Technical Guidelines - Revit Families

Technical Guidelines for Submitting Revit Families

These guidelines define the technical, structural, and quality standards for submitting content to the RD Studio Creator Program. Our goal is simple: build a reliable, performance-focused BIM library that professionals can trust in real projects.

Following these guidelines doesn’t guarantee automatic approval. Every submission is reviewed for quality, usability, performance, and originality.

Quick Navigation

✅  What We’re Looking For

We’re all about quality over quantity. Strong submissions usually share the traits below.

✅  Required - Themed Packs & Collections
We do not accept random single families. Submissions must be cohesive collections designed to work together and solve a clear project need. This improves usability, discoverability, and long-term value for users.

✅ Required - High Parametric Functionality
Families must be adaptive, flexible, and efficient - not static geometry. Parameters should behave predictably and geometry must remain stable across realistic size ranges. If a family looks good but fails parametrically, it will not be approved.

✅ Required - Unique & Purpose-Driven Content
We prioritize original content that fills a real gap in our library. If your work is based on an existing concept, it must offer a clear improvement, better usability, or a stronger technical approach. Repackaged or lightly modified content will be rejected.

✅ Required - Oldest Available Revit Version
Submit content using Revit 2020 or the oldest version possible. Many professionals still rely on older Revit versions. Broad compatibility is a core requirement, not a bonus.

Common Rejection Reasons (Fail Fast)

  • ❌ Single families (not part of a themed collection)
  • ❌ Downloaded, republished, or lightly modified third-party content
  • ❌ Broken parametrics or unstable geometry at realistic min/max values
  • ❌ Incorrect category or hosting type
  • ❌ No Material Parameters 
  • ❌ Wrong Revit Categories used
  • ❌ Unpurged, heavy, or bloated files without justification

Technical Setup

  • Revit Version: Use Revit 2020 or the oldest version available
  • Unit System:
    • Provide metric units
    • Include imperial versions when possible
  • Create One Project File: Place all your Families in one project file to submit
  • Purge and clean files before submission

Family Logic & Structure

Family Naming Conventions

  • Use the format: RD_[Family Name] (Example: RD_TV Cabinet 01)
  • Keep names clear, consistent, and descriptive

Type Naming

  • Include meaningful information such as size, material, or configuration
  • Avoid vague type names

Category & Hosting

  • Assign the correct Revit category
  • We prefer free standing Families - Avoid using hosted families
  • If the Family must be hosted - Use the appropriate hosting type (face-based, wall-based, level-based, etc.)
  • Incorrect category or hosting is a common rejection reason

Parameter Behavior

  • Test all parameters inside a project environment (not only in the family editor)
  • Ensure geometry remains stable at minimum and maximum values
  • Use formulas and locked constraints to prevent invalid dimensions
  • Avoid geometry failures, overlaps, inversion, or unpredictable behavior

Performance & File Size

  • Keep families lightweight and efficient
  • Target file size: under 700KB for simple elements
  • Larger files must be clearly justified by complexity

Parameters & Organization

  • Group parameters logically (Visibility under Visibility, Dimensions under Dimensions)
  • Locked dimensions or help-parameters that are not user input should be in the Other Group
  • Use Type parameters for global controls
  • Use Instance parameters only when placement-level variation is necessary
  • Add material parameters for every modeled component
  • No external textures or materials
  • Include Author and Version information

Visibility & Presentation

  • Include simplified geometry for Coarse detail level
  • Include detailed geometry for Fine detail level
  • Add symbolic lines for 2D views (plans, sections, elevations)

Submission Requirements

Required

  • One .rvt project file that includes all Families placed in 3D View

Recommended - Before You Submit

  • Test the family in a real project
  • Verify naming, types, and parameters
  • Check performance and file size

All submissions are reviewed manually. Feedback or revision requests are part of the process.

Ready to Submit?

Submit your work using our form. If you’re unsure whether your content is a fit, include a short note and we’ll review it.

Submit Your Work

Questions?
Email us at support@rdstudio.co

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