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Convert To Family: Turn Model In-Place Elements into Revit Families

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ZetaBIM

Model In-Place elements are handy while modeling, but they slow projects down and cannot be reused. With the Convert To Family tool you convert to family in one step: each in-place element becomes a loadable family placed at the same spot.

Dialog to convert to family in Revit

Why convert to family

  • Better performance. Fewer in-place elements make the model lighter and faster.
  • Reusable content. A family can be copied, scheduled and used again.
  • Cleaner model. Elements get a proper category and a consistent name.

Steps to convert to family

  1. Click the tool on the Zeta BIM tab, in the Manager panel.
  2. Enter the Family Name and choose the Family Category.
  3. Choose what to convert:
    • Pick element: select the in-place elements yourself.
    • All Element: convert every Model In-Place element in the project.
  4. Turn Delete MI-P Items on to remove the original in-place elements after conversion.
  5. Click CREATE. With Pick element, select the elements and click Finish.

When to use it

  • Before handover. Many clients and BIM standards do not accept in-place elements in the final model.
  • Repeated shapes. If the same in-place shape was copied around the project, one family keeps every copy consistent.
  • Scan-to-BIM detail. Odd shapes traced from a point cloud are often modeled in place first; turning them into families keeps the model organized.

Good to know

  • When several elements are converted, the families are numbered, for example Stair Stringer 01, Stair Stringer 02.
  • The family name must not exist in the project yet; otherwise a message asks for another name.
  • The tool uses the Generic Model family template. If Revit uses another language and the template cannot be found, you are asked to choose a Generic Model template (.rft).
  • Press Esc while selecting to cancel without changes.

Video

Get ZetaBIM

ZetaBIM is a Revit plugin for scan-to-BIM teams. See the complete guide to the Revit point cloud plugin workflow. Download ZetaBIM to try it, browse more ZetaBIM tutorials, or watch the videos on the ZetaBIM YouTube channel.

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