The Revit Clinic

Revisions & Keynotes & Worksets & Revit 2014

I want to update and elaborate on our previous post:

When Adding a Keynote Tag the User Borrows a Sheet Workset

For Revit 2013 or earlier there are 2 common scenarios where sheet view worksets can be borrowed working with keynotes or revisions.  The first was mentioned in the original post:

1. There is a sheet in the project A101.
2. Several project views have been placed on this sheet.
3. UserA is in one of the views that appear on sheet A101.  UserA has not opened or edited sheet A101 directly.
4. In this view UserA adds a keynote.
5. Because this view appears on sheet A101, Revit needs to borrow the view workset for sheet A101 to update keynote data.  There could also be a keynote legend on this sheet for example.
6. If UserB attempts to add a keynote to one of these views before UserA syncs with central & relinquishes they would receive the expected “Can’t edit the element until UserA…” message.

The second is applicable only for Revit 2012 \ 2013, where tagging linked model geometry with keynotes is possible:

1. There is a host model containing a Revit link.
2. Keynotes are added (in the host) attached to link geometry.
3. At some point the link geometry changes (such as deleting a wall) causing the keynote tag to become orphaned.
4. When a keynote tag is orphaned, it is removed from keynote legends when filtering by sheet.
5. The next user to create a new local file, or reload the link will load those changes (which orphans the keynote tag).  This in turn borrows every sheet view workset that tag previously appeared in.

For Revit 2013 or earlier the original post provides some additional information around this behavior.

For Revit 2014 keynote and revision functionality has been improved.  Sheet view worksets are no longer borrowed during the same process, which should give larger project teams additional flexibility (especially during documentation-heavy project phases).

Revit 2014 Schedules Tips

I’ve included a few tips using some of the new schedules features from Revit 2014:

Formatting in your Project Template

Formatting for the schedule title \ header \ body section can be added in your Revit template file even if the schedule is not yet populated.  For example, if you wish to add shading to columns and headers; first select the column index (which highlights the entire column) and apply formatting:

Then you can select the headers or grouped headers and apply formatting:

You won’t technically see any of the column formatting until the schedule is populated with elements (since the columns don’t exist yet), but it’s a nice method to set this up ahead of time.  Start adding some walls in the project later and the schedule uses the formatting you initially set:

“Generic Table”

Want to create a simple “generic table” where you can insert text, parameters, shading, images, etc.?  Well you could use the Revit 2014 schedules title section…

First, create a new schedule and either choose a category you do not have in your project, or alternatively filter the schedule so nothing displays in the body section.

Then under the Schedule Properties > ‘Appearance’ tab, un-check ‘Show Headers’.  Now you unmerge the default title row and add additional rows, text, parameters, images, shading, etc.  And you still get the specific control to resize the column and row dimensions.

Two tips; First use the ‘Clear Cell’ tool to remove the default schedule view name.  You can then use that cell to enter any data you wish.  Second, set up your cell sizes before adding new rows.  The new rows will use the previous row for cell number, size and formatting:

Disclaimer: Keep in mind this isn’t perfect, but should be considered a creative use of the schedules title section.  No schedules were hurt (yet) during this process.

Generic Model Schedule – Volume

First of all Revit 2014 adds Generic Models as a scheduleable category.  While you could schedule generic model elements in Revit 2013 using a Multi-Category Schedule, you did not get the ‘Volume’ parameter (and you needed to creatively filter the schedule).  In Revit 2014 you can both create a generic model schedule and schedule the volume:

Last tip here; don’t forget to double-click on the schedule sheet instance to open the schedule view for editing!

Autodesk FormIt & Revit

If anyone missed the Autodesk FormIt announcement during AU, I thought it would be helpful to organize some resources and links below.  Here are some app highlights, including Revit interoperability:

Express design ideas with easy-to-use tools:

• Create forms quickly from a gallery of shapes
• Directly manipulate forms using gestures for easy model changes
• Save designs to the cloud and share with others

Easy access to site information:

• Set project location in a searchable maps interface
• Import satellite image of your site
• Design directly in the context of your proposed building location

Make early design decisions:

• Explore the effects of the sun using the location-aware Shadow Study tool
• Start early program analysis by tracking gross building floor area ratio while you design

Experience a more continuous BIM workflow:

• Store and share designs in the cloud using Autodesk® 360 cloud services
• Easily transfer designs to desktop applications via RVT or SAT file formats
• Explore design ideas and add detail to early design forms using award-winning BIM technology

Links:

Welcome to Autodesk FormIt

Autodesk FormIt App Page

Please let us know what you think if you’ve used the application!

