Technical Report

Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

Technical Report

An exploration and examination of 2D & 3D detailing in virtual building software.

Jonathan Flanagan

B.Sc. (Hons) In Architectural Technology

Galway - Mayo Institute of Technology

2015


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Executive Summary

This report explores and analyses a summative history of detailing and its evolution

throughout time, from early days of man drawing on the walls of caves up to the use

of computers aiding design.

It demonstrates how details are generated efficiently through the use of BIM software

such as Revit Architecture 2015 and communicated to personnel on site with the use

of 3D visual model viewers, which shows the efficiency of using BIM applications to

aid the interpretation and understanding of designs.

It was found through the use of a case study displaying the hybrid technique possible

in Revit, the more elements that could be created in 3D the less detail that would be

required of final 2D element of the detail.

The 3D aspect of detailing demonstrated and explained how 3D visual information

aids human interpretation of designs providing a better way of communicating design

intent on site.

The analysis of BIM‟s integration with tablet technology and its influence in the

design office and on the construction site further explained how 3D models were

aiding personnel on site to understand with ease, how a design should be

constructed correctly.


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Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... i

Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... iii

List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. iv

Section 1.0 ............................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Aim ............................................................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Limitations ................................................................................................................................... 3

Section 2.0 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Qualitative Research ................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 Literature Search ....................................................................................................................... 4

2.3 Tutorials....................................................................................................................................... 4

2.4 Case Study ................................................................................................................................. 5

Section 3.0 Research ............................................................................................................ 6

3.1 Secondary Research ................................................................................................................. 6

History and Evolution of Detailing and Drafting Techniques ................................... 6

Visualising and communicating designs in the office and on site ......................... 13

3.2 Primary Research .................................................................................................................... 23

Case Study: Realising details in Revit Architecture 2015 ....................................... 23

Adding the Detail ....................................................................................................... 36

Section 4.0 Results ........................................................................................................................ 47

Section 4.1 Results ........................................................................................................................ 47

Section 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................... 48

Section 5.1 Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 48

5.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 49

References ......................................................................................................................... 50

Appendix A ......................................................................................................................... 53

Appendix B ......................................................................................................................... 54


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Acknowledgements

I would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the persons who gave

their support to me throughout the duration of this technical report. I am thankful for

their guidance, the time they put aside, invaluable constructive criticism, views and

informative advice that was given.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to my Technical Support Supervisor, Mr.

Jim O‟Connor and my Technical Report Tutor, Miss Siobhaun Cauley for their

guidance at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

I would also like to thank G.M.I.T., its Library and friendly staff who provided me with

the facilities and support to carry out my report.

Thank you,

Jonathan Flanagan.


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List of Abbreviations

BIM: Building Information Modelling

CAD: Computer Aided Drafting

PC: Personal Computer

2D: Two Dimensional

3D: Three Dimensional


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Section 1.0

1.1 Introduction

“The devil is in the detail” is an old saying that refers to a catch or mysterious

element which is hidden in the details. The phrase came from the saying that “God

is in the detail” which means that whatever is produced by an individual is carried

out thoroughly, expressing the ideal that details are very important. We have all

heard of the expression that a picture is worth more than a thousand words and

the same would apply to a detail drawing. Detail drawings allow efficient visual

communication among architects, engineers and contractors on how a building

may come together at different crucial junctions and what construction methods

and materials it may use to achieve the desired outcome. In essence a detail

drawing shows a small part of a buildings construction at a much larger scale

which shows how materials and component parts fit together as seen in Fig.1.01.

Sectional details are taken through a buildings fabric and drawn at a larger scale,

this is the universal common standard method of showing a buildings construction

details. These are used to show the complex junctions that exist within buildings

that cannot be easily shown on a drawing that would include the full height of a

building.

Fig.1.01 Shows the difference of the level of detail required of a 1:100 scaled section drawing

compared to a 1:5 detail drawing, notice how much more is revealed in the 1:5 detail


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Details display floor to wall junctions, window and door openings as well as the

elements located at the eaves or apex of a roof. A whole set of construction details

are required to show plan details cut through the horizontal plane of a building and

detail sections which are cut through on the vertical plane of the building. These

are typically drawn at either scales of 1:10 or 1:5 so that it may be revealed what is

happening in fine detail. Details are produced in seldom isolation from each other

so that whoever is reading them understands that they are concentrating on that

one area of the building.

In the past many details were so common place and standardised that few detail

drawings were required to inform how a building should be constructed. For

example in the construction of a door and its frame, it would be left upto the

carpenter to decide what to do as he fully understood what was required and

needed no instruction on how to install a door. However, special one off decorative

features located on the facade would have to be drawn up in detail as these were

very important features. Todays standards and regulations require that modern

buildings need to be fully detailed so that there is a full set of instructions to inform

personnel involved in the building and design, on and off site how the building will

come together.

1.2 Aim

The main aim of this report is to carry out an analysis of the history of detailing,

how details may be generated efficiently through the use of BIM software such as

Revit Architecture 2015 and communicated with the use of 3D visual model

viewers that demonstrates the efficiencies of using these BIM applications to

communicate design intent.

1.3 Objectives

Establish the history and evolution of detailing.

Perform an in-depth analysis of detailing in the form of a case study using

the hybrid technique of detailing used in Revit Architecture 2015 to create

3D and 2D details.

Investigate how tablet technology and the use of 3D BIM model viewers

assist‟s the understanding of detail drawings.


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1.4 Limitations

There were a few limiting factors to be considered in relation to the research

carried out in this report. Upon conducting the literature search, it was found early

on that there was a lack of literature available on the history of detailing in

architecture. It was also found that there was not a significant amount of published

articles or books relating specifically to detailing in Revit rather Revit as a whole.

As the topic is a broad subject and can spread out into so many different areas,

the time to complete the report and the word count attached to it was considered a

limiting factor in this report.

Not having access to a tablet device to use the 3D BIM model viewers that were

identified and researched in this report, limited their assessment to be carried out

only on the android mobile phone and PC versions of the applications.

A lack of contractors adopting 3D Model Viewers and BIM applications into their

work flow in Ireland, limited the creation of interviews or surveys in relation to their

opinions upon how they are being applied.


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Section 2.0 Methodology

The methods used to carry out this report are addressed in the subsequent

headings:

2.1 Qualitative Research

The qualitative research in this report involves exploring issues, making sense of

phenomena, and providing answers to questions by analysing and understanding

unstructured information found in the literature search.

2.2 Literature Search

Relevant data on the history of detailing to gain a better understanding and inform

the reader on where and when detailing first came about and how it evolved over

the years. This report was based on an inclusive review of relevant literature on

the detailing tools available in Revit Architecture 2015.

The sources of which the literature were taken from consists of reports, theses,

eBook‟s, construction journals and web articles from various online sources such

as the GMIT online library system, Google scholar and other internet searches.

The compilation of relevant data was then analysed and compiled in the form of a

literature review so that a greater understanding of the subject would be achieved

and would serve as a reference when preparing the report. These reviewed

sources of literature also form part of the secondary research.

2.3 Tutorials

Tutorials on detailing in Revit were carried out sourced from the literature review

and aided the demonstration of the case study. A sample parapet detail was used

for the case study to describe the procedures and methods that can be used to

detail a building to modern, appropriate detailing techniques, standards and

presentation apparent in the tutorials. This exhibited how Revit‟s detailing tools

improve efficiency, accuracy and presentation of details in 2D and 3D.


