Autodesk 256B1-05A761-1301 - AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2010, User Manual

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Workflow: Working with In-place Elements
In-place elements are custom elements that you create in the context of a project. Create an in-place element
when a project requires unique geometry that you do not expect to reuse or geometry that must maintain
one or more relationships to other project geometry.
For detailed information about in-place elements, see The Families Guide on page 418.
1 Identify any unique or single-use element that your project requires. If your project requires an element
that will be used in more than one project, create it as a loadable family.
2 If your project requires an in-place element that exists in another project (or is similar to one that exists
in another project) you can copy the in-place element into your project or load it into your project as
a group.
3 If you cannot find an in-place element that meets your needs, create a new in-place element in the
project.
Creating an In-Place Element
For detailed information about creating in-place elements, see The Families Guide on page 418. Complete
the tutorials in the Families Guide before creating in-place elements.
1 In a project, click Home tab
➤
Build panel
➤
Component drop-down
➤
Model In-Place.
2 In the Family Category and Parameters dialog, select a category for the element, and click OK.
The category that you choose will be the category under which the family for the in-place
element will display in the Project Browser, in which it will schedule, and in which you can
control its visibility.
3 In the Name dialog, type a name, and click OK.
The Family Editor opens.
4 Use the Family Editor tools to create the in-place element.
5 When you finish creating the in-place element, click Finish Model.
Connectors
Knowing how to add and remove connectors to loadable families can be useful to architects when using
building components, such as manufactured items from Inventor
®
, or when exporting a building site to
civil engineering applications, such as Civil 3D
®
. For example, you might want to add, move, or delete a
connector for a pipe that connects a custom vanity designed in Inventor to a plumbing system in Revit MEP.
Or, you might want to modify the connectors on site utilities, such as gas or water connections, before they
are exported with the building site. After the building site is imported into Civil 3D, the connectors on the
site utilities become fully functional.
When you add connectors to a family, you can specify one of the following disciplines:
■ Duct connectors are associated with ductwork, duct fittings, and other elements that are part of the air
handling systems.
■ Electrical connectors are used for any type of electrical connections, including power, telephone, alarm
systems, and others.
■ Pipe connectors are used for piping, pipe fittings, and other components that are meant for transmitting
fluids.
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