BIM. After Dark.

Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, AIA

GUIDE: Creating Your

Own Revit Template
®
 Introduction
2

2
 INTRODUCTION
I want to personally thank you for dissect someone elses personal template but


downloading this eBook. If you have taken they wanted more. They wanted to know how
the time to sign-up and download this eBook to create their OWN template. Therefore,
then you already have the drive it takes I decided to write this eBook.
to break the “BIM-barriers” down. We need
more people like you to think outside of I hope you enjoy this complimentary eBook!
the box and push our software-of-choice to
its limits. -

This eBook is not meant to be a technical

manual but more of a mini-guide. I’ve taken
my template creation process and broken
it down in the simplest, systematic way I
could. When I released BIM After Dark -
Volume 2 the feedback was incredible. My
personal Revit Template is included when
anyone purchased the Complete Package of Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, AIA, LEED AP
Volume 2. Many customers find it valuable to “The Revit Kid”
 Where do I begin?
3

3
 WHERE DO I BEGIN?
The inevitable first question I am asked
about creating custom Revit templates is
“where do I begin?” The truth is, this
question is kind of a “chicken before
the egg” question. If you have not yet
completed a project in Revit you may not
have any idea what your Revit template will
require. On the other hand, without a
template you can’t really start a project
efficiently.

I believe in simplicity and the simple

answer is for your first three projects to
start with the default Autodesk template.
Why three projects? Three full blown
Revit projects brought to completion and
construction seems to be the sweet spot for
most firms adopting the software.

By using the default template you are at


least starting with the bare minimum and
adding what you need based on your projects.
Finally, when you have successfully completed
project number three (congratulations, by
the way!) that project will be a solid base
to use when creating your template.
 What do I include?
4

4
 WHAT DO I INCLUDE?
Now that we have established you will Annotation Families:
need a base of three complete projects Levels
for your template we have to think about Callouts
what the template should contain when a Text Types
new project is started. The topic of Dimension Types
office standards and what should exist in a Spot Elevations
template is always up for debate. Rather Tags
than arguing both sides I will give my Note Symbols/Blocks
personal recommendation. After all, this Title Blocks
is my eBook! If you disagree feel free to
write your own ;)
Model Elements:
I am a firm believer in keeping templates Doors
as light as possible. Only the essentials Walls
should be included and your goal should Floors – Generic or a few typical types.
be balancing the smallest file size with Roofs – Generic or a few typical types.
essential content. So what do I consider
essential?

You may be thinking “what about casework, View Families and Types:


furniture, plumbing fixtures, etc...?” I Sections
recommend taking the time and create an Elevations
organized structure for your Revit Content. Details
If you have a standard operating procedure Schedules
in place and the Content locations are known
to team members loading only the necessary
content into a project (not template) will
Global Settings:
keep project files smaller and increase
Shared and Project Parameters
productivity overall. Additionally, I
View Templates (If Applicable)
recommend keeping custom content separate
Phases
from the default Revit content.
Keynotes (If Applicable)
Filters
Line Styles / Line Types
Hatch (Fill) Patterns
Line-weights
Graphic Overrides
 How do I do it?
5

5
Once you’ve decided which project (or projects) subtractive method to be the quickest method
you are going to use as your base model the next and have used it before. Of course, the
step is turning it into a template. There are two better the existing project you use the better

 HOW DO I DO IT?
methods I use to create templates from existing your template will be. For example, I would
projects: Subtractive and Additive. Each method
recommend not using the subtractive method if
is breifly explained on the bottom of this page.
If you would like to download the latest and
your existing project is full of AutoCAD line
greatest version of my personal template check out types, text types, and imports. Either way,
BIM After Dark - Volume 2. I hope the description of each method will
help you on your template creating journey.
The method in which you choose to use is
entirely up to you. I, personally, find the


Subtractive Method Additive Method
1.Save File As a template file. 1.Open your existing project.
2.Delete all unwanted views. 2.Create a new file using a blank
3.Delete all unwanted families. template.
4.Purge File. This will remove 3.Set up Views and Organization.
everything except what you are 4.Transfer project standards (listed
currently using in the file. on previous page).
5.Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all excess 5.Load families not transferred yet.
families and types are removed. 6.Copy and Paste Schedules in.
6.Save new template file. 7.Save as Template File
 How do I deploy it?
6

6
 HOW DO I DEPLOY IT?
Now that you have a new clean
and efficient Revit Project
template it’s time to deploy
the template. Deployment is
very simple. Place the template
file in whatever destination you
want to keep it. I usually use
the default Autodesk Template
location (but for servers and
networks you may have a different
location in mind).

Once in the correct location

simply point Revit to the new
template file as the default
template. Click the Revit
button and select “Options”.
Click the file locations tab.
Click the green add value icon.
Replace the default location


with your new location.

Now, whenever you start a new

project it will automatically
use the template you have
created. Make sure you place
your template at the top of the
list!
 Thanks for
7

7
 THANKS FOR READING!
Reading!
I hope this guide helped to demystify the process of creating a Revit
Template for your business.

Don’t forget to check out BIM After Dark - Volume 2 to fill in any
of the gaps or if you are interested in taking your construction
documents to the next level with speed and efficiency!

Also, if you liked this guide make sure you share it with your friends!

Click here to Tweet about the eBook...


Follow me on Facebook
Check out my Youtube Channel
Check out the Blog
© Copyright 2015 - studio.bad, llc