Building Information Modeling
Families and Parameters
Image courtesy of:
Ryder Architecture Limited
Slides are made based on Autodesk BIM Curriculum, Greenwold, S., and D. Driver. (2007), Building Information
Modeling with Revit Architecture: Lecture Notes, Autodesk, Inc., with additional content created by Wei Yan, Texas A&M
University.
Working with Compound and Vertically
Compound Walls
Vertically Compound Walls (Stacked Walls)

A wall with non-uniform structure throughout its height is known
as a vertically compound wall.

You can divide the layers of a vertically compound wall into
vertical parts. Each part can be composed of a different material.
1.
Protruding ledge at the
top of the block
2.
Three rows of brick
inset from the main face
of the wall
3.
Row of brick standing
vertically
4.
Cap
More on Compound Structure:
http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2015/ENU/?guid=GUID08E47F82-BFA1-4CAB-B2EA-6C8DC9049AD8
Question:
How to create a new family with multiple types?
Question:
How to create a new family with multiple types?
Create a new family with a type and duplicate
the type to multiple types.
Experiment: Creating New Types in
Family
Run Revit - Load Family of Casement 3x3 with Trim, find
it in Windows, edit family, add a type of 48"x48" to it, and
save it to Families using a new name and new location
Casement 3x3 with Trim - New.
Try to open a new project and load the saved Family
Casement 3x3 with Trim – New. Examine it.
Choosing Type
Versus Instance
Why are some parameters
type parameters and some
instance parameters?
Type parameters are the
ones that define the identity of
a class of objects, and
instance parameters are the
ones that vary across specific
individuals. Instance
parameters tend to deal with
context (extrinsic
relationships, such as
placement in a host), where
type parameters tend to be
intrinsic (self dimensions, for
example).
The Role of the Family
If type values are stored in a type and
instance values are stored in an
object, what exactly is the role of the
family?
The family defines what parameters
exist, whether they are type or
instance parameters. The family
defines how the object renders itself
into various views depending on its
parameters.
The Role of the Family
Family A
Family B
Type Parameter 1
Type Parameter 1
Type Parameter 2
Type Parameter 2
Type Parameter 3
Instance Parameter 1
Instance Parameter 1
Instance Parameter 2
Instance Parameter 2
Instance Parameter 3
The Role of the Family
It’s also about design thinking process:
When architects think of doors, do they
think of materials first or the geometry first?
Normally geometry, for example, they
draw double doors (family) on the floor
plan first and then decide about its wood
material (type) later.
On the other hand, when we sketch a
building, we draw “instances” directly,
without thinking of “families” and “types”.
This shows the difference between
sketching and BIM modeling.
Nested Families
A family may contain one or more other families as part
of its definition. These are called nested families, and
they are a powerful concept. Nested families allow
aggregates of components to be treated as a single
component. For example, a set of door hardware can
be created as its own family and then used in many
different door families. If a change is made to the door
hardware, the change can be easily propagated into all
the applicable door families by reloading the hardware
family.
The size of the book shelf can determine the
size of the drawer, or parameters can pass
from a family to its nested family.
Applications of Family Types
Sample: Humanoid
• Questions?