Autodesk Revit Building FAQ

Visibility / Filters

2006-07-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
Is it possible to add a visibility instance (yes/no) parameter to a room tag such that one can turn off the lines(rectangular box) around the room number (Just like the parameters: Show room number and Show room name)?

Answer by Tomdinmn
http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=4729
Yes you can add a visability parameter. When you click on the line(s) go to properties and you will see an '=' sign. Click on the = and add a new visability parameter. I've attached an example for you to reverse engineer.

You could also take a different approach. Simply define a room tag without the lines and load it into your project. Then in a view or global basis select all the room tags and change them to the type you want.
HINT: right click on a room tag and choose "select all instances" this will select every room tag of a similar type in all views. You can also select everything in a view and fitler out to only room tags.

Elevation/Section Tags

2006-06-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
For some reason, I cannot see my section cuts on all of my plan views. I checked my view graphics and the "sections" visibility is on. They also do not show up in my elevations. However, the section cuts show up in my building section view where the sections cross.

Answer by Tomdinmn
Check the properties of the section. There is a "hide at scales courser than" setting.
If you cut the section in an elevation and the elevation was at 1/4"=1'-0", then that setting by defaul will be 1/4" whcih means that if your floor plan is at 1/8" the section will not be visible.

Question by Revit User
Has anyone come across the view name for the interior elevation showing up along with the elevation number in a view. If so how can make the elevation only show the number?

Answer by Tomdinmn
Settings>View Tags>Elevations Tags and unchecking the "show name" box on the elevation type desired. HINT: You can have multiple Elevation tags defined and loaded into the project. You maight want to have them display the name until they are placed on a sheet and then swap out one tag for another to show the number when you are ready.

Question by Revit User
Is there a way anyone knows of to show some elevation tags/symbols on a drawing sheet, but hide others so that they don't print?

Answer by Ckarch
Right click on the Elevation or Section Ref. and select "Hide annotation in view". This hides the Elevation symbol. To turn back on hover over the symbol and it appears, then right click and select "Show annotation in view".

Question by Revit User
Does anyone know if there is a way to change the line weight of section lines?

Answer by Tomdinmn
The line weight of the section line is under: Settings>Object Styles>Anootation Objects[tab]--Section Line

Visibility/Filters

2006-06-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Did something in your project disappear?
Taken from the Revit Beginners Blog by David Duarte
http://revitbeginners.blogspot.com/2006/06/hide-seek.html

Answer by David Duarte
1. Is the object's category checked in Visibility/Graphics (VG)?
2. Try changing phase and phase filter in View Properties (VP).
3. Turn on ALL worksets (it may be hiding in a closed workset).
4. Check View Range in View Properties (VP) and Plan Regions.
5. Check Design Options in Visibility/Graphics (VG).
6. Check Crop Region and Far Clip settings in View Properties (VP).
7. Right click on a similar object and Select All Instances.

Question By A Revit User
i have an elevation view where I'd like to show the studs, which I've inserted as extruded components "created in place". I don't want all the other walls to disappear, so I don't want to set the visibility to hide all walls. I only want to hide the wall the shows the particular stud spacing.Problem is that I created some braces for a second floor deck by editing a wall to get a 45 degree brace, now when I hide walls the braces also disappear. I'd like to show the relationship between the bracing and the studs.

Answer By Mr. Spot
Go to your visibility settings for that view Click on the filter tab.Click Filters down the bottom.Click New. Name it accordinglySelect which element categories you'd like it to filter through... In your case wallsSelect filter by... (select what you want, in your case comments) Then select the way you want to filter it (contains, equals etc) Then type what it has to equal. Now insert this filter into the view. Now all elements matching this criteria can be manipulated independently, either by turning them off, giving them a different line style (for example fire rated walls

Schedules

2006-06-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
I have a multi-phase project I"m working on. Is it possible to create a door schedule from each phase that just shows the new doors going in? If so, could someone give some advice/suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Answer by Tomdinmn
Schedules can be set to show a particular phase via a phase selection and phase filter.