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2.4 Case Study

A sample parapet detail was used for the case study to describe the procedures

and methods that can be used to detail a building to modern, appropriate detailing

techniques, standards and presentation apparent in the tutorials. This exhibited

how Revit‟s detailing tools improve efficiency, accuracy and presentation of details

in 2D and 3D.


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Section 3.0 Research

3.1 Secondary Research

History and Evolution of Detailing and Drafting Techniques

For a basic understanding of the importance of detailing, it is vital to look back

through history and observe how the detail drawing has evolved and influenced

the world today as being the most significant piece of data required in the

construction process. “The first drawings goes back to the Superior Palaeolithic ,

35.000 years ago, when the Homo sapiens represented on the cave surfaces of

the caves or on the skin of the coats, animals that he hunted” (Daniel Martinez

Bou 2004, Para 1).

Fig. 1.02 Drawings found in the caves of Altimira in Cantabria, Spain (Twelve Treasures of Spain –

Altamira Caves at Santillana del Mar n.d.)

Thousands of years later came the Egyptians and with them some of the first

recorded signs of planning, sections and contours which were drawn on stone

surfaces covered with grid line. The ground floor plans of the tomb of Ramses IV

was designed by an “architect” of the time and drawn on papyrus paper at a scale

of 28:1, this being one of the first recorded scaled construction drawings in history.

It gave measurements of the various rooms enclosed within the structure and also


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displayed the mountains in the background hinting at how the structure would fit in

with its surroundings.

Fig. 1.03 Ground floor plans of Ramses IV Tomb (Plan of the tomb of Ramesses IV n.d.)

When the stones of a Ptolemaic temple in Nubia were moved, the ground floor

plans were discovered which were recorded to have had an accuracy of 7mm, this

was due to the fact that the “architect” at that time had used the grid lines on the

plans to show the precise placement of the stones used to build the structure. The

labourers at the time would lay the foundations and scratch the ground floor plan

using rocks onto that surface as a guide, presenting some of the first signs made

at marking out a site. These plans also came with a list of the required blocks to be

used with their required measurements which were sent to the quarry, much like a

schedule of quantities used in construction projects today. It is now apparent the

importance of having detailed drawings to accompany a construction project, such

as the components detailed for fabrication i.e. the measured blocks and plans.

In the 15th century during the renaisance, we start to see contemporary technical

drawing. In 1415 Italian Architect Filippo Brunelleschi was one of the first

architects of his time to re-develop and demonstrate a geometrical method of

perspective drawing which is currently used today for showing a building overall in

perpective so the builders at the time would easily understand how the building

should look upon completion.


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“Brunelleschi observed that with a fixed single point of view, parallel lines appear

to converge at a single point in the distance. Brunelleschi applied a single

vanishing point to a canvas, and discovered a method for calculating depth. In a

famous noted experiment, Brunelleschi used mirrors to sketch the Florence

baptistery in perfect perspective. He was able to mathematically calculate the

scale of objects within a painting in order to make them appear realistic.” (maItaly.,

2011).

Fig. 1.04 Diagram showing Brunelleschi‟s method of perspective (Brunelleschi n.d.)

Leonardo Da Vinci is creditted with advancing and further developing perspective

and technical drawing where he applied geometric rules from Greek

mathematicians such as Pythagoras and Euclid into his sketches and drawings.

In his works of technical drawings and anatomy he truly demonstrated the

importance of detailing in his famous inventions and illustrations of the human

body. Da Vinci‟s engineer drawings contained details on how different parts fitted

together and demonstrated the theory behind how it functioned by giving

descriptions annotated on his drawings much liek the standards used in todays

drawings. He found that he had to focus in on and illustrate individual components

as his numerous inventions contained many parts, this meant that solutions were


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then found to the problems associated with his inventions which would allow them

to be fully realised and assembled to his requirements.

Fig. 1.05 Technical drawing of a ballista revealing how it was operated (A diagram of a crossbow

by Leonardo DaVinci n.d.)

His illustrations of the human body gave medecine at the time a very good

understanding and guide which allowed them to comprehend the internal portions

of the human body through his fantastic detailed documentation and illustration of

human anatomy. He did this by dissecting corpses and recording his findings in

sectional views.

Fig. 1.06 Detailed drawings of human anatomy drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci (No title n.d.)


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As we enter the Industrial revolution we start to see the first modern technical

drawings in the 1770s. Sketches and freehand drawings were developed in to

more precise, standardized drawing methods, which were based on the

mathematical principles of geometry. At this time the technique of technical

drawing mirrored the vision of the industrial period, division and assembly.

At the time production was growing and the separation of work around the factory

lead to an ever increasing need to have an easily understood method of

communicating information. The question of how to illustrate three dimensional

objects in a two dimensional form was figured out by the use of scaled drawings.

Fig. 1.07 Detailed drawing of the Newcomen steam engine (No title n.d.)

The development of blue prints allowed drawings to be reproduced easily; this

enabled the speedy circulation of designs and ideas amongst all members who

participated in the design and production process (Engineering drawings - beauty

and utility?, 2007). This drawing technique was not only essential to the industrial


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revolution, but the industrial revolution needed in turn, a proper design language.

The language of technical drawing with its distinctive grammar and vocabulary,

carried the machine dimension back to a comprehensible and human scale,

enabling it to be conversed and easily understood. From this the designer

draftsman was conceived. Through the nature of technical drawing, scientific and

rational thinking would take over the design world.

With the arrival of the 20th century the advent of computers being used was seen

in a wide variety of applications, one such application being Computer Aided

Drafting (CAD). CAD is the use of a computer system that assists the user in the

creation and modification of a design. It allows users to draft on screen using a

keyboard and mouse, removing the need to use drafting equipment such as

pencils and rulers. It meant that drawings would be created more efficiently,

accurately, with ease, and all drawings being stored in one easy to find place, on a

hard disk.

Fig. 1.08 Detail drawing inside AutoCAD c.1985 (The old Autodesk logo is shown in this 1985

AutoCAD presentation n.d.)


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The first software developed and distributed on a large scale was created by

Autodesk who created AutoCAD Version 1.0 in 1982. It has developed in to being

the most widely used CAD program for 2D drafting and annotation across the

fields of engineering, architecture and design still to this day. The 21st century has

seen the coming of the next generation of building design software, Building

Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is a combined process of working supported by

the digital technologies which allow for more efficient methods of creating,

designing and maintaining buildings. BIM encloses key product and resource data

along with a three dimensional model which is used for the efficient management

of information throughout the whole life cycle of a project from conceptual design

stages all the way to the operation of the building. It is leaving 2D CAD behind as it

is fast becoming an out of date way of designing and documenting projects.

Numerous countries around the world are now starting to realise the opportunities

this technology is bringing and are now investing time and money in incorporating

BIM into their workflow. The British government have set out a mandate that all

public sector centrally procured building projects will be carried out and delivered

in a BIM format by 2016 (David Philip, 2014). Britain is being recognised by its

neighbours for spearheading the use of BIM technology and processes, it is

estimated that the initial savings to British construction and its clients is £2bn per

year through its expansive adoption of BIM.


