Tag Archives: Dimension

What Did I Dimension Part 2

Back in 2013 I did a post about understanding what a dimension was tied to, shortly after I learned another way to accomplish this task for an entire string not just a single segment.  I was going to follow up whit another post and got busy or spaced it out, last week I used this tip in a training session and the long time Revit users were all astonished this was possible.  This is when I realized I never did the follow up post, sorry for the 4 year delay but here is another way to accomplish this task.

Similar to the previous post after a dimension string is placed, select the string, Right Click on the “EQ” grip of the string.  This will bring up the Contextual dialog, there select “Show Related”

Once the Show related dialog box opens up it will allow the user to cycle through (using the << or >> icons) the different elements that pertain to that dimension string.

 

What did I dimension

Spot Slope Revit

While helping set up a template with a client there was a discussion on how the graphic should look for the spot slope symbol, hence this post.

While  placing a spot slope there is an option to change the graphic representation to be either Arrow or a Leader.  However this option is not available in a plan, only vertical views such as sections.  This can also be done after placement in the properties dialog.

SpotSlopeTriangle

The type properties for spot slopes also allow for more options and variations on the display as well as the units:

  • Slope Direction allows for the slope to point down or up, however if the triangle option is used then it just changes the insertion point
  • Leader line Length changes the length of both the arrow and the triangle option
  • Similar to other dimension types the units format can be changed.  With slopes some firms like to display roof slopes with a Ratio/12 while displaying sloping floors with a ration or percentage.  By duplicating the slope type all of these options can be available.
  • Using alternate units will allow for Ratio as well as percentage or whatever combination in needed

SpotSlopeProperties

Dimensioning Sloped Framing

I have had some questions come up about dimensioning sloped framing, so I thought it deserved a blog post.

Question: Why can’t I dimension to framing members when they are associated to a sloped work plane?

  • This question comes up when attempting to dimension in plan, in a coarse level of detail, when the framing member is Normal to the work plane, and when using the Linear Dimension option.  Beams can be selected using the linear option, however the user won’t be selecting a face, since it isn’t perpendicular to the view, they will be selecting the end point of the graphic line.
  • Make sure when dimensioning the endpoint of the beam is being selected and not a face.  It is sometimes hard to see but a grip will come up, along with a tool tip, when the end of the beam is selected.

SlopedFramingEndpoint

 

Question: Why aren’t my dimensions equal in plan and section?

SlopedFramingDimensions

  • This issue is due to the location of the symbolic line of the framing member.  In the elevation above the beam was dimensioned to the Top Midline, however the default setting for “Stick Symbol Location” is set to “Center of Geometry”, thus making the stick symbol location in plan different then in elevation.  Depending on how the family is created this property may only affect the plan and not any of the other views.
  • Selecting the framing member and changing the “Stick Symbol Location” value to “Top of Geometry” will insure that the plan dimension is the same as the elevation dimension.  However, it will need to be changed for all of the elements being dimensioned.

SlopedFramingFixed

 

I hope this helps clear up these two common questions.  If anyone has other tips about these please comment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dimensioning – Tips

One quick dimension tipis a simple way to dimension all grid lines along an axis.  Draw a wall outside of the building, making sure it crosses over all of the grid lines that need to be dimensioned.  Now use an aligned dimension, and in the options bar change the Pick: value from Individual References to Entire Wall.  Click the options button and check Intersecting Walls.  Then select the wall and place the dimensions.  Now delete the wall and the dimension will remain.

If there is a need to remove only a portion of a dimension string while keeping the string continuous, then right click on a the middle grip on the witness line and select Delete Witness Line.  If the need arises to break the string apart, then TAB to select the individual string shape handle and delete that portion of the string as normal.

Ever had a dimension and been unclear as to what was actually dimensioned? If so there isn’t any need to start clicking elements on the screen to see if the dimension turns blue.  Instead right click on the padlock, regardless of if it is locked or not, and select “Show Related”.

This will bring up a dialog box that will have options to cycle through the two objects that are being dimensioned by that dimension segment.

When a dimension text value is moved from its’ origin, there is a tool to move it back to the original position.  Select the dimension string, right click and select Reset Dimension Text Position.

A classic dimension tip is how to use dimensions to move/alter the element it is dimensioning.  If a dimension is applied to an element then selecting the element will activate the dimension and it the dimension value can be changed.  Furthermore if the dimension type is set to fractional inches, or millimeters then those values can be used for input, instead of having to input feet or meters (ie type “6” instead of ”0’ – 6”, “0.5” or “100” instead of 100mm, “0.1”).

What did I dimension

Ever had a dimension and been unclear as to what was actually dimensioned? If so there isn’t any need to start clicking elements on the screen to see if the dimension turns blue.  Instead right click on the padlock, regardless of if it is locked or not, and select “Show Related”

This will bring up a dialog box that will have options to cycle through the two objects that are being dimensioned by that dimension segment.

Of course there is always the option to “Edit Witness Lines” and this will display all elements that are being dimensioned by the string.