Module 1: MEP Family Creation
What is a Revit Family?
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
A family is a group of elements with a common set of properties, called parameters,
and a related graphical representation.
Families are components you use to build your model, such as walls, windows, stairs,
doors, columns, mechanical equipment, diffusers, lights, sprinklers, etc.
Each family can have multiple types, may come in different sizes, materials, parameter
variables, etc. Any change to a type is updated in every instance throughout the
project. For example, when you change the window height of one of your window
type, all the windows with the same window type are updated instantly.
Families are regarded as the basic building block of Revit.
Generally speaking, Revit Families, when combined - form a digital representation of
everything that we can see in a built-environment
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
3 types of families in Revit:
1) System Families
2) Loadable Families
3) In-Place Families
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
1) System Families :
System families contain family types that you use to create basic
building elements such as walls, floors, ceilings, and stairs in your
building models.
Examples: Walls, roofs, floors, ducts, pipes, cable trays, conduits
You cannot open system families in a family editor.
You cant transfer system families from one project to another.
System families are pre-defined & pre-loaded in Revit. You do not
load them into your projects from external files, nor do you save
them in locations external to the project. But, you can reconfigure
the routing preferences of ducts, pipes and cable trays.
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
2) Loadable Families:
Loadable families can be loaded into a project and created from family
templates. You can determine the set of properties and the graphical
representation of the family.
System components that would usually be purchased, delivered,
and installed in and around a building, such as boilers, water
heaters, air handlers, and plumbing fixtures.
Because of their highly customizable nature, loadable families are
the families that you most commonly create and modify in Revit.
Unlike system families, loadable families are created in external RFA
files and imported, or loaded, in your project.
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
3) In-Place Families:
In-place elements are unique elements that you create when you
need to create a unique component that is specific to the current
project.
This type of family does not need to be saved externally as .rfa file.
A custom element with unique geometry not intended for re-use
in other projects.
Creating an in-place element involves many of the same Family
Editor tools as creating a loadable family.
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
SYSTEM FAMILIES
LOADABLE FAMILIES
IN-PLACE FAMILIES
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
BASIC COMPONENTS OF A
TYPICAL MEP FAMILY
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
1 GEOMETRICAL PART
(Physical Attribute)
INFORMATION
(Non-Physical Attribute)
2
Lighting Fixture.rfa
3 SYMBOLS CONNECTORS 4
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
All MEP Families have 4 basic components, except Lighting Fixtures
which posses a 5th component –
5
THE LIGHT SOURCE DEFINITION
- is the geometry of a light source
- it determines the shape of the light that emits from the lighting fixture
Note: The Family Editor is the only place where you can define the geometry of a light
source in a lighting fixture family. You cannot change the geometry of a light source
for a lighting fixture in the context of a project.
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
EXAMPLE OF INFORMATION INSIDE REVIT FAMILIES
Module 1: MEP Family Creation
CONNECTORS FOR MEP FAMILIES
Duct connectors are associated with ductwork, duct fittings, and other elements that
are part of the air handling systems.
Electrical connectors are used for any type of electrical connections, including power,
telephone, alarm systems, and others.
Pipe connectors are used for piping, pipe fittings, and other components that are
meant for transmitting fluids.
Cable tray connectors are used for cable tray, cable tray fittings, and other
components that are meant for wiring.
Conduit connectors are used for conduit, conduit fittings, and other components that are
meant for wiring. A conduit connector can be an individual connector or a surface connector.
The individual connector is used for connecting only one conduit. The surface connector is used
for connecting more than one conduit to a surface.