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Visualising and communicating designs in the office and on site

In today‟s world for the price of a tablet device such as an Apple Ipad and a data

connection through a telecommunications service provider, all personnel involved

in the design process and builders on the construction site now have access to the

drawings and 3D models of the building , which enables them to interpret issues

that may arise on site and provide feedback and solutions to these problems in

real time (Emmy Silak, 2014). With these advantages comes lower costs, more

efficient construction processes, increased efficiency in decision making and

constant project updates so that everyone involved in the construction process is

well informed at all times (Karl Rajotte, 2014).

Fig. 4.01 Contractors taking advantage of tablet technology on site in turn aiding their decision

making collaboratively (Ipad-field-work n.d.)

Tablets are bringing all the paperwork such as drawings, 3D models and requests

for information, made available to the user through a device that can now fit in

your jacket pocket. In relation to 3D visualization the benefits we are seeing are in

real time changes being made to drawings or updates site personnel are providing

on their inspections. Being able to relay such information from the site to the

design office allows for parties involved to be notified of any issues or changes


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immediately rather than waiting hours or up to a week for feedback, allowing them

to respond with their revisions to the design thus updating and resolving the issue.

One of the important factors considered in the creation of these visualisation

applications and its adoption through all sectors of the construction industry are

their ease of use, so much so that the user can pick up the tablet and the

applications simple and straight forward graphical user interface allows them to

start working with it straight away. In the construction industry ease of use always

surpasses functionality so it is important to have an application that is easy to use

straight out of the box so to speak (Vince Sarrubi, 2014).

Fig. 4.02 Service engineer inspecting and reviewing works carried out with the aid of a BIM model

review application (Field3D in use in Puuvilla Shopping Center site n.d)

Nowadays it is known that the solution to aiding people comprehend faster, create

less errors and cause fewer misunderstandings is in making the information that is

being relayed to them a visual piece of information rather than a written or verbal

description (Bob Garrett, 2006). Humans can understand complex information a lot

faster if it is presented to them using visual aids. When on site or in a meeting this

can be very beneficial, for example, the user may need to explain a specific

element of a building to a peer, but the peer is not entirely sure where the person


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may be referring to, so with the aid of a 3D live model of the building to hand, the

issue can then be better explained with the use of the 3D model.

To gain a better understanding of tablet technologies and how it benefits todays

design office and construction site, it is important to focus on and analyse some of

the applications that are being used by professionals that are improving their

workflow on a day to day basis.

Bim+ by Nemetschek

Fig. 4.03 Section taken through BIM+ model revealing basic details in the build up

Bim+ Explorer and Web Explorer are 3D model viewers, the Explorer version being

available through the apple store for Ipad, Google play store for android tablets

and the Web Explorer version available for PC. The tablet and PC Web based

version have both the same functionality. Bim+ is a cloud based application that

allows users to access building information and collaborate in real time. Bim+ is

used to view any portion or aspect of the embedded 3D model of a building,

displaying and hiding different layers. It provides a simple platform from which the

user can store, view and share interactive detailed 3D rendered models and 2D

drawings at any given time. It enriches and increases collaboration among clients,

managers and contractors ensuring that everyone involved in the design process

is up to date.


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Fig. 4.04 On closer inspection BIM+ includes a basic detail of the windows frame and sill

From a detailing point of view the power in this application is seen in its ability to

take sections on the fly from a building model. When using the section tool we can

see great advantages when taking a section at any point in a given building, this

further displays a template from which designers can start making design

assumptions from. In fig.1.0 above the user can already see the detail held in the

window frame and its sill. With this level of detail shown in the model it is now

possible to start making important design decisions, for example, what build up

could be used at this point and what alternative materials or finish could be used.

This is the real power held within these applications.


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BIMx by Graphisoft

Fig. 4.05 Screen shot taken from Android Mobile App of Sections within BIMx

BIMx enables the integration of BIM model viewing and the ability to navigate and

view your projects 2D drawings and 3D rendered models all in a satisfying and

engaging user interface. It is available on both Ipad and Android tablets as well as

PC. It is made solely for use with ArchiCAD BIM Models that allow for multiple

rendering styles which include the ability to walk around your model in the third

person. With this level of integration it is now possible to enter a meeting with a

client or contractor without having to have a set of drawings with you, all this

information is contained within the application. With its direct link to your BIM

model in ArchiCAD, an easy flow of communication can be allowed between the

user and their client, with constant updates through its cloud based model transfer.

Upon opening BIMx a simple user interface is displayed along with previews of

models contained within the application. When selecting a model, the user can

start viewing the 3D model or navigate and view the 2D documentation. BIMx

merges and integrates 2D and 3D functionality into a stream lined user friendly

experience all from one application.


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Fig. 4.06 Screen shot taken from Android Mobile App of sections within BIMx

One of the most innovative and amazing features present in BIMx is its Hyper-

model Technology which enables the user to link and overlay 2D sectional

drawings or plans over a 3D Section or 3D planar cut. When viewing a 2D drawing

the user can select the “home symbol” in the bottom left corner as indicated in

Fig.1.0, which will generate a smooth animated transition to the 3D model at that

section and over lay the 2D drawing at that plane. This results in a stunning

display which viewers can easily understand what is occurring in this section with

the aid of the 3D model creating spatial awareness and the 2D drawing providing

the design intent.


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Fig. 4.07 Section view over laid on 3D section cut at the same point within BIMx

The ability to allow the user to be taken to a specific location that is related to the

2D drawing has many practical purposes, for example the client may not

understand the depth of a 2D sectional view, however, by taking them to this

merged view the client should have no problem understanding the depth of the 2D

section.

As architectural drawings can build up over time, efficiency in PDF viewers is

reduced and printing costs are a negative impact. To tackle this problem BIMx has

figured a solution by integrating its map app technology with BIMx, enabling

speedy navigation through 2D drawings and documents in the form of pinch zoom

and multi touch navigation.


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Fig. 4.08 Screen shot taken from Android Mobile Application of planar section taking within BIMx

In this app it possible to create sections easily through a building model using its

interactive section slider. It has already been established in the previous

application the benefits of section taking such as this on the fly.


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BIM 360 Glue by Autodesk

Fig. 4.09 Screen shot showing the user interface within BIM 360 Glue web based model viewer

BIM 360 Glue is another management and collaboration tool which is Autodesk‟s

solution to BIM project review. It uses cloud-based technology to connect project

teams together while serving to modernize BIM project workflows from the design

stages all the way through to the construction phase. It allows the user to review

the construction project in a 3D space with navigational features and gives access

to the projects model and the relevant building information through-out the projects

life cycle. It is available on PC, Ipad and android tablets.

Fig. 4.10 Screen shot displaying section taking capability within BIM 360 Glue


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When using the application it is possible to take sections through a building as

such in the screen shot below using the Add section tool, once the user has

specified the desired plane to cut through it can then be saved as a view for

reviewing later on. Another helpful tool that has not been seen in the other

applications is the incorporation of a 2D map that displays the location and

direction the user is viewing from the 3D view which further informs users where

they are at all times within that view.


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3.2 Primary Research

Case Study: Realising details in Revit Architecture 2015

Now that it has been established, the basic understanding of architectural drafting

and the importance of detailing, we may begin to demonstrate how you may detail

a building‟s section using modern BIM software, tools and techniques. For the

purpose of this demonstration Revit Architecture 2015 has been chosen as the

software to display these techniques.