Revit Visibility Hierarchy

Revit gives the user a number of ways to override the display of an element.  It may not always be clear which method “wins” over another method, but there is a visibility hierarchy.  This list may not cover every possible scenario but does include common overrides.  

10 being the lowest and 1 being the highest using walls as an example:

1. Line Work Tool
2. Override Graphics in View > By Element > Halftone
3. Graphic Display Options – Silhouette Edges
4. Override Graphics in View > By Element
5. View Filters
6. View Depth – “Beyond” Line Style
7. Phasing Graphic Overrides
8. Visibility / Graphic Overrides > Override Host Layers > Cut Line Styles
9. Visibility / Graphic Overrides > Projection \ Cut Lines
10. Project Object Styles

Here is a graphical example using walls:

Another example to this:

• There is a Visibility/Graphic Override for the wall category in the view
• The wall has an override by element
• The view uses a phase graphic override
• There is a view filter applied overriding the graphics of walls over a specific thickness

When all 4 of these overrides are in place, by default the Override Graphics in View > By Element is visible since it is highest up the chain at #4:

Remove that override and I now see my view filter:

Remove the view filter and I see the phasing graphic override:

And lastly, change the phase filter of the view and I will see my Visibility/Graphic Override:

Using Annotation from Linked Views & Troubleshooting Missing Annotation

By default you can utilize annotation, such as dimensions \ room tags \ text \ etc, from a linked model view in the host model view.  Under Visibility \ Graphic Overrides > Revit Links, you can set the link to By Linked View or Custom:

 

When you select a linked view that contains annotation, it should display in the host model:

However if you find the annotation missing from the linked view, there are a few common items to confirm which I have organized below:

1.  Is the Linked View Parallel to the Host View?

One of the most common causes of this behavior.  Say you have a section view in the host model, which cuts through the linked model.  In the host section view, you set the link to use a view containing annotation.  However the host section view is not parallel to the linked section view:

2.  Linked Model Rotated?

Similar to #1, is the linked model slightly skewed in the host model?  For example if the host and link should both be horizontal, zoom in to confirm they are parallel.  If this were the case the annotation would not display:

3.  Visibility \ Graphic Overrides Set Visible?

If set to By Linked View or Custom, the linked model geometry will not be using the host visibility settings by default.  In this case it is important to open Visibility / Graphic Overrides, and confirm the specific annotation categories are visible:

4.  Element in Link Hidden in Host?

This one is easy to overlook; let’s take the following example:

-You tab-select annotation in a linked model [from the host model view]
-Right-click > Hide in View > Category
-This hides the specific annotation category from the link
-You later check the V/G > Revit Links > Display Settings and confirm the category is visible but does not appear in the model

When you hide categories in this manner Revit creates custom display settings for the link instance.

You can confirm this under Visibility / Graphic Overrides  > Revit Links > Display Settings.  When you tab-select and hide a category in the link, the link name should be expanded to show that link instance and it should read Custom:

Let me know if you can add any additional examples!

Project Spark Learning Materials & Survey

I wanted to post some information around learning materials and a survey from the Project Spark Team; included below:

Have you used the Project Spark Getting Started Guide?  Did you watch the Essential Skills Videos?  What about the WikiHelp? 

However you choose to learn, we’d appreciate your feedback on the Project Spark learning materials.  If you can spare approximately ten minutes to take a short survey we would really appreciate it.   To participate, just follow this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/spark_tutorial

If you haven’t tried Project Spark yet, it’s not too late!  It’s available as a free download from the Project Spark homepage on Autodesk Labs.  Project Spark is currently available worldwide.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us at Labs.Spark@autodesk.com.

Thanks in advance!
The Autodesk Project Spark Team

Why Can’t I Drag the 3D Model End of a Level Past a Specific Point?

