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🕳️ Create Openings

Create Openings performs automated opening creation for structural and MEP elements with standard sizing, precise gap control, and schedulable output.
Version 1.6 | Specials

Overview​

While Revit's manual opening creation process is time-intensive and often results in non-schedulable openings that can't be resized precisely, this tool addresses those limitations by providing automated opening generation for structural and MEP coordination. This enables rapid creation of properly sized openings with standard dimensions, precise gap control, and full scheduling capabilities, significantly reducing the time spent on repetitive opening tasks that are fundamental to structural and MEP coordination workflows in building projects.

Key Features​

Usage includes:

  • Automated Opening Generation: Create openings for structural beams, MEP ducts, conduits, and pipes automatically.
  • Standard Sizing Integration: Round up opening sizes to predefined standard dimensions for code compliance.
  • Flexible Gap Control: Add precise offset margins around elements with customizable gap settings.
  • Linked Document Support: Create openings for elements linked structural and MEP models.
  • Group Opening Functionality: Generate single large openings for multiple adjacent elements.
  • Schedulable Output: Produce openings using Generic Models family for comprehensive scheduling.

Requirements​

Before using Create Openings, ensure your environment meets the following prerequisites:

 Autodesk Revit: From version 2020 to newest.
 NonicaTab: NonicaTab Pro.

Video​

note

This video was recorded with a previous version of the tool. There has been updates and new features implemented:

  • Detect intersection with hosts in linked documents.
  • Detect intersection with elements in linked documents.

Usage​

Understanding Standard vs. Enhanced Opening Creation​

  1. Standard Revit Opening Workflow:
    • Manual Creation: Create each opening individually through wall editing or opening families
    • Time-Intensive Process: Lengthy process for multiple openings across building elements
    • Non-Schedulable Results: Many manual opening methods produce non-schedulable elements
    • Imprecise Sizing: Difficult to ensure consistent gap dimensions and standard sizing
    • Limited Coordination: Challenging to coordinate openings with linked models
  2. Enhanced Opening Creation (This Tool):
    • Automated Generation: Create multiple openings simultaneously based on element intersections
    • Schedulable Output: Generate openings using proper family for scheduling
    • Standard Sizing Control: Automatically round up to standard dimensions for compliance
    • Precise Gap Management: Add exact offset dimensions around intersecting elements

Basic Opening Creation Workflow​

  1. Navigate to NonicaTab Pro → Create Openings.
  2. Host Element Selection: Choose the building element that will contain the openings:
    • Wall Selection: Select walls for vertical penetrations
    • Floor Selection: Choose floors for horizontal penetrations
    • Ceiling Selection: Select ceilings for services above
  3. Cutting Element Configuration: Define elements requiring openings:
    • Current Document Elements: Select structural or MEP elements in current model
    • Linked Document Elements: Choose elements from linked structural or MEP models

Advanced Sizing and Gap Control​

  1. Fixed Offset Method:
    • Precise Gap Control: Set exact millimeter gaps around element intersections
    • Zero Offset Option: Create openings that perfectly fit element dimensions
    • Standard Gap Application: Apply consistent gaps (e.g., 50mm) for installation clearance
    • Custom Gap Settings: Define specific gaps based on project requirements or building codes
  2. Round Up to Closest Method:
    • Standard Size Integration: Use predefined standard opening sizes for consistency
    • Automatic Size Selection: Tool selects next larger standard size from customizable list
    • Code Compliance: Ensure openings meet standard sizing requirements for structural integrity
    • Project Customization: Modify standard size list to match project-specific requirements
  3. Size List Management:
    • Custom Size Definitions: Define project-specific standard opening dimensions
    • Auto-Save Functionality: Tool remembers custom size lists between sessions
    • Size Optimization: Balance between opening size and structural/thermal performance

Schedule Creation and Documentation​

  1. Automated Schedule Generation:
    • Generic Models Category: Openings created in schedulable Generic Models category
    • Comprehensive Data: Schedules include family type, height, width, and location information
    • Custom Schedule Configuration: Customize schedule fields based on project documentation requirements
    • Multi-Project Standards: Develop standard schedule formats for consistent project delivery
  2. Opening Documentation Process:
    • Sizing Verification: Use schedules to verify opening dimensions meet design requirements
    • Coordination Documentation: Provide opening schedules for trade coordination
    • Construction Documentation: Generate opening lists for field installation reference
    • Quality Control: Review opening schedules for completeness and accuracy
  3. Documentation Integration:
    • Drawing Coordination: Ensure opening schedules coordinate with architectural and structural drawings
    • Specification Integration: Link opening schedules with construction specifications
    • Change Management: Track opening modifications through schedule updates

FAQ​

Manual opening creation requires individual editing of each host element and often produces non-schedulable results. This tool automatically creates multiple openings simultaneously with proper family categories, enabling scheduling and precise dimensional control while dramatically reducing time investment.

Fixed Offset adds a precise gap amount around each element (e.g., 50mm clearance), while Round Up to Closest uses a predefined list of standard sizes to select the next larger standard opening size. Use Fixed Offset for precise clearances and Round Up for code compliance with standard sizes.

The tool supports creating openings for elements intersecting from linked structural and MEP models, but openings are always created in the current model.

Generic Models category allows the created openings to be properly scheduled with dimensions, family types, and other properties. Other manual opening methods often create non-schedulable elements, making project coordination and documentation difficult.

Use group openings when you have multiple adjacent elements (like several conduits) that can share a single larger opening. This reduces the number of individual openings, simplifies construction, and can be more cost-effective while still accommodating all required services.

The tool allows you to modify the standard sizing list to match your project requirements. Changes are automatically saved and will be remembered for future use. Customize the list based on your building codes, structural requirements, or project-specific standards.