Download Free Revit Families-Components-Updated List

The majority of these websites provide free Revit Families-Components for download.

I've ranked them based on my current usage of them for my client Revit projects. There's a direct link to the download websites.

The list continues to grow as users, manufacturers and content distributors provide an enormous amount of free Revit families and component content.


Revit User/Community Web Sites

RevitCity - Revit Users Community - Revit Family Libraries

RevitCity has more than 40,000 registered users. Users have created more than 4000 free Revit families-components for download. User tutorials and technical forums provide additional daily resources for this global Revit community.

Pros: RevitCity provides a global vision to newcomers on how Revit users are "really" using Revit software for "real world" projects. Check out the Revit project galleries submitted by this global community of architects, engineers and designers.

Cons: Not all of the free Revit family downloads and/or technical solutions content have the same level of quality and usability. Not all RevitCity users have taken formal training. Therefore, not all submissions represent best practices for creating Revit content and/or for profitably-properly implementing Revit software within a BIM design process.

Manufacturer Sites

Woodwork Institute Casework Design Series

Free downloads of 3D casework component library in Revit Family (RVT), AutoCAD Blocks (DWG) and AutoCAD (DXF) file formats. Download this 32-page casework PDF catalog to view-reference the free 3D parametric Revit cabinet families.

100 Series = Base Cabinets without Drawers

200 Series = Base Cabinets with Drawers

300 Series = Wall Hung Cabinets

400 Series = Tall Storage Cabinets

500 Series = Tall Wardrobe Cabinets

600 Series = Library Cabinets

700 Series = Movable Cabinets

BIMWorld + BIM Library - Manufacturer's Revit Family Libraries

BIMWorld features BIMLibrary Revit Family Components for designers & architects looking for manufacturer-specific product content. It is available free-of-charge and approved to be technically accurate by their product partners. Your models and construction documents take on a new level of specificity without incurring the costs of content development.

USG Design Studio - Revit Wall Families

Download predefined Revit wall families created by USG. The download "Revit walls" button is in the lower left corner of the web page. Wall families have embedded sound and fire ratings data in their parameters. The site features a "Design a Wall" wizard for creating and downloading custom wall, partition, chase, shaft or furred masonry wall systems.

VISA Lighting - Revit Lighting Families

Visa Lighting offers a comprehensive BIM product library (397MB download). Their BIM files contain meta-data to assist in energy, sustainability, and photometric calculations.

Autodesk Revit Content / Community Sites

Autodesk-Web Library - Download Free Revit Families-Components

This Autodesk server can be accessed to download hundreds of free predefined Revit families, Revit blocks and Revit components. This enormous library compliments the library that's installed from your Revit software installation DVD.

Revit MEP Extensions-ENGLISH

The Revit MEP Content Extension provides new content for Revit MEP users. Both Imperial and Metric versions of the content are available for download below, in ZIP format. After download, users can then uncompress the file to the desired content location.

Extensions4Revit: Revit Structure

Revit Extensions are a series of easy to use applications that extend the capabilities of Revit Structure 2008 in various key areas, including structural analysis and reinforced concrete drafting.

On January 15 2008, Autodesk completed the acquisition of Robobat who develops these Extensions. To find out more about this acquisition read the press release.

All Extensions for Revit Structure formerly developed by Robobat, both fee and free, are now available through the Autodesk Subscription Program.

Visit the Autodesk’s Subscription page under Services and Support to find out more about this service and becoming a member.

Revit Structure Subscription customers can login to the Subscription Center and download the Revit Extensions at no additional cost.

Revit. Mac or PC Platforms?

An architect in our Seattle office recently shared his successful experiences using Revit on a Mac. I did a little investigating from his email and found this blog article which I sent to him.

Blogger David Light, from Winchester, Hampshire, United Kingdom published this post on his successful experiences with Revit on the Mac

Cheers!