In the properties of the schedule (right click on schedule in project browser) go to "properties" and set the phase and phase filter to your liking.

(tip: get first schedule set up how you want it to be, then duplicate schedule and set to next phase)

Question by A Revit User
As an 8.1 user, is it possible to create a new, blank schedule where I can define all the rows and headers rather than basing it on something Revit wants to base it on. I want to create a room finish legend as I would in excel and control all the headings and row tiiles. Revit gives me a list of items to base it on but I do not want those appearing in my schedule. Any ideas?

Answer by Steve_Stafford
The only schedule type that will let you add new rows without an actual object present in the database is Rooms and a Schedule Key. For your Room Finish schedule you would like the room name and number to be based on the actual rooms in the project, true? Then just include those parameters and then make your own project parameters for the rest of the data. Just associate the project parameters with the Rooms category then Revit will understand that they should be available for you to add to the schedule. You'll also be able to add the data to the room object's properties.

Question By A Revit
User How is the "Interior Finish Schedule" Created in Revit. Do I have to create it manually or it is generated automatically.

Answer By Mr. Spot
You can create a material schedule but you'd need to do a filter on the elements in order to specify what elements are interior and what are exterior as revit doesn't know this information by itself.

Question by Revit User
i am fairly new to Revit, so i am by no means an expert. I have been messing around with schedules a little bit and organizing a drawing index on the cover sheet. and after i started the schedule we have since added drawings. but the new drawings appear at the top of the list, not in the order where we need them. how can i edit the schedule and move them down into the correct place?

Answer by Vdogg
It depends. If you want the sheets so that the sheet number is alphabetical, go into the schedule properties and click on sorting/grouping and sort by sheet number. If this is not how you want to see it, then what I normally do is create a new field for the schedule, and then number the sheets in the order I want to see them, and sort by the new field, and then hide that field, and the schedule appears as I want it.

Question By A Revit User
Anyone have any idea of how to set up a schedule to have the counts for each type of stall done automatically as well as having the stalls numbered? I have set up a chart but it seems to do a count per individual space rather than a running total of all spots or even of the types of spots. The spaces are attached to a floor rather than a ramp but numbering and tallying them up is a pain.

Answer By Reviteer
I have done several different types. My current method of choice is to not distinguish by type/size of stall, but rather to just make running totals. I do distinguish between areas, so I use the Comments field to give those stalls a particular region name, such as "Main Parking Field." To account for ADA spaces, I use the wheelchair insignia, with an entry into the comments field saying as much. I set up multiple schedules depending on the code requirements for a particular project, something along the lines of 5 spaces per 1000 SF and then another for Total Handicap Parking. Note that all these families are "Parking" families, and if you wanted to categorize by size, just sort them by family/type. Also, to label them (which I rarely do now), you can make a nice little "Tag" for parking, and just use the tag command like you would on a door or window. If you want a Tag, I can post it here for you, its just a circle with a number in it. I find that to be too irritating at large scales, but at finer scales, it works like a champ.

Visibility/Filters

2006-06-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
I was wondering if I could make the outline of a filled region disappear...or at the least turn the outline white?

Answer by krmccurdy
Select the filled region. Go to "EDIT". Select the lines that make up the boundary of the filled region and eitheir make them "" or some other linestyle that is white in the drop down menu.

FAQ from Revit Rants Site

2006-06-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

1. How can I override the dimension text?
Simple answer, you can’t.
Workarounds are best explained here http://revitoped.blogspot.com/2005/11/de-value-engineering-dimensions.html

2. I created some levels but there aren’t any plans associated with them, can I add them?
Of course: Go to View->New->Floor Plan… and simple select the views you wish to create plans for. The standard windows ctrl and shift click selections apply here. The same principle applies for ceiling plans.

