Using Navisworks for Presentation

The following YouTube presentation explains how to use Navisworks for real-time clients presentation. The workflow requires you to export an 3d DWF from Revit and then import this into Navisworks.

Controlling and changing Grid Line display

Victor Martinez , BIM Manager from HOK NYC said “While working on a recent project, the need to show column grid lines differently between composite plans and finish plans was requested. In order to accomplish this, the following method was used.”

In this first image, the composite plan is showing the grid lines with the project default settings:

Select a grid line and view it’s properties.

From the Type properties window, there are a few options to adjust how column grid lines are being generated. You are able to change the center and end segments here as well as the symbols being used. For this example, change the center segment to none:

Your plan will now look like this:

After changing the center segment, select a grid line and use the blue grips to drag each end segment to the center which will turn the grid lines back into a continuous centerline in the composite plan view.

Do this for each grid line in the view:

After dragging each grid line in the one view, the grids will now display differently in this view as compared to the rest of the other views:

You can then select the grid lines in the view you changed them in and propagate extents to the remaining corresponding views:

Once you Propagate Extents, you will now have the ability to control gridlines differently in multiple views:

Rotating Callouts

This tip comes from Victor Martinez of the HOK New York Office.

A callout has been placed in a view that appears to run parallel with the angle of a wing of a building, but you aren’t sure. A decision has been made to rotate the callout back to a default 0 degrees. Since there is no way of getting the angle or the rotation of the callout from its instance properties, how can it be rotated accurately back to a default 0 degrees?

By placing a scope box (blue dashed line in below image) in the view you can name the scope box and then assign the callout to the scope box so the callout assumes the angle/placement of the scope box (assuming the default value of a scope box is 0 degrees of course):

Callout Instance Properties:

The result is the callout assumes the scopebox angle:

The scopebox can then be deleted without affecting the callout. Now the callout can be rotated accurately if desired.

Linking Revit MEP models into Revit Architecture

Dave Ivey asks:-

“We’re working with MEP models for the first time, and seem to be having problems viewing their content.  The image below shows locations for pipes which are system families (in MEP), and which do not show up any view (2D or 3D) when the model is linked in to RAC 2010.  All the obvious stuff has been checked (Worksets, View Range, Object Styles, Visibility Graphics, etc…).  We even tried linking to a specific view in the MEP model, and all we see anywhere is Annotation.  Hopefully I’m just missing something obvious?”

Lee Miller says:-

“Create a new 3D view, then go to instance properties for the view and set the discipline to Coordination”.

“Next go to Visibility/Graphics for the view; then under Revit Links, set the Display setting to “By Linked View”.

Creating a surface In Revit 2010 from a linked AutoCAD DWG containing vertical lines

I thought I’d share this trick with you. This approach is particularly useful if you are trying to create a complex surface. The idea is to create a series of vertical lines, in the z axis in AutoCAD, spaced evenly with varying lengths. Link the resulting DWG into Revit and then using the new massing tools in Revit 2010, build a surface using points and splines attached to vertical z axis lines on the linked DWG.

Revit Content - Doors

HOK RAC2010 doors are being manufactured with nested frames, and nested door panels. In this short video the steps needed to make a door type "F" are described.

RAC 2010 - Propagating Grids

Here is an efficient method to adjust grids in a view as suggested by Mark R in our San Franciso office:

• You DON’T have to adjust the layout of your grids for every view.
• You CAN propagate the same layout from another sheet.
• It’s easy, you just use “Propagate Extents”.

But first, a caution about GRIDS:

• CAUTION: The GRID is put into the model as a 3D Datum.
• A change to a 3D Datum in one view will affect other views that it extends to.
• Grids remain 3D in a view until it has been PROPAGATED or until you manually select 2D for the grid.
• If you want to manipulate a grid in a VIEW, you should ensure that 2D is selected first
• Do this by clicking the ‘3D’ and it will change to ‘2D’:  

Now here’s how to propagate a grid to other views:


1. The Propagate Extents tool is disabled if the view is cropped. So un-crop the view you are propagating FROM and the view(s) you are propagating TO.