Download Autodesk University 2007 Class Handouts

Couldn't make it to AU 2007. Login to the Autodesk University website to download Autodesk University 2007 class handouts or view AU 2007 session screencasts.

Choose from hundreds of class handouts from a pool of training talent that scored a rating average of 8.85 by attendees for their presentations.

Revit 2008-3ds Max-Expert Visualization Blogger

Blogger and longtime 3D visualization expert, Mark Gerhard has posted an article "Revit to 3ds Max" which highlights the file exchange between Revit Architecture 2008 and Autodesk 3ds Max.

Recent topics include high level technical reviews; 3ds Max 2008 Announced and VIZ or MAX?

Mark's Visualization Solutions Blog has a RSS feed you can subscribe to and post in your RSS reader.

Make sure to stop by his Visualization Solutions Archive.

Mark Gerhard serves as an Autodesk webboard forum assistant for the 3ds Max forums. He has seventeen years experience with 3D Studio and 3ds Max products and was the first application engineer at Autodesk dedicated to the multimedia products.

BIM and Beam - Revit Structure Blog

A Chicago architect asked for a couple alternative methods for creating non-planar roofs. While browsing, I found this short Revit Structure tutorial; "Structural Framing Underneath a Warped Slab" that I forwarded to him

Credit goes to the Revit Structure blogging team of Nicolas Mangon and Wai Chu authors of BIM and Beam.

I first came across their blog with a May article; "Amazing Structures from China". It was a photo journal of two of the most complex buildings under construction in the world. The "Twisted Donut" and "The Nest". Their construction photos and renderings define a level of engineering and design that raises the bar for future buildings.

You can feed your RSS reader with their subscription link; http://bimandbeam.typepad.com/bim_beam/index.rdf

Free Revit MEP Tutorials-Streaming Media Format

Free audio-video Revit MEP tutorials have been posted on this site. They are presented in a general overview format. Consider using them for your next company "lunch and learn", prepare for an instructor-led class or to provide users/management with an idea of Revit functionality.

The site includes a Revit MEP Tutorials RSS/XML feed if you want to plug this link into your RSS reader. Your reader can monitor the site and alert you when new tutorials become available.

Currently the site has posted archived Revit MEP demonstration webcasts and these short overview tutorials:

Electrical

• Electrical Lighting and Power Circuitry
• Electrical Lighting Calculations
• Electrical Power Load Balancing, Wire Sizing and Panel Schedules
• Electrical Wire Tags and Lighting Switch Topology

Fire Protection

• Fire Protection Sprinkler Placement

Heating and Cooling

• Heating and Cooling Load Analysis

Mechanical

• Mechanical Design Criteria
• Mechanical Duct Sizing and Inspection
• Mechanical System and Duct Layout

Plumbing

• Plumbing System Layout

Free Revit Structure Tutorials-Streaming Media Format

Free audio-video Revit Structure tutorials have been posted on this site. They are presented in a general overview format. Consider using them for your next company "lunch and learns" or to provide users/management with an idea of Revit functionality.

The site includes a Revit Structure Tutorials RSS/XML feed if you want to plug this link into your RSS reader. Your reader can monitor the site and alert you when new tutorials become available.

Currently the site has posted archived Revit Structure demonstration webcasts and these short overview tutorials:

Top Features

• Single Model for Both Structural Analysis and Documentation
• Bidirectional Associativity Between Model and Views
• Construction Documents Structural Details
• Import/Export in DWG/DXF/DGN/IFC and CIS/2 formats
• Bidirectional Links with Analysis Packages
• Multiple Materials
• Structural Parametric Components
• Multi-users Worksharing Interoperability with Revit Architecture

Free Revit Architecture Tutorials-Streaming Media Format

Free audio-video Revit Architecture tutorials have been posted on this site. They are presented in a general overview format. Consider using them for your next company "lunch and learns" or to provide users/management with an idea of Revit functionality.

