Understanding the Family Editor

The Family Editor is a graphical editing mode in Revit that allows you to create families to include in your project. When you start creating a family, you open a template to use in the Family Editor. The template can include multiple views, such as plan and elevation views. The Family Editor has the same look and feel as the project environment in Revit, but features different tools located on a single Create tab.

You can access the Family Editor by:

• Opening or creating a new family (.rfa) file.
• Selecting an element created by a loadable or an in-place family type, and then right-clicking and clicking Edit Family. (You can also double-click a family element to open it for editing.)

Family Editor Tools

• The Family Types tool (Create tabProperties panel Family Types) opens the Family Types dialog. You can create new family types or new instance and type parameters. See Creating Family Types.
• The Dimension tools (Annotate tabDimension panel) add permanent dimensions to the family, in addition to ones that Revit automatically creates as you draw the geometry. This is important if you wish to create different sizes of the family.
• The Model Line tool (Create tabModel panel Model Line) lets you draw two-dimensional geometry for when you do not need to show solid geometry. For example, you could draw door panels and hardware or duct as 2D rather than use solid extrusions.

  Model lines are always visible in 3D views. You can control their visibility in plan and elevation views by selecting the lines and clicking Modify | Lines tabVisibility panel Visibility Settings.

• The Symbolic Line tool (Annotate tabDetail panel Symbolic Line) lets you draw lines that are meant for symbolic purposes only. For example, you might use symbolic lines in an elevation view to represent a door swing, or to represent the flow direction for a pipe fitting. Symbolic lines are not part of the actual geometry of the family. Symbolic lines are visible parallel to the view in which you draw them.

  You can control symbolic line visibility on cut instances. Select the symbolic line, and click Modify | Lines tabVisibility panel Visibility Settings. In the Family element visibility settings dialog, select Show only if instance is cut.

  In this dialog, you can also control the visibility of lines based on the detail level of the view. For example, if you select Coarse, the symbolic lines are visible when you load the family into a project and place it in a view at the Coarse detail level.

  Tip: Use this dialog to control visibility of generic annotations loaded into model families. See Loading Generic Annotations into Model Families.
• The Opening tool (Create tabModel panel Opening) is available in host-based family templates only (such as wall-based or ceiling-based families). You create an opening by sketching its shape to the reference planes and then modifying its dimensions. After you create an opening, you can select it and set it to display as transparent in 3D and/or elevation views when loaded into a project. You specify transparency on the Options Bar.
  Note: The Opening tool is also available in the project environment.
• The Reference Plane tool (Create tabDatum panel Reference Plane) creates a reference plane, which is an infinite plane that serves as a guide for drawing lines and geometry.
• The Reference Line tool (Create tabDatum panel Reference Line) creates a line similar to a reference plane, but that has logical start and end points.
• The Control tool (Create tabControl panel Control) lets you place arrows to rotate and mirror the geometry of a family, after you add it to your design. The following arrow controls are available on the Modify | Place Control tabControl Type panel (multiple selections are acceptable):
  • Single Vertical
  • Double Vertical
  • Single Horizontal
  • Double Horizontal

  Revit rotates or mirrors the geometry about the origin. With 2 opposite-facing arrows, you can mirror horizontally or vertically.

  You can place the controls anywhere in the view. It is best to place them where it is obvious what they control.

  

  Tip: Controls are useful when creating a door family. The double-horizontal control arrows change which side the door is hinged. The double-vertical control arrows change the swing of the door from inside-out to outside-in.
  

  Tip: Controls are useful when creating a pipe fitting family. The control arrows allow you to flip the fitting horizontally or vertically.
• The Text tool (Annotate tabText panel Text) lets you add text notes to the family. This is typically used in an annotation family.
• The Model Text tool (Create tabModel panel Model Text) lets you add signage to a building or letters to a wall.
• The Section tool (View tabCreate panel Section) lets you create a section view.
• The Component tool (Create tabModel panel Component) selects the type of component to be inserted into the Family Editor. After you select this tool, the Type Selector becomes active and you can select a component.
• The Symbol tool (Annotate tabDetail panel Symbol) lets you place 2D annotation drawing symbols.
• The Detail Component tool (Annotate tabDetail panel Detail Component) lets you place a detail component.
• The Masking Region tool (Annotate tabDetail panel Masking Region) lets you apply a mask that will obscure model elements when the family is used to create an element in a project.
• The Solid tools: Extrusion, Blend, Revolve, Sweep, and Swept Blend (Create tabForms panel) let you create solid geometry in the family.
• The Void Forms tool (Create tabForms panel Void Forms) provides access to tools that let you cut solid geometry in the family.
• The Label tool (Create tabText panel Label) lets you place intelligent text in the family. This text represents a family property. When the property value is specified, it will show up in the family.
  Note: This tool is available for annotation symbols only.
• The Load into Project tool (Create tabFamily Editor panel Load Into Project) lets you load a family directly into any open project or family.