3. I can’t see some of my levels in one of my elevations/sections?
All levels/grids/sections (referred to as datums) have 3D and 2D extents. If the 3D extents of that level don’t cross the 3D extents of the section or the elevation they will not show. Therefore, to make them show you need to adjust them in an elevation/section so they do intersect. When you select a datum an indicator displays showing whether the datum is currently set to 3D or 2D extents. This is a toggle, click on it to toggle its value. If you right click on the datum in a view it does display in and select maximise 3D extents it will expand the extents to the full boundaries of your model, which should hopefully make it show up in your appropriate view.If they don’t show in any views, you’ll need to create a scope box. Under your drafting tab is a tool called scope box, use it to draw a 3D box completely around the extents of your model. Now in elevation add another level (this will be temporary), right click and choose “select all instances” go to the properties and there is a category called extents. Where it says none, click and choose your scope box for the drop down menu. Then click okay and your levels should now appear as there extents have been adjusted to that of the scope box. You may delete the scope box now if you have no further need for it.

4. How do I place a door in a curtain wall?
Curtain walls do not behave the same as normal walls and doors are not placed in the same manner. There are two options for placing a door in curtain wall.In your modelling tab, place curtain grids to break up the panel to the size you’d like to make your door. Switch to a 3D view, hover over the edge of your curtain wall panel where you’d like to place the door. Now use the key to cycle through the various options to select the panel you’d like to change to a door. Now in the element drop down menu where it says System Panel: Glazed, change the panel to the appropriate loaded curtain wall door family. That’s it, now just adjust your grids appropriately to get to the correct size and apply mullions as appropriate.The other option is to change the panel to a wall type. You may have noticed in the previous method you could pick from available wall types. If you change the panel to a wall you are then able to place doors as you would a normal wall. You could even make the door take up the full extents of the wall so it wouldn’t matter what wall type you actually used. There are issues currently with this method and schedule to and from room information of doors placed this way.

5. Can Revit create linetypes with text along the line or symbols to represent stormwater or various other services?
The short answer is no. You can create a detail component and then use the repeating detail component tool to do this, but the text symbols would need to be drawn as lines.

6. How do I change the swing angle in plan of my doors?
This feature is only available if the door has been created with an instance parameter for the adjustable swing. This is best explain in the in-built Revit Tutorials.

7. How do I create my own hatch patterns?
You can either learn the appropriate code to edit the pat files directly using a text editor such as notepad or utilise a program such as Hatchkit. http://www.hatchkit.com

8. How do I change a model pattern to a drafting pattern or vice versa?
Edit the PAT file using notepad and add or change the following values:;%TYPE=MODEL for model or;%TYPE=DRAFTING for drafting.You can also set the units with the following operator:;%UNITS=MM to set to millimetres…

9. How do I change the elevation symbols to match my section markers?
This isn’t possible. Elevation tags are system families and can only be modified using the settings in the elevation tag properties… This is a long standing wishlist item.My typically workaround (for times where its absolutely necessary that the elevations look a certain way) is to create a new section type called "Building Elevations" Then I'll give the section a head with no tail, then drag the section cut line in plan to be short enough that its not visible.
Also check out this link :
http://revitrants.blogspot.com/2006/04/making-elevation-tags-look-like.html

10. I have a window above the cut plane that I need to display but I can’t change the cut plane without effecting everything else?
Create a plan region. A plan region allows you to draw a boundary and adjust the view range settings for that area independent of the rest of the view.

11. How do I apply different materials to individual wall faces or similar without having to make a new type?
Use the paint brush tool from the tool bar. Select the appropriate material then pick the face you’d with to paint; to reset the material back to its original settings, paint it with the material.

12. How do I attach a wall to the underside of a stair/ramp?
Refer to this tutorial. http://www.revitcity.com/tutorials/stair-wall_trimming/. Hopefully this process will become more automated with future releases.

13. I placed a beam but I can’t get it to show in section/elevation (it only shows as a line)?
Change the detail level of the view from coarse to medium or fine.

