PROCEDURES

Contents
GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 4
EXPORTING CAD FILES FOR SHOP DRAWINGS, TRADES AND CONTRACTORS .......................................... 5
REVIT.INI REQUIRED GRAPHICS SETTINGS .................................................................................. 5
SETTING UP PROJECT FOR LINKING CONSULTANT MODELS ............................................................. 6
STARTING A PROJECT FROM OUR TEMPLATE .............................................................................. 7
BORDERS......................................................................................................................... 7
SHEETS ........................................................................................................................... 8
LEVELS ........................................................................................................................... 9
GRIDS ............................................................................................................................ 9
GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES ............................................................................................ 9
CONCRETE COLUMNS ORIENTATION NAMING ............................................................................. 10
WORKING WITH GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES AND WORKSETS ................................................... 10
CREATING GEODETIC SPOT FOOTING ELEVATIONS IN INTEGRATED PROJECTS THAT ARE PROJECT BASED. .... 11
REVISIONS AND ISSUES ON SHEETS ......................................................................................... 11
ROTATING VIEWS .............................................................................................................. 13
SPLITTING GRID LINES ........................................................................................................ 13
SPLITTING A COLUMN BETWEEN FLOORS .................................................................................. 14
ADDING SLAB EDGE PROFILES TO SLOPED SLABS (CURBS) .............................................................. 14
STEEL FRAMING ELEVATIONS-VERTICAL BRACING, MOMENT FRAMES ................................................. 14
CREATING SKETCHES ......................................................................................................... 16
IMPORTING .PDF IMAGES ..................................................................................................... 17
USING ORIGINS FOR CAD IMPORT/EXPORT ................................................................................ 19
CREATING SCHEDULES FROM LINKED FILES ............................................................................... 23
ADDING ALTERNATE UNITS TO SCHEDULES ............................................................................... 24
STEEL DECK LINE TYPE CONTROL........................................................................................... 25
ADDING EDGES TO SLOPED SLABS .......................................................................................... 26
Issue: ...................................................................................................................... 26
You tried to add an edge to a sloped slab, but you were unable to select the desired edge for
placement. ............................................................................................................... 26
PURLIN ORIENTATION IN BEAM SYSTEMS .................................................................................. 26
 [2]

MULTIPLE PROJECT NUMBERS AND SHEET SETS IN BASE PROJECTS ................................................... 27

MULTIPLE ISSUE/REVISION SCHEDULES IN PROJECTS .................................................................... 29
ADDING ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES ........................................................................................ 30
CUSTOM REVISION NUMBER IN SCHEDULE .............................................................................. 34
REVIT 16 – W SECTIONS (BEAMS AND COLUMNS) ARE CREATED WITH INCORRECT SIZES ........................... 35
DETAILING ...................................................................................................................... 36
SHOW HIDDEN LINES BY ELEMENT ....................................................................................... 36
EXAMPLE: SHOW HIDDEN LINES FOR DETAIL COMPONENTS ....................................................... 37
SHOW HIDDEN LINES BY VIEW ............................................................................................ 38
FIXES ............................................................................................................................ 39
RELOCATING CENTRAL FILES ............................................................................................. 39
ROLLING BACK WORKSHARED PROJECTS ............................................................................... 39
HOW TO FIND LOCAL COPIES OF REVIT CLOUD WORKSHARED FILES .................................................. 41
ISSUE: ........................................................................................................................ 41
SOLUTION: ................................................................................................................ 41
LOCALIZED PRINTS DO NOT GENERATE MODEL ELEMENTS ........................................................... 42
“ENCOUNTERED AN IMPROPER ARGUMENT” (REVIT 2014) ........................................................... 42
“UNRECOVERABLE ERROR” FIXES ........................................................................................ 42
IMPORTED .TIF FILE IS TOO LARGE ................................................................................... 42
LINKED AUTOCAD FILE OR LOADED REVIT MODEL IS CORRUPT ................................................... 42
NEWLY CREATED WORKSETS CREATE ERRORS IN VIEWS (GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES TYPICALLY) ... 42
“REVIT CANNOT CONTINUE/REVIT IS REINSTALLING” (REVIT 2016) ................................................ 43
"DATA IN REVIT FILE IS CORRUPT AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY RECOVERED" .................................... 43
“LOCAL FILE UNRECOVERABLE” ERROR ................................................................................. 45
“SHARED COORDINATE SYSTEM ALREADY SYNCHRONIZED” .......................................................... 45
RESTORING MODEL ELEMENTS TO A PREVIOUS REVIT VERSION ........................................................ 46
REVIT 16 Reinstall issues..................................................................................................... 47
SETTING PRINTING TO BLACK WITH COLOUR TITLE BLOCK ............................................................ 48
CONVERT PLT TO PDF (USING KIP REQUEST) ............................................................................. 48
REQUIRED REVIT.INI EDITS ................................................................................................... 49
CALCULATING EXCAVATION VOLUME (CUTS AND FILLS) FROM BUILDING PAD VOIDS ............................... 50
ENSCAPE_REAL TIME RENDERING SOFTWARE ............................................................................. 51
SETTING UP A PLAN VIEW FOR STARTING .............................................................................. 51
PRINTING BORDER/SURFACE COLOURS WITH B&W VIEWS .............................................................. 51
QUICK 3D VIEWS FROM SELECTED ELEMENTS ............................................................................. 52
HOW TO CREATE A TABLE IN REVIT ........................................................................................ 53
 [3]

CREATING A KEY SCHEDULE ............................................................................................ 53

TO CREATE A KEY SCHEDULE .......................................................................................... 53
TO CREATE THE PARAMETERS ......................................................................................... 54
FILLING THE TABLE ...................................................................................................... 56
 [4]

GENERAL
1. Keep your browser organized. This is not optional and necessary for people to work quickly in a
project. Most importantly, all views (eg section views) MUST be named the same as the view
number/name on the sheets. Views must be organized in an appropriate category in the browser. All
views must have the view classification selected. No views can remain in ???/00 Working Sections, all
items in this category are temp views and will be deleted when the project is archived or cleaned
up. If sheet views remain here they will be deleted from the sheets and project.
2. Maintain the level views created in “Not on Sheets-00 Structural Plan” as working views for overlays,
set to wireframe to display CAD. Duplicate these views to create framing plans on sheets.
3. When linking CAD overlays, ensure the “current view only” box is checked so that your overlays
appear in the working views only, not drafting views.
4. A reminder that our sections are created looking up and left. We do the opposite in rare cases when
necessary.
5. When using filled regions be sure to use invisible lines as a boundary, except when you need to see
another line type. Filled regions for materials and hatches are set to halftone.
6. Remove the north arrow from sheets where it does not apply.
7. When working with existing buildings, make sure the existing conditions note (found in legends) is on
every sheet where existing work occurs.
8. We typically use only one issued box. (The typical REVISIONS box should be deleted when the border
is created) This is used only if the Architect insists and then the issued box will have to be filled in
manually.
9. Ensure that Info only levels are not visible in section and elevation views. This has been set in the
view templates.
10. Ensure that all Levels with elevations displayed have been switched to “no elevations” for all issued
drawings.
11. Sheet Framing Plan views are always Visual Style-Hidden Line. No wire frame views.
12. When starting a project, be sure to include a north arrow, key plan (if required) and graphical
representation of grade on foundation sections, on all preliminary views.
13. Text is always left justified for notes, left justified or centered for titles.
14. ALWAYS use a view template. Make new templates for alternate settings if required.
View templates in general. Templates are critical to our productivity and project standards. Always
start with the templates provided in our project template. Expand and adjust them as necessary
using our project standards. Every view in a project must use a template. Be careful about
unchecking categories, use the temporary changes to views when necessary rather than change
templates. When working/helping on other people’s projects, NEVER, NEVER, EVER, adjust view
template settings. This will cause critical display issues on our construction documents. If you
discover a problem with some of the settings, discuss it with the project modeller or myself, but
NEVER, NEVER, EVER, adjust view template settings.

