Parametric Product Design, Dynamo Revit 1

Summary

In this tutorial, Hoda Ganji demonstrates how to create a simple bench using Dynamo in Revit. Starting with basic point creation, she guides viewers through forming a NURBS curve, moving and translating multiple curves, and thickening the shape to form a surface. The bench design is then refined through a series of parametric steps, with a focus on manipulating geometry and achieving precision. The tutorial concludes by importing the final product back into Revit, making it easy to visualize and assign materials. This process is ideal for those interested in parametric design in architecture or product design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start by setting up a new Revit file and choosing the metric template with the appropriate units (meters for consistency with Dynamo).
• 😀 Use Dynamo to create a parametric bench design by first defining four points for the bench's corners using the 'Point by Coordinates' node.
• 😀 Ensure proper dimension control by assigning values to the X, Y, and Z coordinates for each point to determine the bench's shape and size.
• 😀 Utilize the 'NURBS Curve' tool in Dynamo to create a smooth curve from the points. Adjust the degree of the curve to control its smoothness (e.g., a degree of 2 for a moderate curve).
• 😀 Translate the curve along the X-direction by using the 'Translate' function in Dynamo to create multiple instances of the curve, spaced according to your desired interval.
• 😀 Use the 'Sequence' node to control the spacing of the translated curves and adjust the distance between them (e.g., 0.1 meters).
• 😀 Thicken the curves using the 'Thicken' node to add volume to the surface and specify the normal direction for the thickness (typically along the X-axis).
• 😀 Patch the curves together to create a surface between them, and then apply additional thickening to transform the surface into a solid 3D volume for the bench.
• 😀 Organize your Dynamo script by grouping related nodes (e.g., 'Points,' 'Curves,' 'Bench') to improve clarity and structure of the workflow.
• 😀 Once the model is finalized in Dynamo, use the 'Import Geometry' function to bring the design back into Revit, where you can assign materials and adjust the object style.

Q & A

What is the first step when starting a parametric product design in Dynamo?

The first step is to open Revit, select a new file using a metric template, and then set the units to meters with three decimal places using the `Type UN` command.

Why is it important to set the units to meters in Dynamo?

Setting the units to meters ensures that the measurements in Dynamo match those in Revit, avoiding scaling issues during the design process.

How do you create the points for the corners of the bench in Dynamo?

You create the points using the `Point.ByCoordinates` node in Dynamo. The four points define the corners of the bench and their positions are set with specific `X`, `Y`, and `Z` values.

What is the role of the NURBS curve in this process?

The NURBS curve is used to create a smooth curve that passes through the defined points. It can be adjusted by changing its degree to control the amount of curvature.

Why does the order of the points matter when creating the curve?

The order of the points affects how the curve is generated. Changing the order can change the direction and shape of the curve, so it's important to arrange the points correctly.

How can you create multiple curves from the original one?

You can use the `Translate` node (or `Move`) to duplicate and move the original curve along the X direction, creating multiple curves spaced at a specified distance.

What does the `Thicken` node do in this context?

The `Thicken` node is used to add thickness to a curve, turning it into a surface. The thickness is specified as a distance, and the direction is defined using the normal vector.

How do you create a 3D volume from the surface of the bench?

After thickening the curve to create a surface, you can use the `Thicken Surface` node to add additional thickness, which turns the surface into a solid 3D volume, completing the bench model.

What does grouping nodes in Dynamo help with?

Grouping nodes in Dynamo helps to organize the workspace, making it easier to understand and manage the different steps of the design process. For example, you can group points, curves, and final geometry separately.

How do you import the parametric bench geometry back into Revit?

To import the geometry into Revit, use the `Import Geometry` node in Dynamo. Set it to 'Import by Geometry' and ensure that the imported objects are grouped for easy manipulation in Revit.