Knowledgebase
This collection of articles is designed to be an evolving list.
More information will be added over time, and your comments
or questions are welcome. Please feel free to contribute.
Element Properties vs. Type Properties
Understand the difference between Element Properties and Type Properties early. Element properties are unique to selected elements (eg. height of a wall). Type Properties control every instance of a type of object (eg. width of...
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06.03.2009
Querying layers of imported files
You can query the layer of an imported file to establish what it is, or to control its visibility within a given view. To do it, select the instance and check the Options Bar.
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05.03.2009
Survey files
Create a standard brief for your surveyors that sets out your requirements for surveys to be used within Revit. Make sure that the layers are clear and adequately separated between object types (eg. ground surface on a different...
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05.03.2009
Angle measurement for Property Lines
Ensure that your Angle measurement is set appropriately in your template. This is set in the Site Settings dialog, and should be set to ‘Degrees’ if you're in Australia, or 'Degrees from N/S' if you're in the U.S.
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05.03.2009
Using Graded Regions
Don’t use Graded Regions too early in a project. Use Pads to begin with if possible.
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05.03.2009
Establish True North
Reconcile True North before drawing your property boundaries. Set the plan’s view Orientation property to True North, then Rotate (from) True North to project North.
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05.03.2009
Adding Project (Geographical) Locations
Ensure common project locations are included in your Revit setup to save you from having to recreate them unnecessarily. Locations can be edited via: Go to Render Scene Settings dialog (from Settings Menu->Render Scene) ...
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05.03.2009
Build Layer export settings files
Ensure your organisation has a layer settings file created for rapid and consistent export to DWG format. Offer to create them for other consultant team members, but don’t forget to charge them for it.
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05.03.2009
Using Split Surface tool
Topographical surfaces can only be split into two pieces on each occasion.
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05.03.2009
Acquiring Shared Coordinates
If you import a survey from a DWG file (and if it has been set out correctly with respect to its coordinate system), import it to Revit based on ... (Resolve Shared Coordinates issue)Acquire vs. Publish Coordinates etc...
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05.03.2009
Labelling Contours
Label contours always read up the slope. This means that sometimes they will read upside-down. This is apparently the convention within the Civil discipline.
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05.03.2009
Keep an eye on the Status Bar
Keep an eye on the status bar for instructions when you get stuck. If you hover over an object, Revit will tell you what is preselected.This information will often be displayed as a tooltip at the mouse cursor (if you keep it...
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05.03.2009
Get into the habit of using Select All Instances
After selecting one or more objects, you can Select All Instances (of the selected object/s) from the right click menu.
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05.03.2009
Use TAB to cycle through adjacent objects
TAB is extremely useful for cycling through preselected objects.
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05.03.2009
Duplicating Family Types
You can duplicate existing types of components by selecting a sample, then navigating to Properties->Edit/New->Duplicate. Don't forget to name the new type appropriately.
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05.03.2009
Keep your model simple
Keep your model simple in the early stages - don't rush into too much detail (even if it is fun). There are many ways to do this. Some are: Use patterns applied to surfaces to resemble materials or elements (eg. panelled...
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05.03.2009
The Six Stages of the Revit User
We were just talking about this the other day and it took a few minutes to find it buried in a thread....so I'm putting it back up front. Thanks to Z for expressing it so eloquently.Phase One - Initial Excitement!!!"Holy Crap!...
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05.03.2009
Keep an eye on the Options Bar
The Options Bar is absolute gold! Keep an eye on it at all times, and explore what it presents.
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05.03.2009
Learn Revit's Strengths and Weaknesses
It's not easy, and it takes time, BUT:Learn Revit's weaknesses and strengths so you can really maximise your productivity - know when you are wasting time and when your investing your time.
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05.03.2009
