Revit Unified Guidelines 3D Modeling PDF

# Revit - Unified Guidelines - 3D Modeling ## Positioning Levels - LEVEL 0 - Estimate "FIRST FLOOR" - Don't change this level location no matter the case. - LEVEL 0 - Estimate should always be at 0' height. - LEVEL -1 - Estimate "LOWER LEVEL" - Basement level value can be found...

# Revit - Unified Guidelines - 3D Modeling ## Positioning Levels - LEVEL 0 - Estimate "FIRST FLOOR" - Don't change this level location no matter the case. - LEVEL 0 - Estimate should always be at 0' height. - LEVEL -1 - Estimate "LOWER LEVEL" - Basement level value can be found in different places in the PDF or the spec sheet and here are the most common ways to adjust the basement level value. - **Method 1:** - You have a section view showing the floor's location. - In this example, the basement level would be at minus (-) the sum of these 3 values. - Basement level = - (7' 1 3/4" + 9 1/2" + 0 3/4") = - 8' - **Method 2:** - When the level is not specified in the PDF: - **Method 3:** - When the level is specified in the PDF, check the spec sheet first to make sure there is no discrepancy. - In this example, the levels are in the front elevation: - Top of slab/concrete floor: Is the top of the concrete floor "where Level -1 will be". - Top of subfloor: Is the top of the subfloor + joist floor "where Level 0, Level 1 will be". - Top of plate: Is the end of the wall, also the location of the ceiling "where "T.O. SECOND PLATE" will be". - **Example 1:** - **Example 2:** - LEVEL 1 - Estimate "SECOND FLOOR" - Height value should be the sum of (Joist floor thickness above + Wall height mentioned in the spec sheet) - For example; If we have - Joist floor thickness = 1' 5/8" (11 7/8" Wood joist + 3/4" Subfloor) - Wall height = 9' 1 1/8" - Then - (1' 5/8" + 9' 1 1/8") =10' 1 3/4" - Level 1 will be located 10' 1 3/4" above Level 0 - MOD - ROOF "Heel HEIGHT" - The heel height level is the specific height to which the roofs' heel will be adjusted. - **Top of Walls** - T.O. LEVEL -1 WALLS "T.O. FOUNDATION WALLS". - T.O. LEVEL 0 PLATE "T.O. FIRST PLATE". - T.O. LEVEL 1 PLATE "T.O. SECOND PLATE". - The height value should be equal to the lower level's wall height. - For example, - Wall height = 9' 1 1/8" - Then, - T.O. SECOND PLATE will be 9' 1 1/8" above the SECOND FLOOR. ## General Notes - Make sure to assign every element (walls/doors/windows,...) to its corresponding level, except for: - Roofs, ridge caps, and soffit, which should be assigned to the lower level. - Roof levels should be based on the lowest level covered. Meaning if a roof covers multiple levels, we should assign the base level. - Ensure that no exterior element is hosted on the "LEVEL ROOF"; instead, always host them on the lower level. - Don't create or use levels that are not needed. Only the main levels and the top of walls levels. - Make sure to assign every element (trims/interior elements, ...) to its corresponding level, and don't forget to check the schedule level. - For the stud's wall height - Always follow the wall heights mentioned in the spec sheet or the blueprints as it is. - **EXCEPT FOR THESE CASES:** - All wall heights that range from: - 8' 0" to 8' 2" should always be 8' 1 1/8" - 9' 0" to 9' 2" should always be 9' 1 1/8" - 10' 0" to 10' 2" should always be 10' 1 1/8" - If the blueprint mentions a wall height with a 9' 1" value, then you need to model the wall as 9' 1 1/8". - And if the blueprint mentions a wall height with a 10' 0 1/2" value then you need to model the wall as 10' 1 1/8" and so on - Any other value will be exactly the same as the spec sheet or the blueprint. - The block walls or the foundation walls will always be exactly the same as the spec sheet or the blueprint - A concrete foundation wall always has a horizontal top "Do not edit the wall profile". - It's very important to delete Level 1 if you don't have it in the model before starting to model to avoid hosting the families incorrectly. - The level name shouldn't be changed under any circumstances. - Parapet/Chimney Walls - All the parapet/chimney walls must be hosted at the roof level no matter where they are. - Dormer Walls - All the dormer walls must be hosted at the roof level no matter where they are. - Same applies to the exterior elements, doors and windows hosted on these walls. ## Walls Modeling Guidelines - There are two types of core walls or stud walls, Exterior Walls and Interior Walls. - There are two walls used on the exterior, Stud Walls or Core Walls and Siding Walls. - Always use the standard sizes from the template for both Exterior/Interior stud walls. If you face a major issue, reach out to Paradigm for guidance. ### Core Wall - All walls need to be the exact size as the studs standards + the thickness of the sheathing layer. - All