What Are Revit Families?
Revit families are groups of elements or components used in Autodesk Revit to represent building elements such as doors, windows, furniture, and lighting.
Categories and Types of Family in Revit
Below are the three main types of families in Revit:
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System Families – These elements include walls, floors, roofs, and ceilings, all built into the software.
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Loadable Families – These include the external files you can import, such as furniture, fixtures, or a Revit arrow family used in annotation.
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In-Place Families – These involve the custom elements created specifically for a single project.
As an architect using the right Revit family library download, you can improve design speed and reduce repetitive work. For example, a door with adjustable height and materials is a Revit parametric family, meaning you can reuse it with slight modifications across multiple projects.
Where to Find Free Revit Families?
You can find a Revit family free download for different design needs in various platforms. Below are some of the top sources:
1. Autodesk Revit Library
Autodesk has a default Revit family library you can use extensively, which comes with the software. You can access this library by going to the ‘Insert’ tab and selecting ‘Load Family’. The Revit family library includes standard families such as chairs, lights, doors, and windows. This built-in library is ideal for many users due to its important components.
Additionally, you can find the Autodesk Revit family download options on their official website.
2. BIMobject, RevitCity, and NBS National BIM Library
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BIMobject: This is one of the largest platforms on which to download Revit families online. It offers architects access to many manufacturer-specific and generic Revit families. Moreover, you can filter downloads by category and region within the platform.
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RevitCity: This community-based platform allows you to share and download Revit families for free.
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NBS National BIM Library: This platform offers access to a wide collection of high-quality, free-to-use Revit content created according to British standards.
3. Manufacturer Websites & Open-Source Platforms
Currently, many product manufacturers offer their own Revit family creation files for project use. For example, companies that sell HVAC systems or bathroom fixtures mostly provide BIM-compatible files on their websites.
You can also explore open-source platforms like GitHub or forums where various professionals share specific Revit families online. Some families shared include annotation tools like the Revit arrow family or symbol libraries.
How to Import & Use Revit Families
After you have completed the Revit family download, you need to know how to integrate it into your project correctly. Below is a step-by-step guide on Revit how to load family into project:
Step 1: Download the Revit Family
Start by saving the file in a dedicated folder on your system, which you can ideally categorise by type, such as furniture, lighting, or structural.
Step 2: Load the Family
Open the Revit project you are working on and go to the ‘Insert’ tab. Click on ‘Load Family’, then browse to the file you downloaded. Select it and click ‘Open’.
Step 3: Place the Family in the Project
Go to the correct view (e.g., floor plan or elevation) and select the tool related to the family type (e.g., door, window). You can then place it where needed.
Step 4: Modify Parameters
Once you have placed the desired Revit family, select the object and go to the properties palette. Here, you can adjust the height, width, or materials for the specific family you added.
Customising Revit Families for Your Projects
In other instances, you must adjust a family to fit your design needs better. This is where the idea of having a Revit parametric family becomes useful. These families allow you to change dimensions or materials without starting from scratch.
Adjusting Parameters
To adjust the size or form of an object to your desired dimensions, open the family file in the Family Editor. Here, you can adjust the instance or type parameters such as length, width, height, or angle.
How to Change Material in Revit Family
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Start by opening the family in the Family Editor.
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Go to the ‘Materials and Finishes’ section in the properties.
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Click on the small box next to the material to open the Material Browser.
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Choose a new material or create one, then apply it.
Customising Visibility or Detail Level
While using Revit families, you can also set different visibility levels for 2D and 3D views. By mastering these adjustments, you can handle generic Revit families or even learn how to create a family in Revit from start to finish.
Best Practices for Managing Revit Families
It is important to manage your Revit family library well to work efficiently, especially when working on larger firms or multi-phase projects.
1. Organise Your Library
Ensure you use clearly labelled folders like ‘Doors’, ‘Furniture’, or ‘Site Elements’. You can store families in a shared network location for team access to enhance consistency.
2. Optimise for Performance
You should avoid loading unnecessary families that may slow down your model. Ensure you use only what is required for your specific project.
3. Test Before Using in Project
Ensure you always test the newly downloaded families in a sample project before using them in a live design. This will ensure the families behave as expected and contain the parameters you need in the project.
How Novatr Helps You Master Revit & BIM
If you're serious about improving your Revit skills or learning more about Revit family creation, Novatr offers BIM For Architects, a dedicated course that teaches you everything from the basics of BIM workflows to advanced techniques such as creating custom Revit parametric family objects and managing entire Revit family libraries for real-world projects.
You will also get to learn:
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How to use and modify downloadable families
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Best practices for large-scale project file management
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Step-by-step guidance on how to create a family in Revit with parametric controls
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How to enhance building performance using smart BIM objects
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