Revit Help

Creating and Adding Views to a Sheet in Revit

2023-09-30T20:20:00.008-04:00

In Revit you can add one or more views to a sheet. It can be the following: Floor plans, schedules, site plans, legends, ceiling plans, sheet lists, elevations, 3D views, sections, detail views, drafting views, and rendered views. However, each view can only be placed on one sheet. If you need to place a view on multiple sheets, create duplicate views and place each one on a different sheet.

To create a sheet and add views to it do the following:

1. Go to your project browser, right click "Sheets (all)" and select "New Sheet...". On the sheet selection, select the title block to be used or click "Load..." to browse for the one to be used.

2. To renumber and edit the name of the sheet, select it first then click it or right click and select "Rename...".

3. To add a view to the sheet, right click on the sheet and select "Add View..." From the drop down Views List, select the desired view. It could be anything from the list mentioned above.

4. Once you have selected a view, move the cursor over the sheet in the drawing area and click to place it in the desired position.

5. To add multiple views to the same sheet repeat Steps 3 and 4.

6. You can align or move the views as desired by selecting and dragging them. If you want a precise placement you can align the views to grid lines by turning on/creating a grid guide under the view tab.

How to Link One Revit Model to Another

2023-08-25T12:00:00.002-04:00

Linking a Revit file to one another is a straight forward process. It is similar to xrefing in AutoCAD.
Follow the simple steps below to effortlessly link your Revit files:

1. While you have your Revit model open, go to the "Insert Tab" on the Revit ribbon and select "Manage Links".

2. When the "Manage Links" dialogue window pops up select the "Add.." button to browse to the linked file location.

3. Once you located the linked file, select "Auto - Internal Origin to Internal Origin" for positioning, which is the best option most of the time. Then click "Open" to link the file.

4. Click "Ok" on the "Manage Links" window to close the dialogue box.

5. Now the linked file should be located at the origin in your model. You can type "ZF" to zoom out to display all visible objects in your model.

6. To remove the linked file, go back to the "Insert Tab" and select "Manage Links". Select the linked file within the dialogue window and click "Remove". You can also click "Unload" to remove the file temporarily if you plan on reusing it later. It will unload the file from your model but will keep the location. That would save you time from having to re-browse for the file later. You will just have to select "Reload" to reuse the linked file.

In conclusion, linking Revit files together is an intuitive process that streamlines collaboration and data management within your project. By following these simple instructions, you can easily integrate design changes from external sources across multiple models.

How to Import a Navisworks file to Revit

2022-12-17T18:39:00.002-05:00

Navisworks is a global leader in 3D visualization, providing solutions to customers in architecture, engineering and construction.

The Navisworks software suite allows users to import different file formats into one centralized system. It helps visualize and manage data, coordinate projects, and create detailed reports. This software is compatible with many other programs like Revit or AutoCAD. Navisworks provides an interactive environment for viewing and interacting with large models as well as the ability to use 3D views in order to visualize your design.

The Navisworks application can be integrated with Revit to import files from this program. To import a Navisworks file in Revit do the following:

Go to the Insert tab panel and select the Coordination Model button.
Click the Add... button In the Coordination Model dialogue, and browse for the file. It should be in the format of .wc or .nwd. and click Open.
Select the desired positioning option and click Ok.
The linked Navisworks model will display in your current active view.
To make sure you do not accidently move it, you should pin it in place right away.
Now the linked file should be ready to be viewed or navigated within Revit. You can cut sections, rotate etc.

The import process is a one-time thing, so once the file is imported in Revit, you can save it and it will be available for future use. However, it cannot be edited inside Revit, it can only be used for viewing purpose only.

Import Text, Notes or Specifications in Revit

2022-08-03T21:40:00.004-04:00

Follow the steps below to import text, notes or specifications from AutoCAD into Revit:

1. First, you need to create a Drafting view for the import. Go to your "View" tab and select the "Drafting View" button.

2. Name the drafting view to whatever you want. Select the appropriate scale below.

3. Now open AutoCAD and select the text, note or specification that you want to import and make a WBLOCK out of it. Save it wherever you want then go back to Revit. You might want to change your text font to a true font type for a better viewing experience, for example Arial or Verdana font etc.

4. Go to the insert tab and select the "Import CAD".

5. Browse to the folder where the Wblock file is saved. Select the following: "Black and white" for colors. Positioning "Auto - Origin to Internal Origin". Layers/levels "All". Import units "Auto-Detect".

6. Select "Open".

7. The text, note or specifications should be imported into your Revit file. You might need to zoom extend a little by simply typing "ZX" and you are all set.

