By Martha Hollowell
As people start using the Autodesk Revit software they probably first like the way it can do things for you – like automatically fill in schedules and update changes across the full project. However, there comes a time when they need to get more out of it. One of those ways is to build “intelligent families”.
Actually, all Autodesk Revit families are intelligent, it just depends how much intelligence you want. This can be built up over time. A basic example of this is to add the connectors used in the Autodesk Revit MEP software to an existing architectural family as shown in the example below.
Not only has this made the Architectural family usable in the Autodesk Revit MEP software, but it also adds intelligence to the connectors. For example, one connector “knows” it is a cold water pipe connector of a specific size and flow direction and another connector “knows” it is a sanitary pipe connector.
If an architect uses the same basic family, they can add parameters for color and manufacturer that can then be included in the related schedule. Another option would be adding a simplified 2D sketch that displays a coarse detail plan view rather than the full 3D complexity of the family.
While a lot of people want to start creating families right away, it might be helpful to use the Autodesk Revit software for a while and find out what is already out there. Then, when you come to a place where you are comfortable with the Autodesk Revit software and see a need to use them, learning to create families can be a great benefit.
By Martha Hollowell
