How to Create Array in Revit

We use the Array tool to repeat elements along a path in Revit projects. This even repetition can be along a straight line, a curve, or even a spline!

The following short exercise will help you understand the basics of the Array tool.

Let’s start by adding a straight line and a curve to our active view.

1. Open floor plan: Level 1.
2. Go to the Annotate tab > Detail panel > Click Detail Line.
3. Draw panel > Line > Sketch a straight line.
4. Draw panel > Start-End-Radius Arc > Sketch a curve.
5. Select both lines.
6. Go to the Modify | Lines tab > Edit panel > Convert Lines.
7. Go to the Architecture tab > drop-down Component menu.
8. Click Place a Component.
9. Insert the element (Component) on the model line.

It’s now time to use the Array tool.

Linear Array

Repeat an element along a horizontal or vertical line.

Steps

1. Click on the element.
2. Go to the Modify | Element tab > Modify panel.
3. Click on Array (Shortcut: AR).
4. Options bar > Linear.
5. Options bar > Number > Assign an amount of elements.
6. Options bar > Move to > 2nd.
7. Click on the point where the Array starts from.
8. Move the mouse cursor over it and click once to set the distance between the elements (over the blue dashed box).
9. Enter the number of elements to be inserted after > press Enter.

✨ Tip: For equal spacing (6. Options bar > Move to > 2nd) ━ For path spacing (6. Options bar > Move to > End).

✨ Tip: Uncheck Group and Associate in Options bar before applying Array to avoid unnecessary links and excessive RVT file size.

Radial Path Array

Repeat elements along a curved path.

Steps

1. Click on the element.
2. Go to Modify | element tab > Modify panel.
3. Click Array (Shortcut: AR).
4. Options bar > Radial.
5. Options bar > Center of rotation > Place.

6. Right click on curve > Snap Overrides dropdown menu > Select Centers.
7. Click on the curve.
8. Options bar > Number > Assign an amount of elements.
9. Options bar > Move to > 2nd.
10. Click on the point where the Array starts from.
11. Move the mouse cursor over it and click once to set the distance between the elements (over the blue dashed box).
12. Enter the number of elements to be inserted after > press Enter.

✨ Tip: To change the count of elements in an array path, click on an associated element > change value > press Enter.

✨ Tip: To change curvature of a radial array, click on an associated element > click and drag the points of the array modifier.

The third type of arrays is for spline paths…

Spline Path Array

Repeat an element along a curved and irregular path.

Steps

1. Go to the Massing & Site tab > click In-Place Mass.
2. Assign a name to the mass > click OK.
3. Create tab > Draw panel > Select the Spline Through Points tool.
4. Sketch the path > Select the path.
5. Modify | Lines > Divide panel > Click Divide Path.
6. Properties palette > Nodes panel > Number (change value).
7. Go to Create tab > Model panel > Component.
8. Insert the adaptive component on the first node.
9. Select the component > Modify | Generic Models tab > Modify panel.
10. Click Repeat.

How to Create Adaptive Components?

1. Go to the File tab > New drop-down menu.
2. Select the Generic Model Adaptive.rft template.
3. Click Open.
4. Go to the Create tab > Draw panel > Point Element.
5. Add a point anywhere in the viewport > Select the point.
6. Modify | Reference Points tab > Adaptive Component panel > Click Make Adaptive.
7. Go to the Modify tab > Workplane panel > click Set Workplane.
8. Sketch the profile of the element on the work plane of the adaptive point.
9. Select the lines of the profile.
10. Modify | Lines tab > Form panel > Create Form.
11. Family Editor panel > click Load into Project.
12. In edit mode of In-Place Mass > Create tab > Model panel > Component.
13. Insert the component on the first node.
14. Select the component > Modify | Generic Models tab > Modify panel > Click Repeat.

Watch our video tutorial on How to make adaptive components:

The fourth type of arrays is for parametric families.

Parametric Array

Create a parametric array along a path. Use text values (parameters) to change the number and spacing of elements.

Steps

1. Go to the File tab > drop-down New menu.
2. Select the Generic Model.rft template > Click Open.
3. Go to Create tab > Reference Plane (Shortcut: RP).
4. Sketch two reference planes on both sides parallel to the central one.
5. Annotate tab > Aligned (Shortcut: DI).
6. Add dimensions between the three reference plans.
7. Click on “EQ” to have equal spacing between two dimensions.
8. Add one more (overall width) dimension.
9. Select (overall width) dimension.
10. Modify | Dimension tab > Label Dimension panel > Create Parameter.
11. Assign a name for the parameter (overall width).
12. Parameter Data panel > Select Instance.
13. Click OK.
14. Create tab > click Component to load family into generic model.
15. Align (Shortcut: AL) component to a reference plan > Lock alignment.
16. Modify | Element tab > Modify panel > Array (Shortcut: AR).
17. Options bar > Move to > Last.
18. Align (Shortcut: AL) last component end to the other reference plan > Lock alignment.
19. Modify tab > Properties panel > Family Types.
20. Change (Overall Width) value > click OK.

Repeat elements and their parameters only when necessary. Don’t forget to ungroup an array when you no longer need it (select the array group > go to Modify | Model Groups tab > click Ungroup).

Mohamed Fakhry

Mohamed Fakhry has helped thousands of architects and designers find their next project with step-by-step guidance on his blog, mashyo.com. About Mohamed

His journey began during his university years when he recognized the need for information-rich 3D models to accelerate learning and improve production processes. Now, Mohamed shares his expertise through Revit tutorials that are accessible to all.