IF IN DOUBT, ASK FOR HELP

 [5]

EXPORTING CAD FILES FOR SHOP DRAWINGS, TRADES AND

CONTRACTORS
As always, ensure the waiver has been signed and returned to us before sending the CAD files. The exported
files should typically be plans only. On rare occasions we agree to send additional sections but this
instruction must be approved by the Project Principal.

A copy of our conversion standards should be made in our STR folder, with the “Read Only” setting turned
off.

This process can be very time consuming if not done correctly. Best Practice is to make a temporary copy of
the Revit model in a separate folder from the main model. Make any changes required for the export eg.
Switch border, remove seals, logos, revisions, sheets, views etc. that are not required. Make the export,
then delete the temporary model.

REVIT.INI REQUIRED GRAPHICS SETTINGS

The Revit System Default for displaying hidden slab edges is “off”. As our previous standard view was to cut
below and look up, we were unaware that the system is set to not display these edges. Overriding them was
necessary to see and print them. Adding a command line to the Revit.ini file to display and print them will
change the default.

These are the instructions (every version of Revit you are using will require this edit). Do not copy a file
from someone else as it contains personal settings and references to recent projects that may cause errors
when you try to open Revit.

Close Revit
Follow the path (for each version)
C:\Users\”USERNAME”\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 201_
Create a folder named Source and copy the current Revit.ini file into it as a backup
Open the Revit.ini file and, in the [Graphics] category, add the line
HiddenSlabEdge=All
Save and close
Reopen Revit, all hidden slab edges should be visible.
Additional lines that should be included under [Graphics] are
ShowMaterialEditor=1
ThinLinesEnabled=0
For Revit 2017 only
OptimizedViewNavigation=0

If you have any questions, please ask for help.

Engineers, you only need to do this if you are concerned about seeing and printing these edges when viewing
files.
 [6]

SETTING UP PROJECT FOR LINKING CONSULTANT MODELS

1. ESTABLISH LINKING METHOD, SHARED, ORIGIN-ORIGIN, PROJECT BASE POINT. (THIS CAN AND LIKELY
WILL CHANGE LATER)
2. OPEN THE ARCH. MODEL, DETERMINE LEVEL TYPE, SURVEY POINT OR PROJECT BASE POINT. CLIP A
SCREEN SHOT OF THE PROJECTAND SURVEY BASE POINT DATA. SAVE IN STR FOLDER. SET THE
STRUCTURAL MODEL TYPE TO MATCH ARCH.
3. START A NEW MODEL FROM OUR TEMPLATE USING OUR NAMING STANDARD. DO NOT CREATE A
CENTRAL FILE UNTIL THE LINKING PROCESS IS COMPLETE.
4. IN THE SITE VIEW, FIND THE PROJECT BASE POINT AND THE SURVEY POINT. THESE POINTS SHOULD
HAVE 2 REFERENCE PLANES INTERSECTING THE POINTS. (LEAVE THESE CLIPPED, IF THE PUBLISH
COORDINATES DOES NOT WORK, TRY UNCLIPPING THEM FIRST AND RELOAD TO PUBLISH)
5. RELOCATE PROJECT LEVEL TO MATCH ARCH.
6. SAVE AND CLOSE OUR MODEL.
7. LINK OUR MODEL INTO THE ARCH. MODEL USING THE KNOWN LINKING METHOD, IF UNSURE LINK
PROJECT BASE POINT TO PROJECT BASE POINT. OUR MODEL SHOULD LINK IN WITH THE INTERSECTING
REF. PLANES MATCHING THE ARCH. PROJECT BASE POINTS.
8. GO TO AN ELEVATION AND ALIGN OUR LINKED MODEL LEVEL 1 WITH ARCH. LEVEL 1 (THE LEVEL 1
DATUMS SHOULD DISPLAY THE SAME ELEVATION)
9. USE THE PUBLISH COORDINATES TOOL AND SELECT OUR MODEL, SAVE, TO SAVE THE COORDINATES TO
OUR MODEL.
10. REMOVE THE LINK TO OUR MODEL AND CLOSE THE ARCH. MODEL.
11. INSERT, LINK REVIT, SHARED COORDINATES, (OR ESTABLISHED METHOD) ARCH MODEL INTO OURS.
12. THE ARCH MODEL REF. PLANES AND ELEV. SHOULD ALIGN WITH OURS. IF NOT REPEAT THE PREVIOUS
STEPS.
13. IN THE SITE VIEW, CLIP THE PROJECT BASE POINT, EDIT THE SURVEY POINT COORDINATES TO MATCH
ARCH. (THIS SHOULD MOVE THE SURVEY POINT TO THE CORRECT LOCATION. CLIP THE SURVEY
POINT. PIN BOTH POINTS.
 [7]

STARTING A PROJECT FROM OUR TEMPLATE

1. Go to NEW→ PROJECT→ (Select template file, R:\CAD\SE_Revit Standards\Metric
Templates\SE_Structural Metric.rte
2. SAVE AS, (file name) project number and project name.

BORDERS
1. Copy the border file from the template to the project folder and rename with project number and
actual sheet size used.
2. Resize sheet and title area to suit current project.
3. Delete partner seals not required.
4. Leave both versions of the seal, signature, no signature visible.
4. Purge all not used.
5. If using a combined ISSUED/REVISIONS Column, delete ISSUED COLUMN and rename REVISED to
ISSUED/REVISED. If you need both versions, there several different setups for this depending on the
requirement. Several auxiliary Title Blocks have been created to accommodate other needs.
6. Use project object styles, annotations to adjust line weights and styles for
border and seal.

The visibility of seals and logos can be controlled in the project using the border properties. See
“SHEETS” for instructions.
 [8]

SHEETS
CONTROLING THE VISIBILITY OF SEALS, SIGNATURES, NORTH ARROWS, LOGOS ETC. ON SHEETS
1. Open any sheet view
2. Select the border
3. In the properties, select “edit type”
4. The available visibility selections can be checked on or off. This will change all your sheets.
5. This list can be added to, creating a visibility parameter in the border for the item you wish to
control.

A variation of this function is setup in the sample Key Plan family supplied in the template.
Use this family to start your key plan and then adjust the supplied filled regions to suit your project’s plan.
To create a key plan, use the Architect’s CAD key plan or export a Cad outline of the building from a
Architectural drawing. Clean it up in CAD, and import and scale in the key plan family.

DATE PARAMETER IN SEALS

When a new seal with signature and date is loaded into a border family, the Signature Date Parameter must
be activated.

Please follow these instruction to activate it. After loading the seal, and placing it in the border family.

1. Select the Seal with signature,

2. Select “Edit Type”
3. Select the “Signature Date” parameter, then select the small square button to the right.
4. Select the “Signature Date” parameter, then OK
5. Select the Seal with signature, select the small button to the right of the Visible Parameter, select
the “SEAL W SIGNATURE” parameter.
6. Close the dialogue boxes, save the border, then load it into the project. Select “overwrite existing
version and it’s parameters” option when prompted.
 [9]

LEVELS
Levels that will display on final issued drawings must NOT have datum or elevation properties turned on.
Levels can be controlled with the use of worksets or filters that filter types.
You need to edt the Levelhead family. Find it in the Project Browser under Annotations, then right-cleck and select
"Edit." Once in the family, select the "Elevation" label, then click on the "Edit Label" button in the options bar. In the
following dialog, select the "Elevation" the "Label Parameters" section, then click on the icon below that is a hand
above a #, then in the "Format" dialog uncheck "Use project settings" and adjust to suit your needs. Then "load into
project."

GRIDS
Use our standard grid types. Info only grids intended to control column locations in the graphical column
schedule can be controlled with the use of worksets or filters that filter types.

GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES

CONTROLLING VISABILITY OF LEVEL ELEVATIONS AND COLUMN LOCATION DATA
1. To hide datum on the graphical column schedule navigate to the
schedule properties> Text Appearance.
Set the text size for the level names/column locations to the smallest setting of
0.1 height (any lower will throw the KIP into a error state) and 0.1 Width factor
This will render the text illegible. Following that, use an opaque text style to
manually name each level. If the text plots with graphical errors, increase the size to .2
2. COLUMN LOCATIONS:
GENERAL:
Commercial buildings- offices, medical, hospitals, retail and industrial, use grid locations to
schedule columns. DO NOT number and tag. Every column MUST have a grid intersection.
Residential (Condos) Schools, fire stations, small additions
Use Column Numbers and Tags.
2.1 Ask the principle in charge of the project/BIM manager if they wish to see columns referenced
by grid location or column numbers. Follow their preference.
2.2 For projects with regular column layout, the grid locations are acceptable
2.3 For projects with irregular column layouts, please revert to using the column mark
tags.
3. Column Schedule Tracking:
You must watch the schedule to ensure it is updated with each design change
It is a good practice to keep a copy of the column schedule with default text
and location settings in the project to use as a tracking/checking tool.

4. Concrete Columns are modelled “lift-lift” or as they would be built. Every lift is tagged in the
schedule with the column size, reinforcing, ties and concrete strength.
Steel Columns are modelled as they would be constructed (generally a single length). Splices , top and
bottom symbols should be shown in the schedule.
 [10]

CONCRETE COLUMNS ORIENTATION NAMING

1. The TYPE NAME will reflect the orientation of column. EG. 300x1000 (for north south orientation) and
1000x300 (for east west orientation). This will require us to make multiple types for the same column
size. Added attention must be applied to ensure that the type name selected reflects the column
orientation.
2. We will not be noting the representation relative to orientation other than the size in the column
schedule. The column schedule tags will automatically reflect the change in orientation.
3. Use the same naming process for angled columns.
4. If you have any questions, please ask for clarification

WORKING WITH GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES AND

WORKSETS
The graphical column schedule in Revit is an efficient and user-friendly tool to manage and display your
project's columns. However, in large and complex projects it may be necessary to split your columns across
separate schedules.

One strategy to handle this is assigning your columns to various and separate work sets and editing the VIEW
GRAPHICS of each schedule to display the relevant columns.

If you utilize this approach, beware that Revit seems to assign the column schedule graphics (the grid
layout, level names, etc.) to the currently active work set. In order to ensure your schedule displays
correctly, it is recommended that you the schedule in a work set which does not include scheduled columns
and can remain active in the view.

NOTE: GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES REQUIRE CONSTANT CHECKING TO ENSURE

THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN REPORTED CORRECTLY.
 [11]

CREATING GEODETIC SPOT FOOTING ELEVATIONS IN

INTEGRATED PROJECTS THAT ARE PROJECT BASED.
Our footing elevations are generally specified at their Geodetic Elevation. We should always model the
footing at the correct elevation and report the elevation with at spot elevation. A problem exists for us
when the Architect is using levels that are project based and we cannot reposition the model to a Geodetic
Elevation.

The quickest way to resolve the problem without relocating our model relative to other consultants is:

1. Create a new Project Based Elevation at minus(-) the geodetic elevation in m(meters) on information
only level and workset.
2. Setup our spot footing elevations the report the bottom of the footing relative the new negative
geodetic level. This will force the reporting of a positive geodetic footing elevation.
3. If the building geodetic is revised, simply move the – geodetic to the revised elevation and all of the
spot footing elevations will be updated.

REVISIONS AND ISSUES ON SHEETS

Typically, ISSUES and REVISIONS will appear in the same schedule.

Under Manage→Additional Settings→Sheet Issues/ Revisions

1. Set numbering to “Per Project”

2. For SET issues, fill in date and “ISSUED ______”, Set Show field to “none”
3. Select border on sheet and in the properties, select Revisions on sheets→Edit, select correct issue or
revision.
4. For Addendum, SI, Bulletin Issues, set Numbering to “Numeric”. Fill in date, description etc. Set
Show field to “cloud and tag” After the drawings are issued, set to ‘tag’
5. Check Issued box after issuing.
6. Apply tags without leaders as close to the revised element as possible. The clouds will be turned off
after issuing.
7. Auxiliary sheets are available for using multiple schedules and multiple project numbers in the same
project.
8. For Revision Schedules set to Alphanumeric, in the border family Revision Schedule, the Revision
Sequence parameter should be included as a hidden column in the fields. Set the Sorting-Sort by: to
Revision Sequence, Ascending
9. Pending Changes: Do not name and date a change in the revision box until we are ready to issue it.
This has been the source of many errors. When working on new revisions, cloud and tag as you make
them using a temporary revision date and name, use a . for the date and “pending” or a . for
changes being worked on. This revision should always be the last in the schedule sequence and the
clouds and tags turned off until it is issued to avoid having it appear in the schedule until it is ready
to issue. If you are working on several different changes, name the revisions as eg. (Pending SI#__)
etc. to sort the revision clouds as you work, however, if you must issue only one of them or send a
progress set, these pending revision will need to be temporarily named to . and turned off to avoid
any contract confusion.
10. Ensure that signed seals with the correct date only appear when required and definitely should not
be turned on for progress sets or general printing. Do not modify the seal date parameter from our
standard. It is set up to allow different dates on different sheets. It can easily be changed globally by
 [12]

selecting all sheets in the project and changing the date once for issuing sets of drawings. For full
sets, ensure the same seal date appears on all sheets.
11. Ensure that every issue and revision has a .pdf saved in a dated and named folder within the ISSUED
folder. This is important, it is our only record of the drawings in that moment.

This area of drawing management is important to the contract documents and must always be maintained
correctly. If you have any doubts about what is appearing on the drawings please ask for assistance. Unique
issuing situations occur often and may require some unique solutions.
 [13]

ROTATING VIEWS
THERE ARE FOUR MAIN METHODS OF ROTATING A VIEW.

1. Add view to sheet, select view and choose rotation (none, 90 º clockwise, 90 º counter clockwise)
This will change text and view title rotation.
2. In the view, select the crop region, and rotate view to desired angle. This will allow text and labels
to be rotated to align with sheet.
3. Create a scope box and rotate it to desired angle.
a. Draw a simple scope box and name it (eg. North rotated __d)
b. Rotate the scope box to angle you want the view to display at.
c. Duplicate the view, then assign the named scope box to the view.
d. This will crop the view to the scope box, and rotate the view to be parallel with the scope
box angle.
e. All of the annotation symbols and ortho of the view will match the angle of the scope box.
4. For plan views, in the view properties, change the “orientation” to Project North. Go to the
“Position” pull down and rotate true north. USE THIS ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MATCH
THE ARCHITECTS USE OF PROJECT NORTH OR ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO BY THE ARCHITECT.

SPLITTING GRID LINES

If you have a crowded view, you may want to "split" or "break" the grid lines to facilitate readability. Revit
provides scope boxes as a means to control the visibility of datum elements (grids, levels, and reference
lines) in the views. The following steps describe how to create a scope box or use reference planes and then
split the grid line.

1. Open the crowded view in the Project Browser.

2. Click Scope Box.
3. Sketch the box in the view as necessary. Use the drag controls (blue controls) to extend and rotate
the scope box as necessary or create named reference planes to define the split extent.
4. Select a grid line.
5. You will notice that Revit will display two small controls (blue dots) at the midpoint of the grid line.
Note: If you do not see a blue dot indicating the segment boundary, move the 3D extent for the grid
line outward until the dot is visible. In addition, check the setting of the Center Segment parameter.
To do this, select the grid line, click Modify | Grids tab Properties panel (Type Properties). In
the Type Properties dialog, change the value for Center Segment to None or Custom.
The default length of the end segments of a grid line is defined by the End Segments Length
parameter of the grid type.Drag these controls to the desired position using the scope box or
reference planes as extents.
6. Deselect the grid line or click Modify and you will see the resulting "split" or "break" on the grid line.
7. Repeat as necessary for other datum elements. Propagate Extents to display the split in other views.
 [14]

SPLITTING A COLUMN BETWEEN FLOORS

Issue
You have a single/multiple columns that extends through all the floors of your building and you want it to be
split at each floor.

