PROJECT2-ARCH 653

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this project is to learn and use the visual programming in BIM, Revit Dynamo is used as the visual programming software for this project. In this project2, we were to extend the functionality and creativity of the parametric BIM using Dynamo. For a project with complex geometry Dynamo keeps track of every element and geometry and makes it easy to control the parameters in the modeling interface.

            For this final project I chose to design/model new building which is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame instead of extending the midterm project. I have created the mass model of this project. I have set parameters to the model and developed a parametric model which works in the Revit. Later, I also developed code for changing these parameters of model in Dynamo and ran the code which was successful.

            The additional capabilities I tried to develop in this project using Dynamo are to change the thickness of the panels, color of the panels and change the size of the openings in the panel along with the colors. I have also used a different mass model other than the building to show these changes.

DYNAMO CODE FOR PARAMETRIC CHANGES

                I have created the parametric model of the building and loaded it into another family so that the parameters can be seen in the properties window then only they can be used in the Dynamo code.

Fig. Mass Model

 We should select the model element and it is linked to the node elemnt set parameters with the parameters names used in the revit and their dimensions are changed by using integer slider node. By changing the value of the dimensions in the Dynamo code we can observe the changesin the Revit model.

Fig. code to change parameters

CREATING CURTAIN PANEL

                I have created two different panels rectangle and octagonal. The octagonal panel is plain and has a thickness of 2 feet named as thickness of panel and the two different rectangular panels are created one is plain with thickness of 2 feet and other panel is created with the circular void in the center with a radius of  3 feet which is named as the “radius of void”. Different radius values of radius are given in the dynamo code which can be changed along with the panel color change.

Fig. Rectangular panel with circular void

Fig. octagonal panel

DYNAMO CODE PANELS

                Dynamo helps the users to build Revit models without the use of learning Revit API it also help to track and control the model information of Revit this helps the Revit users to reduce the work flow and learning curve. Dynamo is a recent tool and it has undergone various changes in each upgraded version. The dynamo code has lot of nodes which are sequentially connected to one another. One should know the function of each and every node and their order of connecting which makes this process difficult and also due to the upgrading of tool every time node names differ. This problem can be considered as the backlog for the usage of dynamo tool.

DYNAMO CODE USED FOR THE PROJECT:

Fig. Code for changing the panel colors

                In the first code only the color of the panel is changed along with the material. The main parts of this code is to select dived surface and select different materials with color variation and for randomizing the colors for different panel excel sheet is used

Fig. divided surface node

            The ‘select divided surface families’ node helps to select the divided surfaces of the model from the Revit Environment. By connecting a watch node to it we can see the selected panels along with their ID numbers and shape of the selected panel can also be seen in the watch list.

Fig. List node for Material

            Five different materials are selected with different colors and all these materials are grouped individually using list option.

USING EXCEL SHEET FOR RANDOMIZING COLORS 

After the curtain panel is selected for the divided surface then the color of these applied panels has to be changed using dynamo code and each panel should have random color this cannot be done by selecting every panel separately hence, Excel is used by using the function “RANDBETWEEN” colors of the panels can be altered and I have 5 different colors for my code. This function updated the sheet with random numbers from ‘0 to 4’ and these numbers vary in the number of cells, equal to the number of panels on the divided surface of the model.

Fig. Random values from Excel

In the second code the thickness of the panel and opening of the void in the panel changes along with the color and material of the panel and for this code I have used rectangular panel with circular void. Extra parameter thickness and void openings is used in this code and different thickness and opening values are given ranging from 1 to 5 which matches the color variation number.

Fig. list node for thickness and void opening values

All the panels on the divided surface from the watch node is plugged into the final ‘set Element Parameter’ node. This parameter actually shows the result in the Revit mass family.

The final code including all three paramters that rae color of the panel, thickness of the panle and the void radius change in the panel is achived by the following code

Fig. Final Dynamo code

PYTHON SCRIPT

            Instead of writing a big if-else statement to randomize the thickness and opening along with the color Python Script can be used in the Dynamo code. If Dynamo script is not used then Dynamo screen will look too clustered with lot of if-else nodes. Python script makes this process easy and simple. The main work of the python script is it links the one input color with the single panel thickness value and radius value and these values changes as the selected color is changed. For example if the material selected is poche with blue color, corresponding opening radius is 2 ft and thickness is 3 ft and if the color is Default-Red corresponding opening radius is 3 ft and thickness is 4 ft.

            In the present Dynamo code Excel sheet controls the randomness of the colors and materials applied for the panels, and two different Python Scripts are used one to script links the list of the material colors with the list of the opening radius values. Simultaneously another Python Script is used to change the thickness of the panel with the change in the color of panel.

Fig. Python script to link color and thickness

FINAL RESULT

The final results of running the above codes is shown in the Revit Environment

 Fig. panel color change

 Fig. thickness of panel along with color

 Fig. change in thickness of panel in dome

 Fig. change of voids and thickness with color of panel

Project1–MATSUNOYAMA NATURAL SCIENCE MUSE

Step1 - Concept

For project 1, I selected Matsunoyama natural science museum which is located in Japan. The building is dedicated to educational and research activities in the field of natural science. The horizontal plan of the building is shaped like a snake with a tower at one end. The museum was designed to look like a Ruin with exterior pre rusted steel.

MATSUNOYAMA natural science museum.

The structures pitches cross section was inspired by the Matsunoyama region sheds that protects the local roads from the snow. The horizontal snake shaped plan which follows the path surrounding the site is my inspiration to design this structure using Revit.

Step2-Conceptual Mass

After observing the building photos and horizontal shape of structure, I started the project by building the mass model of the structure. The conceptual mass model of structure was broken into three volumes the base of the structure, roof of the structure and mass of the tower. Parameters are applied to the reference plane at each floor level to adjust the length and width of the building.

Mass Model

            Parametric values are added to the conceptual mass to adjust the volumes of the building and tower.

                                                              Parametric Mass model

Step3 – Creating Revit elements by face

A new project file is opened and site plan is modeled for the placing the building, into this project the conceptual mass model of project is loaded using component tool. The mass is shown by activating the show mass in massing and site tab. Revit elements, basic building components like exterior walls, curtain panels and roof are created by using face of the conceptual building mass. Next after analyzing the plan and sectional views of the structure found online. I began to create the schematic floor plans for the mass family loaded into project.

Mass Envelope

Floor Plan

Step4 – Final BIM Project

The final BIM model is created by including building floors, interior walls and furniture in the model. And every building element is assigned with the appropriate element and few building elements like windows and doors are resized to fit the buildings look by duplicating the original instance type. Roads, ramps and landscaping are modeled for the site plan for more esthetic and realistic look.

Final BIM model

Step5 – Views and Renderings

Different views of the project are created for better understanding of the structure interiors. Using the elevation and section tools elevation views of the building from north, south, west and east and sectional vies are created. 3D sectional view and also perspective interior and exterior views are developed using camera tool.

Elevation view

3D – Sectional View

Interior Perspective view

For more photo realistic view exterior and interior renderings are developed.

Rendered Exterior view

Rendered Interior view