The site includes a Revit Architecture Tutorials RSS/XML feed if you want to plug this link into your RSS reader. Your reader can monitor the site and alert you when new tutorials become available.

Currently the site has posted archived Revit Architecture demonstration webcasts and these short overview tutorials:

Building Information Modeling

• Creating Sheets and Changing Numbers
• Starting a Project Easily
• Generate Views

Documentation

• Creating Annotation and Changing Scale
• Simple North Arrow Creation
• Scheduling with Ease

Visualization

• Conceptual Massing Studies
• Exporting Models to 3ds Max
• Quickly Create Presentation Visuals

A Grand Entrance Requires a Graceful Exit

You can expedite the loading of a Revit project file by following these guidelines when you exit a Revit project.

1. Always exit a Revit project file from a 2D view. Such as a floor plan, elevation, or drafting view.
2. Do not exit (leave) a project from a 3D (isometric or perspective) view.
3. Do not exit a project from a view that has "Shadows turned on". Typically, I suggest turning Shadows off when they are no longer needed in a view.

Use these steps to save and exit a Revit project (*.rvt) file.

1. Go to a 2D view
2. Go to the Window Pulldown Menu > Select Close Hidden Windows
3. Now Select the Save Command
4. Exit the project or software.

Revit component families (doors, windows, furniture) are 3-dimensional. In this case, you'll find Revit family files are intentionally saved from a 3D isometric view. Most familes are set to a default southeast isometric view.

The Revit OPEN dialog box and the Windows file manager (Explore) have a view type called "thumbnails". With thumbnails enabled, you can view family files in a folder using the 3D isometric thumbnail views.

Use these steps to save and exit a Revit component family (*.rfa) file.

1. Set your view to a 3D isometric view.
2. Use the View Pulldown Menu > Orient > Southeast
3. Go to the Window Pulldown Menu > Select Close Hidden Windows
4. Now Select the Save Command
5. Exit the Revit family file.

Auto-Rotating Revit Components: Revit Productivity Techniques

Revit provides two methods for rotating components as you place them into the project.

The easiest technique is to "tap" the SPACEBAR prior to placing a component.

Each time you tap the spacebar, the family component will rotate 90 degrees.

Use this same technique to place components parallel or perpendicular to building elements that are not on a 90-degree angle.

For example, as you insert a component, hold the cursor on the "linework" of an angular oriented building element or component.

While the linework is highlighted (not selected) by the cursor, tap the spacebar. The component attached to your cursor will pick up the angle of the reference object and will begin rotating at 90 degree increments, relative to the reference object's angle. The component is now parallel or perpendicular to the reference object.

The last method for rotating components prior to placement is located in the Options Bar.

Select the Component command and check the "Rotate after placement" checkbox in the Options Bar.

You can dynamically set the angle by picking a point on screen...or just start typing the value of the angle and press the Enter key. Done!

Engineering.com Provides 1GB Free Web File Sharing

A simple free registration on Engineering.com currently provides you with 1GB of free web-based file storage. Rather than emailing those large Revit project files, CAD drawings, image, specifications or spreadsheet files; simply post them to your Engineering.com project site.

Next step, provide your clients, staff, consultants, contractor or reprographics vendor with free permission-based access to your project site. Let the collaboration begin.

Engineering.com features engineering calculators, a university directory, national-international job postings, free downloads, library articles, job listings and a free engineering.com toolbar.

Feeddigest Links My Building Design Media Sources

I'm testing a web service called feeddigest to link the content I write for my company's
Architectural Solutions blog into this, my personal Revit JobCaptain blog.

My ASB blog content is posted on Revit JobCaptain main page, in the right margin of this screen; under Architectural Solutions Blog.

I posted a follow-up article to my original Our Home In Revit blog post; titled Designing A Greener Home With Revit on our company blog. I'll be taking this blog post's outline, photos, videos and Revit data I've created on the road soon as a "green educational" event.