2. Select the grids that you want to propagate (from):

3. Select the “Propagate Extents” button:

4. The Propagate Datum Extents window will open. It shows views you can propagate the grid layout to (if a view is cropped, it will now show up). Select the view(s) and click the OK button.

5. Voila! The checked views will have the same grid layout.

6. PIN YOUR GRID SO IT CANNOT ACCIDENTLY BE CHANGED!

2009-09-21 Ming H from Washington DC adds:

"I found the easiest way to change Grid or levels from '3D' to '2D', especially when you have a lot of grids or levels is: use crop region, any grids and levels out of the crop region will automatically become '2D'. After adjusting and apply propagating, you can always turn off the crop region. I found this way is much faster for high-rise building. ( I have 75 stories)"

Understanding Hosted points in Revit Architecture 2010

Points are a great feature in Revit 2010. The following video is another extract from my HOK Revit 2010 massing class which explains the principles of points and how hosted points can be used to control geometric forms.

Revit 2010 - MEP Coordination

Question from Bart V:
Does anyone have experience with Revit and MEP coordination....The issue is the same for more disciplines, but the lighting layout is a good example: we want to have ownership of the location, while the electrical engineer will be responsible for types, connections, etc.

Option 1: All fixtures will be in the architectural model, and the electrical engineer would connect to the fixtures through a linked file. Problem is that this is not possible… yet. Apparently the next version of Revit might. Secondly, if the link might be (temporarily) removed, what would this do to the connections in the electrical file?

Option 2a: All fixtures live in the electrical file, and we would dimension linked elements. This doesn’t work that well, assuming at some point the link might have to be removed, and all dimensions will be lost. Additionally, the fixture families might be too detailed for our use.

Option 2b: All fixtures live in the electrical file, and we would copy/ monitor all elements. I believe (after a quick test) that it is not possible to copy/ monitor anything but grids, levels, columns, walls, floors and openings.

Option 3: We would have a separate set of “dimension grids” that will allow us to show the desired dimension, but we have to move these elements manually as the fixtures are moved.

Solutions from Don R:

Revit Lighting Fixtures - It is suggested that your coordinate the layout of all light fixtures through your consultant and that the fixtures live exclusively in the MEP model. Most architects would cringe at the thought of this, but if coordinated with enough diligence is the better option.

This method actually solves a couple problems...
- There wouldn’t be two separate lighting layouts between the engineers and the architect (very common and always troublesome)
- The light fixture layout that displays on all sheets will be accurately coordinated with the IECC calculations that the engineer is required to provide

Keep in mind that in order for the engineers to accurately schedule and circuit the fixtures, they will have to exist in their design model and be controlled by them (manufacturer, wattages, bulbs, model numbers, etc.). It is common that light fixtures will require locale modifications in order to accommodate egress foot candle minimums and to stay under the IECC wattage requirements so it is best to give your engineer the right to make these types of adjustments so long as they keep you informed as to where and why they have to shift any light fixtures.

Dimensioning - I suggest you save dimensioning fixtures to the end or that you have your engineer provide basic dimensions under your guidance. In the old 2D mindset an engineer would never consider this, but given the new technologies where the building model and its dimensions are far more realistic and accurate in a Revit environment, you may find that your engineer may be willing to do this.

Copy Monitor Limitations - You CANNOT copy monitor light fixtures, nor can they copy monitor your plumbing fixtures.

Detail of Fixtures - In terms of the light fixtures being too detailed when provided from an engineer, I think you will find that engineers tend to avoid over detailing their graphics and that you will not have that issue. If you are concerned as to their graphical representation detail, discuss it with them and I’m sure you can work out a compromise.

Further HOK/ Industry / Revit MEP users comments and suggestions welcome!

Creating parametric forms using Revit Architecture 2010

Apart from the Ribbon interface, the major focus for the 2010 release of Revit Architecture are the new conceptual massing tools. The following video explains how to create a parametric freeform surface utilising the new conceptual massing tools and the new conceptual mass design environment. This is based on a short extract from a class which I ran for HOK staff. Hopefully, you will find it useful.