RP Pamphlet13 Doors

REVIT PURE PRESENTS
PAMPHLETS
ISSUE #13 / SUMMER 2019
DOORS
revitpure.com
© Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions
by: Nicolas Catellier, Architect
PREVIOUS PAMPHLETS
REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions

PAMPHLETS
ISSUE #13 / SUMMER 2019 / DOORS
WHAT IS THIS “PAMPHLET” ?

Revit Pure Pamphlets are published 4 times a year by email. Each edition
covers a very specific Revit theme. We like to pick themes that are
complex and confusing. Our job is to make these topics simple for you.
WHY DOORS?
This is the most epic pamphlet ever created. We go deep. You are going to
learn a lot.
Doors families are among the most puzzling and challenging to create. You
will learn the basic principles of a good door family. Then, you will get step-
by-step instructions to great a simple steel frame door family. Next, you
will learn how to create a custom nested plan swing family. Finally, you will
learn how to create different plan swing line style for phasing.
REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 3

PAMPHLETS
THE OPTIMAL REVIT DOOR FAMILY

PAMPHLETS
9 TIPS TO UNDERSTAND DOOR FAMILIES

The previous page illustrate the optimal door family structure. Some
elements are included directly in the main family, while some other
elements are used in nested families. The following tips will guide you in the
basic door family principles.
1- USE EXTRUSION TO MODEL DOOR PANELS

Door panels are modeled using the Extrusion tools.
The edge of the panels are locked to reference planes.
These reference planes are usually locked to “Height”
and “Width” dimension labels. The thickness of the
door panel is usually assigned in plan view.
2- USE SWEEP TO MODEL DOOR FRAMES
Door frames are usually modeled using the Sweep tool. When creating a
sweep, you draw a profile that will be extruded following a specific path.
Frame profiles are usually aligned and locked to reference planes.

PAMPHLETS
3- MAKE DOOR 3D GEOMETRY INVISIBLE IN PLAN

VIEW
The door panel and frame visibility should be turned off in a plan view by
using the Visibility / Graphics Overrides menu. Instead, use symbolic lines
to represent simple geometry that is more appropriate in a plan view.
Below, you can see the 3D geometry is turned off in Plan and RCP.
4- CREATE FORMULAS FOR ROUGH DIMENSIONS
By default, door families include “Rough Height” and “Rough Width”

parameters. These values are usually assigned to the Opening Cut
that creates a hole in the wall. You can find the exact value for these
dimensions by adding the door panel with part of the frame thickness.

PAMPHLETS
5- CREATE A NESTED PLAN SWING FAMILY
The 2D representation of the door swing in a plan view should be created

in a separate, nested door family. This family can be customized to create a
swing angle and add different line style depending on phasing. You will learn
how to create such a family in page 27.
6- ADD EXTERNAL FAMILIES FOR HARDWARE
To add realism to 3D views and renderings, it can be a smart move to add

handles and hinges to your door family. Use external families instead of
modeling them directly in the main door family. This way, you can use the
same hardware in multiple families.

PAMPHLETS
7- AVOID DOOR SUPERFAMILIES
If you download door families on random BIM and vendor websites, you
are likely to get garbage, over-modeled super-families. A “super-family”
means that there is a lot of customization options that can be activated by
checking some parameters. The problem is that these families are often
very heavy and will slow down your model performance. They also have a
ton of parameters that will poison your model.
Instead of using these behemoths, create multiple small and efficient door
families. The default Autodesk door families are a good starting point for
beginners.
8- CREATE A CUSTOM DOOR FAMILY TEMPLATE
If you are going to create multiple similar door families, it might be a good
idea to create a custom family template. Create all the basic common
parameters, reference planes and geometry. Then, save the family and
rename the extension from .rfa to .rft. Every time you create a new door
family, use this custom family template.

PAMPHLETS
9- PLAN THE DOOR YOU WANT TO CREATE
Before creating the family, make sure you understand what kind of door
family you want to create. Here is the kind of information you need to
know:
- Will you be using a steel frame or a wood frame?

- Is it a simple door or a double door?
- Do you want a trim around the door opening?
- Are you going to use the door for 3D views and renderings? If so, you
will need to think about hardware families for more realism.
- Are you creating a door with a simple solid panel, or with a multiple
panels and glazing?
- Are you creating a garage door? A pocket door? A swing door?
- What dimensions to you want to be customizable apart from the width
and height of the door?
Draw a sketch of the door you need.

