Adaptive Components And Usage In Revit
Adaptive components are used for adopting a family to various positions by following the parametric rules. There is a basic difference between the regular components and the adaptive components. In regular components, the geometry of the family is related to one unique insertion point and in adaptive components, the geometry can be related to the various insertion point. Users can create dynamic adaptive components in Revit by using adaptive components.
Creation of Adaptive Components
There are two types of family templates to create the adaptive components.
1. Metric Generic Model Adaptive
2. Metric Generic Model Pattern Based
Usage of Adaptive Components
It can be used in:
1. pattern panel families,
2. adaptive component families,
3. conceptual massing environment and
4. other projects.
Advantages
1. Users can have many forms of a family without the need for different parameter values.
2. It is very effective on complex curtain walls.
3. It is used in…
Adaptive Components
Adaptive components are mostly used when there is a need to adapt a family to different positions in space following parametric rules.
A special feature is that, while in regular components (families) the geometry of the family is related to one unique insertion point (or two for line based families); in adaptive components it can be related to more than one insertion point. In this way, the adaptive component can grow differently depending on the specific position of those points.
There are two types of family templates for creating adaptive components:
- Metric Generic Model Adaptive
- Metric Generic Model Pattern Based
The key aspect of the adaptive components is the definition of the adaptive points. The geometry drawn by snapping to these flexible points results in an adaptive component. Adaptive components can be used in pattern panel families, adaptive component families, conceptual massing environment and projects.
Advantages of adaptive components
Adaptive components are a powerful tool because they allow us to create dynamic adaptive components in Revit. This means that we can have infinite forms of a family without having to have infinite types of family with different parameter values. Each instance will adapt according to the position of its adaptive points. Because of the adaptive component smart nature, its applications are endless.
Disadvantages of adaptive components
Adaptive components do not have any 2D or 2½D capability — there is no Annotation tab in the adaptive family editor.
- No text within Adaptive Components
- No symbols
- No symbolic lines
- No detail components
- No filled or masking regions within Adaptive Components
Procedure
1 Choose family template
Select the Family Template to create the adaptive component, either “Metric Generic Model Adaptive.rft” for generic models or “Metric Generic Model Pattern Based” for patterned panels.
2 Make adaptive points
Adaptive Points are modified reference points that are used when designing an adaptive component in the conceptual design environment. In the “Metric Generic Model Pattern Based” template, adaptive points are already created in a square shape.
In the “Metric Generic Model Adaptive” template, Adaptive points can be created by the user. Adaptive points are created by inserting some reference point and making them adaptive in a generic adaptive family. When a reference point is made adaptive, it has a placement point by default. The adaptive points will be numbered in the order in which they have been placed. Geometry drawn using these adaptive points results in an adaptive component.
If you need to change the order of the numbering you can pick on a number, change it, and the others will adjust accordingly.
3 Create geometry
Before modeling any piece of geometry, we have to know that each adaptive point has an X, Y, and Z work plane.
To start creating a surface, make sure 3D snapping is turned on and draw a Reference Line from point to point. To do this, pick the Create/Modify Tab > Model Lines / Reference Lines and turn on the 3D Snapping from the options bar.
What is the difference between choosing Model lines / Reference Lines?:
- Model lines: They are actual lines or edges that will appear in the model when the family is loaded into the project.
- Reference lines: They are reference elements that have no visual entity when loading the family into the model, but are a good basis to create geometry. Besides they have four associated work-planes, two intersect in the longitudinal dimension and define the line. Other two are perpendicular to the line at its ends.
Choose in each case the line that best fits the purposes of the component.
Draw model lines in the order of the reference point numbers and make sure that the lines are linked to the adaptive points.
Sometimes it can be difficult to link properly the lines to the points. In that case, we can proceed by selecting two points and choosing the “Spline through points” tool. The line will be automatically attached to the points.
- If we select only two points we will get a straight line.
- If we select three or more points we will get a spline (curve) through the points.
The reference line will follow the adaptive points wherever they move.
