Revit Dimension Line Cleanup

One of the most time consuming tasks with detailing in Revit is cleaning up dimensions.  By default when dimensioning an element, the dimension extension line extends to the element with a slight preset offset.  The time consumption of dragging each extension line to a point where it doesn't intersect another dimension line is phenomenal.  This post will describe how to do this automatically.

1.  Select a dimension string and click edit type.

2.  Click Duplicate and name the new dimension type.  You can rename this later if desired. 

3.  Now scroll down to "Witness Line Control" under the Graphics category and change the value to "Fixed to Dimension Line".

4.   Next go to the "Witness Line Length" parameter and change its value to 1/2".  Now click OK.

You will see that ALL of the extension lines are now a preset length.

Autocad 1 was not parallel to UCS

When this occurs, your UCS is slightly skewed.  To correct the issue, type UCS then press enter, then type w and press enter.  Presto...

Model Text Recessed

1.  Set your work plane by pick to the face of the object where you want the text.

2.  Create your model text on the face you just picked.

3.  Give the text a negative value.

4.  Change the material type of the text to a material that has 100% transparency.

5.  Join together by picking text then the object.

Delete Project History

<p>Search your hard drive for Revit.ini.&nbsp; Open the file and scroll down to the "Recent File List" and delete any link you do not want on the welcome page at Revit startup.  You must rename the remaining files in sequential order ie:  file1/file2/file3.  Now save the file and reopen Revit.</p>

Revit Mirror Default Copy Option

The default option for the mirror command in Revit is to create a copy. This is extremely annoying to most of us veteran cad users. The work around for this is the Ctrl key.

1. Select the object you want to mirror, then select the mirror command.

2. Now Revit asks you to select the axis of reflection. Before selecting your axis hold down the Ctrl key to deselect the copy option.

This method also works with the rotate and offset commands.

Revit Tutorial Requests

This blog entry is for Revit users to request tutorials. Simply post the problem you are having or a description of the post you would like to see.

Hide Zero Feet in Revit Dimensions

To hide zero feet in dimensions(ex 0'-3"):

Select the manage tab.
Under the Settings section click "Project Units"
Now click the button in the Format column next to Length.
In the Format dialog check Suppress 0 feet.
Then OK out and you are finished.