Creating a customizable spot elevation family in Revit enhances your documentation by providing precise elevation data tailored to your project’s requirements. Here’s how to accomplish this in a structured and clear manner.
Step 1: Launch the Family Editor
Begin by opening Revit and navigating to the Families section. From the File menu, select New, and then choose Family. In the Family Templates dialog, look for the appropriate template for spot elevation, typically found under Annotation categories. Select it and click Open.
Step 2: Set Up the Elevation Parameters
Once in the Family Editor, locate the Family Types panel. Here, you can edit type properties that control how your spot elevations will function. Create new parameters such as “Elevation Value,” “Top Indicator,” and “Bottom Indicator.” These parameters can be adjusted later to customize the appearance of the spot elevation.
Step 3: Define Text Formatting
To customize the text that appears with your spot elevations, access the Text properties within the Family Types panel. You can define prefixes or suffixes to accompany the elevation value. For example, you might want to add “Elevation:” as a prefix or “m” for indicating meters as a suffix.
Step 4: Manipulate Graphic Settings
Select the graphical representation of the spot elevation. In the drawing area, you can modify arrow styles, sizes, and line weights by clicking on the graphics options. Make adjustments to ensure that the spot elevation symbols are visually coherent with the rest of your drawings.
Step 5: Create Reference Planes
Add reference planes to the model for control over the placement of the elevation markers. These planes will aid in defining where the spot elevation will pin to the drawing elements or topographical surfaces.
Step 6: Save and Load into the Project
After configuring your spot elevation family, it’s time to save your work. Click on the File menu and select Save As, naming your family file appropriately. To use your new spot elevation family in a project, go to the Insert tab, select Load Family, and navigate to where you saved your custom family.
Step 7: Place Your Custom Spot Elevation
With your new family loaded into the project, navigate to the Annotate tab. In the Dimension panel, select Spot Elevation. From the Type Selector, choose your custom elevation family. Once selected, click on the desired location in your view to place the spot elevation. You can also adjust it further by editing its properties.
Step 8: Adjust Placement and Connect
Final adjustments might be necessary to ensure your elevation syncs correctly with the intended elements. This could involve selecting the spot elevation and using the Properties palette to edit its exact elevation base point, ensuring accuracy in documentation.
FAQ
What advantages does a custom spot elevation family provide?
Creating a custom spot elevation family allows for tailored text formatting, graphical styles, and better integration with specific project needs, enhancing clarity and communication in architectural drawings.
Can I modify an existing spot elevation family instead of creating a new one?
Yes, you can load an existing elevation family into the Family Editor and modify it according to your requirements. Ensure to save it as a new family file to keep the original intact.
What should I do if my spot elevation does not display correctly in a view?
First, check the visibility settings for your elevation tags in the Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog. Ensure they are enabled. Additionally, verify the elevation parameters and graphics settings to confirm they are set accordingly.
