Creating Building Elements from Mass Instances

You can create building elements from the faces of mass instances, generic models, imported solids, and polymeshes.

An in-place mass (left) converted to building elements (right)

• Abstract models: Use mass instances when you want to model a building abstractly, or if you want to schedule gross volume, gross surface area, and gross floor area.

  To create building elements from mass instances, use Building Maker tools. Building elements created with Building Maker tools do not automatically update when the mass face changes. You can update the element to adjust to the current size and shape of the mass face.

• Generic models: Use generic models if you must create a unique, unusual shape but do not need to model the entire building abstractly. Walls, roofs, and curtain systems can be made from faces in a generic model family.
• Imported solids: To create elements from faces of imported solids, they must be imported into the conceptual design environment while you are creating a mass family, or into the Family Editor while you are creating a generic model.
• Polymeshes: You can import polymesh objects from various file types. Generic model families are recommended for polymesh geometry, because mass families cannot extract volumetric information from polymeshes.

Tip: You can import AutoCAD Architecture mass elements into Revit after they are exploded in AutoCAD Architecture. As Revit import symbols, they are polymesh objects. Optionally, you can convert mass elements to solid AutoCAD objects before importing into Revit.