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.
- Open floor plan: Level 1.
- Go to the Annotate tab > Detail panel > Click Detail Line.
- Draw panel > Line > Sketch a straight line.
- Draw panel > Start-End-Radius Arc > Sketch a curve.
- Select both lines.
- Go to the Modify | Lines tab > Edit panel > Convert Lines.
- Go to the Architecture tab > drop-down Component menu.
- Click Place a Component.
- 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
- Click on the element.
- Go to the Modify | Element tab > Modify panel.
- Click on Array (Shortcut: AR).
- Options bar > Linear.
- Options bar > Number > Assign an amount of elements.
- Options bar > Move to > 2nd.
- Click on the point where the Array starts from.
- Move the mouse cursor over it and click once to set the distance between the elements (over the blue dashed box).
- 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
- Click on the element.
- Go to Modify | element tab > Modify panel.
- Click Array (Shortcut: AR).
- Options bar > Radial.
- Options bar > Center of rotation > Place.
- Right click on curve > Snap Overrides dropdown menu > Select Centers.
- Click on the curve.
- Options bar > Number > Assign an amount of elements.
- Options bar > Move to > 2nd.
- Click on the point where the Array starts from.
- Move the mouse cursor over it and click once to set the distance between the elements (over the blue dashed box).
- 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
- Go to the Massing & Site tab > click In-Place Mass.
- Assign a name to the mass > click OK.
- Create tab > Draw panel > Select the Spline Through Points tool.
- Sketch the path > Select the path.
- Modify | Lines > Divide panel > Click Divide Path.
- Properties palette > Nodes panel > Number (change value).
- Go to Create tab > Model panel > Component.
- Insert the adaptive component on the first node.
- Select the component > Modify | Generic Models tab > Modify panel.
- Click Repeat.
How to Create Adaptive Components?
- Go to the File tab > New drop-down menu.
- Select the Generic Model Adaptive.rft template.
- Click Open.
- Go to the Create tab > Draw panel > Point Element.
- Add a point anywhere in the viewport > Select the point.
- Modify | Reference Points tab > Adaptive Component panel > Click Make Adaptive.
- Go to the Modify tab > Workplane panel > click Set Workplane.
- Sketch the profile of the element on the work plane of the adaptive point.
- Select the lines of the profile.
- Modify | Lines tab > Form panel > Create Form.
- Family Editor panel > click Load into Project.
- In edit mode of In-Place Mass > Create tab > Model panel > Component.
- Insert the component on the first node.
- 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
- Go to the File tab > drop-down New menu.
- Select the Generic Model.rft template > Click Open.
- Go to Create tab > Reference Plane (Shortcut: RP).
- Sketch two reference planes on both sides parallel to the central one.
- Annotate tab > Aligned (Shortcut: DI).
- Add dimensions between the three reference plans.
- Click on “EQ” to have equal spacing between two dimensions.
- Add one more (overall width) dimension.
- Select (overall width) dimension.
- Modify | Dimension tab > Label Dimension panel > Create Parameter.
- Assign a name for the parameter (overall width).
- Parameter Data panel > Select Instance.
- Click OK.
- Create tab > click Component to load family into generic model.
- Align (Shortcut: AL) component to a reference plan > Lock alignment.
- Modify | Element tab > Modify panel > Array (Shortcut: AR).
- Options bar > Move to > Last.
- Align (Shortcut: AL) last component end to the other reference plan > Lock alignment.
- Modify tab > Properties panel > Family Types.
- 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 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.