Here’s the scenario:

In an elevation or section view, you are dragging the model-end of a Level, and you notice it will not drag past a specific point.  Some other levels work, but this particular level[s] just quietly snaps back to the previous point.

This occurs related to the shape and orientation of the specific Level.  Because a Level in Revit is actually a rectangular plane, if a Level is added in a view [such as a section or elevation] not parallel to the N/S or E/W axis, Revit is essentially looking at a rotated rectangle in other views. 

Adjusting a level extent moves one corner of the level’s rectangle parallel to the view in which the adjustment takes place. This can lead to a degenerate rectangle, and that’s what places limits on the extent of adjustment.

In the non-parallel view [where the level was originally added] you can adjust the level model end to any desired point since you are viewing at the same plane. 

However in other views [such as the default N\S & E\W Views], you would be viewing the level ends projected into the current view plane.  The following image better illustrates this concept:

At any time you can toggle the 3D Extents > 2D Extents to graphically override the Level appearance in the view.  This would allow you to drag the end to any desired point.

Special thanks to Steve Bianco for the background and example image on this behavior!

Project & Relative Coordinate Origin

Common scenario; you toggle between a spot coordinate > Coordinate Origin > Project or Relative.  In many cases the value remains the same and you wonder where it is pulling the origin from?

First, WikiHelp has some documentation on Spot Elevation Type Properties; from the link:

“Elevation Origin 
If the origin value is set to Project, then the elevation reported is with respect to the project origin. If set to Shared, then the elevation reported is with respect to the shared origin. If the base value is set to Relative, then the elevation reported is with respect to the level in the Relative Base instance parameter. You can change the shared origin by relocating the project. See Relocating and Mirroring a Project.” 

Typically the easiest method to visualize this is in relation to the Revit Project Base Point.  First we will use a Spot Coordinate in this simple example:

Project

The spot coordinate reports the distance from the Project Base Point.  So if you unclip and move the project base point, the spot coordinate will report the distance between the two.

Simple video follows:

Video Example

Relative

The spot coordinate reports the distance from the Project Startup Location.  This is the fixed “origin”.  The Project Base Point distance is not calculated in this example.

Simple video follows:

Video Example

The one additional item to keep in mind is in regards to a Spot Elevation, which has the same Coordinate Origin options.  

As mentioned in WikiHelp, when you set the Elevation Origin to Relative, a parameter becomes active called Relative Base.  Because a spot elevation displays the elevation, when you choose Relative you have the additional ability to align this to a project level.

For example:

Revit WikiHelp Community Content

Quick post for anyone not familiar with the Community area of WikiHelp yet.  There is an ever-growing collection of great content at the link below:

Revit Community Content

Not only does this serve as an excellent resource, but you can contribute as well.  Definitely check out the area if you have not already!

5 Revit 2012 Timesavers

I’ve organized some of my favorite enhancements below with the 2012 release which either save a few clicks, or make displaying something in the project more efficient…

1.  Project Browser right-click Shortcuts

In the Project Browser you can now right-click on Legends, Schedules/Quantities and Families as a shortcut to the tool.  This is similar to the previous right-click Sheets > New Sheet functionality.

2.  Semi-transparent Selection

By default Semi-transparent element selection is active [you can disable or change the color under Options > Graphics].  This creates a dynamic approach to select an element and automatically view it transparent.  Quick method for viewing through an exterior wall into the project, without overriding any element settings…

3.  3D Connexion Support

If you have a 3D Connexion device, you can now utilize it to navigate in Revit 2012.

For many users this may be one of the best new features for 2012, which opens up some great shortcuts for navigating the model.

3Dconnexion 3D Mouse

4.  Saving all Families \ Export Family Types

You can now easily save all families from the project under Save-as > Library > Family > <All Families>.

You can get here even quicker using the process in #1.  And speaking of families, for anyone who has ever created a Type Catalog, you can now export or import your Revit family types in this format.  It helps streamline the initial type catalog creation and formatting.

Exporting Family Types

Loading and Saving Families

5.  Editing Requests

You can now view editing requests directly inside Revit on the status bar.  This makes it easier to see if you have any pending requests, and allows you to automatically grant a request directly from the dialog.

Worksets and Editing Requests on the Status Bar

Granting a Request to Borrow an Element