This project is an architectural model of a house I designed in Revit. I created this as my final project for my advanced engineering class. It took a lot of time and hard work to complete this project, but it was completely worth it in the end. Throughout this project, I learned Revit, improved in using LightBurn and the laser cutter, and got more practice making more difficult architectural models.

In this Instructable, I will share how I created this architectural model. In the steps below, I will go in depth on how to export files from Revit to LightBurn and assembling the pieces of the house model.

Supplies

Revit Software
Laser Cutter
Laser Cutting Software (I used LightBurn)
Cardboard
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
X-Acto Knife/Box Cutter

Step 1: Modelling the House in Revit

To start off the project, I looked for floorplans and house designs to use as inspiration. I ended up using this floorplan from a book. I recreated this floorplan in Revit, adding a few modifications.

If you haven't used Revit before, I recommend using these Revit Tutorials.

Step 2: Exporting DXF Files From Revit

First, I located all the elevation views in the project browser tab and opened them. I adjusted the scale for all the elevation views (I used 1/4"=1' scale). Using this scale, my model will be roughly 12" by 10". To do this, just press on the scale in the lower left corner and choose the scale you want your model to have.

After rescaling the elevation views, I created a sheet to put all the elevation views on. To create a new sheet, go to the project browser tab and scroll down until you see a section called "Sheets." Right click on this and then select "New Sheet." If prompted, select the default sheet type. After doing this, you should see a blank sheet with a title block. The title block can be edited by clicking on the text and typing in your desired text.

Once I created the sheet and edited the title blocks, I located the elevation views in the project browser tab and dragged each elevation view to the sheet. Once I inserted all the views onto the sheet, I moved them around so that they were in the order I wanted them to be in.

After finishing the sheet, I saved it as a DXF file. To save a sheet as a DXF file, open your sheet and press "File" then "Export." Under "Export," select "CAD Format" then press "DXF." A menu will pop up, asking you to confirm what you want to export as a DXF file. Just keep pressing next until your prompted to save the file to your computer. Make sure that the most recent version of AutoCAD DXF file is selected and save the DXF file to your computer.

Step 3: Importing DXF Files to LightBurn

To laser cut the elevation views, I had to import the DXF file into LightBurn. I created a new project in LightBurn and imported the DXF file I saved from Revit.

When I imported the DXF file into LightBurn, it didn't retain the scale information from Revit and it was also displayed in a bunch of random colors and settings. To fix this issue, I scaled the views down so that it fit onto the laser cutting bed screen. I selected everything and made all the lines black, so that they were set to cut through. All the elevation views were also all grouped together, so I had to ungroup them and group each view individually.

Once all the elevation views were grouped individually, I rescaled them using my scale from Revit. The actual dimensions of my house are 48' by 37'. On the sheet in Revit, the elevation views are scaled to 1/4"=1'. Using this scale, I determined that my house model was going to be roughly 12" by 10".

Since LightBurn uses metric measurements, I had to calculate the measurements I calculated in inches to millimeters. I used an inches to millimeter scale online to find width of the front, back, and side views of the house. I took these numbers and put them into the width for each corresponding view.

After rescaling and changing the units in LightBurn, I edited the lines that I wanted to cut and engrave. I set all the lines that I wanted the laser to cut through, like the windows and outlines of the house pieces, to black and input the correct cutting settings onto this layer. I set all the lines that I wanted the laser to engrave, like the doors and window frames, and input the correct engraving settings onto this layer.

Once all of this was complete, I was finally ready to laser cut all the house pieces.

Step 4: Laser Cutting the House Pieces

I laser cut each part of my house individually (ex. I laser cut all the walls, then the roof pieces, then the base, etc.). I set all the pieces I wasn't cutting to red, which turns of the input and basically ignores the shape so it isn't cut but is still on the file.

Step 5: Assembling the House

To begin assembling my house model, I glued all the wall panels to each other. Once all the walls were glued together, I glued the bottom of the walls to the base of the house. To finish it off, I glued the roof pieces to the top of the walls.

For some reason, when I imported the DXF file from Revit into LightBurn, the roof sizing was incorrect. Due to this, I had to adjust some of the roof measurements in LightBurn and laser cut them again. I also had to carve out some parts of the model using a box cutter so that all the pieces connected.