Fig. 2.01 Parapet detail from previous years portfolio in AutoCAD 2014

The detail that is being used to demonstrate the power in Revit‟s detailing tools is

a parapet detail that has come from the author‟s third year portfolio which was

produced in AutoCAD 2014. The detail incorporates a twin skin glazed curtain wall


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which is secured back to a concrete up-stand, the twin skin then meets an

insulated parapet at the head of the roof. The roof consists of a Bauder Intensive

Grass Roof System with drainage and includes a paved walkway with railings

secured to the up-stand. The roofs sub layer consists of a bitumen flat roof layer

with rigid insulation and precast hollow core slabs as a structural deck all

supported upon the buildings concrete column and beam frame. This detail will be

created in Revit using only the methods available in the standalone version of the

software, no exterior aids will be used. To create this detail within Revit it is

essential to demonstrate the hybrid technique of detailing that is capable within the

software.

To begin constructing this detail in Revit, work planes must be set up. By utilising

work planes, it is possible to assign measured heights to different levels.

The advantage of using work planes is that once the levels between each work

plane have been set the user can then specify at which levels, walls, floors, roofs,

windows, doors and other components can be set. When these items exist within a

model and if a levels height is changed the components that are locked to that

level will move with it accordingly based from the level specified. It is apparent that

this provides an ease of control over items that will exist on these levels.

Sometimes it is not possible to specify heights for certain items due to them having

a specific height at which to be located, in this instance it is possible to specify an

offset for these one off components relative to the level where they exist.


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Fig. 2.02 Red lines is indicating the location of the Level tool

Levels are entered within the “Elevation View” which is selectable from Revit‟s

project browser. These have been entered using the level tool with heights

specified for the parapet level, roof level and ground level, as more levels are

needed they will be added to the elevation view.

Fig. 2.03 Store front Curtain Wall Added to Ground Level


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Now that there are points from which to base our components, let‟s start by adding

in the curtain wall portion of the detail. This will be added on the plan view of the

ground level. Revit‟s default store front wall will be used for the purpose of this

demonstration.

To enable a view of a section within Revit, the section tool must be used to draw a

line through the buildings envelope to reveal a sectional view which will appear in

the project Browser under the sections heading.

Fig. 2.04Section line added to Ground Level

Upon entering this view a callout is specified. Callouts can be added to plans,

sections and elevations, in these views the callout tag is a reference for a callout

view. This view shows an enlarged sectional view of a buildings junction at a much

higher scale and allows for more information and detail to be added about that part

of the building. These scales are typically set at 1:5 or 1:10. Depending on the

level of detail you wish to include in the callout, these scales can be changed to

suit the user‟s preference.


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Fig. 2.05 Section line added to Ground Level

The curtain wall requires mullions and transoms which can be selected using the

place mullion tool; these can be then added within the 3D view located in the

project browser. The heights at which transoms are located can then be inputted

so that they match up with the specifications in the original drawing.

Fig. 2.06 Mullions and Transoms added to the curtain walls grid lines in the 3D view

As specified in the original detail the glazing is Schuco FW 60+.si Triple Glazed

Aluminium mullions and transoms, the curtain wall within the Revit model must


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match their specific dimensions. Dimensions can be adjusted in the transoms type

properties upon selecting one of the transoms from the 3D view. It should be

mentioned that before any default family can be edited it is essential to make it a

duplicate so that the original family is not adjusted and can be used again later on.

Fig. 2.07 Type properties editor for curtain wall mullions and transoms

Carrying out all these alterations is necessary so that the hybrid system can work,

the more 3D components that are created within the model accurately, the less

details that have to be filled in later that are missing from the defaults Revit uses.

Next an aluminium window must be added.

Fig. 2.08 Selecting Curtain wall windows from the “Curtain Wall Panels” folder


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This window is specified to be 100mm in width while the sash is 112mm. A default

aluminium curtain wall family is selected from the “Curtain Wall Panels” folder

located in Revit‟s Family Library and is then adjusted to meet the specifications in

the original drawing using its type properties.

Fig. 2.09 3D view showing the edited window

To complete this curtain wall it is now necessary to insert spandrel panels between

the mullions and transoms located near the top of the curtain wall. A solid panel is

selected and duplicated with its type properties edited so that the width of the

panel reaches the specified width of 116mm.


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Fig. 2.10 3D view showing the edited window

With this in place the exterior curtain wall can be added. Basically the interior

curtain wall is duplicated by using the copy and paste tool. The exterior curtain is

then edited to reflect the placement of mullions and transoms relative to the

specifications in the original detail. Louvre‟s then replace the glass unit which was

made previously to the demonstration.

Fig. 2.11 The blue highlighted louver has replaced the glass unit in the frame


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To further improve the 3D aspect of this detail a series of components must first be

made using the “Component Model in Place Tool”. The parapet will be modelled

first. In order for us to make the Parapet in 3D it is necessary to do so using the

component model in place tool. This tool allows the user to create one off

architectural features. It facilitates creating solid geometry or voids with the use of

its Extrusion, Blend, Revolve, Sweep, and Swept Blend tools. Each form created is

then assigned a family category and parameters that can be later used to control

visibility and the components behaviour in relation to the model. The parapet

specified within the model is created by the use of the extrusion tool by drawing its

profile in a 2D view and then specifying the length at which the profile should be

extruded as solid geometry.

Fig. 2.12 Isometric view of finished parapet detail in 3D

The concrete column is produced by using the extrusion tool. To enable the user

to draw an extrusion in the appropriate view, it is essential to use the view cubes,

top down orientation. The profile for the column is drawn to the specified

dimensions and is then assigned a start point and an end point to define the length

of the extrusion. At this point it is possible to assign the components material that

is being created, in this case it is concrete. Changing elements material properties

is possible by means of the materials and finishes field in the properties browser,


32

while in edit profile mode of component model in place. It can also be modified

after the item is created by selecting the component and repeating those steps.

Once completed the column is then fitted into place.

Fig. 2.13 Creating the columns using extrusions in “Component Model in Place”

The same course of action would apply to the concrete beams, but in their case

the sweep tool is used rather than the extrusion tool. To use the sweep tool the

user must first define a path from which the sweep can travel using the sketch

path tool. The profile for the beam can then be drawn in the view cube‟s front view

to the dimensions specified. Upon finishing the profiles shape, that profile then

conforms to the route specified in the sketch path and creates the solid geometry.


33

Fig. 2.14 Creating the Beams using sweeps in “Component Model in Place” and sketching the path

for the beam in the Sweep Tool using Sketch Path

All the elements created here after are realised by using these tools and methods

until an isometric section of the detail has been made in three dimensions. By

having created this detail, it will now act as the template from which the finer

details can be added to the callout section that was created earlier.


34

Fig. 2.15 Creating the remaining elements using extrusions and sweeps in “Component Model in

Place”

So far the 3D modelling aspect of the hybrid technique has been demonstrated,

but on further inspection of the callout it has been understood that it is lacking

certain details such as the detail featured in the transoms, windows, smaller

component connections and parts when compared to the original drawing. For the

design intent to be fully communicated to installers on site it is necessary to

include the full level of detail of the building junction. For this to be corrected we

must go back into the callout section to embellish what has already been created

to further inform the reader of the correct details.