14. How do I create a slanted/sloped column?
You need to create a column with adjustable parameters for the angle. Refer to this thread: http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=592#2062

15. The floor hatch pattern is showing through my plumbing fixtures/furniture in my plans, how do i stop this?
This is caused by a setting in each of the families themselves. If you edit the family, switch to a 3D view and select all the 3D geometry, then hit the visibility button on your top tool bar. You'll notice that its turned off in plan, you can turn it back on here and reload if you like.If the 3D geometry is an imported dwg, there maybe excessive 3D linework which you don't want to display in plan. In this case you'll need to create a detail component to represent the element in plan (using a white filled region) and load it into the family and line up with the 3D geometry.

16. How do I create a canted/slanted/tilted wall?
You need to create a mass to give you the correct angled surface of which to place your slanted wall. Masses are used as an invisible framework to control entire building layouts or complex geometry such as this.Once you have created your mass, either by solid extrusion or a blend (depending on the slanted walls complexity), you can use the Wall->By Face option. Just select the type of wall you'd like to place then pick the surface.Then its just a matter of turning your mass visibility off...

17. How do i save back to a previous version of Revit?
This is not possible. Revit is bought on a subscription basis only, so there is never a reason not have the latest version installed. This way the Revit support team can concentrate on supporting one version of Revit rather than having to maintain superseded releases.

18. Red Question marks are showing up in my titleblock and i can't type in the appropriate values?
This means that there are shared parameters in your titleblock which are yet to be loaded into your project. If you are not aware of what shared parameters file they are located in and the parameters names, edit the titleblock, select the label and edit the parameter to find out where its located first.Then in your project goto Setting-->Project Parameters-->Add-->select shared parameter and navigate and find the parameter you wish to add-->Select what category of families you wish the parameter to apply to, in this case either project info or drawings sheets (generally drawing sheets)-->Then select whether its an instance parameter or a type parameter-->Hit Okay and repeat for any additional parameters

Camera

2006-06-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
i have some camera views placed on a sheet.Trying to change the size or scale if you will, like you would do through the properties dialogue box for floor plan view. Didn't see on option in there to change the physical size of the view.

Seems like the only modification choice I have is to select the viewport and move the grips. Problem is, that only adjusts the cropped view, resulting in less information almost as if you were zooming in on, for instance, a doorknob or whatever. It doesn't change the "scale" of the image, it only give you a smaller "aperture" so to speak, to see with. Any suggestions??

Answer by Tom Dinmn
In the camera view, click on the extents window (outer frame) and in the options bar above select "size". In the "size" dialog you can change the size of the view with locked proportions.

Also, be sure to explore the use of the F8 key when in camera views. It brings up a special window to change the view dynamically using commands like, zoom, dolly, pan and twist which are the equivilant to moving a camera based on film techniques.

Export/Import

2006-06-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

Question By A Revit User
i have a 3d view that i want to export to cad in 2d, but whenever i try to export, it exports the whole 3d model which takes a long time to load with all the lines. so i was wondering if it is possible to export a 2d representation of a 3d view?

Answer By Mr. Spot
Place it on a sheet then export it.

Sheets

2006-06-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Question By A Revit User
Is there a way to add additional rows so I can add other drawing, names and numbers, that are not in REVIT?

Re-cretaed from Revit OpEd Site by Steve Stafford
If you need to include your consultant's drawings in your list there are two common methods and a slightly distant third: Dummy Sheets, Annotation text list and image file of an external list.The dummy list means
you create a sheet for each of the consultant's sheets, supplying only the number and name.This list will clutter your project browser so you might consider putting this list in a separate empty project that you link back into your project. When you make the drawing list check the box to include linked files so you can schedule them too.

One bonus that comes from using this approach is that you can also create dummy detail or drafting views that correspond with details in your consultant's set. This will permit you to use the reference other view option to create callouts that refer to their details.