PAMPHLETS
16 STEPS TO CREATE A SIMPLE DOOR FAMILY

Now that you’ve learned the basic principles, let’s put them in application.
In this tutorial, we will create a simple swing door. The door will have a steel
frame and will be adapted mostly for an interior use on dry walls. It will
have a simple panel with no glazing.
It will include a simple handle lever hardware on both side of the panel, with
a customizable strike distance height. The door swing will be customizable
with an angle parameter. It will include a formula to calculate a value
for Rough Height and Rough Width dimensions. The materials will be
customizable inside a project for the door frame, door panel and all the
hardware.

PAMPHLETS
1- CREATE NEW FAMILY WITH THE DEFAULT TEMPLATE
Create a new family. Use the Metric - Door or Imperial - Door default
Autodesk template.
This door family template is made for a residential wooden door family
by default. Since we are building a door with a steel frame, you’ll need to
delete a few elements. Go to the plan view. Delete the trim elements.

PAMPHLETS
2 CREATE ROUGH DIMENSIONS REFERENCE PLANES
Let’s create additional reference planes to adapt for the full door opening
that includes the frame. Go to the front elevation view. Create new
reference planes like displayed in red in the image below. Don’t worry
about dimensions for now.
The red reference planes are used for more clarity in the tutorial, but it’s ok
if you use the standard green ones.

PAMPHLETS
3- CREATE FRAME THICKNESS PARAMETER
To fully automate the complete door opening, you need to create a new
Frame Thickness parameter. Go to the Family Type menu. Click on the
small icon to create a new parameter. Use the settings like in the image
below.

PAMPHLETS
4- CREATE ROUGH WIDTH AND HEIGHT FORMULAS
Type in a standard value for the Frame Thickness, like 50mm. Now, type
in formulas like in the image below for both the Rough Width and the
Rough Height parameter. These values are calculated by adding the frame
thickness to the door height and width. Subtract a number to account for
the overlap between the frame and the wall. In this case, we use 19mm.
5- ASSIGN ROUGH DIMENSIONS TO REF. PLANES
Now, go back to the family elevation. Add a new dimension between the
two red vertical reference planes and the central one. Click on the EQ
button.

PAMPHLETS
Create new dimensions like illustrated below. Assign the “Rough Width”
and “Rough Height” labels.
6- LOCK OPENING CUT TO ROUGH WIDTH /HEIGHT
In the elevation, select the Opening Cut. Click on Edit Sketch. Use the
Align tool (shortcut: AL) to align each boundary line to the red reference
planes. Click on the Lock icon to lock the constraint. The opening cut will
now include part of the frame instead of just the door panel.

PAMPHLETS
7- MODEL DOOR PANEL IN ELEVATION
Stay in the elevation view and select the Extrusion tool. Use the Pick Line
tool and click on the green reference lines assigned to the Height and
Width. Lock all the boundary lines. Then, use the Trim tool (shortcut: TR)
to cut the excess line segments. Click on the green check to complete.

PAMPHLETS
8- ASSIGN DOOR THICKNESS IN PLAN VIEW
Go back to the plan view. Create a new reference plane below the exterior
wall face, like in the image below. Create a dimension between the
reference planes and assign the “Thickness” parameter to it. Make sure to
lock the thickness parameter. Use the Align tool (shortcut: AL) to match
the panel to that new reference plane. Click on the lock icon.

PAMPHLETS
9- DEACTIVATE PANEL VISIBILITY IN PLAN VIEW
The 3D door panel we’ve just created should be visible in 3D views and
elections, but not in a plan view. Instead, we’re going to load a plan swing
family later on.
Select the door panel. In the instance parameter, click on Visibility /

Graphics Overrides.

PAMPHLETS
10- CREATE A SWEEP FOR THE DOOR FRAME
Go to the elevation view. Select the Sweep tool. Click on Pick Path, then
select the 3 edges of the opening cut. Click the green check to complete.

PAMPHLETS
11- DRAW THE FRAME PROFILE IN PLAN VIEW
Draw the sweep profile in the floor plan view. Draw the boundary lines like
in the image below. Make sure to lock all the dimensions. Create a new
vertical reference plane with the “Frame Thickness” parameter assigned.
Keep a 5mm distance from the door panel to the frame middle section. If
you want, you can include the frame thickness (like on the right image).
Test the frame by changing the door width and the default wall thickness.

PAMPHLETS
12- CREATE A COARSE FRAME MASKING REGION
When working in view using the Coarse setting, you might want to see
a simple frame instead of the complex sweep we’ve created. Select the
frame sweep and click on Visibility/Graphics Settings in the instance
properties. Uncheck visibility for coarse setting. Then, use the Masking
Region tool with Frame/Mullion [cut] lines and create a rectangle that is
locked to the reference planes. Make it visible only in coarse views.