When you have a closed curve, you will be able to convert the lines into a surface or a solid form by clicking the “Create Form”.
Depending on the input data we will be able to create different types of geometry based on the adaptive points.
If we place a reference point in some of the reference lines and draw a circle in the perpendicular plane to the line we will get a sweep when applying “Create Form” to the circle and the reference lines.
Although in Adaptive components (same as in Conceptual Masses) we do not find the “Geometry Tools” buttons from a regular family, such as Extrusion, Sweep, Blend, etc.; the “Create form” tool uses the same logic. For different data inputs:
- Closed loop > We get a surface or an extrusion
- Path and cross-section profile > we get a sweep
- Path and various cross section profiles > we get a sweeping blend
- Two parallel but different profiles > we get a blend
- An axis and a profile > we get a revolving
- We can get the same solid and void forms and make boolean operations.
4 Reporting parameters
When we create a parameter in an adaptive component we have to set a reference plane that contains the dimension line. It is important to take into account that if the parameter is going to give information related to the adaptive geometry, and therefore it must be a reporting parameter.
A reporting parameter is a parameter type that has its value driven by a particular dimension in the family model. Reporting parameters extract a value from a geometric condition and use it to report the data to a formula or as a schedulable parameter.
The reporting parameter can read the dimension of a geometry from an adaptive component so it will give different values for different adaptive components. If the parameter is not a reporting parameter, when we read the information of the parameter the value will always be the one by default (the one that was first given when creating the Adaptive component).
5 Applying Adaptive Components to the project
Once created the adaptive component and the schedulable parameters we can load the family in the project.
There are two different ways of placing adaptive components in a project: selecting a reference plane or a reference geometry. It is not relevant which option you choose since we are going to place points that are going to be snapped to 3D vertex in the actual geometry of the model.
To place an adaptive component you have to select/draw as many points as adaptive points the family has.
If you pick any geometry reference as a point, then the adaptive component will be related to that geometry (for instance the middle point of the base of a wall, a vertex. ). Each modification of the geometry will affect the adaptive component.
6 Nest an adaptive component in a family
This option will be advised when we need to do a family repeating an adaptive component several times.
7 Nest a family into an adaptive component
- Nest profiles: We often use profile forms to create 3D forms. When creating an adaptive component that follows an extrusion of a 2D profile, it is really useful to nest the profile (it would be a generic model face based) as a family with all the parameters that we will need to change. If we do not nest the profile and directly draw the profile using reference lines we would have to link all the dimensions to the adaptive point, which is a complex process.
- Nest 3D families: we can nest entire 3D families as part of our adaptive component. They should be placed upon a work-plane. It can be either the work-planes of adaptive points or other adaptive work-planes (those from the reference lines for example) so that the inserted family changes position according to the placement of the adaptive points.
- Nest adaptive components: we can work in cascade and insert adaptive components into other adaptive families components.
When we nest a family into an adaptive component we can nest also the nested family parameters ( See Nested Families Guideline ).
Tips & Tricks
- Adaptive components are mostly used when we need to adapt a family to different positions in space following parametric rules.
- To define the points in the project to insert an adaptive component, it is advisable to use Dynamo.
Bottom-line
Adaptive components allow us to create families that flexibly adapt to many unique contextual conditions. They are really a powerful tool for 3d modeling. However, adaptive components do not have any 2D or 2½D capabilities. This means we cannot do texts, symbols or detail items.
Associated Files
- Parameters Guideline
- Families Guideline
- Nested Families Guideline
Adaptive Components and Usage in Revit
Adaptive components are used for adopting a family to various positions by following the parametric rules. There is a basic difference between the regular components and the adaptive components. In regular components, the geometry of the family is related to one unique insertion point and in adaptive components, the geometry can be related to the various insertion point. Users can create dynamic adaptive components in Revit by using adaptive components.
Creation of Adaptive Components
There are two types of family templates to create the adaptive components.