I have done this in the past to coordinate details with overlapping site information like concrete stairs and railings that approach a building.

The second method using text means you've got to copy and paste the data from another source into a text object in a Revit view. You could just type it all in yourself too.

Last some folks will just create a pdf of the list supplied by others and save in bmp or jpg format so it can be imported into Revit.

Site/Trees etc. ..

2006-05-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
I am not trying to edit the AccuRender tree...just the representational one when I am in a normal 3D. Even when I type a new height to my tree in its properties, the wireframe model stays the same.
Any advice?

Anwser by Mr. Spot
I've metioned this quite frequently...
Nest this planting family into a blank planting family and save and load it in.
This allows the ability to scale the dwg representation in the project.
No need to lock or constrain it at all.

Visibility/Filters

2006-05-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Question By A Revit User
There is a grey plane that is almost like a floor on the outside fof my house. How do I get it to lower so that I don't see the grey but I do see my grass

Answer By Tom Dinmn
They grey plane is most likely a "ground plane" Ground planes are useful if you don't have a site plan and just want a material to appear in your rendering at a certain level.
To get rid of the ground plane yu have to check in two places:
Settings>Sun and Shadow Settings [un-check 'ground plane']
And:Rendering TAB>Settings>Environment [un-check 'ground plane']
Why there are two places for ground plane I haven't figured out yet.
Hopefully this will clear up your problem.

FlyOver/Walkthrough

2006-05-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Question by Revit User
I 'm just new user In Revit.Could anyone pls tell me how can I make a walkthrough/Flyover in color and How can I have them presented in .avi file format.

Answer by bolandereric
Start off by creating your Walkthrough once you are ready to make it into an Avi File go to File, Export, Avi. It will bring you to a save screen on theis screen you have a few options set them to what you want. In the Formate Display mode place Set it to Raytracing Push save and it will start to render. Just so you know Rendering these things takes a long time the last on that i did took 14 hours to render.To create the walkthrough go to veiw, new, Walkthrough create make sure to set your parameters that you want on the camera.

Additional Info by rkitect
Be sure you have the walkthrough open. You also want to make sure you have a render setting scene set up so that you can select it when the time comes. This will allow the AVI export to render every frame of the walkthrough and save it as your avi movie.

Call-Outs

2006-05-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Question By A Revit User
We draw quite a bit of details in our sections. If I Detail my Sections and do a callout. Do I have to redraw the components used and re-detail it?

Answer By Mr. Spot
just select all your 2D geometry and copy and paste aligned into your callout.

Answer By Gdoorn
What i have found works, is if you duplicate the section with detailing then adjust the crop region to clip only the part you want. this keeps the detailing you did, and automatically adds a callout. then you can assign this new "section" to a detail category, and it will work great. that is what i have been doing. hope this helps.

Question By Revit User
i have a section with similar Footings. I want to use the "call-out" tool to reference both ends. But it creates two different views. How do I "call-out" those ends, and place this typical detail only once.

Answer By Bucksy
Use option 'reference other view' when you place the callout.

Revit and Backward Compatibility

2006-05-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Statement by Revit User
You can buy Revit without a subscription. This is just Autodesk forcing people into their subscription scheme.

Response By Steve_Stafford of Revit OpEd

Actually it isn't. Revit has never supported backward compatibility. In fact you don't have backward compatibility options that are all that practical with ADT now either. When you've got objects that didn't exist in earlier versions what shall they become in a Save Down operation?Revit was always sold on subscription basis because of the need to be on the same release even before Autodesk bought it. In fact you could only buy Revit as a subscription/rental basis when it was RTC. The development of Revit has been so fast and furious that trying to map out a save down process would have been a unreasonable distraction.The only folks that don't have a good recourse for this situation is students because the colleges and high schools buy educational licenses and those lag behind the commercial licensing for some reason. Otherwise a firm that doesn't do subscription for Revit is shooting themselves in the foot if they intend to collaborate with other firms using one of the three flavors of Revit now.