7 Ways to Model in Place in Revit

The Model in Place feature in Revit allows you to create custom 3D shapes that are not easily created in the standard family creation environment.

It’s a tool that makes it easy to model complex shapes, add detail, and modify existing elements in your project using their work planes.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to model seven different shapes in place to get the most out of all the tools.

How to Model in Place

To create a Revit model in place:

1. Go to the Architecture tab > Model panel > click Model In-Place.
2. Select Generic Model as Family Category.
3. Enter a name for your element > click OK.

4. Use the tools on the Create tab to sketch elements in the blank view.
5. Click Finish Model on the Modify tab.

When you are finished modeling, select and edit your element by clicking Edit In-Place on the Modify tab.

Want to use the seven 3D models in this article? Click here to register.

Add Materials

Once your shape is created, you can add materials to give it texture and color.

1. Go to the Properties panel > Scroll down to Materials and Finishes.
2. Click on the small box next to Material.
3. Select a material or create a new one.

Learn how to create and render materials by reading our post on Revit rendering.

Convert to Family

Converting your model in-place into a family is a process that allows you to reuse your custom components in other projects.

Follow these steps to convert your model:

1. Select the Model In-Place component.
2. Go to the Modify tab > Model panel > click Edit In-Place.
3. Select all geometry.
4. Go to the Modify tab > Clipboard panel > click Copy.
5. Go to the File tab > drop-down the New menu > click Family.
6. Go to the Modify tab > Clipboard panel > drop-down the Paste menu.
7. Click Aligned to Current View.
8. Go to the File tab > drop-down the Save As menu > click Family.
9. Select RFA File as the type > click Save.

To change the family category, go to the Properties panel > click Family Category and Parameters > select the appropriate category. Learn how to scale a Revit family.

Let’s walk through the use cases for the seven tools on the Create tab.

7 Ways to Use Model in Place

Methods for using the model in-place tools in Revit.

Extrusion

An extrusion is a solid form that is created by extending a closed sketch along a perpendicular direction.

Use it with other tools to create simple and complex shapes.

Extrusion Use Case: Create a custom bookshelf for your living room.

Steps:

1. Create a model in place element of the Furniture category.
2. Enter “Bookshelf” for the name.
3. Go to the Create tab > Form panel > click Extrusion.
4. In the Work Plane panel > click Set.
5. Select Pick a Plane > click OK.

6. Select the wall face as the reference plane.
7. In the Draw panel, select the Rectangle tool.

7. Sketch a rectangular profile on the wall.
8. Click Finish Sketch.

9. Select the extrusion.
10. In the Properties palette, set the start and end of the extrusion.

11. Click Finish Model to place the bookshelf in the project.

Learn how to create more complex extrusions:

Blend

A blend is a solid form that is created by lofting two different sketches along a perpendicular direction.

Use it to model a smooth transition between two shapes.

Blend Use Case: Create a twisted tower.

Steps:

1. Go to the Create tab > Forms panel > click Blend.
2. On the Draw panel, click the Inscribed Polygon tool.
3. Enter 3 for the number of sides.
4. Draw a triangle in the middle of the canvas.
5. On the Draw panel, click the Fillet Arc tool.
6. Apply fillet to all sides of the triangle to smoothen tower edges.
7. In the Mode panel, click Edit Top.
8. On the Draw panel, click the Pick Lines tool.
9. Pick the same lines as the bottom profile.
10. Click Finish Edit Mode.
11. Select the mass form.
12. In the Properties palette, change the height of the extrusion.
13. Click Apply.
14. In the Mode panel, click Edit Vertices.
15. In the Vertex Connect panel, click Twist Left twice.
16. Click Modify on the ribbon > click Finish Edit Mode.

That’s it! You can view the complete tutorial here:

Revolve

A revolve is a solid form that is created by rotating a closed sketch around an axis.

Use it to model curvilinear 3D shapes such as domes, cones, or cylinders.

Revolve Use Case: Create a geodesic dome shape.

