The Array command in Revit allows you to take an element (or more than one) and automatically create either a linear or radial array.

A linear array is where the arrayed elements follow a straight line and are all equally spaced. 

 A radial array is where the arrayed elements follow an arc and are all equally spaced. 

 If you’re used to creating arrays in AutoCAD then much of this will be quite familiar too you. 

In creating your array you have to decide on the following parameters:-

• Which element(s) do you wish to array?

• Do you require a linear or radial array?

• How many elements do you need the array to contain?

• Do you know the spacing between adjacent elements in the array or do you know the overall distance between the first and last elements in the array?

• Do you wish the elements of the array to be grouped when they are created?

 So that’s the basics of the Array function. Let’s go ahead and create a simple array. For the purposes of this tutorial we’ve going to cover Linear Arrays. Start Revit Architecture with a blank project file and switch to the default level (Level 1). 

We’re going to create an array of windows within a wall, and we're going to specify the distance between two adjacent elements

 Go ahead and draw a length of wall. The exact wall type you use is not too important, so just choose an external cavity wall type. Draw a length of wall approximately 20 metres in length. 

 Now go ahead and put a window into the wall. Again, the exact type of window is not crucial. I have used a plain single casement window 630mm wide. 

 I have placed it 2M from the end of the wall. This is the window that we wish to array. So as stated above we’re going to start off by creating an array where we know the distance required between two adjacent elements. Let’s say we want a total of 7 windows in this wall and we want the centrelines of each window to be 1800mm apart. Select the window and then select the Array function from the tool bar at the top of the screen. 

 As soon as you’ve selected Array you will see that the Options Bar changes to show all the available options for creating an array. 

 The first two buttons on the Options Bar allow you to select whether you wish for a linear or radial array. 

 The default is for a linear array. The next option determines whether you wish for the items created during the array process to be made into a Group at the same time. 

 The default is for a Group to be formed. If you are likely to need to manipulate or edit individual elements in the created array then you may be best to un-check this box. The final parameter on the Options Bar for Arrays is determining whether you wish to specify the distance between two adjacent elements in the array (namely the first and second) or the overall distance between the first and last element in the array, 

 The default setting is for the distance between the first and second elements. So now we’ve had a quick look at our options for creating the array, let’s go ahead and create an array of 7 windows (in total) along the wall, the centreline of each window being 1800mm from the adjacent ones. Change the “Number” parameter in the Options Bar to 7. Leave all other settings to their default values. Now pick the corner of the window…. 

 ….and move the copy that is created 1800mm to the right…. 

 A single click of the mouse will now produce the array based on this spacing. 

 If you select any of the elements of the array, you will see that you are actually selecting the array itself. This is denoted by a line spanning all elements and the number of elements in the array being displayed above this line 

 You can select the number and change it to another value- resulting in the array being modified accordingly. You can also select any element of the array and drag it left or right to create a new spacing distance. In doing so, all other elements in the array will re-space themselves accordingly.

NOTE: This is only possible because you told Revit that you wanted it to Group and Associate this array. If you had unchecked that option in the Options Bar, each element would now act independently and you would have no retrospective control over the arrayed elements.