1. Metric Generic Model Adaptive
2. Metric Generic Model Pattern Based
Usage of Adaptive Components
It can be used in:
1. pattern panel families,
2. adaptive component families,
3. conceptual massing environment and
4. other projects.
Advantages
1. Users can have many forms of a family without the need for different parameter values.
2. It is very effective on complex curtain walls.
3. It is used in fa?ade panelization.
4. Adaptive Components are used for railings, mechanical and electrical fixtures.
Disadvantages
1. No symbolic lines
2. No detail components
3. No text within Adaptive Components
4. No symbols
5. No masking regions within Adaptive Components
The Making Process
Users have to choose the family template
Select «Family Template» then choose «Metric Generic Model Adaptive. rft» for generic models and «Metric Generic Model Pattern Based» for patterned panels.
After that users have to make adaptive points.
It is used when users design an adaptive component in the environment of conceptual design. In the «Metric Generic Model Pattern Based» option, adaptive points are created in a square shape. Users can create adaptive points in the «Metric Generic Model Adaptive» template. Users can create adaptive points by inserting reference points and making adaptive in a generic adoptive family.
Next users have to create the geometry
To create a surface users must ensure that the 3D snapping is turned on and users have to draw a reference line from point to point. Users have to click the Create/Modify Tab > Model Lines / Reference Lines and turn on the 3D Snapping from the options bar.
Application of the adaptive components
After creating the adaptive component and schedulable parameter users can load the family in the specific project. There are two different ways of placing adaptive components. One is to select a reference plane. Users have to select as possible as the adaptive points of the family to place adaptive components.
Users can place the adaptive model in another adaptive component in a conceptual mass. Now users have to open a new adaptive component and design a general model. After that users have to load the adaptive component into the design component.
After that users have to drag the component family into the drawing area from the project browser. Next users have to Place the adaptive points of the model in the conceptual design. Users can place various iterations of the model as per need. Now users have to select one and Ctrl-move for placing additional instances. At last, users can go back to the adaptive component model and additional geometry. After completing that users can reload it.
Some Tricks
When users need to adopt a family to various positions then the adaptive components are used. For inserting adaptive components Dynamo is best to use.
To get more details, go through the following video tutorial.
Adaptive Components and Their Usage in Revit
Revit’s adaptive components are a powerful tool for 3D and architectural modeling, allowing us to have infinite family forms with different parametric values. The application of adaptive components in Revit is endless because of its smart nature.
The adaptive component feature in Revit was added around ten years ago to solve the former limitations of Revit, such as moving beyond square shapes. Adaptive components originated from a massing environment and still play a crucial role in the workflow of adaptive components.
Adaptive Components and Their Difference from Regular Components
Adaptive components in Revit are an adaptation of the pattern-based curtain panel and can flexibly adapt to many unique contextual conditions. We use adaptive components when there is a need to adopt a family at different positions using parametric rules. For instance, we can use adaptive components in repeating systems generated while arraying multiple components, conforming to user-defined constraints.
In Revit, users can create dynamic adaptive components with the help of adaptive components. Adaptive components differ from regular components, i.e., families. In regular components, the geometry of the family relates to one unique insertion point or a maximum of two for line-based families. However, in adaptive components, the family geometry relates to more than one insertion point. They can grow differently based on the position of insertion points and create dynamic adaptive components.
Creation of Adaptive Components in Revit
Adaptive point is the key component as snapping to these flexible points results in adaptive components. Adaptive points are the modified reference points used for designing an adaptive component in the conceptual design environment. These points help in component placement or as shape handles usage. When used for placement, these adaptive points get numbered in the placement order while components get loaded.
The two types of family templates for creating adaptive components are
Metric Generic Model Adaptive
We create adaptive points by modifying reference points in a generic adaptive family based on the Generic Model Adaptive. rft family template. When a reference point is made adaptive, it becomes a placement point by default. And geometry drawn using these adaptive points results in an adaptive component.
Metric Generic Model Pattern Based
We can create pattern component families from the generic model pattern-based Revit family template and then apply pattern components to the surface of the conceptual mass.
