Usage of Revit Parts
When using BIM software for modeling and design, higher model accuracy generally leads to better results. However, an overly detailed model can reduce engineers’ work efficiency, while an overly simplified model may fail to meet BIM application requirements. Therefore, BIM engineers must balance the Level of Detail (LOD) based on the client’s precise needs and the overall context of the project phase.
Sometimes, clients demand high modeling accuracy, which requires detailed design adjustments to existing graphics. This is where Revit’s construction modeling features become particularly useful.
In Autodesk Revit, Parts represent a type of structural modeling that breaks down layered elements into smaller, manageable components. Engineers use parts to deliver and install complex Revit elements more effectively. These parts, along with any smaller parts derived from them, can be individually scheduled, tagged, filtered, and exported.
Typically, elements capable of generating parts include walls (excluding stacked walls and curtain walls), foundation walls, floor slabs (excluding multi-story shape-edited slabs), roofs, ceilings, structural foundations, floor slab edges, eaves bands, eaves gutters, structural frames, columns, and structural columns. It is important to note that concrete parts retain the characteristics of their parent elements, allowing them to serve as hosts for rebar, rebar sets, area rebar, path rebar, and wire mesh.
Using Revit building walls as an example, the following illustrates how parts are applied.
There are generally two ways to represent the decorative effects of components like building walls: one method uses materials, while the other uses parts. The construction approach for an interior wall in a specific project is shown in Figure 1.
(1) Using material appearance properties
For the building wall labeled “Interior Wall – Brick Wall – 200mm,” the wall structure is edited as shown in Figure 2. Here, “Surface Layer 2” is set to glazed tile, with the surface fill pattern applied as “600 x 300mm glazed tile” (Figure 3). The fill pattern properties (type: model) are detailed in Figure 4.
The 3D shaded view is shown in Figure 5, while the high-quality rendered view is shown in Figure 6.
This method does not display the mortar joints between glazed tiles, but it is quick, convenient, and efficient to create.
(2) Creating using parts
Using parts to create the wall surface has the advantage that any edits or modifications to the original elements automatically update and regenerate the derived parts. Such edits include adding or removing layers, or changing the type, thickness, orientation, geometry, material, or openings within walls.
Unlike the first method, the surface fill pattern is not applied (see Figure 7). Instead, the wall surface is segmented using parts.
A new type called “Interior Wall – Brick Wall Surface – 200mm (Parts)” is created to divide the glazed tile structure on the wall surface. The mortar joint thickness is set to 10mm, as shown in Figure 8.
The 3D effect of the surface segmentation (with coloring) is shown in Figure 9.
Overall, whether to use parts for creating graphic elements depends on the specific requirements of the project. Flexibility in application is essential.
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