A little about Feeddigest. If a web resource has syndication capabilities (xml/rss/rdf), take that link and enter it into Feeddigest. It creates javascript, vbscript or php source code that I can place into a webpage. As my syndication sources update, they update my html webpage.

I can blend several syndication sources into one feed. If I have two blogs, I enter both syndications URLs and Feeddigest creates a single feed from two blogs. I can also set key words/phrases and create a feed from multiple resources on a specific topic. So far, it's been pretty cool in my testing phase. It's free for 30 days and about $1 a month for an annual subscription.

I'm updating my Revit JobCaptain Lens and Home Planning and Design lens weekly with volumes of research and resources that eventually tie into my blogs. When I first started my 15 lenses, there were less than 5,000 lenses. At last count there are more than 100,000 Squidoo lenses.

A single page blog has limitations. Hopefully, my other web media sources will help you find content I've created or use that may be specific to your building design application.

Cheers!

Revit Placeholders: Key to Smooth Project Development

A placeholder is an object that you place into the building model; realizing that you will eventually revise, replace or remove it. I kick off many of my projects with a set of standard, conceptually-detailed placeholders. This will include doors, walls, window, tags, dimensions, equipment and data schedules. Placeholders may be 2D or 3D; they usually have simple graphics with some simple data attached to them. We usually name them as a Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, etc doors, windows or walls.

As the project progresses, we revise or replace the "Type" placeholders with descriptive family named components; "Single Flush" door, "Double Hung with Trim" window, "Exterior - Brick and CMU on MTL. Stud" wall.

From concept placeholders to final component families, BIM Standards should be reviewed and maintained throughout the project. In the elevations image below, I encountered problems as I replaced window types. Notice how the window head heights in Step B and D do not match the windows families in Steps A and C. I should have reviewed them against my BIM standards before I released them into the project.

To globally revise, edit or replace a placeholder; we must find and select every occurence of the object family in the project file. First, select an object, right click and pick "Select All Instances" from the shortcut menu. This selects all occurences of that object family on all levels.

Now you may have two or three choices for editing. All choices exist in the Options Bar above. Working from left to right, you can either pick the the Family Properties pull-down menu and change the family type. Or select the Properties button and revise the object's Family types in the Element Properties dialog box. Or you can choose the "Edit Family" button.

BIM placeholders that are properly created and managed willl cut the labor costs and project time. Thereby allowing the designer to do more with less effort.

Revit's Need for Speed: Simple Performance Tips

Here are a few simple tips that I share with clients in my Revit classes and during Revit implementation. You can use these over the course of each day to speed up opening, saving, plotting and exiting Revit projects.

Tip #1: Use the Close Hidden Windows feature on a regular basis. I usually pick it prior to saving, plotting and exiting a Revit project. It’s located in the Window pulldown menu; Window > Close Hidden Windows.

Tip #2: Save and exit your project from a 2D view. (plan, elevation, section) and not from a 3D view. (Isometric, perspective) When exiting a project, follow tip #1 and then this tip.

Tip #3: Turn off shadows (Advance Model Graphics) in the 2D & 3D views when you’re not using these views. Shadows really degrade performance. Turn them off when you don’t need them. Use the Shadows Off/On button at the bottom of the screen or use View > Advanced Model Graphics pulldown menu.

Tip #4: Speed up the plotting of shaded or shadowed views on sheets by using the Export Image command (JPG, BMP, TIFF, TARGA) to capture shaded and shadowed views to a raster file. Insert the raster image of the shaded or shadowed view on a sheet for plotting or viewing. File > Export > Image

Tip #5: Minimize the clutter; use the View templates feature to manage the content displayed in each view. Most CAD programs use layers or layer filters to quickly change the display content in the view. Revit uses View Templates to store which items are turned on/off, view scale, linetype assignment and detail (coarse, medium, fine) in a view. View > Apply View Template or View > Create View Template From View

Tip #6: Delete unused 3D views. If you are inserting cameras to view various portions of your project, it doesn’t take long before you have lots of 3D views in your project browser. As a matter of habit, I name all 3D views that I’m using either for create/edit viewing or printing them on a layout sheet. Just right click on the 3D view name in the project browser and rename it or delete it.