PAMPHLETS
13- ASSOCIATE A NESTED PLAN SWING FAMILY
Earlier, we deactivated the door panel visibility in plan view. Now, it’s time
to load a nested Plan Swing Family. You can use an Autodesk made family,
but it would be smart to create your own plan swing family. Be warned:
making such family is not an easy task. We describe all the steps on this
pamphlet. Check it out on page 27.
When the family is ready, make sure to associate the Thickness, Width and
Swing Angle parameters to the main door family. Align and lock the swing
family to the reference planes in the main family.

PAMPHLETS
14- LOAD HARDWARE FAMILIES
Now, we’ll insert an Autodesk Handle Lever Family. Go to the Insert tab
and click on Load Family. Go to the Hardware subfolder in the doors
category. Place the family in a plan view. Align and lock to reference
planes. Set and lock distance from the door panel edge.

PAMPHLETS
Go to the elevation view. Create a new horizontal reference plane. Create

a dimension from the base level. Assign a new parameter called “Strike
Distance”. See tip 4 if you don’t remember how to create a new length
parameter. Align the center of the handles to this reference plane and
lock.
Go back to plan view and disable the plan view visibility for the handles.

PAMPHLETS
15- ASSIGN SUBCATEGORY TO ELEMENTS
To properly control the visibility and graphics of each door component,

you need to properly assign the correct subcategories. Go to the plan
view. Select the door frame sweep. In the instance properties, set it to
Frame/Mullion. Repeat the same steps to place the door panel to the
Panel subcategory. Make sure to place any door element to the correct
subcategory.

PAMPHLETS
16- CREATE MATERIAL PARAMETERS
You need to create new material parameters for the door frame, panel and
all the hardware components.
Click on the door panel. In the instance properties, click on the small
rectangle. Create a new parameter called “Panel Material”. You’ll be able
to assign a material once inside a project. Repeat the same step for the
frame and create a “Frame Material”.

PAMPHLETS
17 STEPS TO CREATED A PLAN SWING FAMILY

The 2D representation of a door you see in a plan view should come from
a nested Door Swing family, not from the door 3D geometry. In this next
tutorial, you are going to learn how to create a plan swing family from
scratch.
If you really don’t feel like creating this family, you can use the default one
created by Autodesk. Open any door family and scroll down to find the
Doors subcategory. Right-click on the Door Swing-Single family and click
on “Edit Family”.
Be careful: creating a nested family is actually a little complicated. You will

learn a lot about families, including how to use the Reference Line and how
to properly use angle dimensions. Let’s get started.

PAMPHLETS
1 - CREATE A “GENERIC MODEL” FAMILY
Create a new Revit family using the Metric Generic Model family template.
Of course, you can use imperial if you prefer.

PAMPHLETS
2 - SWITCH FAMILY TO DOORS CATEGORY
Go to the Family Category And Parameters menu. Switch the family from
the Generic category to the Door category. A couple of new parameters
like width and thickness will be created automatically.

PAMPHLETS
3 - CREATE VERTICAL REFERENCE PLANE
Go to the plan view of the family. Create a new reference plane to the left
of the existing vertical reference plane. Create a dimension between the
two vertical reference planes and assign the Width parameter.

PAMPHLETS
4 - CREATE REFERENCE LINE, ALIGN END POINT TO

REFERENCE PLANES
Anytime you want to use an angle parameter inside Revit, you need to
create a reference line. Create it along the reference plane on the right,
with the first point at the intersection of the reference planes. Then, use
the Align tool (shortcut: AL) to align the end point of the reference line
to both reference planes. You will have to use tab to toggle among all the
options. Click on the lock icon.

PAMPHLETS
5 - ASSIGN WIDTH AND ANGLE PARAMETERS
Create a dimension to link each endpoint of the reference line. Assign

the width parameter to the dimension. Then, create an angle dimension
between the horizontal reference plane and the reference line. Create a
new instance parameter for the angle value. Call it “Swing Angle” and use
the Graphics category for grouping. Lock all dimensions.

PAMPHLETS
6 - TEST THE ANGLE
Angle values with reference lines can sometimes be buggy. To make sure
everything works fine, change the Actual Angle to test a few different
values. Make sure to try the important 90, 180 and 270 values along with
a few random angles.

PAMPHLETS
7 - CREATE 3 MORE REFERENCE LINES
Create 3 more reference lines to match the outlines of the door in plan
view. Add a “thickness” dimension label. Then, add angle dimensions
between each reference line. They should all be 90. Lock them all.

