We all know that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has revolutionised the AEC industry, allowing us to collaborate on complex projects with greater efficiency and accuracy. However, BIM collaboration can also be a double-edged sword if not managed properly. One of the key challenges in BIM collaboration is managing Revit families, which are essential building blocks for any BIM project. Revit families allow us to model specific elements such as doors, windows, and fixtures, and reuse them throughout the project. However, without proper management, Revit families can quickly become a source of frustration and errors. In this blog post, we'll explore some practical tips for managing Revit families in a collaborative BIM environment, so you can achieve successful outcomes without pulling your hair out. And don't worry, I'll try to keep it light-hearted! So grab a cuppa, sit back, and let's dive in! 

Understanding Revit Families

Revit families serve as the foundation for every BIM project. They are parametric models that represent particular building components, including doors, windows, fixtures, and furniture. In order to create a 3D model of a building, Revit families are necessary. They can be reused repeatedly throughout the project to reduce duplication and increase consistency.

Revit families are classified into two types: system families and component families. System families, which include walls, roofs, floors, and ceilings, are predefined families included with the Revit programme. These families have fixed properties that cannot be changed, but they can be modified.

Component families, on the other hand, are user-created and -modifiable families. They represent specific building elements such as doors, windows, and fixtures that are not included in the system families. Component families can be customised in a variety of ways, including size, shape, material, and visibility.

Developing and maintaining a Revit family library is critical for effective BIM cooperation. A Revit family library is a group of component families that can be utilised across many projects. Designers and engineers can save time and enhance accuracy by reusing existing families rather than building new ones from scratch if they have a well-organized and up-to-date library. A Revit family library can also help to assure project consistency and avoid errors caused by the use of distinct families with varied features.

In the following part, we'll go over some of the most typical issues in managing Revit families in a collaborative BIM environment, as well as some practical solutions. So, let's get started!

Common Challenges in Revit Family Management

While Revit families are necessary for BIM collaboration, they can also cause frustration and errors if not properly managed. Here are some of the most common issues encountered when managing Revit families in a collaborative BIM environment:

1.      Naming conventions: Finding the proper family for an element might be challenging without clear and consistent naming guidelines for Revit families. This can result in wasting time looking for families, using the wrong families, or establishing new families from existing ones.

Example: Assume you need to find a door family for a project. You search the Revit family library and come across three different door families labelled "Door", "Door V2", and "New Door". Which should you choose? It's ambiguous, and you are wasting your time trying them all.

2.      Version control: As Revit families evolve, it's critical to maintain track of multiple versions and guarantee that everyone is utilising the most recent version. Users may mistakenly utilise obsolete or incompatible versions of families without proper version management, resulting in mistakes and inconsistencies.

Example: you're working on a project with a colleague who customised a door family to meet a specific need. Because you are unaware that your colleague has made changes, you continue to use the original door family. As a result, the doors in your model do not fit properly and must be altered afterwards.

3.      Shared parameters: Shared parameters allow Revit families to share features such as material, size, or manufacturer. However, managing shared parameters can be complicated and time-consuming, particularly in large projects with multiple families.

Example: you're working on a hospital project that includes dozens of different fixture families, each with unique properties. You see that different fixture families have material attributes for the same material type. It takes hours of labour to go back and update each family to utilise the same shared material parameter.

Poor Revit family management can have serious repercussions, such as errors, delays, and increased project expenses. Using the incorrect family for an element, for example, can result in incorrect numbers or clashes with other components. Failure to maintain track of multiple versions of families might result in wasted time and rework. Furthermore, using different properties for the same material type can cause inconsistencies and errors in schedules and specifications.

Tips and Best Practices for Revit Family Management

Here are some practical strategies and best practices for overcoming the issues of maintaining Revit families in a collaborative BIM environment:

1.      Use consistent and explicit naming conventions: Create an easy-to-understand and consistent naming convention for Revit families across all projects. To specify the kind, size, and version of the family, use prefixes, suffixes, and numbering. Avoid employing ambiguous or generic names that may cause confusion.

Example: Instead of calling a door family "Door," call it something more specific, like "Flush Door 900x2100 V2."

2.      Put in place version control: To handle different versions of Revit families, use a version control system such as Autodesk Vault or BIM360. Always utilise the most recent version of a family and disclose any modifications or updates.

Imagine using an outdated family version of a kitchen sink. The updated version features a different mounting option that clashes with your model's countertop. This adds to the workload and causes delays.

3.      Make use of shared parameters: Make use of shared parameters for properties that are shared by multiple families, such as material, manufacturer, or cost. This can help to maintain project consistency and accuracy.

Assume you're working on a school project with multiple fixture families, each of which has unique properties for the same material. You may quickly build precise and consistent schedules and specifications by using a shared parameter for the material.

4.      Use family templates: Create family templates for common objects with standard attributes and parameters, such as doors, windows, and fixtures. This can help families save time and maintain consistency.

Use a door family template with standard parameters and properties instead of constructing a new door family from scratch each time. This can save time and guarantee that door families are consistent across projects.

You can guarantee that Revit families are managed efficiently in a collaborative BIM environment by following these recommendations and best practices, resulting in more efficient and accurate project deliverables. And who knows, you might even have a good time along the way!

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the significance of good Revit family management in a collaborative BIM environment. We talked about what Revit families are, how they differ, and the issues that can occur when managing them in a collaborative situation. We also provided helpful hints and best practices for overcoming these obstacles and efficiently managing Revit families.

The proper administration of Revit families is essential for successful BIM collaboration. Poor management can result in errors, inconsistencies, and delays, which can influence project quality and profitability. You can help ensure that your Revit families are accurate, consistent, and up to date by following the suggestions and best practices provided in this post, resulting in smoother cooperation and better project outcomes.

Finally, managing Revit families can be a tough but rewarding process. And we're here to assist! Our skilled team has years of expertise in designing and managing Revit families for a variety of projects. We can give the expertise and support you need to guarantee your Revit families are handled properly, whether you're battling with naming conventions, version control, or common parameters.

So, if you want to improve your Revit family management, contact us today! Reach out to us if you have any suggestions or comments on this topic. And, as always, keep BIMming!