dimensions should be from the face of the core wall: | Wall Name | Structure Thickness | Sheathing | |---|---|---| | 2x4 Ext | 3.5" | 7/16" | | 2x6 Ext | 5.5" | 7/16" | | 2x8 Ext | 7.25" | 7/16" | | 2x10 Ext | 9.25" | 7/16" | | 2x12 Ext | 11.25" | 7/16" | - All exterior walls have the same thickness for the sheathing layer: 7/16" unless noted otherwise in the blueprint. - We have 2 cases where we need to change the sheathing layer to 1/2": - In case we have the exterior dimensions locked to the exterior face of the sheathing. - In case it's mentioned in the Spec Sheet that the sheathing layer is 1/2". - For example: - If the sheathing, mentioned in the spec sheet, is 7/16" but in the PDF it's 1/2" and the dimensions were taken from the exterior face of the sheathing then the sheathing is 7/16". Take the dimensions from the core face and adjust the dimensions accordingly. - **Sheathing rounding** - We have standard sizes for the subfloor sheathing which are 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 3/8", 5/8", and 7/16" any other value other than these needs to be rounded to the nearest 1/16" - **Wall Connections** - Miter Joins must not be used for core walls, all connections should be Butt joints state. - **Corner Walls Connections** - You need to follow these connections for all the corner walls unless it's mentioned in the blueprint - 6" Wall over 4" Wall connection : - Bearing Walls over Interior Walls connection : - Don't split the wall even if it's a bearing wall unless you have to insert it in an option: - Unless it's clear in the blueprint how the connection will be, then you have to follow the blueprint: - Never use "Disallow Join" at the house corners (in case of two walls): - Always use disallow join when you split the walls in the connection of 3 walls or more. - Avoid weird fractions when you split the walls as much as you can at least to the nearest 1/8". - Avoid any weird intersection with any other element in the project. - The connection points of foundation or block walls aren't critical, except when dealing with framed walls resting on top of block walls, such as walkout walls or stepped foundations. - You need to match the wall connections with the plan as long as it is visible like in this case. - If you have perpendicular walls don't split them in the center of the wall: ## Wall Types Conflicts - When 2 wall types are possible at the same time, there's a wall type conflict. Here's a list of possible wall conflicts and what to use for each case: | Location | Conflicts | Wall to use | |---|---|---| | Any | Vanity / Bearing | Vanity | | Any | Vanity / Fire | Vanity | | Any | Vanity / Party | Vanity | | Any | Vanity / Perimeter | Vanity | | Main Level | Fire / Bearing | Fire | | Basement | Fire / Bearing | Bearing | | Screened Porch | The wall between the house's living space and the porch | Exterior | | Garage | The wall between 2 units in the garage | Party | | Garage | The wall between 2 garages, same unit | Interior | | Kitchen | Wall under the kitchen counter | Interior | - In case of Vanity / Firewall conflict, since the wall type will be Vanity, you need to select the Fire Rated Sheathing: ### Wall Location - Make sure all walls have the right Base constraint based on its level, then every wall should have the wall location filled. ### Default - Default will be the location for all walls on all floors "-1,0,1,2,3,....": ### Garage - Garage will be for all the walls around the garage space "Exterior, Interior, Foundation": ### Porch Wall - This will be for all walls in the Porch area. - For example: - Fireplace Walls "The wall must be entirely in the porch area": ### Sunroom - This will be for all walls in the Sunroom, Three season room, or four-season areas ### Sill Plate 1, 2, 3 - Only the foundation walls get the sill plate parameters. - Only add the sill plate parameters if you have a joist floor that rests on top of a foundation wall. - In some cases, you will need more than one sill plate "IF CALLED OUT IN THE BLUEPRINT". - If the sill plate was not mentioned in the spec sheet nor the Blueprints and you have a joist floor on top of a concrete wall, this wall requires a "sill plate" and it will be a 2x6. - For the foundation walls' height with a sill plate, consider the sill plate having a height of 1 1/2". - For Example, if the foundation wall height is 8 feet, the full height in the project will be 8' 1 1/2". - The sill plate parameter should always default to "None" instead of blank. For all wall types with no exceptions. - If you have a block wall on Level 0 and a Joist floor on top of it on Level 1, then these block walls require a sill plate - Foundation walls in the garage area, which has a concrete floor, do not need a Sill plate. ### Staggered Studs - Staggered Studs wall is a type of wall using a different way of laying studs. It will always be called out in the blueprint and all you need is to select that option in the wall: ## EWP Studs - EWP Stud is an engineered structural material manufactured by bonding wood veneers or strands together with a structural adhesive to form a solid member. - EWP Wall is a wall built fully with EWP studs. - EWP walls or EWP studs will be noted in the blueprint and it will be a requirement in the spec sheet - We need to count EWP studs and determine the EWP walls in the blueprint, and to do that you must have: - Per Plan marked on the spec sheet and EWP studs or LSL studs marked on the blueprint. - For EWP Studs : - you must have - Per Plan marked on the spec sheet and EWP studs or LSL studs marked on the blueprint. - Ewp studs will be drawn inside the walls in the plan, and Ewp walls will be specified in the blueprint - Don't count EWP studs for any EWP walls since they will be fully framed with EWP studs, only change the type of the wall to be Exterior/interior ewp wall - Only the per plan option is for counting the EWP studs, the other options will affect the wall types - EWP Studs will be counted only if they were drawn on the blueprint and the wall isn't an EWP wall. Count the drawn studs and add the count to the EWP Studs. ## Interior and Foundation Walls - Interior walls consist of both load-bearing walls and non-load bearing walls and they define the interior spaces. - The foundation walls are the concrete walls below the ground level. These walls serve as the main support for the structure of the home. ## Mandatory Properties - All walls that are not visible from the outside. - Select the thickness based on the spec sheet and the blueprint. | Property | Description | |---|---| | Wall Type | 2x4 Int<br>2x6 Int<br>2x8 Int<br>2x10 Int<br>2x12 Int | Foundation - [thickness]<br>i.e. Foundation - 10" | | Material | WTS_Material_Interior_Wall | WTS_Material_Foundation | - You need to match the half-wall height with what is mentioned in the PDF and if nothing was mentioned about it, then you can assume the height. ## Include Finished Basement - If you have the Include finished basement check box marked YES, then you need to model it even if it's a future plan: - If you have the Include finished basement marked No, then you don't need to model it, even if it's a full plan; except for the bearing walls, which you must model. ### Finished basement and Perimeter wall conflict - In case of the spec sheet require to include the perimeter walls & Not Include the finished basement & the perimeter walls in the blueprint modeled as future walls (dotted lines) - Then: We should model the perimeter walls - Include all hangers (except hangers for trusses), straps, holdowns (except embedded holdowns), clips and ties. ## EWP Studs - EWP Stud is an engineered structural material manufactured by bonding wood veneers or strands together with a structural adhesive to form a solid member. - EWP Wall is a wall built fully with EWP studs. - EWP walls or EWP studs will be noted in the blueprint and it will be a requirement in the spec sheet - We need to count EWP studs and determine the EWP walls in the blueprint, and to do that you must have: - Per Plan marked on the spec sheet and EWP studs or LSL studs marked on the blueprint. - For EWP Studs : - you must have - Per Plan marked on the spec sheet and EWP studs or LSL studs marked on the blueprint. - Ewp studs will be drawn inside the walls in the plan, and Ewp walls will be specified in the blueprint - Don't count EWP studs for any EWP walls since they will be fully framed with EWP studs, only change the type of the wall to be Exterior/interior ewp wall - Only the per plan option is for counting the EWP studs, the other options will affect the wall types - EWP Studs will be counted only if they were drawn on the blueprint and the wall isn't an EWP wall. Count the drawn studs and add the count to the EWP Studs. ## Interior and Foundation Walls - Interior walls consist of both load-bearing walls and non-load bearing walls and they define the interior spaces. - The foundation walls are the concrete walls below the ground level. These walls serve as the main support for the structure of the home. ## Mandatory Properties - All walls that are not visible from the outside. - Select the thickness based on the spec sheet and the blueprint. | Property | Description | |---|---| | Wall Type | 2x4 Int<br>2x6 Int<br>2x8 Int<br>2x10 Int<br>2x12 Int | Foundation - [thickness]<br>i.e. Foundation - 10" | | Material | WTS_Material_Interior_Wall | WTS_Material_Foundation | - You need to match the half-wall height with what is mentioned in the PDF and if nothing was mentioned about it, then you can assume the height.