Using Forma Carbon Insights in Revit

The process that Autodesk Revit uses to create an Energy Analytical Model is finicky, and it can take a very long time (or stall completely) with very large complex models.

To work around this known limitation, follow these steps to create a simplified model to analyze, which removes elements that aren’t used by the analysis:

• Use File > Save As > Project to create a new local Revit project on your computer.
• Create a new 3D default view that shows the entire model.
• Remove all coordination models.
• Select any coordination models (for example, the context buildings).
• Unpin, then delete them.
• When this warning appears, click Remove Model.

• Remove the toposolid that represents the terrain.
• Select the toposolid element.

• Then, delete it.

• Open Analyze > Forma Carbon Insights > Analyze.
• If you're analyzing a Revit Cloud model, accept the warning about creating a collaborative insight available to all project members.

• If you’re analyzing a local Revit project, acknowledge that this insight will be available only to you.

• If an Energy Analytical Model already exists in your project, choose to Update Energy Analytical Model.
• When the process is complete, click OK to close this notification.

• When the Forma Carbon Insights dialog appears, click Continue.

• When the Generate Insights dialog appears, click View Analysis.

The Forma Carbon Insights dashboard offers two primary views:

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Overview

• Total Carbon — changes based on the Building Lifespan specified
• Embodied Carbon
• Operational Carbon — changes based on the Building Lifespan specified
• Annual Energy Use Intensity

If you adjust the building lifespan (Short - 1 year, Medium - 10 years; Long - 20 years), the Total Carbon and Operational Carbon change to reflect that new lifespan.

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Embodied Carbon Details

• A summary of the building elements with the embodied carbon listed by element category.