Variable Graphic Scale

[ajayholland]

Although it goes ‘against the grain’ in Revit, I am often asked to include a graphic scale on certain types of drawings.

To avoid multiple families and to assure graphic consistency, I created a symbol in which the scale values can be varied by a parameter in the sheet. Just enter the scale factor (i.e., 30, 96, etc.) and the values adjust parametrically.

~AJH

[USMCBody]

I did that to, all though I did not look at the one you posted.

Something interesting I saw on her once is that someone put into the viewport lable a graphic scale. So you would have a graphic scale for each drawing lable. I acually got into the family to edit a few things and it had a way to link into the scale of the viewport. If you look in the lable info you can see the parameter. I haven't sat down and figured out how to access that info outside of a lable. I guess you would use a formula and just type in the parameter name exactly as you see it in the label.... I just quckly tried to 'link' the View Scale parameter, but... I no smart... Hopefully someone out there knows a way already.

I'm still debating if I should put a graphic scale on every lable that has a scale factor, but it could be a way to go with the grain if you can figure out how to link your graphic scale into the family...

I'm not sure how to add alink to another post but if you search for the post name below you'll find the one I was talking about above:
Multiple Graphic Scales In One View Title

[USMCBody]

Now that I've looked at yours I took a different approach. My graphic scale is drawing in incraments doubleing (1" 2" 4") and I divide the incraments into 4ths and halfs depending on how I want it to look.

Now that I have the scale drawn, I use a prameter Scale (which I manually imput) and 1" mark, 2" mark, 4" mark parameters (which I use a formula to calculate) That way all I have to do is type in the scale and the graphic scale automatically updates to the new scale.

Now if I can only figure out how to make the scale parameter link into the viewport scale somehow...

[twiceroadsfool]

When we need graphic scales, we turn them on as part of the titleblock, and they show ALL the different scales. Then the view scale tells you which one to use. That way we dont have to fuss with it at all.

Not as pretty, but zero work on our part.

[USMCBody]

ya the only problem is that I need space on the page alot more than I need to show every scale on it. It is a bit of 'manuel labor' but it turns out that mostly a page has only one scale on it anyway. O ya the other catch is that my company does consultant work. Which means that we do not have control of the title block...

[ajayholland]

Yes, it would be cool if the scale factor could be extracted from the view - but it cannot. But making the graphic scale part of a customized view title is anti-Revit.

I will concede a designer's need to show a graphic scale, especially when exhibits are published not full size. However, graphic scales should only be used when precision is not important. They are meant for approximation.

Way back when I was learning the ins-and-outs of professional practice, we were instructed never to scale a drawing.

All these complications will disappear as we make our models part of the "deliverables".

~AJH