Using DYNAMO in the Revit Environment

Video Tutorial: http://youtu.be/xWYN5jlKRDI

Project 2 was an extension of Project 1 (Replica of the Taj Mahal) to explore the use Visual Programming tools such as Dynamo to improve the functionality of models created on Revit. Dynamo is node based visual programming tool which gives the user more freedom to carry out complex operations on Revit which otherwise is much more time-consuming when done in the Revit environment.

The main functionalities explored in the project were:

The parametric variations of different elements and establishing a relationship between them.
Implementing curtain panels on walls, roof and some elements in the model and assigning materials to the panels by using Dynamo. We will also see how can we use Dynamo to assign the desired material only to some of the selected panels using Dynamo and Excel Spreadsheet.

Parametric Variation using Dynamo

To demonstrate the power of Dynamo in setting up parametric relationships amongst the various elements in the mass model, I have explored two different kinds of parametric relationships in my model:

Parametric variation of the Central Dome and its relationship with the smaller domes

The design intent of this variation is that when the dimensions of the central dome is changed, the dimensions of the smaller domes on the cupolas should also undergo a subsequent change. This can be done by establishing a relationship between the parameters of all the domes. Dynamo can effectively be used in this case to set up a scaling factor for the dimensions of the smaller domes. This can be done by first reading the values for the central dome and then multiplying them with appropriate scaling factors. Then these scaled factors will serve as the output values for the dimensions for the smaller domes. The dynamo file is shown as below:

In the first step, I created nodes to read the the parameters in Dynamo defined in the Revit model. I also created nodes to manipulate the input values for these parameters which can then be connected to the Revit model.

Once we have that, next we can look into establishing parametric relationship between the model elements:

The above figure shows a typical relationship between the parameters of the small cupolas with the central dome with the use of scaling factors for each parameter. Similar relationships can be established for other three cupolas.

Parametric variation of the positions of the minarets and the cupolas

The design intent for this parametric variation was that the positions of the cupolas should vary on varying the positions of the minarets. This was done by first reading the linear dimensions of the minarets defining their positions and then reading similar dimensions of the cupolas, and then establishing a relationship between them.

2. Assigning Material Property to Curtain Panels using Dynamo from Excel Spreadsheet

Perhaps the most challenging task of this project, the objective was to assign materials to the curtain panels defined in Revit on the model. The first step was to read the divided surface created on the surface on Revit into Dynamo and generating various elements to which material is to be assigned. Next we define the material that need to be assigned to the panels. Note that this should be the same as defined as an instance parameter in the Revit file. Now Excel Spreadsheet can be used to define binary code for each panel. The number of rows represent the number of horizontal grids in the curtain panel grid and the number of columns represent the number of panels in the vertical grid of the curtain panel. Thus, if a cell in the spreadsheet reads 1, the material defined in Dynamo is assigned to the panel, and if it reads o, then a secondary defined material is assigned. In our case the primary material is marble and the secondary material is glass.

ARCH 653: Mid-term Project - Modelling a

Replica of the Taj Mahal on Revit

Introduction

Across centuries, throughout the world, famous architectures have been a source of constant inspiration for humanity. These structures have often signified something very important and often have intriguing stories to tell about the people and the civilization during which they were built. The Taj Mahal is one of the most magnificent structures built till date, the architecture of which leaves people awestruck. It is said to be symbol of eternal love, which makes this incredible structure special.

Figure 1: The Taj Mahal - Agra, India

Modelling intent

The main intent of this project is to model a structure, the design of which is inspired by the Taj Mahal. Due to the time constraints, the final model may not be an exact replica of the Taj Mahal, but goal is to atleast model the main components of the structures which is discussed in further sections. The model will have parametric relationships among its various components, so that the dimensions of the structure can be easily manipulated according to the users’ wish. The details of the parametric relationships are discussed in further sections.

Major Modelling Components

As discussed above, the main design intent of this project is to be able to model the distinguishing components of the Taj Mahal and try to establish a parametric relationship for them. By studying the structure, following components can be considered to be the major components of the structure:

Figure 2: Major Components of the Taj Mahal

Figure 3: Blue Print of the Taj Mahal

1. The Dome:

Figure 4: Dome of the Taj Mahal

The central dome of the Taj Mahal can model as a family of 3 concentric circles of varying diameters and then massing it using the “Create Solid Form” option in Revit 2015.

2. The Front Façade

Figure 5: Front Facade of the Taj Maha

3. Minarets

Minaret of the Taj Mahal

Parametric Relationship between various components

1. Varying the position of the minarets parametrically:

Figure 6: Top View of the Taj Mahal

From the above figure, we can set up a parametric relationship between the central dome and the position of the minarets. The minarets of the Taj Mahal are placed at the four corners of the square base of the structure. A radial parameter can be establish and the minarets can be placed in a radial array, the radius of which can be controlled. Also, the distance between the minarets can be calculated as:

From Right angle triangle rule,

a²+ a² = (2R)²

2a² = 4R²

a = R^0.5

With this relation, the distance between the minarets can be controlled parametrically.

Modelling on Revit 2015

The Revit model consists of a a number of nested mass families which is eventually integrated into the main mass model. Each component has been modeled to parametric and the dimensions can be controlled or flexed by the user. Each of the mass models have been described in the following sections.
Finally the position of the minarets has also been set as parametric such that their distance from the center of the main building can be flexed by the user.

Now, let us look at some of the major parametric components modeled for the structure:

Central Dome

The central Dome has been modelled using three concentric circles by placing the circle at reference planes at different vertical heights. The height of the planes can be flexed which can then be used to control the height of the dome. The diameter of the circle bounding the solid form has also been set parametric. Therefore by changing the diameter of the circle, the size of the dome can also be flexed. The dome can thus be flexed both vertically and diametrically.

The Height of the dome can be flexed using the defined instance parameters.

2. Parametric Minaret

The modelling concept for the minaret family is similar to the parametric central dome. The solid form can be created by placing circles at the appropriate reference planes. The height of the minaret can then be controlled by flexing the vertical distance between the reference planes.

3. Parametric Cupola

The cupola for the Taj Mahal was modeled using void forms. Initially a regular hexagonal extrusion was modeled. Then on each of the faces an arch type void form was modeled to finally get the desired shape.

4. Front façade of the main building

The most challenging part of the project was to model the front façade of the main building of the Taj Mahal. Due to time constraints, the original irregular octagonal form of the main building has been modeled as a simple square form. The arches have been modeled only on the front and back faces of the mass. The arches have been modeled as void forms by taking two reference planes parallel to the face of the structure. Taking the two modeled arches as boundary, a void extrusion can be modeled to create the arched opening as in the Taj Mahal.

The main arch has been parametrically set such that its width can be changed by the user. Using similar design concept, the smaller arches can also be flexed parametrically.

5. Parametric Variation of the position of the minarets

The positions of the minarets be changed parametrically by the user by specifying the distance from the center of the main mass. For this the four minarets were placed on reference planes at a fixed distance from the main mass. By assigning linear dimension between the planes, the position of the minarets can be controlled parametrically.