Solution
One column at a time:
1. Select the column
2. Under the Properties-> Constraints-> Column Style-> Slanted
3. Select the column again-> Modify-> Splice

Multiple columns at once:

1. Select and Group all columns you want
2. Go to the Project Browser-> Group and find the group you just created
3. Right click on the group and save as rvt
4. Insert-> Link Revit-> Find the file you just saved-> Origin to origin
5. Collaborate-> Copy and monitor-> select the linked file
6. Options-> Columns tab-> Check Split Columns by Levels
7. Copy-> Check Multiple-> Select the Columns-> Finish (by the multiple checkbox)
8. Go back to Copy/Monitor and hit Finish again
9. Now you can delete the link and the group

ADDING SLAB EDGE PROFILES TO SLOPED SLABS (CURBS)

1. Make the slab level. (If you a slope arrow) , cut the arrow from the edit slab view, and paste it back
after you have added the slab edges
2. Add the slab edge type (eg. Curb) to the level slab, then edit the slab and slope it. The edge will
slope (and edit) with the slab.

STEEL FRAMING ELEVATIONS-VERTICAL BRACING,

MOMENT FRAMES
1. Vertical Bracing and Moment Frame locations must be noted on plans “VERTICAL BRACING/MOMENT
FRAME __” or “VERTICAL BRACING/MOMENT FRAME__ ABOVE” as it applies, including foundation
plans. Columns with vertical bracing/moment frame should be noted “VB/MF__” in the column
schedule. Use the “MOMENT FRAME NUMBER” tag and select the correct parameter.

2. A Framing Elevation must be produced for each moment frame/bracing or lines of bracing. (Use the
supplied view templates in the project). First produce a working elevation attached to the bracing
location grid. Use this to model the bracing, duplicate with detailing the working view to produce a
sheet view and apply the sheet view template, detach it from the grid an relocate the view plane
offset from the grid. This will produce a true elevation that does not cut through the members. You
will still have the working view on the grid to make adjustments to the bracing with.

3. Use the “INSTANCE COMMENT” parameter in the bracing element properties for the forces and the
INSTANCE COMMENT TAG to tag them on the elevation. This will allow you to select multiple
members and apply or change the forces. DO NOT USE TEXT
 [15]

4. These elevations may be created at course scale for simple conditions, but generally can be done
with medium scale. If done at medium scale, apply a detail line (GRID) using the select tool to the
center line of the intersecting elements and lock it to the member. (see image below) All bracing
must be created using standard practice for bracing. If you are unsure of connection points, confirm
them with Design Engineer. In general, do not show gusset connections (these are designed by the
fabricator). For special conditions where we have supplied the connection a large scale detail should
be supplied.
 [16]

CREATING SKETCHES
As the sketch is only a temporary record of the intended changes it is important that we do not spend too
much of our time creating them. All sketches should be made with the following method. DO NOT create
duplicate views to place on sketches.

Available in Revit 2011 - 2014 is the “Save to Project as Image” feature. To use this for sketches, in the
browser, right click on the view, select “Save to Project as Image”.

1. In the dialogue box, under “Image size”, select “Zoom to”, usually you will select 100%.
2. Under “Format-Raster Image Quality” select “600”
3. Under “Options” check all boxes. (NOTE: this does not always hide unreferenced view tags, so I hide
them before making the image”
4. Under “Export Range” select “Visible portion of current window”
5. Under Output, name the view.
6. The image will be saved under ???-Rendering, change the view classification to “ON SKETCHES”
7. Create your sketch sheet as usual and drag the image on to the sheet. Select “Viewport-No Title” for the
view type and activate the view.
8. Scale the image to best suit the sheet by dragging the corners and use a masking region to hide any
areas that project beyond the borders.
9. Deactivate the view and title the sheet.
10. These images will not be to scale, so N.T.S. should be noted as the scale.

Be sure to uncheck “Sheet appears in drawing list” and create an appropriate series category for the sheets,
IE: SKETCHES- Addendum #__
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IMPORTING .PDF IMAGES

This cannot be done directly, the .pdf must be saved as a .jpg or .png (.jpg is preferable)

These files cannot be linked so if editing is required they must be imported again and replace the current
file. For this reason there are some best practices to observe that help speed up replacing and adjusting
them.

Always note your final procedure on the start-up sheet so others will know how to edit or update the
images.

If you know the image needs editing eg. Cropping, gray scaling, items erased, image cleaned up, colour
changes etc., do this in paintnet first and save a new file (this install is saved in R:\CAD\SE_Revit Add Ins )
Always keep a copy of the original. In paintnet, use Image →Adjustments →Curves to adjust grayscale.

1. Some of these files import at the correct scale if you are lucky. Eg. If the pdf was at a correct scale
and the image is imported to a Drafting view of the same scale. This however does not usually
happen.
2. There are a few methods of scaling them if necessary.
a. Set up a drafting view that matches the stated view of pdf. Scale (a preferably long known
dimension, this gives more accuracy) If it is correct you have nothing more to do. Pin it and
add detailing for sheet view.
b. Start by choosing the desired scale in drafting view, drag and drop the image file in the view.
Check a dimension on the image, if scaling is required you can draw some detail lines
representing the distance you want the scaled lines of the image to be and “eyeball”
stretching the image until it aligns (this is time consuming and not very accurate) and must be
repeated if an edited image is brought in.
Or, preferred method
c. Start as above and rather than guess at the size use a calculation in the properties to adjust
the current width or ht of the image to change the image size.
Take your first measurement of the image as accurately as possible.
Select image, in properties, select the width or ht, it does not matter which one, in this
example add an = in front of the given number, then insert * (multiply) after to multiply by
the measured number you got, then / (divide) the actual number you require. (as with all
Revit input, units can be mixed in the calculation) Added tip, type fast or it will calculate and
resize before you finish.
 [18]

Image 1: Input (Ensure lock proportions is checked)

Image 2: Original measure in mm

Image 3: New measure from calculation input in mm (Note: desired length was input in feet
and inches (width line example: =71966*26194/49’6”)

The width property can then be fine-tuned by editing the actual number if necessary.

Pin the image to the view and record the final number so additional or replacement image
imports can be scaled quickly. The image will now scale with the view scale.
 [19]

USING ORIGINS FOR CAD IMPORT/EXPORT

The origin for Revit is hardcoded. It can never be changed. I think it is on the bottom left of the model
space, but you can never see it or change it.

When you link the first DWG to your project as origin-to-origin, you begin modelling in relation to this point.
In this case 0,0,0 in that first DWG and 0,0,0 in your Revit model coincide.

Generally, this is never an issue and happens in the background without the modeller being conscious of it.

The problems start when this point differs between drawings or the Architect, in their infinite wisdom,
decides to use a new point of origin.

We have a workaround, but is it not as easy and the old UCS tool in AUTOCAD.

To implement this, we need to enable the visibility of the project base point and, but not necessarily, the
survey point.

From the Revit User guide:

Every project has a project base point and a survey point , although they might not be visible in all views, because
of visibility settings and view clippings. They cannot be deleted.

The project base point defines the origin (0,0,0) of the project coordinate system. It also can be used to position the
building on the site and for locating the design elements of a building during construction. Spot coordinates and spot
elevations that reference the project coordinate system are displayed relative to this point.

