Autodesk User Group International

Autodesk Revit sure has its ups and downs, doesn't it? There are some things in Revit that make you think, "Wow! I wish I could have been using this program for the last 10 years." On the other hand, there are some things in Revit that make you think, "Why in the world is this SO difficult? Where is my AutoCAD?" Well, friends and esteemed colleagues, I personally believe that Revit software's Curtain Wall function falls in the "I wish I could have been using this program for the last 10 years" category.

Okay, some of you don't agree and some of you don't know how to start when it comes to curtain walls. Fine, then. I am going to take this topic and carry it out over the next six months. We can start with the basics, move to the intermediate level, then create a bunch of custom families. After all, Revit is just a bunch of families joined together, right?

Let's get started.

To begin with, you have one of two choices. You can use the model called curtain project.rvt, which you can get from here, or you can simply start a new model and work on your own. The model provided by me is in Imperial units.

With the model open, go to a floor plan. If you are using the AUGI model, go to floor plan Level 3 (note that these instructions will mostly refer to curtain project.rvt).
On the basics tab of the design toolbar, select the Wall button
On the Options toolbar, find the Type selector drop-down menu. At the bottom of the menu there is a wall style called Curtain Wall: Storefront
Click the Element Properties button .
For the Instance parameters, set the base offset to 3'-0", and set the top constraint to Level 4.
Click on Edit/New This will access the Type parameters of the curtain wall.
Select Duplicate...
Rename it Aluminum Curtain Wall.
Click OK
The wall function is interior and you want to make sure the check is on for Automatically imbed. This will ensure that this wall will actually be supported by another wall. In a way we are simply inserting a curtain system into the building.
For the Vertical and Horizontal grid pattern, change the spacing to 6'-0", and toggle on Adjust for Mullion size. This comes in handy if you want a material takeoff (an accurate one anyway).
Click OK, then click OK again to get to the model.
On the south wall, pick a spot 10'-0" in from the inside face of the exterior wall, as shown below. Be sure you are centered in the existing wall.
Click the Modify button from the Basics tab This will clear the command.
This next step is not actually required, but is good practice. You are going to add two reference planes for the outside of the curtain wall. On the Basics tab on the Design Toolbar, select the Ref Plane button
On the Options Toolbar, select the Pick Lines button and change the offset to 10'-0".
In the south end of the building, offset a reference plane in 10'-0" from the outside face of the left exterior wall, as illustrated below.
Do the exact same thing on the right. You now have two reference planes which will not plot. This can serve as a guide for the curtain walls.
Click the Wall button on the Basics tab of the design toolbar.
All of the defaults should be set. You can verify by looking at the Options toolbar.
Pick the intersection of the left reference plane and the center of the horizontal wall.
To end the wall, pick the same intersection on the other end of the wall.
Go to a 3D view to make sure the wall is where you expected it to be. (Note: If you do not have the transparent roof showing in your model, that's okay. We will turn it on for another exercise involving a curtain system appended to a massing object.)
Go back to the Level 3 floor plan.
Add a new curtain wall (insert) to the right side of the wall you just added. Make it 4'-0" offset from each end, as illustrated below.
Now go to the elevation that is looking directly at the new curtain wall. If you are following along with the AUGI model, it is the East elevation.
Hover your pointer over the new curtain wall. Keep your pointer at the edge of the curtain wall. You will see a dashed line around the perimeter of the curtain wall. Once you see this, select the curtain wall.
On the Options toolbar, select the Edit Profile button
Magenta "Sketch Lines" will appear at the perimeter of the curtain wall. You can now sketch any profile you desire.
Provide a sketch similar to the one illustrated below. (Note: The radius at the top of the curtain wall is 24'-0". The "leg" of the curtain wall is also 24'-0" down. You should also note that any overlapping or extra lines will cause this procedure to fail. Be sure to clean up all corners and remove the extra line left at the top of the curtain wall when you are adding the radius.)
Click Finish Sketch on the Design Bar
If you get the following warning, you can click Delete Element(s).
Go to a 3D view to make sure the curtain wall looks the way you thought it would.
Go back to the Level 3 Plan view, and select the newest curtain wall.
Click the Mirror button
On the Options toolbar, click the Draw Lines button
Pick the mid of the long south wall.
Investigate the model in 3D to make sure all went off as planned.
Go to a south elevation and add a 200'-0" radius to the top of the curtain wall. Remember to remove the extra line.
Check out the model in 3D

In the next session, we will figure out how to move these curtain grids around and will design a curtain system from scratch! In the meantime, please feel free to add any comments and questions by clicking the Discuss This button below.

(Discuss this Article! in the HotNews Discussion Forums.)

Submitted by Eric Wing, who has been in the building, architectural design, and structural engineering field for 15 years and has been managing, teaching, and presenting Autodesk applications for 10 of them. Eric′s activities within AUGI include: ATP Director, Survey Manager, ATP instructor, HotNews columnist and AUGIWorld columnist. He can be reached at atpmanager@augi.com