Tip #7: Don’t over model the project. Carefully choose which building component families that NEED to be represented as 3D families. (Walls, doors, windows, curtain walls, casework)

We use a simple business philosophy that acknowledges there are diminishing financial returns when we over model a project. If you aren’t cutting sections, creating elevations or creating presentation views of certain building components, consider using 2D families to represent them in your project. (Equipment, elevators, plants, lights, contract furniture, toilets, sinks)

Remember, you can always use the Select All Instances feature and the Properties button to swap out the 2D version with a 3D version of the component family throughout the whole project.

Tip #8: Purge unused families to maintain a minimal project file size. Be very careful with this command. Purging can be an asset if used properly or a liability if used improperly.

First, verify with your project team members that you aren’t purging families that might be used in the project. One of them may have “preloaded” a family for future use. On larger team projects, we usually make one or two people responsible for this task.

Second and equally important, Revit’s purge command searches for unused families. Once it finds unused families, it automatically selects all of them for deletion. I would strongly urge you to pick the Check None button. Then browse the family categories to choose the families or family types within a family that you want to delete. This will avoid deleting families that have been preloaded for future use.

Revit's Publish to Web Feature

Here's how to share project images with your clients in a HTML format. Using the Export > Image command, you can publish multiple views and/or sheets to a HTML web page. I found it while searching the Autodesk support site. A link to a publish to web example is at the bottom of this post.

To create (publish) an HTML web page of your views and/or sheets follow these steps.

1. Open a project.
2. On the File menu, click Export > Image.
3. In the Export Image dialog box, under Export Range, select the Selected views/sheets option.
4. Click Select.
5. Select views and sheets from the list. Click OK.
6. In the Export Image dialog box, under Output, select the Create browsable web site with a linked HTML page for each view option.
7. Select a name and path for the files.
8. Click OK.
9. Open the web site or webpage file.
10. Click on section hyperlinks to navigate views.

I posted a quick sample of the output from this feature. Design-Build Presentation

Free Online Revit Training - The Basics

This is a free online audio-video webcast training session from the Autodesk Archives. While this session uses Revit 7, "The Basics" is still valid to the current version of Revit.

In this web session, new or prospective users can discover the basic concepts of project design with the Autodesk® Revit® building information modeler. Learn how to create and modify basic components of a building model, such as walls, curtain systems, doors, and roofs; apply constraints to the building model to capture design intent; and make changes to the building model that are applied projectwide to all views, thus ensuring consistency, improving productivity, and boosting profitability.

One of the benefits of transferring my data to a new computer is finding all the bookmarks and favorites I've gathered from the last 2 years. Looks like there will be more to post.

Stop by my Revit 9 / AutoCAD 2007 Resource Page

Revit Tips to Tracing DWG Floor Plans

A few tips when tracing over linked DWG floor plan files;

During the import / linking of a DWG floor plan into your Revit project, you can choose an import option that allows you to specify which layers Revit should bring into the project: ALL, VISIBLE or SELECT.

When tracing over interior walls, select a Revit wall family and set the justification to "Wall Centerline". When your cursor hovers over the two AutoCAD line segments that represent a wall, Revit will find the centerline between the two lines....The "Wall Centerline" justification is the only wall justification that provides this pretty scary cool feature!

When DWG files are linked into Revit, you can use the PICK tool (arrow) to select the linework in the DWG file. Revit will use the selected linework/arc to create the respective Revit object. So if you select a curved wall line in the DWG file, Revit will create a curved wall using the exact geometry description from the DWG entity.