PAMPHLETS
8 - CREATE MASKING REGION AND ALIGN
Go to the “Annotate” tab and select the “Masking Region” tool. Select
the Panel [cut] line style. Use the Pick Lines option and click on each
reference line. Then, use the Align tool (shortcut: AL) and align each
boundary line to the reference line. Click the green check to complete.
Again, you should test multiple angles to make sure the family works.

PAMPHLETS
9 - CREATE A “DOOR SWING” LINE STYLE
In the Manage tab, click on Object Style. Create a new door model
subcategory called “Plan Swing”.
10 - CREATE DOOR SWING ARC LINE
Go to the Annotate tab and select the Symbolic Lines tool. Create an arc
line using the new Plan Swing [projection] line style. Use the Center-ends
arc draw option. Click once at the intersection of the center reference
planes, then again at the left reference plane and finally click on the
reference line current position (see next page).

PAMPHLETS
11 - ALIGN AND LOCK ARC LINE
The arc line is now created. Select the line and activate the Center Mark
Visible parameter in the instance properties. Align the center mark of the
arc line to both reference planes and lock.

PAMPHLETS
You need a 3rd and final alignment to the arc line. Align the endpoint of
the arc line to the horizontal reference plane and lock. Be careful: never
align the arc line to the door panel reference line.
12- ASSIGN PARAMETERS TO ARC LINE
Assign the Width parameter to the radius of the arc line. Then, select
the arc line and click on the temporary angle dimension icon to create a
permanent dimension. Assign the Actual Angle instance parameter. Lock
everything up.

PAMPHLETS
13- WRITE FORMULA FOR “ACTUAL ANGLE” PARAMETER
If you enter a plan swing angle value of less than 1°, the arc line won’t be
able to draw and the family will bug. To avoid this issue, you need to create
a formula to make 1° the minimum possible angle value.
Start by creating a new parameter called “Swing Angle”. It is an instance

parameter grouped in the Graphics category.

PAMPHLETS
Go to the family type. In the formula for “Actual Angle”, use the following
formula: if(Swing Angle < 1°, 1°, Swing Angle). Basically, it means that if the
Swing Angle is below 1°, the Actual Angle value will revert back to 1°. For a
value above 1°, nothing will be changed.
Keep in mind: Swing Angle is the value users will manually enter. Actual
Angle is the value that actually affects the family components.
Hey can you believe the family is finally done? This is definitely a tricky
family to create. But the good new is that once you are done, it can be
reused for many more door families.
Save the family. Time to nest it inside the main door family.

PAMPHLETS
14- NEST THE SWING FAMILY INSIDE THE MAIN DOOR

FAMILY
Load the swing family into the main door family you want to use. Place an
instance of it in plan view. Then, lock the nested family reference planes to
the main family reference planes like described in the image below. Lock
the alignments.
15- ASSOCIATE THE NESTED FAMILY PARAMETERS
Select the door swing family and click on . Click on the small
rectangle for both Width and Thickness. Match the parameters.

PAMPHLETS
You also need to assign the Swing Angle parameter. This one is an instance
properties. Leave the type menu and check out the Door Swing family
instance properties. Click on the small rectangle next to the Swing Angle
value. Create a new parameter with the exact same settings as the original
one.

PAMPHLETS
16- OPTIONAL: MATCH DOOR PANEL TO SWING ANGLE
Are you going to use the door family for 3D views and renderings? If
so, it might be an interesting idea to match the actual 3D door panel to
the door swing family’s angle. This way, the doors can be opened in the
renderings.
To achieve this, align the panel boundary line to the reference line. Assign
the thickness parameters and lock the 90° angles.
If using this technique, avoid using angles above 180°, as it might break the
family. If you want to be extra careful, you can add a formula parameter to
convert any value above 180° back to 180°, like you’ve learned in step #13.

PAMPHLETS
17- TEST THE DOOR FAMILY
Everything is supposed to be complete! Time to test it. Don’t insert the

door into an ongoing project. Instead, create a dummy “test” project
where you can mess around without being scared of ruining important
work.
Try many angles and configurations.
Good news: the door swing is the most complicated door family to create.
Everything else is much more simple.

PAMPHLETS
CREATE NEW/EXISTING DOOR SWING STYLE

The graphic convention to distinguish an existing door from a new door is
usually to use a straight line instead of the usual arc line. You can integrate
this information directly in a door swing family and switch between new
and existing by using a yes/no instance parameter like in the image below.
Go to the plan view of the of the door swing family. Go to the Object
Style menu in the manage tab. Create a new subcategory called Plan
Swing (Existing). Set a grey line color.