Revit Snaps Settings

2022-03-27T11:39:00.005-04:00

The snaps dialogue in Revit enables you to set which snaps points are active and set dimension increments displayed for both linear and angular dimensions, similar to the OSNAP settings in AutoCAD. The snap setting also displays all the keyboard shortcuts for each snap. You can use these shortcuts for a quick temporary override of the snaps.

To manage the Snap settings in Revit do the following:

Go to the Manage tab panel.
select the Snaps to open the snaps dialogue box.
Select or deselect any desired snap points. Please refer to the attached Figure 1 below.

Figure 1.

Revit Snaps Shortcuts

2022-03-25T10:46:00.002-04:00

Shortcuts Oject Snaps Descriptions

SI Intersections Snaps to intersections.
SE Endpoint Snaps to endpoint of an element or component.
SC Centers Snaps to the center of an arc.
SO Snaps Off Disables all snap settings.
SM Midpoints Snaps to to the midpoint of an element or component.
SN Nearest Snaps to the neaerest element or component..
SP Perpendicular Snaps to perpendicular elements or components.
SQ Quadrants Snaps to quadrant points.
ST Tangents Snaps tangent to arc.
SW Work Plane Grid Snaps to a work plane grid.
SX Points Snap to site points when editing points using the Move or Copy tool.
Tab Key Cycle through snaps Cycles through the available snap options.
Shift Key Force Horizontal and Vertical Force horizontal and vertical constraints.

Creating Revit Sheets

2014-03-11T22:10:00.007-04:00

Follow the steps below to create sheets for your project:

1. In your Revit project browser, click the View tab, then go to the Sheet Composition panel and select Sheet.

2. When the New sheet menu pops up, select a title block if you already have one uploaded into your project. Otherwise, select Load to browse for a title block..

a. If you wish to create a new sheet without the title block just select None.

b. Click OK.

3. Enter the name and information in the title block for the sheet.

4. By default Revit assigns a sequence number to the sheet. You can do right click and rename it.

5. From your project browser, right click on the sheet you just created and select Add view.

6. From the Add view dialogue, select your desired view and click Add view to sheet. Please refer to the adding views to a sheet in Revit tutorial.

Adding Insulation and Lining to Duct

2013-07-11T12:31:00.001-04:00

To add insulation and lining to a duct in Revit MEP 2012 do the following:

1. Select the duct.

2. Go to the duct insulation panel and select "Add Insulation" and or "Add Lining".

3. When the "Add Duct Insulation" menu pops up, select the Insulation Type and add the insulation thickness.

4. To edit a duct that already has insulation or lining, you select the duct and go again to the duct insulation panel and select "Edit Insulation" or "Edit Lining".

5. Then under the "Properties" panel change the insulation or lining thickness.

NB: You ca also edit the type of insulation or lining by selecting the "Edit Type" button on the top of the property panel.

Duct before Adding Insulation and Lining

Duct after Adding Insulation and Lining

Filled Region

2013-01-20T22:43:00.005-05:00

Create a filled region in Revit that can be used to represent a material or a designated area of a detail. It is very useful.

Go to the Annotate tab and click the Filled Region button.

2. Select a Line style for the Filled region under the Line Style drop down menu. For example, hidden lines, center lines etc...

    3. Now draw the shape of the filled region. The shape must form a closed loop, just like creating a hatch in AutoCAD.
    4. When you are finished, select the green check mark button to accept the created filled region or click the red X button to discard it and select yes when Revit prompts "Quitting cannot be undone. Are you sure you want to discard filled region?".
    5. Once finished creating the region, you can change the shape of it by selecting it. That will activate the grips. You simply have to drag and pull the edges to change the shape.

6. To change the pattern of the filled region go to its properties and select Edit type, and click on Fill pattern to change the pattern type.

7. To modify the boundary of the created Filled region select the edge of the region and click on the Edit boundary button. That will take you back to the sketch mode area where you first created the region. There you can modify the border line type of the region again.

Customize Revit keyboard Shortcuts

2012-12-27T22:24:00.002-05:00

Just as I like to customize my AutoCAD commands I like to customize my Revit shortcut commands also. This makes it easier for me to remember the commands by assigning my own abbreviations. If possible, I like to use one letter, because it is easy and fast when typing. If you need to customize your Revit keyboard shortcuts do the following:

Select the Revit logo on the upper left side of the ribbon and go to Options on the bottom right side of the pop up drop menu.

2. From the Options pop-up menu go to the User Interface tab and select Customize.

3. Look for the command name you want to change either by scrolling down on the right side bar or type it on the search space area.

