit has two exercises. The first is an introduction to the terminology of the Revit Architecture interface, and the second exercise creates a new project, using a template.
Exercise 1A: Interface and Terminology
This first exercise is provided for anyone new to the Revit Architecture environment. This is not an exercise as much as an introduction to the locations and names of the various Revit Architecture tools and functions that are used throughout the workbook.
Many of the menu functions have flyout functions as well. Within the workbook, any menu flyouts
are noted with a ">" character.
Example:
On the File menu, click New >
Project.
This format indicates that you use the
File menu
Toolbars
Again, as most Windows programs, Revit Architecture includes a series of tools on toolbars immediately below the menu system. In Revit Architecture these toolbars provide access to common functions such as New, Save, and Print as well as modify functions such as Copy, Move, and Trim.
Design Bar
The design bar is the area on the far left of the Revit Architecture drawing window. The design bar contains most of the tools to add components such as walls, doors, windows, desks, chairs, and so forth as well as schedules, tags, and section or elevation marks.
The design bar has many tabs. Each tab (Basics, View, Modeling, and more) appears as a rectangle with the title on it. Each tab contains its own set of tools.
Change to a different tab by leftclicking the tab.
Within the workbook, exercise steps tell you which tab to find the tool on.
Example:
On the Basics design bar, click Door and place two doors M_Single Flush 0864 x 2134 mm.
Options Bar
The options bar is where you adjust properties of the objects as you are drawing them. You can also use the options bar to modify an object's properties after it is in the project. The options bar can be confusing to some new users. Appearing immediately below the toolbar, it may look like just another toolbar.
This image shows the options bar while adding a wall.
The contents of the options bar are fluid. What appears on the options bar is determined by the command or tool
you are currently using.This image shows the options bar while adding a door.
As you are learning Revit Architecture, pay attention to the options bar. Itprovides a convenient location to modify the common properties of the tool you are currently using.
Revit Architecture Workflow
This section describes adding objects using the design bar and the options bar in sequence.
When you add an object to the project, you pick an object to add from one of the design bar tabs (area 1). Before
you click in the drawing window, you set the variables in the options bar (area 2). Then proceed to use the tool in the drawing window (area 3).
This is a general rule, and as you become familiar with Revit Architecture, you may find it easier to add the objects directly into the drawing window, skipping the options bar and modifying the elements after. As you are learning, at least look at what variables are presented in the options bar as you use the design bar and the toolbar commands.
Status Bar
At the lower-left corner of the screen is a portion of the window that is the status bar. Again, as a new user you may find it beneficial to watch what is happening at this area of the window.
The status bar serves two purposes.The first function is to alert you to what you do next. This works while you are adding objects such as a wall, as well as when you are using the other tools such as Copy, Trim, or Align.
The second function is to alert you to what you are selecting. If you are not in a command and you hover your cursor over an object, the status bar displays what that object is. If you have several objects in the same location, you can use the TAB key to cycle through the objects at that location.
Workspace View BarThe Drawing View menu is also
located near the bottom-left side of the screen just below the drawing area.
The Drawing View menu provides access to some of the view’s properties such as intended plotting scale, detail level, and the Hide/Isolate Objects in Current View functions.
Project Browser
The project browser is located
between the design bar and the
drawing area.
The project browser is the navigation control of the project. Each view of the project is listed in a tree organization.
You access these views by doubleclicking the view name.
Above the views are listed the families (building component definitions) that are currently loaded into the project for you to use.
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