Join Slabs–Inlays and Areas Part 2

I wanted to follow on from my last post with more of a real world example.  This time to show a simple junction using the same technique.  If you are using this method for layouts in plan then I would normally start of with a slab of grass covering the whole site.  Then add outer pavement boundaries, followed by roads.  Once the road has been joined to the paving it will leave a pavement (sidewalk) either side.

However, if you want to show 3D with levels then you will need to plan a little.  Try to decide what element will have the lowest level.  In the example below it is the road.  Therefore, the slab covering your site should be the road.  Now you can add the other elements.

You can see in the image below that I have used paving to define the boundary of the road but haven’t worried about the outside edge.  As with the road, I have have used the grass to define the paving.  Then the floor elements are joined in reverse order.  There will be exceptions where perhaps the grass level drops below the paving.  Just sketch a hole for it to sit in or better yet, use the opening tool.  Mix it up all you like!

When you want to add a little detail to your presentations, create a curb profile for a slab edge and apply it to the paving. 

You could even use Shape Editing to create drop curbs for driveways!

(The drop curb itself will need to be an in-place sweep.  Use voids to cut the ends if they won’t clean up properly by joining them to the slab edge.)

Join Slabs - Inlays and Areas

Since this year marks our Queens Diamond Jubilee here in the UK, I felt that this post could be fitting for the occasion.

When producing simple site layouts in Revit I like to use floor slabs.  Of course this would not be appropriate for complex terrain but conceptual sites or setting out benefit from a simplified approach.  Topo can often be over complex to work with and sub regions can’t overlap.

I have seen many users draw floor boundaries around OS plans and trace along each adjoining edge.  This works but often you have to draw over the same line twice.  What’s worse, if a path or road changes then you have to update adjoining slabs too!

So lets take our site below.  Unlikely perhaps but you may be showing patriotic flower beds on your site.

The end result can be achieved in the manner I described above.  However, there is a slightly simpler approach which will reduce drafting time.  The trick is to place a large slab and then simply draw the inlays or islands.  Then join the inlays to the slab (join order is important here, first pick cuts into the second pick) to cut the pieces.

The image below shows each piece separated out.  Red joins into White and White joins into Blue.

If you need to offset levels then things get a little tricky.  The levels have to go in the order they are joined.  For instance, the Blue slab must be the lowest point.  If you want the White to be the lowest point then make that the slab and cut Blue pieces into that.  In practical use the slab will be grass or road.  Try using slab edges to create curbs.

Send for the men in White Coats!

Is this just me or has Revit 2013 gone mad!

Export your keyboard shortcuts and overwrite an existing file.

This is what I get.

 

My brain says "no, it isn't!" but my gut says "could be, go on then."

I'm interested to know if everyone gets this.  Revit certainly has its quirks but this one is a little out there :D

Hello, World!

 main()
{
        printf("hello, world\n");
}

"Hello_world_program"


Welcome to my first post.  I am starting this blog to share my thoughts and interests around Revit.

I have found Revit to be a constant source of reward if you give it the respect it needs.  Like most things, mastering it will allow you to express you imagination but you will have to work at it!

My aim is to help people on this journey by sharing my experience or by pointing out the tips shared by Revits impressive community.  Check out my reading list for resources that never cease to inspire me or keep an eye on my blog for the little gems I spot and feel like bringing to your attention.

In the meantime, join forums if you haven't already.  They can help you get answers to your most immediate queries and I wouldn't be where I am without their support!

Below are good places to start:

http://www.revitforum.org/
http://forums.augi.com/forumdisplay.php?93-Revit

Thanks for reading.