Creating Families for Revit Using Rhino
Rhino offers a fast and efficient way to create and assemble families for use in Revit. By importing geometry directly into Revit family files, these components can be seamlessly integrated into your project. Here are some common reasons for this workflow:
1. The project team includes skilled Rhino users who can quickly model various components.
2. The components do not require geometric parameterization.
3. The components have unique shapes that are difficult to model within Revit.
4. The component design is finalized with no further modifications needed.
Although file formats can be imported and exported between Rhino and Revit, cross-platform data exchange demands extra effort and time. This inherently increases management overhead and places higher demands on version control during the exchange process. Careful planning and clear strategies are essential during both the planning and implementation stages of the project.
Important: When importing geometry from Rhino to Revit, avoid inserting points that deviate from the elevation axis. This can be controlled through settings in the object style.
Here is a basic workflow example:
1. In Rhino, set the unit system and origin, then create the desired shape—for example, a table.
2. Once the component shape is complete, export it using the ACIS Export Type set to Default.
3. In Revit, create a new family. For this example, choose the Furniture family template, as it allows tracking the quantity of furniture within the project.
Revit components have associated properties because each object is assigned an OmniClass Number. When importing external geometry, this classification defines whether the object is furniture, a door, a window, or another category during family creation. This classification not only influences quantity takeoff but also affects visibility, view representation, and other related functions. Autodesk’s AEC Exchange application leverages this system as well. While the coding system still has room for improvement in terms of completeness and logic, it forms the foundation of the Revit family framework.
4. Use Insert > Import CAD in Revit to select and import the SAT file exported from Rhino.
5. Finally, load the newly created family into your project. This example demonstrates how Rhino can be used effectively to create Revit families.
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