Remember that PLAN views usually have Model Graphics set to hidden line. When you place doors/windows into walls, consider setting the Model Graphics to Wireframe mode. You can now look down through the Revit wall and see the jambs that are displayed in the DWG file....which should more accurately assist you to view/place doors & windows.

The VIEW PROPERTIES of the view displaying the DWG file contains the VISIBILITY button with a separate tab called "Imported Categories; i.e. your DWG file. You can control the linked DWG file’s layer visibility (ON/OFF), color, linetype etc in here.

Avoid exploding imported DWG files. In our Revit 7 training class, the Autodesk trainers indicated that exploding files should be done as a last resort and only with small files. They indicated that exploding DWG files with more than 10,000 entities may result in missing information. It sounded like 10k of entities was a "cap" at that time with Revit 7. Other Revit users have also indicated performance issues when they exploded large DWG files in Revit.

Free Autodesk Online Web Training

Interoperability between Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD

This session is for customers who use Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD side by side and want to learn tips for using these products together for maximum productivity and fast return on investment. This web session covers how to link and export files, import details for sheet creation, link standard window details in the Family Editor, and build a Revit model from four existing 2D elevations. It also addresses the process of exporting standards to AutoCAD as well as other CAD applications.

My blog will provide more info:

How can I use my AutoCAD or Microstation files in a Revit-based Project?

Technorati Profile

Free 3D Revit Downloads of Detailed Components

When you use the Revit OPEN command, make sure you visit the WEB LIBRARY located on the button in the upper right corner of the OPEN dialog box....tons of furniture, equipment, with a high level of detail.

or use this link Revit WEB LIBRARY

Tip: On each page of components, there is a filing cabinet icon in the upper right corner of the webpage. If you pick the filing cabinet button, you can download a zip file that contains all of the objects on that page...some zip files are 16MB - 26MB in size...tons of realistically detailed architectural components.

In the Revit Web Libray you will find this link to the Woodwork Institute which has a ton of downloadable 3D cabinet libraries in Revit (RVT), AutoCAD (DWG) and AutoCAD (DXF) format. Upper cabinets, base cabinets, corner cabinets, full height cabinets, utility cabinets with a wide variation of cabinets with doors, drawers and shelving.

The Revit family editor is pretty cool as a parametric solid modeler....it allows you to create dimensional variations of your furniture or equipment in one file...rather than creating multiple files.

We sometimes use contract furniture manufacturers' 3D furniture blocks from their websites/CD and "Revitize them" from AutoCAD 3D blocks into Revit Families. The benefit of turning it into a Revit family is I can add parameters (attribures) that allow me to create Revit schedules (furniture, equipment, ) based on the parameters assigned to the component.

I've posted some other suggestions on my company's blog site:

Revit Architecture-AutoCAD Architecture Class Handouts

I have an Archive button at the bottom of the main blog page.

Chcck out these other sites for potential, free Revit components that you can download.

www.augi.com
www.revitcity.com

Cheers!

Whitepapers: Revit, BIM Standards, Collaboration, LEED, Green & Sustainable Design

Daniel Hughes - Building Solutions Blog

I would like to thank the following organizations that have invited me to present either educational events and/or business-focused educational whitepapers for their members. A special personal thanks to AIA Wisconsin convention staff and the more than 14 years of working together with your team of professionals.

AIA Chicago
AIA Illinois
AIA Iowa
AIA Minnesota
AIA Wisconsin
Association of Licensed Architects
Construction Specifications Institute-Chicago
Young Architects Forum-Chicago

Based on association requests, I've created (2) 90-minute accredited educational presentations titled "The New Client Deliverables: Building Information Modeling (BIM)" and "Collaboration Strategies for Today's Progressive Design Firm".

I just completed a third whitepaper for the Young Architects Forum. It focuses on the emergence, interdependence and interoperability of sustainable design (LEED) and Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Contact a Taylor Technologies Account Representative or TTI's Marketing Department for your free copy. We will be posting them on our TTI Revit Source Page.