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Ceiling Grid Partial Demolition

Existing Ceiling grid, need to cut (demo) new openings / holes. best way to accomplish...?

Go to the following link to set up the ceiling grid demolition pattern, not native to Revit as a default.
(Thanks to Doug at this blogpost for sharing)
http://aectechtalk.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/display-of-demolished-ceilings-in-revit/

1. Cut holes in existing ceiling there are three ways to accomplish this, of the three below I recommend drawing the new openings inside the ceiling boundary.
Note:
_Shaft Opening  can be set as a new element while creating a NEW cut in an existing element. There is the benefit of being able to move / resize it independently of the ceiling boundary while tweaking the design. An issue I noticed is that it is not visible in a view set as an existing or demolition phase.
_Vertical Opening - good to use in an existing ceiling with existing openings or floors (single cut) since it assumes the Phase of the host element and cannot be changed.
_Another option is to just draw the opening in the ceiling boundary - I might use this for an existing opening that I'm fairly sure won't be changing for the project.
_Either one you use you have to manually draw in the ceiling to be depicted for demolition and self manage their locations, move an opening then move the infill grid. (maybe they can be locked together...?).

2. Draw in separate demo'd ceiling with new type (per instructions at link above).

3. In order to move together, Group if desired.

4. If copying openings and ceilings around, remember to set the ceiling phasing for the copied elements.

Join a Split Wall

How to join two ends of in-line parallel walls. Double click one of the shape handles.  Make sure that the wall ends allow joins (check by right clicking each shape handle).

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?11927-Join-a-Split-Wall
(you may not be able to see the link without signing in)

Update: This only works some of the time so far. Other solution is to extend one wall and delete the other.

Alternate Design Schemes in Revit 2012

How to create and manage multiple design schemes in Revit using Design Options.
I'm starting at the source and will work out from there.
Autodesk's wiki help page for Design Options, contains links to pages describing each step of the workflow.

Design Option Overview -  Skim for a quick introduction to their use and move on to...

Design Option Workflow - Read thoroughly and explore links from this article.

Creating Design Option Sets - "begin the design option process by creating design option sets."

Setup Scheme and name design options as desired.

Moving Elements from One Design Option to Another - use copy / paste with desired "move from" and "move to" design option active.

Primary option is "same" as what is shown in Main Model.

You cannot select elements that reside in an option while you are in the Main Model. You can uncheck "Exclude Options" box (at right of bottom view control bar on screen) in order to select/modify any.

Setup views for each option, use visibility/graphics settings to show the desired option in each view.
Note: Views are for viewing only, to edit, you must activate the design option. Do this in either "Active Design Option" drop down box, one is under the Manage tab and one is at the bottom of the program screen in the middle of the Status bar.

Move element instances from model to design options using the "Add to set" button while in a view showing a specific option, door swings don't always disappear from the view you are in. It's just a temporary graphic glitch, revealing hidden once will correct the view.

Move elements from option to option using the cop/cut command and past to aligned (or similar). Note: elements pasted are set to "New Construction" under Phasing. Be sure to check their settings after you past. Especially critical for an existing TI project.

Dedicating Views to Design Options - Do this first before you start modeling / moving elements, it makes it easier to check your work and will help reduce brain damage.

"Pick to Edit" command accessed through the manage tab under the Design Options panel.

Storefront Repeating Mullion Spacing

Place storefront with equal mullions. Select desired storefront wall. Before placing, edit type, set vertical (horizontal too if needed) mullion spacing to desired distance (fixed, minimum or maximum), place storefront wall.

To edit/change mullion layout, select the Curtain Wall that you just placed, Edit Type from the Properties dialog. Change vertical mullion spacing to None.

Revit offers to automatically delete the grids and mullions in a warning popup after you click OK from the Edit Type properties box. Selecting "Delete Gridline" deletes the grid and associated mullion, selecting "OK" leaves them in place but makes them editable. Edit away!


Note: Don't forget Edit type effects all instances of that Curtain Wall in the project, not just the one that you originally selected.

Adding Rooms (Really! Only one at a time?!)

You place a room in bounding elements (or create boundary lines within the command) before you tag the room (insert room name/number/data labels).
The command is found on the Home tab, Room and Area panel, Room.

Note: They must be placed by picking each space one by one. It would be nice to place multiple rooms automatically somehow all at once and go back and edit them BUT there currently is not.
Here's a forum where this is discussed in some detail, http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=26224
Guess we are stuck with adding this to the wish list.

Opaque Glass

I am currently as-built modeling a building with black ribbon windows with black vision glass and black opaque (spandrel type) glass.

The problem I am having, is indicating the opaque glass panel in an elevation hidden line view.
I set a grey solid fill surface pattern to the glass type but when I do that the glass appears clear in the 3D view.

So far I have gotten the appearance that I want by using Solid fill surface in black instead. It will print heavy but accomplishes the indication required in both 3d and 2d views.

I will have to fine tune this when we get closer to publishing prints.

Let Revit Do The Math

Changing locations of walls or thicknesses of elements? Don't feel like doing the math? Small fractions giving you headaches?

If you know the amount that needs to be added or subtracted you can make an equation statement that will make the change for you. For example:

Click a wall and then the dimension text you want to change to move it. Say you need to move the wall 3 5/8", place an = sign in front of the current dimension number then a + 3 5/8" after, hit enter. Revit moves the wall for you and of course updates to the correct dimension.

This method should work anywhere a measurement or thickness description can be adjusted. Experiment with it, please post where you find a limitation.

New Edit Boundary Keyboard Shortcuts in Revit 2012

Shortcuts have been added to start the roof boundary sketch edit and to finish the sketch also, previously you had to click on the edit sketch button to initiate and the green check mark to complete. This is new for Revit 2012. I am a keyboard shortcut junkie and was very disappointed that Revit 2011 did not have these options available.
Pre-select the roof, then type keystroke EB (edit boundary).
After you are finished simply type keystroke FE (finish edit).