The survey point represents a known point in the physical world, such as a geodetic survey marker. The survey point is used
to correctly orient the building geometry in another coordinate system, such as the coordinate system used in a civil
engineering application.

The project base point and the survey point can be (clipped) or (unclipped). By default, they are clipped in all views.
To switch between the clipped and unclipped states, first click the point, and then the icon. The following table describes how
clipping and unclipping affects these points when you move them in a view.

Clipped Unclipped

Project Base Point

Moving an unclipped project base point repositions the project

coordinate system relative to both the model geometry and shared
coordinate system.

Moving a clipped project base point is the same as using the • Project coordinates change for the model elements.

Relocate Project tool. See Relocating a Project. • The shared coordinates of the project base point change in the
shared coordinate system. (The project coordinates of the project
• Project coordinates do not change for the model elements. base point never change.)

• Shared coordinates change for the model elements. • Shared coordinates do not change for the model elements.
 [20]

Project Survey Point

Moving an unclipped survey point moves only the survey point

Moving a clipped survey point repositions the shared coordinate relative to the shared coordinate and the project coordinate

system relative to the model geometry and the project systems.

coordinate system.
• Project coordinates do not change for the model elements.

• Project coordinates do not change for the model elements. • Shared coordinates do not change for the model elements.

• Shared coordinates change for the model elements. • Only the shared coordinates of the survey point itself change.

To move the project base point or survey point in a view, do one of the following:

• Drag the point to the desired position.

• Click the point and then click the desired coordinate to open the text box. Enter the new coordinates. For a project base
point,

Note: changing the value of the Angle to True North is another way of rotating a project to true north. See Rotating a
View to True North.

The start-up location is the original position of the project base point in a new project. To return the project base point to its
start-up location:

1. Unclip the project base point.

2. Right-click the project base point, and click Move to Start-up Location.

So, we can alter the project base point to reflect the new origin in the DWG. We do this by unclipping and
unpinning it, and moving it to where it needs to be. After that, we use the Specify Coordinates at point tool
in the Manage tab

And we number the new point as 0,0,0.

This DOES NOT alter that hardcoded origin, but it does change the coordinate system. So, you might ask,
“how does that help with my misaligned reference files?”

Well, with most DWG files, the origin is the base coordinate and that equals 0,0,0. So we can import/link
the files in a manner that references that shared coordinate system rather than the origin.

So we can Insert>Link CAD and select the following option:

 [21]

By linking to the base point, we are now using the shared system.

Now if that wasn’t enough work, we also have to make sure we follow a similar process for exporting our
drawings (provided we want to save the Architect all the trouble that they just put us through)

Under the big “R” Export>CAD Formats>DWG files (or whatever type you need):

Under the export pop-up dialog, select the ellipses:

 [22]

This brings up export options. Under the Units & Coordinates tab, you can choose the coordinate system to
use. You have to set it to shared:

Now your drawing will export using the Project Base Point as 0,0,0.

A word of warning:

This will only really work if you are exporting the views themselves. If you are exporting sheets and not
Xrefing the views, the hardcoded origin will be used.
 [23]

CREATING SCHEDULES FROM LINKED FILES

 [24]

ADDING ALTERNATE UNITS TO SCHEDULES

This is done in the schedule. An example tutorial link is below. It involves adding a calculated value to the
schedule and changing the units.

1. Create a duplicate schedule to add the new alternate units columns

2. Open it and select “Fields” Edit.
3. Select “Add Calculated Parameter”, fill in new name, select parameter type, and select field to use as
formula.
4. Select new field column in schedule, then select “Format Unit”, uncheck “Use Project Units” and select
alternate unit.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/getting-
started/caas/screencast/Main/Details/717fb598-15cc-418a-9490-871ff1fe8d5e.html
 [25]

STEEL DECK LINE TYPE CONTROL

 [26]

ADDING EDGES TO SLOPED SLABS

Issue:

You tried to add an edge to a sloped slab, but you were unable to select the desired edge for
placement.

Once a slab has been sloped, the edge will not recognize the sloped edges. To workaround this issue, use
one of the following methods:

Method 1

If you are using the slope arrow to slope your slab, you can flatten the slab, add the edges, and then re-
slope it. The edges will follow the slope.

Method 2

If you are using the Slab Shape editing tools or you do not want to flatten the slab, you can draw a model
line along the sloped slab edge. You can then select this line when placing the slab edge, rather than the
slab itself.

PURLIN ORIENTATION IN BEAM SYSTEMS

Correcting beam orientation in sloped beam systems. Beams can be set to “Normal” = Aligned to slope or
“Horizontal” = vertical orientation
It matters which direction the span direction is drawn.
If you draw the span direction from right to left, you will get result A, (normal) if you do it from left to
right, you will get result B (vertical).
If this does not give you the correct orientation, delete the span direction boundary, and redraw taking note
of which side you started from. If that doesn’t fix it, delete it again, and start from the other side.
 [27]

MULTIPLE PROJECT NUMBERS AND SHEET SETS IN BASE

PROJECTS
Some projects require work to be done as a separate project number with an additional sheet. It is
important that this work be done in the base project so the final record set for the project reflects all the
work done to the building. A sheet for this option is now available in our template. It does require additional
setup.

1. All new views for an additional project number must be prefixed with the new project number.
2. New shared project parameters for browser organization and an additional project number must be
loaded. From 12 SHEET PARAMETERS, add PROJECT SERIES, (In the project parameters, set the
category to Sheets) from 09 PROJECT INFO, add Project Name (2) and Project Number 2 etc. (In the
Project parameters, set these parameters to Project Information)
3. In the base project, right click on the Sheets folder in the browser. Click on Folders-Edit, revise the
Group by: order to Project Series first, then Series number, Sheet Number

4. After the Project Series parameter is added and the “Group By” is set up, a ??? will appear before the
sheet series. Change this to the project number for the series of sheets.
5. Open and save as the Auxiliary Border file to reflect the new project number. This Sheet has some
calculated values added to allow only revision created after a certain number to be displayed. The
default is >30. You may not need to set the number this high.
6. In the Sheet Issues/Revisions schedule add the desired number of spare revisions for the base
project, if you use a different number than 30, then adjust the number in the calculated values.
 [28]

7. Set the new project numbering to Number. We cannot change the numbering sequence.
Alphanumeric sequencing is allowed which will give more flexibility.
 [29]

MULTIPLE ISSUE/REVISION SCHEDULES IN PROJECTS

5. Create two revision schedules in the title block. One for ISSUED and one for REVISIONS. Set both
to use Numerical for sequence, sort by “No.” This process can also be used two borders, one
main with one sched, one overlay with the other (where only some sheets need a separate
sched. Eg part of a building)
6. Using the methods above create calculated values for No., Description, Date in both schedules
eg. For Issued Schedule, calculated values formula =
No. if(Revision Sequence < 98, Revision Number, " ")
Description if(Revision Sequence < 98, Revision Description, " ")
Date if(Revision Sequence < 98, Revision Date, " ")

7. Using the methods above create calculated values for No., Description, Date in both schedules
eg. For Revision Schedule, calculated values formula =
No. if(Revision Sequence > 99, Revision Number, "No. ")
Description if(Revision Sequence > 99, Revision Description, "Description ")
Date if(Revision Sequence > 99, Revision Date, "Date ")
 [30]

8. In the project “Revisions on sheets” tool, begin the project Issues at the starting Sequence
Number, one number after the one used to define the “Calculated Value” in the sheet revision
schedule. This will place the Issue in the correct “Issues” schedule.

9. Revisions are created in the usual manner with a revision cloud starting at Sequence number 1.
This will place them in the revision schedule. (Ensure that these are not checked “Shown in
Revision Schedule” in the sheet properties or they will appear in both schedules.

ADDING ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES

Calculated value for revision number

[31]
 [32]

Calculated values: for first Schedule in Title block (15 rows in schedule)

No. if(Revision Sequence < 16, Revision Number, " No.")

