Shop drawings are the drawings related to pre-fabricated components, describing how they should be manufactured or installed. They have design intent drawings and specifications prepared by the design team and show the details how the component will actually be fabricated, manufactured, assembled or installed. Think of shop drawings as the step by step “assembly manual”. Shop drawings are usually prepared by contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, product manufacturers or fabricators.

1. 4Tips & Techniques to Create
Accurate Shop Drawings with Revit

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WHAT ARE SHOP DRAWINGS?
Shop drawings are the drawings related to pre-fabricated
components, describing how they should be manufactured or
installed. They have design intent drawings and specifications
prepared by the design team and show the details how the
component will actually be fabricated, manufactured, assembled
or installed.
Think of shop drawings as the step by step “assembly manual”.
Shop drawings are usually prepared by contractors, sub-
contractors, suppliers, product manufacturers or fabricators.
Shop drawings can be prepared for elements like structural
steelwork, reinforcement, building services equipment, lifts,
appliances, ductwork, piping, plumbing, windows, cabinets,
electrical and data layouts, fire protection, and so on.

3. ADVANTAGES OF USING REVIT
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1. Extensive Building Component Library
Revit has an in-built library of parametric building design components.
This makes the job of shop drawing easier for the drafters. The pre-
existing or previously designed component is saved in the repository
which can be reused time and again according to requirements. This
saves enormous amounts of time and valuable resources. Find out how
you can extend this useful feature and build your own custom Revit
family library for higher operation speed.
2. Easy Drafting of Detailed
Documentation
Without extensive and clear
documentation, no shop drawing is really
useful for a client- be it a fabricator,
supplier or contractor. Revit makes it easy
for designers to quickly create credible,
detailed and accurate documentation
that adds required value to the shop
drawing process.

4. • Quick Changes without Repetitive Work
Autodesk Revit can manage several project changes during the early stages of
the project, efficiently. Different components of the design, for example, the
plan, elevation, sections, etc. are interconnected in Revit, ensuring that a single
change is reflected throughout the model without needing to manually change
every component.
• Flexible and Versatile Accessibility
Revit is an extremely versatile software package that supports import and
export to a large number of formats like JPEG, DGN, DWG, DXF and PDF. Also,
the software allows saving the entire project data into a single project file which
makes management easier. Also, several users can work on the same project file
at the same time with the provision to merge changes at every step. All this
enhances the productivity and flexibility of the design team.
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5. Start with the
right Revit
Assembly Codes
Focus on wall
offsets comply with
the design intent
Never overlook
the height and
width parameters
Use Revit beam
families to create
custom beams
Useful Tips to
Create Accurate
Shop Drawings with
4
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6. Before you begin with actual designing and drafting, you
need to configure the right Revit Assembly Codes.
Assembly codes define how the construction information
will be arranged based on the fundamental functional
elements. This is essential to ensure that the codes match
your content plan for all the components.
1. START WITH THE
RIGHT REVIT
ASSEMBLY CODES
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7. While designing a shop drawing, you should never ignore
the height and width parameter of all your components.
Even when you are working on a project where the Revit
Family is not parametric, you should include both these
parameters, especially when you are designing custom
doors and windows.
2. NEVER OVERLOOK THE HEIGHT AND WIDTH
PARAMETERS
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3. FOCUS ON THE WALLS
While embedding walls in your shop drawing, you
should never use generic walls. Instead, you
should always ensure that the wall offsets comply
with the design intent. Add a designation, type
name and other information to all the wall types
to make it easier to differentiate between various
walls types in the drawing.

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When you are working on custom beams, always use the Revit
beam families to ensure that everything within your drawing is
accurate. It is always advisable to use some family instead of
working with orphan elements and components.
4. USE REVIT BEAM FAMILIES TO
CREATE CUSTOM BEAMS

10. Autodesk Revit is a powerful software for designers and
drafters looking to improve their shop drawings. At the same
time, using Revit ensures that a project is sealed for
successful implementation owing to detailed information and
documentation. At United BIM, we leverage Autodesk Revit’s
capabilities to create robust, dynamic and accurate shop
drawings for AEC projects.
If you are interested in accurate drafting of shop drawings for
your project, contact our experts today.
CONCLUSION
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11. Review your design drawings to perfection with this easy to use
drawing checklist, made for Architects and Engineers.
REVIEW CHECKLIST
FOR PERFECT DESIGN DRAWINGS
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+1 (954) 537-9137