There are two main ways to create curved walls in Revit. One uses wall families with floors to control the geometry, while the second allows the use of solid extrusions to edit the wall profile. Both are appropriate for different cases.
Method 1 – Curved Wall Family
Details: Create curved basic walls and curved curtain walls.
Steps
- Within the Project Browser, open Level 1.
- Go to Architecture tab > Build panel > click Wall.
- In the Draw panel, select the Start-End-Radius Arc (or any other curving tool).
- Click once to start an arc, then click to assign an end of length.
- Drag the cursor to a direction, changing the radius of the arc.
- Click to insert the wall in the project.
Edit Profile
Unlike flat-surface profiles, basic curved walls require a “hidden attachment” work-around to change their upper and lower slopes.
- Go to the 3D view (house icon on the upper left toolbar)
- Go to Architecture tab > Build panel > click Floor.
- Within the Draw panel, select the Pick Lines tool.
- In the Options tab, add a value of 500mm (1.64 ft).
- Select all boundary lines of the wall (ensure dash-lines of the offset lies outside).
- Click Finish Edit Mode.
- Go to Modify | Floors tab > Shape Editing panel > click Modify Sub Elements.
- Grab shape handles of the floor (points) to preferred heights.
- Select all walls under the floor > Modify Wall panel > click Attach Top/Base.
- Click on the customized floor to attach the wall to it.
- Right-click on the floor > Hide in View > select Elements.
✨ Tip: To select a chain of walls, press TAB multiple times while hovering over one of the connected walls, until all of them turn blue, then click to select it. Learn more Revit keyboard shortcuts.
Watch this tutorial where I create a building complex using the steps above (Click CC to enable English subtitles):
To edit the vertical profile of a curved wall, you must use generic models.
Method 2 – Generic Model
Details: Use model in-place to create curvy walls in Revit.
Steps
- Go to Architecture tab > Build panel > Drop-down Component > click Model In-Place.
- Select Generic Models > click OK.
- Assign a name to the new model > click OK.
✨ Tip: Too many complex profiles will slow down model navigation and increase file size.
Edit Profile
Cutting shapes using voids is an advantage of generic models and in-place mass.
- Within Level 1 viewport, go to Create tab > Datum panel > click Reference Plane.
- Draw a vertical reference plane > Click to name “A” in the prompt box > Press ENTER.
- Go to Project Browser > open East elevation.
- Go to Create tab > Forms panel > click Extrusion.
- Select “A” as a reference plane > click OK.
- Pick the Line tool in Draw panel.
- Sketch a vertical profile for the curved wall.
- Click Finish Edit Mode.
- Go to Level 1 viewport > Drag shape handles outwards to widen curve range on plan.
- In Create tab > Forms panel > click Void Forms > select Void Extrusions.
- Within Draw panel, select Pick Lines tool > Pick all boundaries of the shape.
- Draw panel > Pick the Start-End-Radius Arc.
- Sketch a horizontal profile for the curved wall.
- Modify panel > click Offset (Shortcut: OF) and enclose the wall profile within void boundaries.
- Click Finish Edit Mode.
- Go to 3D view > Hover over the void mass and click to select it.
- Double Left-click to edit wall profile > Use the Draw panel tools to sketch.
- Click Finish Model.
✨ Tip: If the void is not cutting the solid form, in Modify tab > Geometry panel > click Cut. Select the solid surface, then select the void cube.
Watch this video to learn how to import perspective images and CAD profiles directly into Revit’s edit mode:
For more advanced curved shapes, see our articles on Sweeps and Complex Roofs.
Follow the steps of the first method to create Revit curved walls as basic families and edit their profiles by adding a floor. Remember to hide the added floor in all views. The second method is great for presentation graphics.
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.