Steps:

1. Go to the Architecture tab > Component panel > click Model in Place.
2. Choose Generic Models from the list and click Ok.
3. Name your model as Igloo or anything you like and click Ok.
4. Make a Reference Plane and place it in the middle > Name it A.
5. Open the South Elevation view.
6. Go to the Create tab > click Revolve.
7. Select the reference plane you just made and click Ok.
8. Create the Axis Line for the profile to revolve around.
9. Set the height to 6 meters.
10. Click Boundary Line and choose the Arc tool.
11. Draw an arc from the top of the axis line to the ground level.
12. Drag the arc outwards to make it more curved.
13. Click ESC and choose the Line tool.
14. Close the loop of the profile by drawing lines on the sides.
15. Click Finish to complete the profile.
16. Open the Level 1 view > create a new Reference Plane.
17. Place it parallel to the entry side > name it B.
18. Go back to South Elevation view and click Extrusion on the Create tab.
19. Select the new reference plane and click Ok.
20. Draw a rectangular profile for the entry in the middle.
21. Make an arc on the top and remove the old straight line.
22. Click Finish Edit Mode.
23. Go to the 3D view and click on the entry mass.
24. Drag its long profile arrow to the inside of the dome.
25. Go to the Modify tab > Geometry panel > click Join.
26. Click on both masses to merge them.
27. Click Finish Model.
28. Change the visual style on the View Control bar to Shaded.
29. Go to the Architecture tab > click Curtain System.
30. Select both faces of the dome and click Create System.

Voila!

To customize the look, change the mullions dimensions and materials. Watch the video tutorial to learn how:

Sweep

A sweep is a solid form that is created by sweeping a profile along a path.

Use it to 3D model symmetrical shapes such as pipes, ducts, or moldings.

Sweep Use Case: Create a step pyramid.

Steps:

1. Create a model in place element of the Generic Model.
2. Enter a name “Step Pyramid” > click OK.
3. Sketch a square on the reference plane.
4. Set the length and width parameters.
5. Click Finish Sketch and then click Sweep on the Create tab.
6. Pick the square as the path of the sweep.
7. Load or sketch a triangular profile on the reference plane
8. Set the height parameter.
9. Click Finish Model to place the step pyramid in the project.

Edit the profile and the path of the sweep to create the desired shape and appearance.

Learn more about the Sweep and Swept Blend tools:

Here is the video version of the Pyramid Tutorial:

Swept Blend

A swept blend is a solid shape created by sweeping two different profiles along a path.

Use it to create any 3D shape along irregular paths, such as handrails, gutters, or cornices.

Swept Blend Use Case: Create a spiral house for an unusual toposolid.

Steps:

1. Create a model-in-place element of the Generic Model category.
2. Enter Spiral House for the name.
3. Sketch a radius arc on the reference plane and set the length parameter.
4. Click Finish Sketch and then click Swept Blend on the Create tab.
5. Sketch a square profile on the reference plane.
6. Click Finish Sketch.
7. Sketch another square profile on the top plane.
8. Click Finish Sketch.
9. Select the top profile and click Rotate on the Modify tab.
10. Draw a line on the reference plane to define the center of rotation.
11. Enter a value of 45 for the angle of rotation > Left-click to apply.
12. Click Finish Model to place the Spiral House shape in the project.
13. Create a reference plane and use it to create an extension.

Then convert the shape to curtain systems and edit the profiles and mullions of the spiral house and the extension to create the shape and look you want. See the Swept Blend tutorial:

Void Extrusion

A void is a form that is used to cut or subtract from other solid forms.

Use it to create openings, recesses, or notches in your model.

Void Extrusion Use Case: Create floor transition strips and partitions.

Steps:

1. Go to the Create tab > Model panel > drop-down Void Forms menu.
2. Click Void Extrusion.
3. In the Work Plane panel, click Set Workplane.
4. Choose Pick a Plane (Shortcut: PK).

5. Left-click the top surface of the floor.
6. In the Draw panel, select a tool for sketching.
7. Sketch one or more profiles.
8. Click Finish Edit Mode.

Learn more about the Void Extrusion tool:

Model Line

A model line is a line that is visible in 3D views and can be used to add annotations, dimensions, or guides to your model in place elements.

Model Line Use Case: Create a 3D cube with grids on all sides.

Steps:

1. Create a new model in place > select Generic Model as the type.
2. In the Work Plane panel, click Set Workplane.
3. Select a face to add 3D lines to.
4. Go to the Create tab > Model panel > click Model Line.
5. Draw model lines on the selected work plane.
6. Repeat the process to draw in all three dimensions.

See how similar this is to the first extrusion model? That’s because I used the extrusion’s reference planes to create this line-based 3D model.

Want to add text to your 3D views instead of lines? Learn how to add 3D text in Revit.

Model in Place in Revit lets you model versatile 3D shapes. Combine the use of each tool as a solid (extrusion) and as a void extrusion (cut geometry) to create complex geometries.

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.