Item if(Revision Sequence < 16, Issued to, " Item")

Description if(Revision Sequence < 16, Revision Description, " Description")

Date if(Revision Sequence < 16, Revision Date, " Date")

 [33]

Calculated values: for second Schedule in Title block (if only two schedules)

No. if(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Number, " No.")

Item if(Revision Sequence > 15, Issued to, " Item")

Description if(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Description, " Description")

Date if(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Date, " Date")

Calculated values: for second Schedule in Title block (if there is third schedule)

No. if(and(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Sequence < 42), Revision Number, " No.")

Item if(and(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Sequence < 42), Issued to, " Item")

Description if(and(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Sequence < 42), Revision Description, "
Description")

Date if(and(Revision Sequence > 15, Revision Sequence < 42), Revision Date, " Date")

Calculated values: for third Schedule in Title block

No. if(Revision Sequence > 41, Revision Number, " No.")

Item if(Revision Sequence > 41, Issued to, " Item")

Description if(Revision Sequence > 41, Revision Description, " Description")

Date if(Revision Sequence > 41, Revision Date, " Date")

 [34]

CUSTOM REVISION NUMBER IN SCHEDULE

 [35]

REVIT 16 – W SECTIONS (BEAMS AND COLUMNS) ARE

CREATED WITH INCORRECT SIZES
It appears that our issues with incorrect sections being generated stems from the fact that the families from
2015 back had their catalogue names stated with a capital X in the type name, the 2016 families use a lower
case x (which is the correct format) Loading the same sections from more than one family version causes an
error (that you are not notified of) and changes all of the original properties to match the CURRENT type
selected (thus the very odd sizing being generated)

I have reviewed all of the catalogues and the properties appear to be correct for all sections in all versions.
To avoid issues,

1. Use only one version of sections in a project.

2. Spot check the section sizes frequently.
3. Remain aware that this problem exists and check sizes on projects before creating steel material
take-offs.
 [36]

DETAILING
SHOW HIDDEN LINES BY ELEMENT
Use the Show Hidden Lines by Element tool to display model elements and detail elements that are
obscured by other elements in the current view.

The Show Hidden Lines by Element tool provides an override for the graphic display of individual
elements in the current view. You can use this tool for elements whose categories have the Hidden
Lines subcategory.

Note: The Show Hidden Lines by Element tool is not available for:

• Perspective views.
• Views whose Show Hidden Lines view parameter is set to All or None. (It must be set to <By
discipline>.)
• Elements in linked models.
• Revit MEP, or for views in Autodesk Revit when the Discipline parameter is set to Electrical,
Mechanical, or Plumbing.

For example, you have an entrance on the south elevation, and you want to show an outline of this
entrance using hidden lines on the north elevation.

1. Open a view where you want to show hidden lines for an obscured element.
2. (If needed) To display view properties on the Properties palette, right-click in an empty area of
the view, and click Properties.
3. On the Properties palette, for Show Hidden Lines, select <By discipline>.
Note: Hidden lines specified using the Show Hidden Lines by Element tool display only when the
Show Hidden Lines view parameter is set to <By discipline>.
4. On the View Control Bar, click Visual Style: Wireframe.

Wireframe style allows you to select the hidden element to display.

5. Click View tab Graphics panel (Show Hidden Lines by Element).

6. (Optional) To display hidden lines for multiple elements, on the Options Bar, select Multiple
Selection.
 [37]

7. Select an element that is hiding another element.

8. Select one or more obscured elements.
9. On the View Control Bar, for Visual Style, select a style other than Wireframe

Obscured edges and lines for these elements display as hidden lines.

10. (Optional) To reverse the effects of this tool, change the visual style to Wireframe, and click
View tab Graphics panel (Remove Hidden Lines by Element).

Then select the element that will hide the obscured element, select the obscured elements,
and change the visual style again.

11. Click Modify to exit the Hidden Lines tool.

To change the styles used to display hidden lines throughout the project, use the Object Styles
dialog. To change the styles used to display hidden lines in this view only, use the
Visibility/Graphics dialog.

EXAMPLE: SHOW HIDDEN LINES FOR DETAIL COMPONENTS

The following example illustrates the results after using Show Hidden Lines by Element and
selecting the 4x6 stud and a bolt. Hidden lines for one bolt are displayed, while lines for the

second bolt are obscured. Note: The objects must be in the

correct order. You cannot hide the lines of a bolt that is on top of a 4x6 stud. The bolt must first
be sent behind the 4x6 stud to be obscured. To show the bolt as hidden lines, select the 4x6 stud,
and then select the bolt.
 [38]

SHOW HIDDEN LINES BY VIEW

To control the display of hidden lines in a view, use the Show Hidden Lines parameter in the view
properties.

The Show Hidden Lines parameter controls the display of hidden lines in the view based on
category definition or the discipline of the view.

Note: Hidden lines do not display

• in perspective views or in views whose visual style is Wireframe.

• for component-based stairs in 2D views (elevation, section, floor plan, and ceiling plan).
• for linked models.
1. Open the view.
2. (If needed) To display view properties on the Properties palette, right-click in an empty area of
the view, and click Properties.
3. For Show Hidden Lines, select a value:
Description
Option
All Display all hidden lines according to the Hidden Lines subcategory available for
most model categories in the Visibility/Graphics dialog.

This value is not available if the Discipline parameter for the view is Mechanical,
Electrical, or Plumbing.
By Control hidden lines according to the Discipline parameter for the view:
Discipline
• If Discipline is set to Architectural or Coordination, hide hidden lines.
• If Discipline is set to Structural, show hidden lines.
• If Discipline is set to Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing, show hidden lines.

This setting honors changes to line styles and visibility of Hidden Line
subcategories as specified in the Visibility/Graphics dialog.

It also displays hidden lines defined using the Show Hidden Lines by Element tool
of the View menu.
None Do not display hidden lines in this view.

If hidden lines do not display as expected, check the view range. You may need to extend the view
range to include objects whose hidden lines you want to show, or reduce the view range to exclude
objects whose hidden lines you do not want to display.

To change the styles used to display hidden lines throughout the project, use the Object Styles
dialog.

To change the styles used to display hidden lines in this view only, use the Visibility/Graphics
dialog.
 [39]

FIXES
RELOCATING CENTRAL FILES
All Central File projects that must be relocated (to a new folder or server) must have their central files
remade, not moved.

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CLOSLY, USING THE ATTACHED .JPG TO MAKE A NEW FILE. IF YOU ARE UNSURE
OF ANY OF THE STEPS, ASK FOR HELP

1. Open the central file, you will get a warning message telling you the file cannot be found.
2. Go Revit button in the top left corner of the screen, select “save as”, select “project”
3. In the Save As screen (see attached), select item 2 “options”, item 3 –check box for “Make this a
Central Model after save, item 4 – select OK, then select “save”
4. Synchronize Now
5. Close the central file.
6. Open with Make new local, select “Append date and time stamp” (this will give us a backup if we
have errors with the central file)

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, SPEAK TO THE BIM MANAGER IMMEADIATLY

ROLLING BACK WORKSHARED PROJECTS

ATTENTION: ROLLBACKS CANNOT BE UNDONE, THEY REQUIRE THE BIM MANAGERS APPROVAL. When
you roll back a project, all backup versions subsequent to the selected version are lost. Ensure that
you want to roll back the project before continuing, and save any later versions, if necessary.

1. Click Collaborate tab Synchronize panel (Restore Backup).

2. In the Browse for Folder dialog, navigate to the backup folder for the project.
 [40]

To see the central model backups, browse to the central backup folder.
To see the local file backups, browse to the local backup folder.
3. Click Open. (Screen will say that file is empty, open it anyway)
4. In the Project Backup Versions dialog, select a version (all info created after this will be lost).
5. Click Rollback.
6. Click OK to continue the rollback, or click Cancel.
Note: If your local copy of the central model has a version number greater than the version number
the central model was rolled back to, you will need to open the central model and save a new local
copy.
7. Click close.

