Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2014 (Paperback)

Introduction xxv Part 1 General Project Setup 1 Chapter 1 Exploring the User Interface 3 The Ribbon 3Using Tabs 4 Using Contextual Tabs 10 Using Family Editor Tabs 10 Customizing the Ribbon 12 Quick Access Toolbar 13 User Interface Features 14 Options Bar 14 Properties Palette 15 View Control Bar 17 Status Bar 21 Info Center 21 Exchange Apps 22 User Interface Control 22 Menus and Settings 23 Keyboard Shortcuts 25 Graphics 27 Context Menus 28 The Bottom Line 30 Chapter 2 Creating an Effective Project Template 31 Understanding Templates 32 Understanding the Project Browser Organization 32 Determining Which Views Are Grouped Together 33 Sorting Views within Groups 34 Determining the Number and Types of Views Needed 35 Setting the Number of Levels 36 Working with Plan Types 37 Creating a Working View 37 Choosing Display Settings for Views 37 Visibility Settings for Template Views 39 Visibility Settings Shortcut: View Templates 45 Schedule Views 46 Establishing Project Settings 48 Object Styles 48 Drafting Line Settings 49 Export Settings 54 Annotation Styles 58 Project Units 62 Project Phases 63 Defining Preloaded Content and Its Behavior 66 Annotation Families 66 Component Families 68 System Families 71 MEP Settings 74 Creating Sheet Standards 77 Titleblocks 77 Sheet Organization 77 Preset Sheets (Not Placeholder Sheets) 78 The Bottom Line 81 Chapter 3 Worksets and Worksharing 83 Understanding Central Files 83 Creating a Central File 84 Creating a New Workset 88 Working with Local Files 91 Creating a Local File 91 Synchronizing a Local File with the Central File 93 Managing and Using the Power of Worksets 96 Taking Ownership of Worksets 97 Working with Model Elements and Their Worksets 98 Controlling Visibility and Worksets 102 Enhancing Communication 106 The Bottom Line 108 Chapter 4 Project Collaboration 109 Preparing Your Files for Sharing 109 Working with Linked Revit Files 112 Linking Revit Files 112 Using Shared Coordinates 115 Managing Revit Links 117 Controlling Visibility of Revit Links 119 Coordinating Elements within Shared Models 124 Monitoring Elements 125 Responding to Change Alerts 129 Reconciling Hosting 130 Maintaining Project Coordination 132 Working with Files from Other Applications 133 Linking CAD Files 133 Exporting Your Revit File to a CAD Format 136 Using Image Files in a Revit Project 138 Setting Options for Quality Control 141 Using Autodesk Revit Server 144 Using Cloud-Based Solutions 144 The Bottom Line 145 Chapter 5 Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 147 2D Data Types 148 MicroStation 2D DGN 148 DXF 149 2D Data for Standard Details 149 2D Data for Plans, Sections, and Elevations 151 3D Data Types 158 Revit Project File 158 Revit Family File 161 ADSK 161 IFC 162 AutoCAD DWG 163 SketchUp 163 Other File Formats 163 Point Clouds 164 The Bottom Line 165 Chapter 6 Parameters 167 Understanding Parameter Basics 168 Choosing the Correct Parameter 168 Naming Parameters 168 Using Type Parameters 169 Using Instance Parameters 171 Setting Parameter Discipline, Type, and Grouping 172 Using Parameters in Families 175 Dimensional Parameters Lock Function 176 Parameter Types 176 Type Catalogs 178 Formulas 181 System Parameters 182 Lookup Tables 183 Using Shared Parameters 184 Using Parameters in Projects 189 Project Parameters 189 Parameters in Schedules 191 Creating and Using Parameters in Families and Schedules 193 View and Sheet Parameters 195 Working with Formulas 197 Sample Conditional Statements 198 Rounding 198 The Bottom Line 199 Chapter 7 Schedules 201 Defining Schedules 201 The Fields Tab 203 The Filter Tab 206 The Sorting/Grouping Tab 208 The Formatting Tab 209 The Appearance Tab 213 Editing a Schedule 213 Scheduling Component and System Family Data 217 Mechanical Equipment Schedules 217 Lighting Fixture Schedules 218 System Family Schedules 220 Mod