PAMPHLETS
Then, go to the plan view of the swing family and go to the Annotation
tab. Select the Symbolic Line tool. Select the Plan Swing (Existing)
[projection] line style. Draw a line at the intersection of the reference
planes to match the door opening.

PAMPHLETS
Right now, we have two lines to represent the plan door swing. Obviously,
you only want to see one line at a time depending on the phasing. That
means you must add a visibility parameter to each line. Select the arc line
and click on the small rectangle next to the visibility instance parameter.
Click on the small icon to create a new parameter. Call it “New Swing” and
select Instance parameter option. Group under Phasing.

PAMPHLETS
Repeat the same process for the grey

straight line and call it “Existing Swing”. You
should have both these parameters included
in your family, grouped under Phasing.
Load the plan swing family back into the main door family and replace the
swing. Now, you must now assign the parameters from the nested family
into the main door family. This part can be a little confusing... basically, you
have to recreate the same swing visibility parameters and link them to the
swing nested family.
Select the swing family and find the Phasing section in the instance
properties. Click on the small rectangle and recreate the parameter using
the exact same name and the phasing grouping option like you did for the
door swing family. Repeat the same process for the Existing Swing.
Go to the main door Family Types menu. You should see both swing yes/
no parameters.

PAMPHLETS
Final step, we’ll add a formula to make sure that you can’t have both lines
visible at once. In the formula column for New Swing, enter the following
text: not(Existing Swing). That means that the value for New Swing will
automatically be the opposite of Existing Swing.
Alright! Load the door family into a project. Create 2 instances of the
brand new family. In the instance parameter, check or uncheck the
Existing Swing parameter to activate the correct line style.
Be careful: the swing parameter is not linked to the actual phasing of the
project. That means a door set to the existing phase could still have the
New Swing style used.

PAMPHLETS
THANKS FOR READING !

As always, send your thoughts at nick@revitpure.com. I read and answer
all emails. Let me know if you loved or hated this pamphlet.
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REVIT PURE PRESENTS

ISSUE #13 / SUMMER 2019

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions

WHAT IS THIS “PAMPHLET” ?

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 3

THE OPTIMAL REVIT DOOR FAMILY

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 4

9 TIPS TO UNDERSTAND DOOR FAMILIES

1- USE EXTRUSION TO MODEL DOOR PANELS

2- USE SWEEP TO MODEL DOOR FRAMES

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 5

3- MAKE DOOR 3D GEOMETRY INVISIBLE IN PLAN

4- CREATE FORMULAS FOR ROUGH DIMENSIONS

By default, door families include “Rough Height” and “Rough Width”

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 6

5- CREATE A NESTED PLAN SWING FAMILY

The 2D representation of the door swing in a plan view should be created

6- ADD EXTERNAL FAMILIES FOR HARDWARE

To add realism to 3D views and renderings, it can be a smart move to add

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 7

7- AVOID DOOR SUPERFAMILIES

8- CREATE A CUSTOM DOOR FAMILY TEMPLATE

REVIT PURE - © Copyright 2019 - BIM Pure productions 8

9- PLAN THE DOOR YOU WANT TO CREATE

- Will you be using a steel frame or a wood frame?

Draw a sketch of the door you need.

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16 STEPS TO CREATE A SIMPLE DOOR FAMILY

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1- CREATE NEW FAMILY WITH THE DEFAULT TEMPLATE

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2 CREATE ROUGH DIMENSIONS REFERENCE PLANES

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3- CREATE FRAME THICKNESS PARAMETER

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4- CREATE ROUGH WIDTH AND HEIGHT FORMULAS

5- ASSIGN ROUGH DIMENSIONS TO REF. PLANES

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6- LOCK OPENING CUT TO ROUGH WIDTH /HEIGHT

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7- MODEL DOOR PANEL IN ELEVATION

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8- ASSIGN DOOR THICKNESS IN PLAN VIEW

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9- DEACTIVATE PANEL VISIBILITY IN PLAN VIEW

Select the door panel. In the instance parameter, click on Visibility /

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10- CREATE A SWEEP FOR THE DOOR FRAME

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11- DRAW THE FRAME PROFILE IN PLAN VIEW

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12- CREATE A COARSE FRAME MASKING REGION

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13- ASSOCIATE A NESTED PLAN SWING FAMILY

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14- LOAD HARDWARE FAMILIES

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Go to the elevation view. Create a new horizontal reference plane. Create

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15- ASSIGN SUBCATEGORY TO ELEMENTS

To properly control the visibility and graphics of each door component,

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16- CREATE MATERIAL PARAMETERS

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