REVIT #5 : CREATING REPETITIVE 2D OBJECT BY USING DETAIL ITEM (TUTORIAL: DRAIN COVER).

REVIT #5 : CREATING REPETITIVE 2D OBJECT BY USING DETAIL ITEM (TUTORIAL: DRAIN COVER).

1.  Go to “File / New / Family” to open and create a new family.
   
2. Make sure you can open the family file on the Program Data.
   
3. Since my tutorial will be conducted in Metric Scale, choose “Metric Detail Item” to open.
   
4. You will see the X and Y reference plane on your default family file.
5. Click and copy the Y-axis and set it to 600mm.
6. You can choose any number for your own family.
   
7. Create the dimension between 2 lines.
8. Click on your dimension and go to “Modify | Dimensions”, click on the “Parameter Properties” to edit your line name. Make sure your line is “Type Parameter” and under “Family Parameter”. I named this parameter as “LENGTH”.
9. Click OK.
   
10. Copy your X-axis reference plane to 150mm side by side. Make sure your “Center (Front/Back)” reference plane is in the middle.
    
11. Create the dimension as shown in the picture. Change the 150mm dimension to “EQ”. This is to make sure that the line is in equal distance when you apply the width parameter.
    
12. Click on your dimension and go to “Modify | Dimensions” , click on the “Parameter Properties” to edit your line name. Make sure your line is “Type Parameter” and under “Family Parameter”. I named this parameter as “WIDTH”.
    
13. Make sure your family parameter is the same as shown in the picture.
    
14. To create a 2D lines, go to “Create / Line".
    
15. Select a rectangular shape to create an object.
16. Make sure you place the lines correctly.
    
17. Click on lock to attach the line to the reference plane.
    
18. Create a “hole pattern” as shown in the picture. You can create your own pattern as you like. The hole pattern will not be adjustable.
    
19. Repeat the process to the other side. You can simply mirror the pattern.
    
20. Select all lines and go to “Modify | Lines / Create Detail Group” to group all the lines.
21. Put any name of your object. E.g. DRAIN COVER.
    
22. Make sure the X-axis and Y-axis is place on the centre.
    
23. Select the group and go to “Modify | Detail Groups / Array”.
    
24. Copy the group to the right-hand side of the object.
25. Make sure the array number is 2.
    
26. Click on the array parameter (make sure you click on the array lines) and go to “Label: <Add Parameter…>.
    
27. On the Parameter Properties, click on the “Family Parameter”, select “Instance” to create Instance Parameter. Name the parameter as “ARRAY INTEGER” or ARRAY NUMBER” or any name that you like.
28. Click OK.
    
29. Create a reference plane and attach it to the array object.
30. Create a dimension from the centre line to the reference plane. The dimension shall be 1200mm as shown in the picture.
    
31. Repeat the process by clicking on your dimension and go to “Modify | Dimensions”, click on the “Parameter Properties” to edit your line name. Select “Instance” to create “Instance Parameter”. I named this parameter as “LENGTH 2”.
32. Click OK.
    
33. Go to “File / Properties” and select “Family Types”.
    
34. On the family types, go to “Other / ARRAY INTEGER (default)” to edit the properties.
35. On the formula, type “LENGTH 2 / LENGTH”. The default number for the “ARRAY INTEGER” is 2, the value for “LENGTH” and “LENGTH 2” is 600 and 1200 respectively, thus the “LENGTH 2” shall be divided by “LENGTH” to create a formula for the “ARRAY INTEGER”.
36. Click OK.
    
37. On the working view, try drag the reference plane to the right (make sure you select the “LENGTH 2” line). The drain cover shall create a repetitive component.
    
38. Now save the file to the original 2 drain cover only in your family file.
39. You can put any name to your file. My family file is saved as “DRAIN COVER”.
40. Load your family file into your project file.
    
41. You will see the double arrow at your family file. The arrow indicates the “Instance Parameter” in your dimension setting.
    
42. Click the arrow on the right-hand side and drag to create a repetitive detail for your drain cover.
    
43. Thank you.