Procedure to Create Adaptive Components
The steps to create an adaptive component in Revit are as follows.
1. Select Family Template
First, we should choose a family template to create the adaptive component. For generic models, we can choose ‘Metric Generic Model Adaptive. rft’ and for patterned panels- select ‘Metric Generic Model Pattern Based.’
2. Create Adaptive Points
In the case of a Metric Generic Model Pattern-based template, adaptive points are already created in a square shape, whereas, in Metric Generic Model Adaptive, a user must create adaptive points.
For creating adaptive points, insert some reference points and make them adaptive in a generic adaptive family. When a reference point is made adaptive, it gets a placement point by default. The numbering of these adaptive points is based on their placement order. We can change the number by selecting it, and others will adjust accordingly.
3. Create Geometry
We need to define X, Y, and Z work planes for each adaptive point before modeling any piece of geometry. For surface creation, ensure 3D snapping gets turned on and draw a reference line from point to point. The steps required to do this are
- Pick the Create/Modify Tab > Model Lines / Reference Lines.
- Turn on the 3D Snapping from the options bar.
We can select a model or reference line based on our purpose and suitability.
Model lines are actual lines or edges that appear in the model when the family gets loaded into the project.
We can draw model lines in order of the reference point numbers and ensure lines are linked to the adaptive points. However, a few times, it gets difficult to link the lines to the points appropriately.
So, we can select two points through the ‘Spline through points’ tool, and lines get automatically attached to the point. We get a straight line if we choose only two points and a spline curve through the points when we select three or more points.
Reference lines are reference elements with no visual entity while loading the family into the model. They have four associated work-planes-two intersect in the longitudinal dimension to define the line, and rest two are perpendicular to the line at its ends.
Reference lines follow the adaptive points wherever they move. In the case of a closed curve, we can convert the lines into a surface or solid shape by clicking on “Create Form.”
Adaptive points and the input data help us create different types of geometry. For example, if we place a reference point in any reference lines and draw a circle in the perpendicular plane to the line, we get a sweep while applying “Create Form” to the circle and the reference lines.
4. Reporting Parameters
A reporting parameter is a parameter type that drives its value through a particular dimension in the family model. The reporting parameter extracts the value from a geometric condition used for reporting the data to a formula or as a scheduled parameter.
We need to set a reference plane containing the dimension line for creating a parameter in an adaptive component. If a parameter gives information related to the adaptive geometry, it is a reporting parameter.
The reposting parameter gives different values for different adaptive components and can read the dimension of a geometry.
5. Apply Adaptive Components to the Project
After creating the adaptive component and scheduled parameter, we can load the family in the project.
The two different ways of placing adaptive components are
- Selecting a reference plane
- Reference Geometry
We should select as many points as the family’s adaptive points for placing an adaptive component.
6. Nest an Adaptive Component in Family
We should nest an adaptive component in the family for repeating an adaptive component several times.
7. Nest Family into Adaptive Component
Generally, we use profile forms to create 3D forms.
It is valuable to nest the profile as a family containing all the parameters for an adaptive component following the extrusion of a 2D profile.
We can nest 3D families as part of our adaptive component by placing them on a work plane of adaptive points. The inserted family changes position according to the placement of the adaptive points.
Usage and Advantage of Adaptive Components
The use of adaptive components varies from pattern panel families, adaptive component families, conceptual massing environments, and other projects.
Some of the advantages of adaptive components are
- We can use adaptive components for railings and mechanical and electrical fixtures.
- Adaptive components are very effective in curtain walls.
- We can use them in façade penalization.
- We can have many forms of adaptive component families without creating different parametric values for each.
Adaptive Components: A Powerful Tool for 3D Modeling
Adaptive components help us create families, flexible enough to adapt to several unique contextual conditions.
Even though adaptive components do not have 2D capabilities, they are a powerful tool for 3D modeling. eLogicTech Edge, an engineering firm and a BIM service provider, uses adaptive components for 3D modeling of railings, mechanical and electrical fixtures, and other architectural modeling effectively.
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