Wall Types (11:33 min)

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Exercise 1–Customize Walls

Currently our model uses only Generic walls. But by choosing alternate types, we can express the construction of the wall and its materials.

Catch-up file completed to this point: 10_Medical Center_Wall-Types.rvt

Changing the Wall Type

  1. Open the default {3D} view. (On Project Browser, or click the Default 3D View icon).
  2. Highlight one exterior wall (not curtain wall) but do not click yet (see Figure 10–1).

       

Figure 10–1 Pre-highlight one of the exterior walls

  1. Press tab to highlight the chain of exterior walls and then click to select them (see Figure 10–2).

   

Figure 10–2 Use the tab key to chain select the exterior walls

  1. On the Properties palette, from the Type Selector, choose: Exterior – Brick on Mtl. Stud.
  2. Zoom in and explore the change (see Figure 10–3).

Figure 10–3 Zooming in closer reveals a brick pattern on the surface of the walls

Notice that as you zoom in closer, a brick pattern appears on the walls. If your brick appears on the inside of the building instead, chain select the walls again and then tap the spacebar to flip them.

  1. When finished, open the Level 1 floor plan view.

In plan view, the change to the exterior walls will not be obvious. This is because the plan view is set to display “Course” level of detail. In course level, only the outlines of the walls display.

  1. On the View Control Bar (at the bottom left corner of the view), click the Level of Detail pop-up and choose Medium (see Figure 10–4).

   

Figure 10–4 Change to Medium level of detail to see the wall's layered assembly in plan

If you look carefully at the dimensions in the plan, you will notice that some have changed. This is because in addition to now displaying internal components, changing from Generic to Brick on Metal Stud has also changed the thickness of the exterior walls, thus impacting the value of some dimensions (see Figure 10–5).

Figure 10–5 Some dimensions are affected by the change in wall type

Editing a Wall Type

Let’s assume that the design called for keeping the thickness of the wall unchanged when changing types. In other words, let’s say we needed the wall to remain 1'-0" thick. Create a new type and modify it to accomplish this.

  1. Select any exterior wall and then on the Properties palette, click the Edit Type button.

If you want to change all existing walls of this type throughout the entire project, simply make your edits and then click OK. If instead you would prefer to preserve the original, use the Duplicate button to make a copy and assign it instead. Best practice is to duplicate.

  1. In the “type Properties” dialog, click the Duplicate button and then name the new type: Exterior - Brick on 4" Mtl. Stud.
  2. Next to the Structure item, click the large Edit button (see Figure 10–6).

   

Figure 10–6 Select any exterior wall, duplicate its type and then edit the structure

  1. In the Thickness column, next to layer 6, change the value from 6" to: 4".
  2. For Layer 9, change the thickness to: 0' 0 5/8" (see Figure 10–7).

   

Figure 10–7 Adjust the thickness of layers and note the effect on the total

  1. Click OK twice to complete the change.

If you get an error regarding your curtain wall, click the Delete Elements button to resolve it. The curtain wall will recreate any deleted elements it requires.

  1. Select a different brick wall (one that is still the original type), right-click and choose: Select all Instances > Visible in View.
  2. From the Type Selector, choose your new wall type for these walls. If the error appears, click Delete Elements.

All dimensions should return to their previous values. You will not always be able to adjust the wall thickness like this in every project. In cases where the walls must change thickness, you may need to adjust some of their locations after the change. You can also explore Location Line, (see the next topic).

Adding Walls with the new Type

Once you have created a new wall type, it can be used like any other.

  1. On the Project Browser, double-click to open the Level 2 floor plan.
  2. On the Architecture tab, on the Build panel, click the Wall tool (or press wa).

Pay close attention to the settings on the Properties palette as Revit is remembering the curtain wall we drew previously and defaulting to those values.

  1. Change the type to: Exterior – Brick on 4" Mtl. Stud.
  2. Set the Location Line to: Finish Face: Exterior.
  3. Verify that Base Constraint is: Level 2 and set the Base Offset to: 0.
  4. For Top Constraint, choose: Up to level: Roof and set the Top Offset to: 3'-0" (see Figure 10–8).

     

Figure 10–8 Be sure to configure appropriate settings each time you run a tool - Revit remembers what was used previously

Zoom in near the intersection of Grid G and 4.

  1. Snap to the outside endpoint of the short wall there (see Figure 10–9).

Figure 10–9 Snap to the endpoint near Grid G4

  1. Draw straight up and click when you are aligned with the horizontal wall at Grid D.
  2. Draw a small horizontal wall snapping back to the existing wall near Grid intersection D6 (see Figure 10–10).

Figure 10–10 Draw two walls to close the rectangular shape on level 2

  1. Click Modify or press esc twice to finish.
  2. Reopen the {3D} view, hold down the shift key and drag with the wheel to orbit around and see the results (see Figure 10–11).

Figure 10–11 Check your progress in 3D