Center objects in a space
Manage objects and that dreaded EQ symbol easily.
Problem
I want to center an object or element in a space. I also want the dimensions on either side of the element to read EQ, but Revit doesn’t allow me to change the text of any dimension strings.
Solution
Set your dimension string to the center of your object, and make sure the EQ is not crossed out.
Now with the dimension string active, hit the Edit Witness Lines button from the menu.
Now you can move the witness line from the center of the object to the edge.
Then add another witness line at the other side of your object.
Click away from your dimension line and your new string is set.
Have fun with this. I am sure the possibilities are endless.
If you have any tips you’d like to see or questions you’d like answered, please submit them here in the comments section or write to us at lmc@tangentworks.com.
Quickly rotate a camera view
You can rotate your view while in a 3d camera view to tweak what you are looking at.
Problem
Usually, you need to change the view depth and angle of view from the plan for a camera view.
This can be difficult, especially since the camera can disappear once you have unselected it.
Solution
Change and rotate from within your camera view. Simply hold down shift as you click your scroll wheel or right mouse button (depending on your mouse settings).
You can do even more, by clicking on an object in the view. This will allow you to rotate around this object instead.
Have fun looking at your project from many different views!
If you have any tips you’d like to see or questions you’d like answered, please submit them here in the comments section or write to us at lmc@tangentworks.com.
Purge components from your file
With as large as some of these buildings get, it is always good to reduce the amount of information in your Revit file, especially when you don’t need it.
Problem
Using old files to start a new project creates a lot of unnecessary components and information that you may not need.
Solution
Remove the offending information with your project browser. Simply scroll from sheets all the way down to the bottom of the list. You should see a heading labeled Families.
If you expand this out you can see the individual elements that make up the components of your project.
I have highlighted the Toyota elements, and since this isn’t a Toyota dealership, I am going to remove them. Right click on the highlighted elements and select Delete.
Oh no! I got the following error. This means that someone has used these pieces in the model. I can choose to remove them without regard, or find them and replace them with the appropriate piece.
Careful though, Revit might not do this with all elements of the model. So far, I have seen that it does warn me when I try to remove something that exists in the project. Also, remember that some elements are harder to add to a model than others. Walls, for example, need to be created in the model or transferred from another project.
If you have any tips you’d like to see or questions you’d like answered, please submit them here in the comments section or write to us at lmc@tangentworks.com.
