How to grow your family: Making use of models created in 3D studio or AutoCAD
With the family content fairly light in revit, it seems to me that a good source of pre-modelled objects is that
of 3D studio and AutoCAD. There are an abundance of well drawn, readily available objects that can be used in revit
as a quick fix for that awkward to model, time consuming family. The only real downside can be that they can be
heavy in file size (depends on the complexity of the original) and they lack the parametric qualities that makes a
true, well constructed revit family so flexible.
From the links page here at RevitCity is a link to the "3d cafe" website. This is a
great source of material and where I started this tutorial.
1. Identify and download the object you desire. This is usually a zip file and for the purpose
of this exercise, I will assume it is in a .3ds file format. (also that you know how to unzip and locate the file).
(click to enlarge)
2. Open your copy of 3D studio Max or Viz, and go to "file", "import", then select the file you
have just unzipped. Select "completely replace screen".