35

Fig. 2.16 Red lined boxes indicate where detail will be embellished upon the model using Revit‟s

Detailing Tools

It has been indicated on the above screenshot where many crucial junctions are

still missing details from the call out. At this step of the detailing process it is

important to be aware of and utilise some of Revits most powerful detailing

features which will be explained below with reference to the illustration in Fig. 2.16.


36

Adding the Detail

The beauty of detailing in Revit is that it is not required to draw as if it were in other

CAD based software line after line, alot of this work is taken away by the

implementation of the many detailing tools available in Revit. For example when it

is required to create structural details using AutoCAD, unless there is plenty of

time available to create the elements, it can be very time consuming. On the other

hand Revit is stocked with a detail family library of construction components which

saves time and increases drafting efficiency.

Detail Lines: The simplest way of embellishing details in Revit is by using drafted

line work such as lines, circles, arcs etc. These are the most generic of any

illustration process. When drafting detail lines in a callout or any specific view

where the line is being drawn, it will only exist within that view and not repeat in

any other. In any case it is possible to draw whatever detail that may be required

using these lines. These lines can also be customised in the additional settings

menu located in the manage tab to create diferent line styles, (dotted, dashed etc.)

and Line types which can be assigned line colours and line weights. Detail Lines

have been used to embellish the model with the circular lines in the beam, the up-

stands connection to the mullions, and the water proof membrane located under

the insulation.

Fig. 3.01 The red outline boxes indicate where detail has been included upon the model using

Revit‟s Detail Lines


37

Detail Component: The Detail component tool is very similar to the component

tool that was previously used; the tool is used to insert a detail component which

would have been previously made in a family. It is a 2D detail component family

that shows a typical element in a building detail such as a window mullion,

concrete block or steel shapes and fixings. Like other families there are usually

several different categories of a detail item from which are available that represent

a specific size or shape. Contrary to modelled component families these detail

components are view specific so they only exist within the view they are placed

just like the detail lines. Certain detail component families contain a type

catalogue, when a component has been selected such as a universal column; a

menu will appear displaying a table of all the available sizes for that component. If

you require more than one size of the component it is possible to select two or

more of these sizes that will be available from the components type properties.

Fig. 3.02 The red outline boxes indicate where fixings have been included upon the model using

Revit‟s Detail Components

Repeating Detail: This tool is used to position linear arrays of detail components.

It is located on the Component Drop Down menu. This tool allows a detail to be

created that repeats itself along a defined linear path, spacing can also be defined

and assigned between each of these details. For example to place an array of

suspended ceiling tiles, it is required to specify it from the repeating detail


38

component of a suspended ceiling tile and draw it along a linear path. This tool

speeds up the detailing process removing the need to draft details that occur often

in a drawing. It can be used to repeat details of brick joints, floor joists, masonry,

control joints and roofing slates etc.

Fig.3.03 The red outline box indicates where the suspended ceiling has been included in the model

using Revit‟s Repeating Detail

Filled Regions/ Masking Region: The filled region is much like the hatching tool

used in AutoCAD but it is refined and much easier to use. It is a polygon object

which is used to draw out a region in which it will house the hatch pattern defined.

These hatch patterns can also be edited in the properties box. They are used to

graphically embellish a defined region with a pattern that would represent a

building material such as concrete, screed, steel and insulations. The masking

region works the exact same way as the filled region except it used to hide

elements that are not desired within a detail by creating a white opaque back

ground when drawn.


39

Fig. 3.04 The red outline box indicates where the filled regions have been included in the model

Detail Group: Another time saving and efficient tool in Revit‟s detailing arsenal is

the detail group. It contains a titled collection of detail (view specific) elements.

The advantage of this tool is if a detail group is modified, all the instances where

that detail group occurs throughout the project will be updated. This tool makes it

possible to insert a detail group into the current view.

Insulation Tool: Drafting insulation, particularly wool batt insulation can take

some time to create using detail lines especially when they can vary in dimension

at various locations but the process has now been simplified. A linear path can be

created that conforms to the shape of batt insulation including its width which is

then specified along a path drawn by the user.

Fig. 3.05 The red outline box indicates where the Insulation tool has been used to embellish the

model with wool batt insulation


40

Revision Cloud: A revision cloud is a sketch based object that is used to encircle

areas of a drawing that would have been changed since the last documents

revision. It is possible to use a “Revision Tag” to link the revision clouds to entries

on a schedule built into the titleblock that is being used for the project.

View Breaks and Break Lines: Revit also has a very useful tool called the view

break. It allows the user to break crop regions up into multiple view breaks; this

feature is most commonly used when dividing a full section of a building into

multiple cropped views. In the detailing items library there is a break line detail

component that can be brought into the drawing. It acts a lot like the masking tool.

It is possible to extend and white out the area you want to start your break line

from and whiteout what is not needed.

Fig. 3.06 The red outline boxes indicate where the break line has been used to cut off elements of

the model not needed in the view

Annotation: Annotations are symbols or tags that are applied to a family to

individually identify that family in a project. Annotations are used for setting up and


41

displaying dimensions and text in a project. Tags are used to pin point an area in a

project with information relating to its host including its properties that can then be

gathered and generated in a schedule. This speeds up the process for generating

schedules for doors, windows and a whole range of other building elements. Both

annotations and tags can be custom built where values are applied to their

properties to suit the user‟s preferences within a project. It is possible to load one

in from the ready-made annotation families that are available in Revit„s annotation

library.

Cut Profile Tool: The cut profile tool is used to alter the shape of elements that

are cut in a view; these can occur at walls, floors and roofs. This tool can be used

in plan and sectional views. Even though it changes the shape of building

elements it is only view specific meaning it will not change the element or its 3D

geometry in any other view. Below a demonstration of using the cut profile tool

utilised in creating a foundation wall meeting a concrete footing has been

generated. Again this saves time on having to add these adjustments later using

detail lines and filled regions.

Fig. 3.07 Cut profile tool used to draw the notch where the retaining wall meets the foundation

Extending individual layers: When using Revit a lot of users are not aware how

customisable walls are. For example it is assumed that walls within Revit have a

top and bottom constraint and all the layers that exist within the wall are bound to

the same constraint. However it is possible to extend these layers individually

which is demonstrated in the Fig.1. Upon entering the edit type for a wall it is


42

possible to use the modify selection to unlock the locks at each layer of the wall

enabling the blue arrow to be extended up or down. In the case of the

demonstration below it has been extended to meet the step of the raft foundation.

This tool can save a lot of time removing the need to use detail lines and filled

regions to complete the detail as shown below.

Fig. 3.08 The extent at which walls can be modified using the modify selection and extendable

arrows in a walls edit type

Import CAD: If the user has an expansive library of existing designs that were

generated in other CAD software such as AutoCAD it is now possible to import or

link these files into a Revit model, making a transition from any CAD software to

Revit simple. When creating the mullions in the case study, the generic Revit

mullions were missing the detail embedded within them. To resolve that problem

the detail of the mullion was trimmed and imported along with the window detail

from the original CAD version of the parapet detail.


