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:
- Type of Windows Frame: Vinyl, Hollow Metal, Aluminum.
- Generic Windows Head, Jamb, and Sill detail DWG files.
- List of Window Scheduling Parameters.
- (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:
- Sketching:
- In this stage, the author lays out all required parameters, family behavior, hand-drawn sketches, rigging plans, and gathers information on details.
- 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.
- 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:
- Open Revit and click "New Family" to create a new family.
- Select the Window.rft family template.
- Load the shared parameters (W_Frame_Offset) that will be used in the family.
- Lay out reference planes and name them as "Face of Frame".
- 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.
- Move the “Face of Frame” reference plane between “Face of Ext Wall” and the Center Reference Plane.
- Place a dimension from “Face of Frame” to “Face of Ext Wall” and add the W_Frame_Offset parameter.
- Import the cleaned frame detail DWG file to the plan view.
- Position the imported DWG reference accordingly. The reference will be used to trace the profile line for the sweep.
- Open the Exterior Elevation and click "Sweep" from the Create tab.
- Click "Set" to set the work plane.
- Select the “Face of Frame” as the base reference plane.