4. Click on the command name first then type the new shortcut name on Press new Keys area and then hit the Assign button.
5. To remove the old command select it and click the Remove button.

Creating HVAC zones

2012-08-04T12:00:00.001-04:00

In the previous blog tutorials we talked about how to create MEP spaces. In this blog we will show you how to create HVAC zones. You will use the MEP spaces you have created earlier to generate HVAC zones. One of the purposes of zoning spaces in HVAC system is to provide controllability of the space condition.
To create HVAC zones follow the easy steps below:

Go to the Analyze tab and select "Zone" and you will be prompted to add a space to the zone. Or you can select all the spaces and then select the "Zone" button. This way, the spaces will be automatically grouped to the same zone instead of adding them individually.

Select the space or multiple spaces that you want to add to the zone.

To edit a zone that has already been created:

Select the zone from the model view to activate the Modify HVAC Zones tab.

Click the "Edit Zone" button to activate the zone creation ribbon.
Add or remove spaces according to the zone.
When you are finished select the "Finish Editing Zone" button.

Physical and characteristic data for the specific zone can be modified by selecting the zone and go to its property menu in the left window.

As we can see Creating HVAC zones is easy as 1, 2,3.

Creating Revit MEP Spaces

2012-08-01T15:17:00.001-04:00

Spaces need to be created first in the project file in order to run any HVAC loads in Revit MEP, even if the architectural link you are using as the background has defined spaces created already. Spaces are defined by the same elements that define a room from your architectural linked model. Therefore, you want to make sure that your linked file is Room bounding.
To do that:

Right click the linked file and select its "Properties".
Select "Edit Type" and make sure "Room Bounding" is checked.

You can create the spaces either manually or let Revit do it automatically for you. I like to create them manually. Using the automatic features saves time, but if you choose automatic make sure to check the spaces that were created and delete the unwanted ones. You can do that manually or delete them from the Space properties schedule. To do that highlight and right click on the space name and select delete to permanently remove it and any associated space tag.

To create MEP spaces follow these steps below:

Under the "Analyze" tab select the "Space" button.
Select inside the enclosed area where you want to create the MEP space.
Double click the text to change the generic space name and number assigned by Revit.

You can also install the Space Naming utility tool from Autodesk to save a lot of time. This utility will rename all spaces according to your architectural link filed. It is really a great tool, especially if you are working on a big project.

Reconciling hosting

2012-07-23T14:26:00.001-04:00

Using face-hosted families is a very convenient way to attach your your components to 3D faces within a linked file.The problem that we encounter with this strategy is when the host delete the families from his file. Then, you no longer have reference to your attached components. At times you will see your families floating in your model. In Revit MEP starting in 2011 you can now address that issue in the "Reconcile Hosting Palette".

There you can see a list of all the unreconciled items with the active one in green. You can sort them by linked files and then categories or by categories and then the linked files.

To edit any item you need to right click it and then either delete it or pick a new host for it. Just keep in mind that there is only one option for rehosting when you do it right from the dialogue box. You can only rehost on a vertical face. So if your item needs to be hosted on a horizontal host you need to locate and select that item in the model view.

Creating a Section Box

2012-07-19T16:12:00.002-04:00

Creating a section box is really simple than one might think. Below are the few steps to take:

Go to the 3D view of the model.

2. Right click and select the Properties for the view.
3. Under Extents tab check the Section box

4. Go toVisibility/Graphics under Annotation Categories make sure that Section boxes is checked.

5. Now you are able to drag the box around the model by selecting the little arrows from each corner of the view and adjust them to your desired view.

Revit Keyboard Shortcuts

2010-12-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

AD Edit-Group-Attach Detail
CG Edit-Group-Cancel Group
CS Edit-Create Similar
DE Edit-Delete
WA Modeling-Wall
WT Window-Tile
WC Window-Cascade
ER File-Editing Request
RL File-Reload Latest
RW File-Reload Latest
MD Edit-Modify
CO Edit-Copy
RO Edit-Rotate
AR Edit-Array
MM Edit-Mirror
MV Edit-Move
RE Edit-Resize
PP Edit-Pin Position
PR Edit-Properties
PS View-New-Panel Schedule
UP Edit Unpin Position
ZA View-Zoom-Zoom All To Fit
ZR View-Zoom-Zoom in Region
ZE View-Zoom-Zoom To Fit
ZF View-Zoom-Zoom To Fit
ZS View-Zoom-Sheet Size
VG View-Visibility/ Graphics
VP View-View Properties