Family Library

[PaperStreet SoapCO]

It appears that I've been put in charge of reorganizing the family library - not just rearranging but creating families that we need (e.g., a parametric vanity that adds sinks as it gets larger, etc). Before I start this daunting task I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to organize the families. I was thinking of using the 2004 MasterFormat divisions. The way Revit's imperial library is organized seems a little too vague.

My goal is to create a parametric model for everything that we need to eliminate as much drafting as possible. Right now we are pretty much drafting interior elevations from scratch - same with the wall sections - just using the model as an underlay to 'trace' over. We could be using ACA to do that.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[petervanko]

Lucky you!!! Well, I do the same here in my office, and here's my theory:

1. I still use 16 divisions, and actually like the OTB organization. Granted, I took out the division numbers and renamed some of the categories to make navigation a little easier.

2. My rule of thumb is to use 2-d information (symbolic lines) in the family as much as possible as this ensures the object displays as us architects like to see it. For instance, look at the OTB toilets; there is a 2-d top view, 2-d side view, and 2-d front view in addition to the 3-d information.

Often manufacturers only offer ACAD DWG's, right? Well, always make sure to import linework by checking "CURRENT VIEW ONLY" on the lower left of the dialogue box. This makes the imported linework symbolic lines, not 3-d model lines.

3. Always create a 3-d represenation of the object so that you can use it interior elevs and wall sections. I learned this the hard way: I was putting in chalkboards with a wall-mounted cantilevered light above. I had made a detail component family that represented it nicely in the elevations, but nowhere else. The contractor, however, was unaware of their projection into the space, and accidentally mounted the ceiling-mounted projection screens too close to the chalkboard lights. The change order was 20K in the end, and could have helped by a 3-d representation of the chalkboard/lights to remind us of the RCP relationship.

For interior elevations, I had an entire library of 2-d families that described things like light switches, etc. However, I am switched away from these and as much of my documentation includes full 3-d views. Having those switches in 3-d was crucial.

3-d information is not as hard on computers as some forums suggest in the past, so use it often.

4. Use REF PLANES wisely. Name them well, and be careful about which ones "define origin."

Hope this helps!

[lhanyok]

Often manufacturers only offer ACAD DWG's, right? Well, always make sure to import linework by checking "CURRENT VIEW ONLY" on the lower left of the dialogue box. This makes the imported linework symbolic lines, not 3-d model lines.

However, if you explode the dwg, it will turn into 3D model lines. In most cases, I've just dealt with this since it's easier than redrawing the whole thing.

[Elmo]

We use a straight forward system.

eg. Windows\SA Windows\Steel\Duro Pressings\Natural Creations\Double Side-Hung

Basically what the main funtion of the family is, then if it's from our country or not,hwat type it is,the manufacturer,what manufacturer type and so on.