43

Fig. 3.09 CAD detail transferred to Revit using the Import CAD tool

Fig. 3.10 Outcome of applying detailing embellishments using the detailing tools and other features

provided in Revit


44

3D Detailing: If there is a 3D model of a design included with its 2D detail it is

possible to make clearer the designers intentions with regards to their vision of

how the building element should be assembled. Sometimes a 3D view is essential

to show this intent as the assembly of the building element may be very complex

and cannot be communicated to the builders on site without the use of this visual

aid. At the end of the day, detail drawings are all about communicating design

intent in 2D, and by using 3D to further explain how everything should fit together,

it offers a more practical, easy to understand explanation which reduces the risk of

the design being misinterpreted or being installed incorrectly which inevitably

saves time and money.

In addition using Revit to further explain detailed designs with 3D views forces the

designer into thinking about how it will be installed on site. This is a very important

aspect to consider as designers may not know the impacts their design can have

on personnel or the building during installation in regards to safety and the space

builders have to work within, which can sometimes be very confined, depending

on the way the surroundings were designed in which the element were to be

placed. This can lead to uncomfortable working conditions and materials being

damaged. With this in mind during the design process the inclusion of the 3D view

will aid the designer visualising the building elements depth and interaction with its

surroundings which in turn informs its build ability on site. Before adding any

details to the 3D view it is important that the 3D views orientation is locked,

otherwise if the orientation is moved accidentally, be it lines or text, they will be

thrown out of the perspective. Once it has been locked it is now possible to add

details to the model such as tags and text.


45

Fig. 3.11 The displacement tool indicated with a red box used on the elements contained within the

3D model with red arrows indicating the location of the projection lines

While in this view the displacement tool can be used that allows the user to select

any element within the build-up and displace it from its origin using the X, Y and Z

axis control. After the desired element has been displaced, a path can then be

added which creates projection lines from its origin. The idea behind using the

displacement tool and path editing feature will enable the user to show how the

building element should be put together just like a set of instructions that may be

issued with a furniture‟s assembly, making the building elements design and

assembly much more clearer for the installer to carry out on site.


46

Fig. 3.12 Example of the 3D view further aiding the 2D views explanation


47

Section 4.0 Results

Section 4.1 Results

By informing the reader about detailing, how it was first conceived and its

advancement through-out time with innovations coming from civilisations and

pioneers of design assists in allowing the reader who may have no knowledge of

construction or its design, to have a grasp of what is being demonstrated in the

primary research section of the report.

The in-depth analysis carried out at the primary research stage demonstrated the

efficiency in using advanced detailing techniques capable in Revit‟s detailing tools.

The method of using the hybrid technique of detailing in Revit showed how

complex details and elements could be generated more efficiently using this

method. It was found that, the more elements that could be created in 3D the less

detail that would be required to add to the final 2D element of the detail. This is the

philosophy that is apparent detailing using the hybrid technique. The process of

embellishing the final detail with little line work displayed the efficiency in using

these annotation and modelling techniques opposed to drafting in CAD. The 3D

aspect of the model also demonstrated and explained how 3D visual information

aids human interpretation of designs providing a better way of communicating

design intent on site.

The explanation and review of tablet technology and their 3D BIM model viewing

applications showed how 3D views and details combined in these packages are

further assisting personnel on and off site in interpreting designs correctly. It also

showed their ease of use, portability and collaborative features present which

increases the efficiency and roll out of construction projects.


48

Section 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

Section 5.1 Conclusions

The aim of the report was to carry out an analysis of the history of detailing, how

details were generated efficiently through the use of BIM software such as Revit

Architecture 2015 and communicated to personnel on site with the use of 3D

visual model viewers, all demonstrating the efficiency of using these BIM

applications to aid understanding of designs.

To aid the reader in understanding detailing and how it came about, a summative

history of detailing and its evolution throughout the ages was compiled. This

informed how detailing came to be, starting from the very first attempts at drawing

conceived in the caves of early man, through the times of Leonardo Da Vinci right

up until the advent of computers which aided the design process creating

advanced efficient design processes. It showed how techniques were developed

by pioneering innovations and talents of the time.

So that a greater understanding of how detailing works and is prepared in software

such as Revit by today‟s standards, a case study was created where all the

building elements existing within in a parapet detail were reproduced in Revit using

the hybrid technique of detailing. This saw the 3D aspect of the detail being

created using modelling tools and techniques utilising the component model in

place tool to create the model and its elements geometry. Using these tools and

techniques demonstrated that the more detail elements that can be created in 3D,

the less detail that is required to be added to the final 2D element of the detail.

BIM‟s integration with tablet technology and its influence in the design office and

on the construction site further explained how 3D models were aiding personnel

on site to understand with ease, how a design should be constructed correctly. It

also showed how all the party‟s involved in the design and construction process

are able to collaborate and keep themselves updated on events occurring around

the site and in the office.


49

5.2 Recommendations

Further research in BIM applications and their detailing techniques could be

carried out to see how it is influencing construction and design processes

today.

There is an abundance of 3D model viewers available nowadays for

android and Ipad tablet devices, all having unique features to themselves

that could not all be identified giving the limitations of this report. Further

research and identification of these applications and their unique features

that are aiding humans interpretation of building design and how visual

information is represented and communicated in today‟s construction

industry could be further explored as the surface has only been scratched.

As the area of 2D detailing and visualisation is a very broad topic to

undertake through the research carried out it was made apparent that this

analysis could be taken further to include other building virtualisation

modelling software‟s such as ArchiCAD and Microstation.

As only a summative history was made in reference to detailing‟s history,

further research could be carried out into a full comprehensive history of

detailing.

Research and a case study can be carried out to determine which BIM

software has the most efficient workflow and techniques in regards to

detailing.


50

References

Online Image Reference

Twelve Treasures of Spain – Altamira Caves at Santillana del Mar, n.d. Online

Image, [Viewed 4 January 2012],

<https://apetcher.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/altamira1.jpg>.

Plan of the tomb of Ramesses IV, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 19 November 2014],

<http://proteus.brown.edu/ancientegyptianart2/admin/image.html?imageid=817400

9>.

Brunelleschi, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 20 November 2014],

<https://maitaly.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/0328p_duomo6_b.jpg?w=300&h=26

9>.

A diagram of a crossbow by Leonardo DaVinci, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 20

November 2014],

<http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow.htm>.

No title, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 21 November 2014],

<http://cdn.royalcollection.org.uk/cdn/farfuture/nuso24_p9baov22bKkA3sfUjDdaN4

vwcVDADisQsAWg/mtime:1373970017/sites/royalcollection.org.uk/files/styles/inlin

e_large/public/rs197031_919008_v-hpr.jpg?itok=LUUz3zKB>.

No title, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 21 November 2014],

<http://images.gizmag.com/inline/emcycle-human-pedal-electric-enclosed-tilting-

threewheeler-29.gif>.

The old Autodesk logo is shown in this 1985 AutoCAD presentation, n.d. Online

Image, [Viewed 21 November 2014],

<http://www.hardwarezone.com.ph/files/img/2013/04/autocadprog.jpg>.

Ipad-field-work, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 16 March 2015],

<https://cidspotlight.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ipad-field-work.jpg?w=500>.


51

Field3D in use in Puuvilla Shopping Center site, n.d. Online Image, [Viewed 16

March 2015],

<http://tekla.cachefly.net/cdn/farfuture/4uSl_EZrxI0mdJ1QGeP-

UgYvuGy1n7AIEjeCaO9WxUA/mtime:1397484162/sites/default/files/styles/mediu

m/public/International/Company/News/puuvilla_kuva6.jpg?itok=uvfd_jPz>.

