Reduce Level of Detail Using Categories and Subcategories

This unit will detail how level of detail can be managed in Revit using Categories and Subcategories.

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Reduce Level of Detail Using Categories and Subcategories - Exercise

Task 1: Create a Subcategory for a Family’s Door Handle

  1. Open Mannheim_ARC_STR.rvt from the supplied dataset. 
  2. You should be in a 3D view. Zoom in to the area of the building with the garage door. 
  3. Select the exterior steel door next to the garage door.



  4. In the Modify | Doors tab>Mode panel, click Edit Family. 
  5. The Swedoor_JW_Exterior_Door_Steel_4210_Unequal_Double_2.1.rfa family opens. 
  6. Select the Generic Model handle_6616.



  7. In the Modify | Generic Models tab>Mode panel, click Edit Family. 
  8. The door handle family opens. Press and hold <Shift> + the middle mouse button to rotate the door handle so you can see the door handle better. 
  9. In the Manage tab>Settings panel, select Object Styles. 
  10. In the Object Styles dialog box, in the Modify Subcategories area, select New. 
  11. In the New Subcategory dialog box, for the Name, enter ADSK_HANDLE. Leave the Subcategory of as Generic Models.



  12. Click OK. 
  13. The new subcategory displays in the Object Styles dialog box. You will not make any changes to the properties of the new subcategory. 
  14. Click OK.  
  15. In the View 1 view, use a selection window to select all the geometry. 
  16. In Properties, in the Identity Data section, set the Subcategory to ADSK_HANDLE.



  17. Make sure that both elements are correctly assigned to the subcategory by selecting just the handle and, in Properties, verifying that ADSK_HANDLE displays for the Subcategory. Repeat with the handle plate geometry. 
  18. In the Modify tab>Family Editor panel, click Load into Project. 
  19. In the Load into Projects dialog box, select the hosted family Swedoor_JW_Exterior_Door_Steel_4210_Unequal_Double_2.1.rfa and click OK.



  20. In the Family Already Exists dialog box, click Overwrite the existing version. 
  21. In the Modify tab>Family Editor panel, click Load into Project. 
  22. In the Load into Projects dialog box, select the project Mannheim_ARC-STR.rvt and click OK. 
  23. In the Family Already Exists dialog box, click Overwrite the existing version. 
  24. If necessary, zoom in to the exterior door that you just modified. 
  25. Type VV to open the Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog box. 
  26. Expand Generic Models in the Visibility column and notice that the ADSK_HANDLE subcategory displays. 
  27. Uncheck the ADSK_HANDLE subcategory.



  28. Click OK. The handle on the exterior door no longer displays.

Task 2: Create a Subcategory for a Family’s Door Lock

In this task, you will repeat the process to create a subcategory for the door lock. 

  1. From the open tabs, click on View 1 that displays the door family. 
  2. Select the Generic Model Lock_Cylinder_ASSA256.



  3. In the Modify | Generic Models tab>Mode panel, click Edit Family. 
  4. The door lock family opens. Press and hold <Shift> + the middle mouse button to rotate the door lock so you can see all the geometry better. 
  5. In the Manage tab>Settings panel, select Object Styles. 
  6. In the Object Styles dialog box, in the Modify Subcategories area, select New. 
  7. In the New Subcategory dialog box, for the Name, enter ADSK_LOCKSET. Leave the Subcategory of as Generic Models.



  8. Click OK. 
  9. The new subcategory displays in the Object Styles dialog box. You will not make any changes to the properties of the new subcategory. 
  10. Click OK.  
  11. In the View 1 view, use a selection window to select all the geometry. 
  12. In Properties, in the Identity Data section, set the Subcategory to ADSK_LOCKSET.



  13. In the Modify tab>Family Editor panel, click Load into Project. 
  14. In the Load into Projects dialog box, select the hosted family Swedoor_JW_Exterior_Door_Steel_4210_Unequal_Double_2.1.rfa and click OK.



  15. In the Family Already Exists dialog box, click Overwrite the existing version. 
  16. In the Modify tab>Family Editor panel, click Load into Project. 
  17. In the Load into Projects dialog box, select the project Mannheim_ARC-STR.rvt and click OK. 
  18. In the Family Already Exists dialog box, click Overwrite the existing version. 
  19. If necessary, zoom in to the exterior door that you just modified. 
  20. Type VV to open the Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog box. 
  21. Expand Generic Models in the Visibility column and notice that the ADSK_LOCKSET subcategory displays. 
  22. Uncheck the ADSK_LOCKSET subcategory.



  23. Click OK. The lock on the exterior door no longer displays.