Have You Ever Wondered How to Create a Revit Template from Scratch?

Lap.Ngo
May 15
5 min read

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a well-crafted Revit template is a game-changer. It serves as the foundation for new projects, embedding your firm’s standards, settings, and content to ensure consistency and efficiency. While Autodesk’s default templates are useful, they often fall short of specific needs, especially for unique graphic styles or MEP workflows. Creating a Revit template from scratch offers unparalleled control, allowing you to tailor every detail to your requirements. This comprehensive guide walks you through the process, from starting a blank project to defining graphic standards and adding essential content, empowering you to streamline your BIM projects.

Starting Create Revit Template

The first step in creating a custom Revit template is to begin with a blank project, free of predefined settings.

Steps to Start

Open Revit and navigate to File > New > Project.
In the New Project dialog, select None under Template file.
Choose Project template for Create new.
Click OK.
Select imperial or metric units when prompted.
Click OK to create an empty project.
Create Revit Template

This blank canvas lacks levels, grids, views, or families, giving you a clean slate to build your template. According to Project by n., starting from scratch ensures your template reflects your firm’s unique standards, unlike default templates that may require extensive modifications.

Considerations

Units: Choose units that align with your project types (e.g., metric for international projects).
Project Information: Set basic parameters like project name and client details via Manage > Project Information to standardize metadata.

Defining Graphic Standards

Graphic standards dictate how elements appear in your Revit projects, ensuring visual consistency across drawings and models. Setting these up in your template saves time and maintains professionalism.

Line Styles and Patterns

Line styles control the appearance of lines for elements like walls or grids.

Navigate to Manage > Additional Settings > Line Styles.
Click New to create styles (e.g., “Hidden Line,” “Centerline”).
Set line weight, color, and pattern (e.g., dashed, solid).
Example: Create a “Fire Protection Line” for PCCC systems with a red, dashed pattern.

revitIQ emphasizes that consistent line styles enhance clarity in complex projects, such as those involving HVAC or MEP designs.

Object Styles

Object styles define the default appearance of model categories.

Go to Manage > Object Styles.
Adjust line weights, colors, and patterns for categories like Walls, Doors, or Ducts.
Example: Set MEP ducts to display in blue for easy identification in Navisworks coordination.

Materials

Materials impact rendering, scheduling, and analysis.

Access Manage > Materials.
Create new materials or edit properties like color, texture, and thermal values.
Example: Define a “Concrete - Fire Resistant” material for PCCC calculations.

Text and Dimension Styles

Uniform text and dimension styles ensure professional annotations.

For text, go to Annotate > Text > Text Types.
For dimensions, go to Annotate > Dimension > Dimension Types.
Set font, size, and leader styles to match your standards.

Fill Patterns

Fill patterns are used for hatching in plans and sections.

Go to Manage > Additional Settings > Fill Patterns.
Create model or drafting patterns (e.g., brick, concrete).
Example: A diagonal hatch for fire-rated walls in PCCC designs.

These standards, as noted by BIM Pure, ensure drawings are clear and professional, reducing errors in BIM Vietnam projects.

Adding Essential Content

With graphic standards set, populate your template with content to streamline project setup. This includes system families, annotation families, views, datum objects, schedules, and export settings.

System Family Types

System families (e.g., walls, floors, roofs) require predefined types.

For walls, go to Architecture > Wall > Edit Type.
Duplicate and customize types (e.g., “Exterior Brick Wall - 200mm”).
Apply similar steps for floors, ceilings, and MEP systems like ducts or pipes.

Predefining MEP families, such as HVAC ducts, ensures compatibility with Revit MEP workflows.

Annotation Families

Load annotation families for tags, symbols, and title blocks.

Use Insert > Load Family to import families from your library or Autodesk’s database.
Example: Load a “Fire Sprinkler Tag” for PCCC systems.
Organize families in the Project Browser for accessibility.

Views and View Templates

Standard views and view templates enhance efficiency.

Create floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D views via View tab.
Define view templates to control visibility, scale, and graphic settings.
Example: A “MEP Coordination View” template for Navisworks integration.
Assign templates to view types for automatic application.

Project Browser Organization

Organize the Project Browser for large projects.

Go to View > User Interface > Browser Organization.
Create schemes based on parameters like discipline or level.
Example: Separate MEP and architectural views for clarity.

Datum Objects

Add levels and grids to establish the project framework.

Use Architecture > Level to create standard levels (e.g., Level 1, Level 2).
Add grids via Architecture > Grid if a standard layout applies.
Bim Corner suggests minimal levels in templates to avoid over-specification.

Schedules and Legends

Include schedules and legends for automatic data population.

Create schedules (e.g., door, room, or MEP equipment) via View > Schedules.
Add legends for symbols or materials.
Example: A “Fire Protection Equipment Schedule” for PCCC compliance.

Export Settings

Configure DWG/DXF export settings for interoperability.

Go to File > Export > Options > Export Setups.
Define layer mappings and line weights.
Ensure compatibility with Navisworks or CAD software.

Saving and Using the Template

Once configured, save your template:

Go to File > Save As > Template.
Name the file (e.g., “Firm_Standard_2025.rte”) and save in a designated folder.
Set as default via Options > File Locations > Project template files.

ArchSmarter notes that a high-performance template can reduce setup time by up to 30%, enhancing project delivery.

Best Practices

Team Input: Involve colleagues to ensure the template meets all needs.
Regular Updates: Revise the template based on project feedback.
Testing: Test with a sample project to verify functionality.
Documentation: Maintain a guide for template settings.

Challenges and Alternatives

Creating a template from scratch is time-intensive. Some firms, as BIM Pure suggests, prefer modifying default templates to save effort. However, starting from scratch ensures precise alignment with unique standards, especially for BIM Vietnam projects requiring custom MEP or PCCC configurations.

Conclusion

Building a Revit template from scratch is a strategic investment in your BIM workflow. By starting with a blank project, defining graphic standards, and adding essential content, you create a tailored foundation that boosts efficiency and quality. Whether you’re designing HVAC systems or ensuring PCCC compliance, a custom template is your key to success. Start today and transform your Revit projects!