Assembly Usage Tips

In Revit 2012, you can create assemblies for a construction document.

Below are some tips for using the Assembly function:

1. Warning message displays if the current selection contains elements that cannot be included in an assembly.

The following elements cannot be included in an assembly:

• Annotations and detail items
• Assemblies and elements that are already part of another assembly
• Complex structures (trusses, beam systems, curtain systems, curtain walls, stacked walls)
• Elements in different design options
• Groups
• Imports
• Images
• Links or elements in a link
• Masses
• MEP-specific elements (ducts, pipes, conduits, cable trays and fittings, HVAC zones)
• Model lines
• Rooms
• Structural loads, load cases, and internal loads

2. Assemblies detect identical geometric configurations, and auto-assign names based on matching criteria. If the assembly be created has the same configuration as an existing assembly type in the model, then the Type name will be read-only, inheriting the Type name of the existing type. Revit then creates another instance of that assembly type instead of creating a new assembly type.

For matching criteria, see the Assemblies Overview.

3. An assembly cannot propagate changes to other instances. When you try to edit an assembly instance, other instances of this assembly will not change. Revit will consider this edited assembly instance as different from other instances. A new assembly type is created for this modified instance.

4. An assembly cannot use the Array function.

5. You can create views for an assembly, including Schedule > Part list, Schedule > Material Takeoff, and Schedule > Quantities. You can also create a material takeoff and a schedule for an assembly using View tab > Create panel > Schedules > Material Takeoff.

Difference between “Schedule: Part list” and “Assemblies” schedule is:

• For an assembly, the Schedule > Part List lists the elements included in one assembly instance.
• The Assemblies schedule lists all assembly instances in the model instead of the elements in the assembly.

Difference between Schedule > Material Takeoff and Assemblies Material Takeoff

• Assembly view “Schedule:Material Takeoff” lists the material of the elements included in one assembly instance.
• Assemblies “Material Takeoff” lists the material of the elements of all assembly instances in the project.

6. After using “Create Views” for one assembly instance, you can’t use “Create Views” for another instance of this assembly type. The “Create Views” button is grey. 

If you want to create more views for this assembly type later, but you can’t find which one you used originally to create views, right-click the assembly type in the Project Browser, and select “Create Assembly Views”.

7. You can add dimensions, tags, and create other views in assembly views, but all annotations, views (section, etc) created inside assembly views won’t appear in regular views of the main model.

8. “Match Type” function (Modify tab > Clipboard panel > Match Type Properties) cannot be used for assemblies.

9. To delete all instances of an assembly type from the model, in the Project Browser, under Assemblies, select and right-click the assembly type, and click “Delete.”

If you only want to delete an assembly, but keep the elements included in the assembly instance in the drawing area, try following:

1. In the Project Browser, under Assemblies, select and right-click one assembly type, click Select All Instances > In Entire Project.
2. In Modify | Assemblies tab > Assembly panel, click Disassemble.

10. Do not use assemblies, parts, and groups too much in the project. Otherwise, it will degrade model performance.