8. Open file using “append local file option”

 [41]

HOW TO FIND LOCAL COPIES OF REVIT CLOUD

WORKSHARED FILES
By:
Support Jul 13 2018

ISSUE:
You would like to know where to find the local copies saved on your machine for the Revit Cloud Workshared
files you are working on.

SOLUTION:
When working on Collaboration for Revit files, local copies are saved at the following address:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\<Autodesk Revit Version>\CollaborationCache

The CollaborationCache folder is structured as follows:

Main folder contains sub-folders based on the user's account ID.

The account ID folders contain sub-folders with Projects' GUIDs.

The Product GUID folders contain sub-folders with the Revit model GUIDs.

The Revit model GUID folder contains all local copies of files associated with the particular model (including RVT,
backup folder, and linked files).

Note: The normal workflow to access cloud models is to go to the Open Dialog, and click the BIM 360
icon on the left (or through the Recent Files page). Accessing these local files directly should be
avoided where possible. Some cases where you may want to access these files would include when
trying to find a good copy of a model that can be used to create a new central model, or when trying to
clear damaged local files.

If you don't know how to find the exact file you need, there are a few methods available:

Open the file in question and verify that it is the desired model. Then, use Save As to save a detached copy of the model to
a local location.

Look in the journal file for a session where you opened the file in Revit and retrieve the file name from there. The journal
will be located in C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\<Autodesk Revit version>\Journals.

For example:

Journal entry:

Jrn.Data "File Name" _

, "IDOK", "CLD://{cc0461d1-07b9-4fb4-9e4b-f3dc0b7a8bd3}Skiba House/{08aa6dc6-3f6c-4939-92a6-

e412ef449c1b}Skiba Cabin - 07.08.rvt"

In this case “cc0461d1-07b9-4fb4-9e4b-f3dc0b7a8bd3” is the project GUID, and “08aa6dc6-3f6c-4939-92a6-

e412ef449c1b” is the file GUID;

The corresponding Collaboration Cache will be:

 [42]

LOCALIZED PRINTS DO NOT GENERATE MODEL ELEMENTS

Usually caused by a Plan Region.
Fix: Used “Raster Printing” instead of “Vector Printing”

“ENCOUNTERED AN IMPROPER ARGUMENT” (REVIT 2014)

Open the directory C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2014 and edit the
Revit.ini file
Scroll down to the recent file History and delete all the entries eg. File
1:C\Users\Username\document\filename.rvt (This string represents the Recent File Location
History) which is corrupt.

“UNRECOVERABLE ERROR” FIXES

These often stem from workset or loaded or linked file conflicts, these are some fixes. The implications of
using these should be thought through carefully and use a new detached from central file to experiment
with before proceeding as the results may be undesirable.

IMPORTED .TIF FILE IS TOO LARGE

FIX: NO FIX, Autodesk may be able to recover these files but no guarantee and it can take a week to
ten days for them to return a file. DO NOT IMPORT.TIF FILES

LINKED AUTOCAD FILE OR LOADED REVIT MODEL IS CORRUPT

FIX: Move the linked files to another folder so Revit cannot see them. This will allow you to REMOVE
the linked files and save the file. It should open without error. Be reminded that if you are using
views with linked files that you will have to redo some of the graphical settings or element tagging
that was not done with a template.

NEWLY CREATED WORKSETS CREATE ERRORS IN VIEWS (GRAPHICAL COLUMN SCHEDULES

TYPICALLY)
FIX:
The sheet view schedules are usually not recoverable, duplicate (no detailing) them and delete
originals, they will have to be re-detailed.
 [43]

“REVIT CANNOT CONTINUE/REVIT IS REINSTALLING” (REVIT 2016)

1. Cancel the reinstall as quickly as possible.
2. Ensure that the revit.ini file has been edited to delete paths to other language
templates. The custom .ini for all versions are also found in
(C:\Users\_________\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2016)
Customized sample .ini files are saved here R:\CAD\SE_Revit Standards\Metric
Library\revit.ini files
3. Ensure that other language .dic files have been moved to a new “DICTIONARY dic FILES”
folder. Leave the revitENG.dic, revitENU.dic files (C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2016)

"DATA IN REVIT FILE IS CORRUPT AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY

RECOVERED"
Issue:
When opening a file in Revit you get the following error message:

Data in file <filename> is corrupt and needs to be manually recovered."

Solution:
First check if the hard drive is low on free space. If Revit is not able to expand the project into the Temp
directory (%TMP%), then this message can occur.

If the system has at least 5 GB of hard disk space free when this error occurs (and clearing the Temp
directory doesn't clear the error), follow the steps in the links below, based on your file type, to recover a
backup copy of the file.
For non-workshared files:
See the BIM Manager
For workshared files:
See the BIM Manager, if the BIM manager is unavailable
If the file can be opened, complete the following steps:
1. In the Open dialog, check the Audit box and open the file.
 [44]

2. Go to Manage > Purge Unused.

3. Go to the Application Menu > Save As dialog, and save the file under a new name.
4. Switch to your desktop and open Windows Explorer (Windows key +E).Type %temp% in the address bar.
5. Delete as many files as possible from this folder. Some files may not be able to be deleted if they are in
use by other applications on your machine.
6. Move the local files and their backups to the desktop.
7. Open Revit.
8. Open the project file with "Create new local" checked.

If a backup cannot be opened: See the BIM manager, if the manager is unavailable.
Create a new Central file from an existing Local file, following the steps outlined below:
Use this procedure only if you are the only one working on the file, if others are working or have been
working on the file, their local files may be the most recent saved versions. Verify you are using the most
recent saved local file for this procedure.
1. Rename the corrupt file to ________ corrupt.rvt (if the process below does not work, it may have to be
sent to Autodesk for repair)
2. Open the most recent Local File
3. Select Detach from Central and Save a new Central File to the Project/STR folder.
 [45]

“LOCAL FILE UNRECOVERABLE” ERROR

“SHARED COORDINATE SYSTEM ALREADY SYNCHRONIZED”

A user might be struggling to set up or correct a shared coordinate system without success. When linking in
a project and then acquiring shared coordinates the user will get this error message: "The shared coordinate
system of the project you selected is already synchronized with the current project."

The quickest way to resolve the problem is:

1. Remove the linked project that produces the error message.

2. Link in an unrelated project and acquire coordinates from that project.
3. Remove the unrelated linked project.
4. Link in the original project and then acquire coordinates again. Since the previous project reset the
Shared Coordinate System, this time it should work.
 [46]

RESTORING MODEL ELEMENTS TO A PREVIOUS REVIT

VERSION
(THIS WILL ONLY RESTORE MODEL ELEMENTS, NOT THE ENTIRE PROJECT)
BIM applications, including Autodesk Revit, use file formats, which are only upwards compatible - so by
default you cannot save ("downgrade") projects to an older version of the given CAD/BIM application.

An alternative way of transferring a substantial part of your project (BIM model) to a previous version of the
program is the exchange format IFC (Industry Foundation Classes, specified by IAI). Revit supports both
export and import of this format. So instead of saving RVT perform an Export to a .IFC format file in the
higher version, and then Import this file in the lower version. See "R" > EXPORT > IFC and "R" > OPEN > IFC.

Always use the highest version (specification) of the IFC format supported in both versions of the application
- e.g. "IFC 2x3" or "IFC 2x2" and set the requested export options (views, segmentation of building elements,
etc.) - see "IFC Options".

Remember that part of the project information will not be transferred when using this method.

SOME SHEET AND FAMILY INFO CAN BE RESTORED IF YOU CAN FIND AN OLDER VERSION OF THE FILE AND
MAKE A TEMPLATE FROM IT. SET YOUR DEFAULT TEMPLATE TO THE NEW PROJECT TEMPLATE IN THE
“OPTIONS”, THEN RETURN IT TO THE DEFAULT TEMPLATE WHEN FINISHED.