Webpage Reference

Bou, D M., 2004. History of Drawing [Online]. Available at:

http://www.dibujosparapintar.com/english/drawing_course_history.html [Viewed 19

November 2014].

maItaly., 2011. BRUNELLESCHI and the Re-Discovery of Linear Perspective

[Online]. Available at: https://maitaly.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/brunelleschi-and-

the-re-discovery-of-linear-perspective/ [Viewed 02 January 2015].

Engineering drawings - beauty and utility?, 2007. Engineering drawings - beauty

and utility? [Online]. Available at:

http://www.ingenious.org.uk/Read/Seeing/Drawings/ [Viewed 03 January 2015].

David Philip, 2014. BIM and the UK Construction Strategy [Online]. Available at:

http://www.thenbs.com/topics/bim/articles/bimAndTheUKConstructionStrategy.asp

[Viewed 04 January 2015].

Emmy Silak, 2014. Construction industry reduce safety risks and improve

business with rugged tablets [Online]. Available at:

http://www.xploretech.com/news/bid/366515/Construction-industry-reduce-safety-

risks-and-improve-business-with-rugged-tablets [Viewed 012 January 2014].

Karl Rajotte, 2014. Business Management: Tablet Computers are Changing the

Construction Industry [Online]. Available at:

http://www.maxwellsystems.com/news/articles/current/Business-Management-

Tablet-Computers-are-Changing-the-Construction-Industry [Viewed 16 March

2015].

Vince Sarrubi, 2014. Construction Company CIO Builds a Better Business With

the Cloud [Online]. Available at: http://www.cio.com/article/2459507/leadership-


52

management/construction-company-cio-builds-a-better-business-with-the-

cloud.html [Viewed 16 March 2015].

Bob Garrett, 2006. 3D Detailing [Online]. Available at:

http://aecmag.com/comment-mainmenu-36/136-3d-detailing-p-the-future [Viewed

17 March 2015].

Authors Screenshots

Fig. 1.01

Fig. 2.01 - 2.16

Fig. 3.01 - 3.12

Fig. 4.03 – 4.10


53

Appendix A

PLAGIARISM DISCLAIMER

STUDENT NAME: Jonathan Flanagan

STUDENT NUMBER: G00262330

PROGRAMME: Architectural Technology

YEAR: Year 4

MODULE: Technical Report

LECTURER: Siobhaun Cawley

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: An exploration and examination of 2D & 3D detailing in

virtual building software.

DUE DATE:

DATE SUBMITTED:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I understand that plagiarism is a serious academic offence, and that GMIT deals

with it according to the GMIT Policy on Plagiarism. I have read and understand the

GMIT Policy on Plagiarism and I agree to the requirements set out therein in

relation to plagiarism and referencing. I confirm that I have referenced and

acknowledged properly all sources used in preparation of this assignment. I

understand that if I plagiarise, or if I assist others in doing so, that I will be subject

to investigation as outlined in the GMIT Policy on Plagiarism. I understand and

agree that plagiarism detection software may be used on my assignment. I declare

that, except where appropriately referenced, this assignment is entirely my own

work based on my personal study and/or research. I further declare that I have not

engaged the services of another to either assist in, or complete this assignment.

Signed:

Date:


54

Appendix B

Reference Details:

Susan Piedmont-Palladino, 2006. Tools of the Imagination: Drawing Tools and

Technologies from the Eighteenth Century to the Present, from model to drawing

to building [Online]. Available from: http://0-

site.ebrary.com.library.gmit.ie/lib/gmit/reader.action?docID=10469420 [Viewed 19

November 2014].

In this chapter the author talks about how architects, even up to the renaisance

would design their buildings by carving blocks of wood as a visual representation

to show their patrons who were funding those buildings how they may look when

built. Until the 15th century architects would use what was readily available for

example wood, plaster and clay to design buildings.

She argues that paper was not readily available until the 15th century, so up until

that point models would have to be created to represent the visual form of a

building.

From the reading of this chapter it is understood that in the past they used different

methods alternative to drawing on paper to visualise how a building may look.


55

Reference Details:

Wilkinson, Geoff, 2011. Architects' Journal Don't risk building failure through poor

detailing [Online]. Available from:

http://qd5rw8vx4w.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-

2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-

8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:jou

rnal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Don%27t+risk+building+failure+through+poor+deta

iling&rft.jtitle=Architects%27+Journal&rft.au=Wilkinson%2C+Geoff&rft.date=2011-

05-05&rft.pub=EMAP+Architecture&rft.issn=0003-

8466&rft.volume=233&rft.issue=16&rft.spage=22&rft.externalDBID=BSHEE&rft.ext

ernalDocID=261661123&paramdict=en-US [Viewed 19 November 2014].

The author is describing how modern design is pushing architects away from

tradtional details such as projections at eaves, drips on sills and provisions of

movement joints as it takes from the aesthetic look of a building. Alternatively

designers are using new innovative construction systems that require new details

to be developed, in some of these cases the designer does not understand the

fundamentals of water tightness, so they rely on sealants to be the solutions to

their problems in the details rather than a detailed flashing which would be more

appropriate.

The author argues that these traditional details were developed to protect the

structure from weather conditions by providing a degree of shelter and directing

rainwater away from the building. Rather now they are providing solutions else

where in there details which if not properly detailed will cause further problems

down the line. As the market for new innovations and materials in construction are

being generated into new details we are moving away from the more traditional

details of keeping rain and moisture penetrating our buildings.


56

Reference Details:

Andrei Lozzi. Tools of the Imagination: History of Mechanical Design and Machine

Drawing in the School of AMME [Online]. Available from:

http://web.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/history-chapters/C6%20Design.pdf [Viewed 19

November 2014].

The author tells us about the the time and effort required in detailing drawings for

mechnial engineering pre 1980s (before cad).

Student draughtsmen back then required high mental and manual skill to make

drawings that were accurate, clean, neat and organised all at once, not forgetting

the content also. It could take upto five years for a draftsman to be trained up to an

acceptable standard.

Today with our almost standard use of CAD softwares for detailing we cannot

understand the amount of time and effort that was put into detailed drawings in the

past using more primitive drawing techniques and tools.

Reference Details:

Matt Dillon, 2013. Attention to Detail: Creating Construction Details in Autodesk®

Revit® Architecture [Online]. Available from:

http://aucache.autodesk.com/au2013/sessionsFiles/1419/301/handout_1419_AB1

419.pdf [Viewed 19 November 2014].

This article is a tutorial and the author describes the process of detailing in Revit.

He also disscusses how many architectural firms are avoiding using Revits

detailing tools and prefer to prepare their details still in Autocad due to the lack of

interest in investing time into learning the detail tools in Revit. It is known that

many archtiectural firms opt for generating their details in Autocad which when

linked with the Revit model causes instability issues and crashes.

Feed back has been received that users that use Revits detailing tools find that

there details are generated faster and are more accurate than details prepared in

Autocad. Users that are importing their details generated in Autocad into the


57

model is causing instability issues which tells us that users should use revit the

way it was intended.

From the reading of thsi tutorial it can be seen that some architectural firms are

using the software incorrectly creating more problems for themselves down the

road than intended to be created such as large file sizes and errors. It seems

people are still comfortable with working what they know resulting in them failing to

see the efficiency in Revits detailing tools.

