DETAILING TOOLS

Revit has a number of 2D detailing tools.

These can be used to draw over the top of the model in plan, section, elevation and detail views.

2D detailing only appears in the view it is placed in. So, for example, if you draw lines in a working view these lines will not appear on any drawings.

Detailing tools are found under the Annotate tab.

DETAIL LINES

The Detail Line tool allows you to draw lines.

Note that lines are rarely used in Revit because lines that represent objects don't hide what is behind them. Regions are used instead.

To create lines select the Detail Line tool.

1. select what shape lines to use.

2. select what Line Style to use.

3. if relevant input an Offset or Radius.

Then start drawing.

REGION

There are two types of Region - Filled regions and Masking Regions.

Masking Regions are effectively the same as a white solid Filled Region. The difference is Masking Regions match the background colour on export to CAD, whereas a white Filled Region is always white.

Regions are drawn using lines that use the same line styles as Detail Lines. Therefore you don't need to draw Detail Lines AND a Region.

In Revit Regions are created in what is called Sketch mode.

You sketch the boundaries of the region using lines.

The boundary must be closed with no extra lines.

To create lines select either the Filled Region or Masking Region tool.

1. select what shape lines to use.

2. select what Line Style to use.

3. if relevant input an Offset or Radius.

Then start drawing.

If you are creating a Filled Region you need to select the type of Filled Region.

1. Click on the triangle to right in top box of Properties window.

2. Select the Filled Region type you want to use.

When finished click on the green tick.

If there are extra lines (either no forming part of a closed boundary or duplicate lines within a boundary) Revit will not let you finish.

You have to find the errant lines and delete them.

Be sure you select Continue, if you select Quit Sketching EVERYTHING DRAWN WILL BE DELETED.

When you select a completed Region blue grips will appear. You can grab those and stretch the boundaries of the region.

You can also change the type of a Filled Region by selecting it and changing it in the Properties window (as described above).

To create a new type hit the Edit Type button in the Properties window.

Then Duplicate button.

Give the new Filled Region a name that describes either what it is for (e.g. .block) or what it is (e.g. d.Diag 3.0, dash).

To change the new Filled regions appearance change any of the parameters under Graphics heading.

To choose a Fill Pattern hit the button on right of the parameter field.

COMPONENT

There are two types of Components for detailing.

Detail Components are 2D families that can be parametric. For example aluminium window profiles.

Repeating Detail Components contain a Detail Component that can be repeated at set centres. For example bricks in section.

DETAIL COMPONENTS

Detail Components are loaded from the Revit library. Once in the project file they can be selected from within the project.

To load a Detail Component select the Detail Component tool.

In the menu bar select Load Family

The Load Family dialog box will appear.

Browse to the library folder containing the detail component you want.

(to view images click on Views at right and select Thumbnails).

Select the component you want and hit Open.

Once placed the component may have blue grips for dragging and flip arrows.

It depends on how the component was created and varies between components.

If a component already lives in the project you can find it in the Properties window.

Select the Detail Component tool.

In the Properties window

1. Click on the triangle to right in top box of Properties window.

2. Select the Detail Component you want to use.

REPEATING DETAIL COMPONENTS

Repeating Detail Components can only exist within a project file.

If it is within your file you can select it from the Properties window.

Select the Repeating Detail Component tool.

In the Properties window

1. Click on the triangle to right in top box of Properties window.

2. Select the Repeating Detail Component you want to use.

You place a Repeating Detail Component by picking a start point and end point.

If what you want is not in your project you have to copy it from another project.

There is also a Repeating Detail Components 'shopping file' in the library with the Detail Items folder.

To copy a Repeating Detail Component from another file keep your project file open, then open the file containing the Repeating Detail Components you want.

Find (or draw) the Repeating Detail Components you want.

Copyclip it (Ctrl C).

Go back to your project file.

Paste anywhere.

Delete what you pasted.

Then use the procedure above to place the Repeating Detail Component.

DETAIL GROUP

Use this tool to group items together so the group can be copied to other places.

Edit one member of a group changes all copies of that group.

Make sure you give the group a name that identifies what it does.

INSULATION

This is a simple tool that draws an insulation pattern of a given width.