AS LAST RESORT, EMERGENCY ROLLBACK. YOU MUST HAVE APPROVAL FROM THE BIM
MANAGER OR NOT BE ABLE TO CONTACT THEM BEFORE USING THIS. IT IS PERMANENT
AND CANNOT BE UNDONE!!!!!!!!!
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REVIT 16 Reinstall issues

Revit 16 has an ongoing issue with unexpected reinstalls. This results in a foreign language template being
installed and the version then needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled.

One preventative measure that seems to prevent this is to remove path to foreign language templates from
the Revit.ini then move the templates in the library to a new folder (or delete them)

Leave the templates with _ENU in the name.

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SETTING PRINTING TO BLACK WITH COLOUR TITLE BLOCK

The fastest way is to do this in Bluebeam, however it will only change the current .pdf and will need to be
done every time a .pdf is created. The permanent method is outlined below.

You cannot print with both Black Lines AND with Color at the same time. You would have to modify
your Views or create dedicated ones with only black lines displayed to attach to your Sheet Views.

This is a work around, create a new Yes/No Instance Project Parameter named "BlackMode" that
applied to ALL EXCEPT SHEETS Categories. Create a new View Filter that applies to ALL Categories
with the Filter Rule: "BlackMode" "equals" "Yes". Add this View Filter to all of your relevant
Views/View Templates at the top of the list with the Line and Pattern colors set to black (just
color, not line pattern). Create a new Multi-Category Schedule that contains only this Project
Parameter as a Field and disable "itemize every instance". Now, before printing, you can use this
Schedule to very easily change "BlackMode" to "Yes" for every element in the Project at once,
thereby invoking the "BlackMode" View Filter across the board. This method will not work to force
elements in Linked Models to become black. Some line colours may have to be set to black in the
Object Styles and some filled region colours may have to set to grey.

CONVERT PLT TO PDF (USING KIP REQUEST)

Use Kip Request to convert plt to pdf, select files to convert

On toolbar, go to “View”, “Convert Tagged To”,select format “PDF Adobe”

It will ask to select folder for output, select OK

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REQUIRED REVIT.INI EDITS

The revit.ini file requires some edits for every version. It is imperative that the graphics settings are added to
ensure our drawings produce correct line work.

1. Graphical settings for line display

2. Remove path to foreign libraries.
Start by creating a folder named “SOURCE” at the path noted below and make a copy of the current revit.ini in this
folder as a backup.

The revit.ini files are saved on your system in

C:\Users\”your user name”\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit
If you need help, please ask for assistance.
For future reference, copies of the current revit.ini will be saved in
R:\CAD\SE_Revit Standards\Metric Library\revit.ini files
Do not copy complete file, only the necessary lines.
The revit.ini files are saved on your system in
C:\Users\”your user name”\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit
These lines must be added to all current versions of the revit.ini
V15, V16
[Graphics]
ShowMaterialEditor=1
ThinLinesEnabled=0
HiddenSlabEdge=All
V17
[Graphics]
ShowMaterialEditor=1
ThinLinesEnabled=0
HiddenSlabEdge=All
OptimizedViewNavigation=0

Remove all paths to foreign language libraries and templates.

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CALCULATING EXCAVATION VOLUME (CUTS AND FILLS)

FROM BUILDING PAD VOIDS
The most basic break down of the process is as follows:
1. Create existing surface and set its creation phase to Existing.
2. Set your View (3D or Site Plan View) to New Construction.
3. Go to “Massing and Site” tab and select “Graded Region”.
4. Select “Create a New Toposurface exactly like the existing one”
5. Select your existing topography.
6. Instead of modifying the points just click finish sketch.
7. Now, in your New Construction view, if you model you’re building pads it will only cut the
new toposurface and leave the existing as is.
8. To distinguish each cut in the schedule you need to select the “wall” of the cut:

9. Once selected, give it a value in the “Mark” category that makes sense.
10. Then, make a Topography schedule with the following fields:

11. Notice, the highlighted cell is the “Cut” of my building pad… That is really the only piece of
information you want. It tells you the volume of the topography you are removing at that exact
"hole" you've created with your building pad!
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ENSCAPE_REAL TIME RENDERING SOFTWARE

You can select the view that you wish to start from. If the project is large, use a section box to control what
is being rendered. This will speed up the process. Elements can be hidden in the revit view and this and all
changes will be updated real time.

Enscape will not render from perspective views. If you want a starting view using the camera, uncheck
“perspective” before placing the camera.

Save resources by closing all Revit views except the one used for rendering.

SETTING UP A PLAN VIEW FOR STARTING

If you want a rendered plan view, save time by setting up a camera view in revit. Start with a section view,
go View, 3D View, Camera (uncheck “perspective” in the upper left corner) Place the camera at the height
above the floor that you want to see, place the extent as vertical as you can down to the floor. This will
create a floor view.

PRINTING BORDER/SURFACE COLOURS WITH B&W VIEWS

To print colored border and surfaces and all views in black and white.
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QUICK 3D VIEWS FROM SELECTED ELEMENTS

A quick method to create a 3d view from selected elements. Go to a plan view (or section, elevation
etc.) and select the objects you wish to see. Now either type BX as the keyboard shortcut or go
Modify tab> View> Selection Box.

3D view is generated perfectly cropped.

 [53]

HOW TO CREATE A TABLE IN REVIT

November 20, 2018 by Edwin Prakoso In this Article...

• Creating a Key Schedule

o To Create a Key Schedule
o To Create the Parameters
o Filling the Table
o Importing Data from Excel
Revit doesn’t have the table as an annotation tool. Revit users have been dealing with this using different
workarounds. They created a table using text and detail lines. Sometimes they created the table in an AutoCAD
drawing then reference it in the Revit view or sheet. I don’t like any of those methods. They are not practical
and takes a lot of time. My preferred method is using Schedule Key. A schedule key works like any other
schedule. You can change the font style and resize the column. It is more comfortable than using text or linking
an AutoCAD file.

CREATING A KEY SCHEDULE

Creating a Key schedule is similar to creating any other schedule. The difference is, the data is not related to
elements in the model. You can add rows and columns as many as you need without needing to place elements.

TO CREATE A KEY SCHEDULE

The process to create the Key Schedule is similar. In the REVIT RIBBON, VIEW TAB, CREATE PANEL, CLICK SCHEDULES>
SCHEDULE/QUANTITIES.

For the schedule category, select a category that you don’t use for that particular project. We want to avoid
having too many parameters when creating a new schedule. For this example, I use Topography schedule.

For the schedule type, change it to Schedule keys. Rename the schedule as necessary.
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TO CREATE THE PARAMETERS

Revit opens the schedule properties. It has one field by default. We don’t want to use the key name. Select the
field and click Remove Parameter(s).

A schedule needs to have at least one parameter. The parameters we create in this key schedule will be the
column in the table. Let’s define the parameters.

Click New Parameter.

 [55]

Revit opens Parameter Properties dialog. The important thing to change in this dialog is the PARAMETER
NAME and TYPE OF PARAMETER.

One thing that I want to highlight here, I always use Text as Type of Parameter here. We need to define the type
of parameter correctly when we work with families. However, because the table is not related to any families, I
keep it simple: all parameters are text. When we need to import the data from Excel, it can be confusing having
too many different types. Below is completed parameters for my table.
 [56]

Click OK. Revit opens the schedule.

FILLING THE TABLE

The table is ready. Now you can add rows and fill the table. On the Revit ribbon, Modify Schedule/ Quantities
tab, Rows panel, click Insert Data Row.

Revit adds a new row. Type the data in the cells. Add more row when you need to add more data.

Now you can place the schedule on your sheet.