When creating a family in Revit, begin by opening the desired template in the Family Editor. Templates can contain multiple views, such as plan and elevation views.
The Family Editor is a graphical editing mode in Revit that lets you design families, which can later be imported into a project. Although the Family Editor shares its appearance with the main project environment, it offers specialized tools found on the Create tab.
There are several ways to access the Family Editor:
- Open or create a new family (.rfa) file.
- Select an element created by a loadable or built-in family type, right-click, and choose Edit Family. You can also double-click a family element to open it for editing.
Family Editor Tools
The Family Types tool (Create tab > Properties panel > Family Types) opens the Family Types dialog box. Through this dialog, you can create new family types, as well as new instance parameters and type parameters.
The Dimensioning tool (Annotate tab > Dimensioning panel) allows you to add permanent dimensions to a family. Revit also automatically creates dimensions when you draw geometric shapes. This tool is essential if you want to create families with varying sizes.
The Model Lines tool (Create tab > Model panel > Model Lines) is used to draw 2D geometry when solid geometry is unnecessary. For instance, you can represent door panels or hardware ducts in two dimensions instead of using solid forms.
In a 3D view, model lines are always visible. To control their visibility in plan and elevation views, select the model lines, go to the Modify | lines tab, open the visibility panel, and adjust the visibility settings.
The Symbol Line tool (Annotate tab > Detail panel > Symbol Line) is designed for drawing lines specifically used as symbols. For example, symbol lines in elevation views can indicate the direction of door opening or the flow direction of fittings. Symbol lines do not form part of the actual geometry; they appear parallel to the current view.
You can control the visibility of symbol lines for cut instances. Select the symbol line, then use the Modify | lines tab, choose the visibility panel, and open visibility settings. In the family element visibility settings dialog box, you can choose “display only when instances are sliced.”
This dialog also allows you to manage line visibility based on the detail level of the view. For example, selecting ‘coarse’ will show the symbol line when the family is loaded into a project and placed in a view with a ‘coarse’ detail level.
Use this dialog box to control the visibility of general annotations loaded into the model family.
The Hole tool (Create tab > Model panel > Hole) is available only in host-based family templates (such as wall or ceiling-based families). To create an opening, first sketch its shape on the reference plane and then adjust its dimensions. Once the opening is created, you can select it and set it to display transparently in 3D and/or elevation views when loaded into a project. Transparency settings are specified on the options bar.
Note: The Hole tool can also be used in the project environment.
The Reference Plane tool (Create tab > Datum panel > Reference Plane) is used to create an infinite reference plane, providing guidance when drawing lines and geometry.
The Reference Line tool (Create tab > Datum panel > Reference Line) creates a line similar to a reference plane but with defined start and end points.
The Control tool (Create tab > Control panel > Control) is used to rotate and mirror family geometry by placing arrows after adding it to the design. On the Modify | Place Control tab under the Control Type panel, you can select multiple arrow controls:
- Revit will rotate or mirror geometry around the origin.
- Using two arrows pointing in opposite directions enables horizontal or vertical mirroring.
These controls can be placed anywhere in the view, but it is best to position them where the controlled content is easily identifiable.
Controls are especially useful when creating door families. The double horizontal control arrow can switch the side of the door axis, while the double vertical control arrow can change the door opening direction (from inside to outside or vice versa).
For fitting families, controls are also valuable. The control arrow allows horizontal or vertical flipping of fittings.
- Single Vertical
- Double Vertical
- Single Level
- Double Level
The Text tool (Annotate tab > Text panel > Text) is used to add text annotations to a family, typically in annotation families.
The Model Text tool (Create tab > Model panel > Model Text) is used to add markers to buildings or letters to walls.
The Section tool (View tab > Create panel > Section) creates section views.
The Components tool (Create tab > Model panel > Components) lets you select the type of component to insert in the Family Editor. After selecting this tool, the type selector is activated, allowing you to choose a component.
The Symbol tool (Annotate tab > Detail panel > Symbols) is used to place 2D annotation graphic symbols.
The Detail Components tool (Annotate tab > Detail panel > Detail Components) is used for placing detail components.
The Mask Region tool (Annotate tab > Detail panel > Mask Region) applies masks to model elements when creating elements in a project using this family.
Solid tools such as Stretch, Blend, Rotate, Sweep, and Sweep Blend (Create tab > Shape panel) are used to create solid geometry.
The Hollow Shape tool (Create tab > Shape panel > Hollow Shape) provides tools for cutting solid geometry within a family.
The Label tool (Create tab > Text panel > Label) is used to place smart text in a family. This text represents a family attribute, and after specifying the attribute value, it will be reflected in the family. Note: this tool is only for annotation symbols.
The Load into Project tool (Create tab > Family Editor panel > Load into Project) allows you to load families directly into any open project or family.
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