Bright Lights, Big Fixtures

In this episode you'll learn how to make a light fixture, set it's lumens and essential specifications, as well as learn some tips, tricks and best practices when building Revit Component Families. 

Types of light component families

Point lights
Ceiling based point
Wall based point
Generic/Level based point

Linear lights
Ceiling based linear
Wall based linear
Generic/ Level based linear

Building the light component family

Step 1:
Read the manufacturers specifications if you have them and Sketch your Light in pencil.

Determine the necessary dimensions,
Determine what is fixed and what changes on the fixture for the various sizes

Open a light component family template that fits your fixture type,( File\New\Family):

Setup four windows for working, Plan, Front elevation, Right elevation, & 3D (if they open automatically, hit WT on the keyboard to tile the views)

What you are given in the Light fixture template:
Important Reference planes, a Level and a hosting element such as a wall or ceiling(never delete any of these elements)

i. The Plan view (or Ceiling plan view) will  show several pre-named Reference planes which indicate the source of the light.

ii. Each Elevation will show you one of the two reference planes you see in plan, as well as two others including the “Light Source Axis” ref. plane and the Ceiling ref. plane. You will also see the Reference Level, which indicates where the floor is. Level is more important for Generic fixtures or those which need to be hosted or offset from the floor.
iii. Ceiling based families, provide a reference ceiling (Note: this ceiling is for reference only and does not show up in the model)
iv. Wall based families, provide a wall (Note: this wall is for reference only and does not show up in the model)

Step 2:
i. Position the light source reference planes to their precise location for your intended fixture

ii. Draw New Reference planes in plan and elevation for your fixture, to guide and determine the size and shape, and give them names. 

iii. To give a reference plane a name, select the plane and click the properties button on the options bar. Type a name in the Name Parameter box.

We give reference planes names, so that they can be used as workplanes on which you can draw.

Step 3:
Creating the form(s)
Create the solid and void forms to create our shape, keeping in mind their relationship to the light source.
You can also create openings in the ceiling with the Opening tool
Extrusion
Blend
Revolve
Sweep
Swept Blend(Revit 2009)
** Remember to Flex via the family types dialog often **

Nested light components
If there are repeating elements in a fixture, that are necessary to show in your documents, the best practice is to “nest” that repeating element as a separate family component – loading it into the fixture family much like you load components into a project. 

Adding Parameters
Pendant light distance from ceiling-add parameter
How lights relate to cut planes and how to trick them to show in ceiling plans

Once created, add Family types with the various sizes of the manufacturers specifications

Lumens – This determines the brightness in renderings
Lamp type – a schedulable parameter
Wattage – a schedulable parameter

Choose your assembly code now, be thorough.

Text/Annotation visibility
You can add annotations to a component family and enable/disable their visibility based on type settings. Load an annotation, for example a ‘Label’. Click the Family types button and add a new parameter of the Yes/No Type and give it a name like “Visible Label” and OK out.
Type the text needed in the label and select it and click properties. Click the far right button on the “Visible” parameter row and choose the “Visible Label” parameter you created. Now in Family types you can create a type that has the label on and one that has it off.