Creating Revit Windows Family - Part 3

Preparation:
Before working on the Revit Windows Family, gather as much information as possible about the windows you are trying to build. The following information will help streamline the Windows family creation process:

1. Type of Windows Frame: Vinyl, Hollow Metal, Aluminum.
2. Generic Windows Head, Jamb, and Sill detail DWG files.
3. List of Window Scheduling Parameters.
4. (Optional) Windows Manufacturer information.

This guide is formatted based on the above list and will show how the information is leveraged to create the Windows family.

There are three stages in Revit Family creation:

1. Sketching:
   • In this stage, the author lays out all required parameters, family behavior, hand-drawn sketches, rigging plans, and gathers information on details.
2. Rigging
   • In this stage, the author lays out all required reference planes, adds parameters, and applies the parameters to the reference planes to set up the foundation of the Windows Family.
3. Detailing
   • In this stage, the author starts placing 3D objects, adds details to the Windows family, and applies visibility parameters to control the detail level presentation.

Planning:
Before you start creating the family, make sure to gather all necessary information about the windows you will be creating. The following is what I used to prepare for this guide:

Window Type:

• Using Vinyl Window
• Casement Type

Window Manufacturer: Milgard

 I found Windows Head, Jamb, and Sill detail drawings from a web search (V400 Tuscany Series Casement Windows | Milgard). 

Windows Scheduling Parameters:

• Width
• Height
• Rough Width: 0.25” from each side of Width
  • Formula: Rough Width = Width + 0.5”
• Rought Height: 0.5” from Height
  • Formula: Rough Height = Height + 0.5”

Windows Scheduling Shared Parameters:

W_Frame_Offset: Offset from the exterior wall to control window position.

Creating Windows Family Process
Rigging:

1. Open Revit and click "New Family" to create a new family.
2. Select the Window.rft family template.
3. Load the shared parameters (W_Frame_Offset) that will be used in the family.
4. Lay out reference planes and name them as "Face of Frame".  
5.  Place another reference plane and name it "Face of Ext Wall", then align it to the exterior side of the wall. Make sure to lock the dimensions to fix the reference plane position.  
6. Move the “Face of Frame” reference plane between “Face of Ext Wall” and the Center Reference Plane.  
7. Place a dimension from “Face of Frame” to “Face of Ext Wall” and add the W_Frame_Offset parameter.  
8. Import the cleaned frame detail DWG file to the plan view.  
9. Position the imported DWG reference accordingly. The reference will be used to trace the profile line for the sweep.  
10. Open the Exterior Elevation and click "Sweep" from the Create tab.  
11. Click "Set" to set the work plane.             
12. Select the “Face of Frame” as the base reference plane.  
13. Sketch the path around the window opening and lock the sketch lines to reference planes.  
14. After creating the path, open the floor plan.
15. Click "Edit Profile" from the sweep ribbon bar.              
16. Trace the frame lines from the DWG reference.                                                   
17. Click the green check symbol to finish the sweep.                                          
18. After the sweep is done, test the parameter to make sure the family is working properly.
19. Open Exterior Elevation view
20. Create an extrusion to make the glazing of the window.
21. Click "Set" > "Set Work Plane" and select “Face of Frame” as the work plane.                              
22. Create sketch lines and offset the lines 2” from the reference lines as shown below.                
23. Make sure to lock the dimensions.
24. Open the floor plan and adjust the glazing thickness to fit the window frame.
25. Select the glazing object and click the Material parameter link button from the Properties panel.
26. Create a Material parameter for the glazing object.                                                        
27. Select the frame object and click the material link button from the Properties panel.
28. Create a new material called Frame material.                                              
29. Test the family to verify all parameters are working as expected.

About the Author

Sr Technical Support Specialist<br><br> Skilled in AutoCAD, Mixed-use, Renovation, Revit, and Sustainable Design. Strong arts and design professional with a BA in Urban design focused in Architecture from University of Washington.

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