Work with reference planes

Discover how reference planes control the

parametric nature of a family and how these planes
can be used within a project. Additionally, learn
how reference planes can assist with the efficient
detailing and placement of families in a project.

o Revit family basics for architectural

design
Learning objectives:

• Create and use reference planes

effectively.
• Review reference plane properties. The completed exercise
• Maximize efficiency in a project using
reference planes for detailing and
placement of families.

1. Open the exercise file

Work_with_reference_planes.rvt. It opens
in a 2D plan view.

Figure 1. Open exercise file

2. In the Architecture tab, Build panel, select

Component.

Figure 2. Select Component tool

Work with reference planes Page | 1

3. In the Properties palette make sure the
component is set to ModernDesk Type 1.
Hover the component over the horizontal and
vertical reference plane to see it snap.

Figure 3. Review snapping options

4. Do not snap to the reference lines. Click to

place the component adjacent to the
reference lines.

Figure 4. Place component

5. In the Modify tab, Modify panel, select

Align.

Figure 5. Select Align

6. Hover over the family to highlight the

reference snapping options. Click the
Modify tool to release the command.

Figure 6. Review reference options

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7. Select the component family and drag it over
the reference planes. Again, these will
highlight, and the component will align. The
component can be locked to the reference
plane.

Figure 7. Align the component

8. With the component family still selected, on

the Modify Furniture tab select Edit Family.
Right-clicking on the object also gives access
to Edit Family from the menu.

Figure 8. Edit the family

9. This opens the component family up in the

Family Editor, in the View 1 3D view.

Figure 9. Family Editor

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10. In the Project Browser change the view to
the Ref.Level 2D view.

Figure 10. Change the view

11. Review the existing reference planes.

Selecting them one by one, review the
reference plane names and properties.

Figure 11. Review reference planes

12. Select the reference plane on the right side of

the desk. It has the name DeskRight. In the
Properties palette the parameter Is
Reference is set to Not a Reference. Change
the setting to Strong Reference. Repeat for
the reference planes along the sides and
back of the desk.

Figure 12. Set reference plane to strong

reference

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13. In the Modify tab, select Load into Project
and Close. If prompted to save click No.

Figure 13. Load into project

14. There will be a prompt to overwrite the

existing version or overwrite the existing
version and its parameter values. Choose
Overwrite the Existing Version.

Figure 14. Overwrite the existing version

15. On the Architecture tab, Build panel, select

Component, The ModernDesk should be
active now. As the component is moved over
the existing reference planes review the
functionality of the reference planes.

Figure 15. Place component

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16. Place two extra components into the
project. Then drag them over the
intersecting reference places. They will
now snap to these and can be locked in
place.

Figure 16. Snap to reference planes

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