Below are a few tips and tricks that might be helpful.
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Some tools are hidden until you select an object
For example, the “Attach” button for walls to attach them to another object is not available unless you have a wall selected first. This is different than AutoCAD where you choose the command first then select the objects you want to edit. Tab, Space bar and Select Previous
• Tab cycles through the available objects under your pointer; it also selects chains of lines or walls when creating sketches or when adding objects (Remember…Hover, Tab, Pick)
• Spacebar flips the orientation of walls, windows, doors and other objects when you’re placing them • Ctrl-Left Arrow selects previous objects from the last command
Object Selection
• Ctrl-click adds objects, Shift-click removes, Ctrl-Shift while window selecting inverts the selection (unselected objects become selected and vice-versa)
• Like AutoCAD, window-selecting from right to left selects objects wholly inside the window, and going from left to right also selects objects crossing the window
• Sometimes it’s hard to get at the objects you want to work on – they’re obscured by other objects! Use the Hide/Isolate tool in any view or the section box in a 3D view to assist you.
Don’t forget the Pick vs. the Draw tool–know how these two tools work! Zooming during text editing
Sometimes it can be difficult to read the text that you are editing if you are zoomed out. I discovered that I can enlarge the text of the note that I am editing by holding the CTRL key while using the scroll wheel. The text reverts to it's proper size when you finish editing.
Working with Formulas
When working with different units, divide the number by 1. So Weight (Mass) = Density x Volume would be entered as Weight = Volume / 1 * 490, where 490 is the density of steel.
Need a Calculator?
Anywhere you can do a dimensional entry in Revit, it’s a calculator. Try this, select an object, and then pick Move. Click a start point, and then move the cursor in the direction you want to move. Type an = sign and then a mathematical expression. So =4’/2 will move the object 2 feet.
You can do any basic calculation plus many scientific calculations as well. Percent Slope to Inches
15% = 15/100 15/100 = x/12 100x = 180 x=1.8
Your slope at 15% is equal to 1.8” of rise in 12” of run. Different Cut Planes per Plan (Plan Regions)
1. View ? New ? Plan Region 2. Sketch boundary
3. Modify View Range by selecting Region Properties on the design bar 4. Select the Edit… button next to View Range parameter
Rise over Run to Degrees 5 on 12
Take the inverse tangent of 5 divided by 12 = 22.62 degrees Need different Cut Planes in a View? Create a Plan Region
A Plan Region will allow you to sketch an area(s) in a view and assign it different View Ranges.
While in a plan view, from the View menu, click New ? Plan Region or from the View tab of the Design Bar, click Plan Region. Sketch a closed loop, using either lines or rectangles. Use either the draw or pick options for the lines tool.
Click Finish Sketch.
Learn to work in different views
Sometimes, for some types of work, you’ll be more productive working in 3D; other times in elevation or section, or even a cutaway view using the section box.
Turn stuff off that you’re not working on…and keep it that way
Let’s say you’re adding roof fascia to the building in a 3D view. Only the roof needs to be on… you can turn everything else off using the Visibility/Graphics dialog or the Hide/Isolate tool. Do this in other views if things aren’t moving along as fast as you like. Also check the Graphics tab in the Options dialog to make sure OpenGL acceleration is on and Use Overlay Planes is off. If you need to quickly format a view, making certain categories invisible, try the View-Category Invisible tool.
Select and object, use the tool, and that category is turned off.
For increased productivity, try assigning shortcuts to the Hide/Isolate and Category Invisible tools. For example, I use the following combinations:
• HO = Hide Object; HC=Hide Category, IC=Isolate Category; IO=Isolate Object • VH (“Viz Hide”) = Category Invisible
Once you have a view configured properly, to apply it to other similar views, create a view template (View? Save as View Template). You can then select multiple views in the project browser, right-click and select “Apply View Template.” RAM
Getting the Most out of Revit
Explore the software – look at all the buttons; you’ll see a description of the tool as you hover your mouse over it. Read up on them all – get to know what they do. Go through each menu and find out what’s there. Learn how to make your own families. Space Bar – Acquire Size and Workplane
When drawing pipe and duct you can press the Space Bar to acquire the size of the duct and pipe. Further when used on Pipe Fittings it can be used to orient a new section of pipe to the workplane of a fitting, for example the double wye or reducing wye.
Place your first point on the connector snap symbol and move your cursor away from the first point in the direction you want to the duct/pipe to extend and press the Space Bar. You should see the size of duct change and in some cases Revit will change the background color of the screen to blue when working on Pipe Fittings.
Tab Key – Check Connectivity
Use the TAB key to check the connectivity of your duct, pipe and electrical systems. The TAB key is a very important key in Revit and even more so in RMEP.