2026-03-16 BIM - Doors and Details

Quick recap

This was a BIM modeling tutorial class where Brian guided students through adding details to their building models, specifically focusing on creating reflective glass elements on the facade using curtain wall tools and placing doors, elevators, and bathroom fixtures. The class demonstrated how to properly model elements in Revit, including the importance of attaching walls to slabs and ensuring proper intersections. Brian emphasized that while the BIM model is important, the final deliverable will be drawings generated from the model, and students need to complete their individual projects by April 6th to access the collaborative project bonus points. He announced that the next classes will focus on generating drawings from the completed models, and students must have their BIM models finished to participate in those sessions.

Next steps

• All students: Complete BIM model detailing (including doors, facade reflective glass, and all required elements) and submit updated checkpoint by Sunday

• Students who have not submitted Checkpoint 4 (terrain): Submit by end of today to receive bonus 2% credit

• Brian: Upload video recording of class session

• All students: Complete entire BIM model before next class in order to participate in drawing/annotation sessions

• All students: Submit screenshots of completed model when reaching each checkpoint to Brian for 2% bonus credit

• Brian: Provide tally of student progress on checkpoints

• Keithon's group: Present first at evening class session

Summary

Class Progress and Project Updates

Brian provided an update on the class progress, noting that over half the class has reached Target 3, which involves completing walls and stairs. He outlined the timeline for upcoming assignments, emphasizing that the individual project is due April 6th and the collaborative project, which requires working remotely, is due April 14th. Brian explained the importance of completing the BIM model before generating drawings and introduced the Puref app as a tool for displaying reference images while modeling.

Revit Curtain Wall Mirror Design

Brian demonstrated how to use the curtain wall tool in Revit to create reflective mirror elements on the building facade. He explained that these mirrors would be designed to reflect surroundings and nearly disappear, different from typical windows. Brian showed how to create a custom curtain wall from scratch rather than using the pre-designed storefront option, as the intended design doesn't have frames. The team is currently working on checkpoint 5, which involves adding interior details like bathrooms, doors, and elevators, with a deadline of the 22nd.

Curtain Wall Design Software Tutorial

Brian demonstrated how to create and modify curtain walls in the software, focusing on using the pick line tool and setting appropriate constraints. He explained the difference between selecting the entire curtain wall (which shows as a dashed line) versus selecting individual glass panels, noting that different editing options become available depending on the selection. Brian showed how to adjust glass thickness and offset, emphasizing that offsets are measured from the center of the glass, and demonstrated the process of reinitiating commands for efficient workflow.

Revit Curved Curtain Wall Techniques

Brian demonstrated how to create curved walls using curtain wall tools in Revit by leveraging the ability to swap out individual components. He showed that while standard curtain wall panels cannot curve, they can be replaced with CMU walls or custom glass walls to achieve curved designs. The process involved creating a custom glass wall type with appropriate thickness and material properties, then swapping out the standard system panels with these custom walls to enable curvature. Brian also explained how to adjust the vertical and horizontal grid spacing to divide the curved glass into individual panes and how to properly align the glass walls with the building's exterior finish.

BIM Door Placement Demonstration

Brian demonstrated the process of creating and placing doors in a BIM model, emphasizing the importance of properly constructing the model to ensure clean drawings. He explained how to create curtain wall doors by customizing panel types and loading appropriate families, and highlighted the difference between loading families through categories versus using the Insert menu. The session included practical steps for placing various door types, adjusting dimensions, and controlling door swings, with specific attention to proper cut plane settings to avoid visual issues in the model.

Revit Elevator Component Implementation Demo

Brian demonstrated how to add elevators and related components to a Revit model. He explained that elevators must be loaded as components, not doors or windows, and showed the process of placing electric elevators on both floors. The discussion covered customizing elevator dimensions, inserting elevator doors, and adding bathroom facilities including stalls, water closets, and sinks using built-in Revit standards. Brian also demonstrated how to add furniture, adjust door heights to 7 feet, and create a loading bay opening in the design.

BIM Model Building in Rivet

Brian demonstrated how to build a BIM model in Rivet, focusing on creating an upper and lower floor with appropriate furniture, doors, and structural elements. He showed how to place cabinets, countertops, and modify elevator doors, as well as add beams and foundation walls. The session concluded with Brian explaining that the next step would be to transition from modeling to creating detailed drawings, including floor plans and elevations, with appropriate annotations and organization on sheets.

BIM Model Completion Instructions

Brian instructed the class on completing their BIM models, specifying that all doors and facades should be included by Sunday's checkpoint submission. He announced an extension for bonus points on checkpoint 4 for those who complete it by the end of the day. Brian explained that the next classes will focus on generating drawings from the BIM models, emphasizing the importance of proper modeling for producing construction drawings. He also mentioned that presentations will be completed in class, with students following his instructions exactly while learning the drawing process.

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