Reference Details:

Paul F. Aubin, 2011. Detailing in Autodesk® Revit® Architecture [Online].

Available from:

http://paulaubin.com/_downloads/2011_AU/Papers/AB3744_Aubin_Details.pdf

[Viewed 19 November 2014].

The author describes how you can detail in revit using a combination of live views

that come from the building model itself, you then over lay and embellish this view

using the hybrid approach using both 2D details and components.

The author argues that revit detailing is not as straight forward as selecting a view

from a section and opening the resulting view as a detail view that is automatically

generated for you. Many people believe and expect that revit will do this for you

when they are new to Revit detailing. It is possible to model all of these details but

it creates a model that is difficult to work with due to its file size.

The author found that the best approach to detailing in Revit is to use the hybrid

approach using both the the live model and Revits 2D detailing features and

components to generate the desired detail without modelling unnecessary

elements and time wasting.


58

Reference Details:

Emmitt, S., Olie, J., Schmid, P., 2009. Unsettling matters, Principles of

Architectural Detailing [Online]. Available from:

https://books.google.ie/books?id=yBrzYhQPyUkC&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=Unsettli

ng+matters,+Principles+of+Architectural+Detailing&source=bl&ots=nc9wskPIbC&s

ig=VNBomR1IWhFiwIE9iXr7gXg20GY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RBheVdnqFMbR7QbriIG

QAQ&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Unsettling%20matters%2C%20Princi

ples%20of%20Architectural%20Detailing&f=false [Viewed 19 November 2014].

The author first talks about the importance of detailing, without the proper detailing

in a building, it will eventually fail in its intended operation from function, comfort

and environmental points of view. He also talks about how there is so many

different people involved in constructing a buildign and that there needs to be

more communication between these different specialists so that details are

realised as they should be intended.

He raises the point that details are never fully thought through with regards to

buildability function and choice in materials and are undervalued when compared

to the overall conceptual design of a building. He argues that there needs to be

more co operation between the conceptual designer and detailer to ensure that

what is detailed benefits the way the building will function and the environment

with regards to the choice of materials and their processes. It seems that at the

moment there is not alot of cooperation between conceptual designers, detailers

and other specialists. For successful detailing in a project it requires that there is

collaboration between conceptual designer and the detailer and also collaboration

between the materials suppliers, product manufacturers and trades people which

in the end will benefit the overall project.


59

Reference Details:

STUDY PROBES BENEFITS/CHALLENGES OF USING AUTODESK REVIT,

2004. STUDY PROBES BENEFITS/CHALLENGES OF USING AUTODESK

REVIT [Online]. Available from:

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE|A118164064&v=2.1&u=gmit&it=r&p=AO

NE&sw=w&asid=5b07e91776df11070665d807b7b2cdc4 [Viewed 19 November

2014].

The author disccusses the findings in a report which is about the process changes,

benefits, and challenges that architectural firms are facing when adopting Revit

into their work flow.

It was reported that a majority of firms found major gains in productivity using Revit

software. A 300 person firm stated that for several of their projects, Revit had

enabled them to use only half the number of employees than that which was in

their original budget, and that they had finished the work twice as fast. Similar

findings were also reported from design firms questionned in the report.

Thus we can see that adopting Revit into your work flow can increase efficiency,

accuracy and profits as projects can be rolled out in half the time and half the

design team then was previously expected using traditional cad based softwares.


60

Reference Details:

Georgi Dimov, 2014. Analysis of Revit 2014 based on the Modeling of a TU

Munich Building [Online]. Available from:

http://www.cms.bgu.tum.de/publications/theses/dimov_2014_ritter.pdf [Viewed 19

November 2014].

The thesis starts with giving an insight into Building Information Modellings history

and different existing software but is mostly concerned with Revit Architecture

2014. It focuses on how and why it gained popularity. The second part of the

thesis explains the process of modelling a building from the authors university with

in depth explanations and screenshots on the process. The final section critically

analyzes the possibilites and limitations within the software.

The author talks about how Revit can increase productivity and efficiency in

construction projects and how it allows everyone to collaborate within a model

from different areas of construction from engineering to quantity surveying.

The author describes that there are four different BIM softwares which are Allplan,

Vectorworks, ArchiCAD and Revit. The author found the reason BIM gained such

popularity is due to the enormous amount of advantages it gave involving the

process of constructing and maintaining a building, the ability to recognize

possible conflicts in the design and the ease in making minor or major changes to

the model.

The modelling of the building showed some flaws as the author described which

he put down to being limitations of the software where it is more of a fact of the

limitations of the user as many of the flaws have solutions which the author was

not aware of at the time.


61

Reference Details:

Bou, D M, 2004. History of Drawing [Online]. Available from:

http://www.dibujosparapintar.com/english/drawing_course_history.html [Viewed 19

November 2014].

The author gives a brief breakdown of the history of drawing starting from the

homosapiens, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, up to the renaissance and 19th

century. He discusses how the oldest drawings ever recorded came from 35,000

years ago in the paleolithic age and describes the illustrations that man had first

made. The history carrys on through from the egyptians to the Greeks where

balance and harmony were included in their illustrations. Then came the Romans

and with their conquest of the world. This came with a need for practicality and

use‟s in their drawings which saw a requirement for technical drawing with

mathematics applied to realise constructions. Thereafter he mentions El Greco,

Miguel Angel, Sandro Boticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci influences through light

and shade and perspective drawing. Leonardo is mentioned for giving the most to

the world though his studies of studies, invention of devices and a new way of

using illumination in drawing.


62

Reference Details:

Engineering drawings - beauty and utility?, 2007. Engineering drawings - beauty

and utility? [Online]. Available from:

http://www.ingenious.org.uk/Read/Seeing/Drawings/ [Viewed 03 Januray 2015].

The author talks about the influence the Industrial Revolution had on technical

drawing. Termed engineering drawing, they were the first of their kind that could

communicate detailed information around a working factory environment. They

were first produced in the 1770s, at that time labour was divided around the

factory in different locations, from this they understood that they needed an easy

and effective way of communcating ideas without having to instruct verbally. It is

mentioned that they had also solved the problem of how to show three

dimensional objects in a two dimensional form using scaled drawings.


63

Reference Details:

maItaly, 2011. BRUNELLESCHI and the Re-Discovery of Linear Perspective

[Online]. Available from: https://maitaly.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/brunelleschi-

and-the-re-discovery-of-linear-perspective/ [Viewed 02 January 2015].

The author disscusses Filippo Brunelleschi‟s influence on drawing during the

renaissance. He credits Brunelleschi with the re-discovery of linear perspective

drawing, which was first created by the Roman and Greek civilisations. They

understood what was needed to create an image that contained convincing depth

and give the illusion of three dimensional space. He mentions that during the

middle ages the technique was lost for drawing in perspective, this can be seen in

many paintings from that time. They showed there was no such thing as

perspective involved in their illustrations as objects that exist in the background

and foreground were merged giving an un realistic view of a scene. Brunnelleschi

figured out a way of understanding the perspective view. He understood that with

a fixed single point of view parallel lines would converge at a single point in the

distance. He then applied a single vanishing point on his canvas to aid drawing

objects in their true scale and perspective. This understanding of linear

perspective influenced many artist of the time to adopt the technique int otheir

paintings. He mentiosn that Massacios “The Hloy Trinity” is the first true painting to

display the technique of linear perspective.