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Thread: Non-plotting lines.

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    Default Non-plotting lines.

    So, I'm not going to go into the whole anal-retentive architect sheet layout vs. Revit thing, tempting thought it may be. We are trying to "cheat" Revit by drawing "invisible" lines in our viewports. Of course, you can't snap text to those to line everything up, so what I'm looking for is a way to essentially make a non-plotting line style.

    Can't seem to figure it out though. For instance, I want "invisible" lines to show up as light gray, like in the family editor. I can't seem to access that setting anywhere though. Is there a way to get to it? Alternatively, there might be another way to make a new line style to make it show up on the screen, but not on paper.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks.

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    Revit Technical Specialist - Autodesk Scott D Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    Reference planes and/or lines do not show up when printing, if you uncheck the box in the Print Dialog.

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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    Quote Originally Posted by Calvn_Swing
    So, I'm not going to go into the whole anal-retentive architect sheet layout vs. Revit thing, tempting thought it may be. We are trying to "cheat" Revit by drawing "invisible" lines in our viewports. Of course, you can't snap text to those to line everything up, so what I'm looking for is a way to essentially make a non-plotting line style.

    Can't seem to figure it out though. For instance, I want "invisible" lines to show up as light gray, like in the family editor. I can't seem to access that setting anywhere though. Is there a way to get to it? Alternatively, there might be another way to make a new line style to make it show up on the screen, but not on paper.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks.
    Not sure I would call it anal retentive. When your built work is all about alignment and relationship and a rigorous design, then it becomes second nature and doing it in sheet layouts simply reinforces the design philosophy. The fact that Revit forces you to eyeball things is very frustrating. Not enough to make me go back to AutoCAD, but more than enough for me to ask for a little more rigor in the work process. Hopefully Revit can get better at this in time.
    And hopefully someone has an answer for you. Non plotting lines is a rather useful tool.

    Gordon

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    Count (Formula) dbaldacchino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    All lines will plot, so the short answer is you cannot have non-plot lines. The invisible line category is not available to model or detail lines. Scott's suggestion is your only avenue, unless you want to turn off certain line categories before printing.

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    Revit Forum Manager Steve_Stafford's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    A line based generic model component could provide this and you could use a sub-category to create a visible line that you could sketch with, then turn off leaving the invisible line.

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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    I think reference lines is the way to go, I didn't even think about that (doh).

    Thanks a ton!

    I would point out that non-plotting lines are a wonderful tool, and can be useful even in a Revit envorinment. I would love to have the option at least.

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    100 Club Fred Blome's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    I've been using a "non-plot" line style that is a very, very light grey. I've found that it is still visible on screen but essentially doesn't show up on plotted sheets. At least with my repro service.

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    I could stop if I wanted to Haden's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    Some will certainly call me anal-retentive, but I agree with Gordon. I have always wanted the structure that a sheet grid provides, and at first, I was disappointed when I discovered Revit's inability to have nonplot lines which are visible on the screen. (I have always used a light purple color for these nonplot lines, color 181 in AutoCAD, which simulates the non-print purple pencils we old-timers used to use in the days of the diazo blueline machines.)

    In my pre-Revit days, I developed a grid-based sheet layout system for AutoCAD utilizing a series of non-plot boxes built on a module based on a specific sheet size. These boxes are inserted in an annotative .dwg file, so that you can place all of your text, dimensions, etc., in the annotative file created specifically for an enlarged or overall view (of a plan for example) while the overall base plan .dwg file is xref-ed into each of these annotative plan drawings. My initial disappointment with Revit was based on the idea that I could never use such a structured type of sheet layout again.

    However, with a little thought, I came up with a solution that I am very satisfied with, even though it's not a "published Revit" practice -- just my own method that I would definitely recommend. Here's how it works:

    First, in my titleblock families, I create 3 linetypes that are light purple, with continuous and 2 dashed linestyles. Then I create the grid inside the titleblock border, and create a yes/no parameter linked to the visibility of all of these lines. I create 2 types for each titleblock family -- one with the grid (for layout purposes) and one without. After creating a sheet using the type with the grid turned on, I drag and drop my views onto the sheet, utilizing the centerlines, third point lines, and individual grid block lines as a layout background. Then, I just switch the type of the titleblock, and the grid is no longer visible. By using a "select all instances" on the titleblock family, I can very easily make sure all my sheets are "gridless" prior to plotting a batch of sheets.
    I hope some of you may find this method helpful.
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    Last edited by Haden; 2007-01-09 at 06:42 AM.

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    Count (Formula) dbaldacchino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    I have a similar approach to yours. With the use of some formulas, I have a type parameter that globally turns off all grids on all titleblocks, but I also made it possible to turn off grids on individual sheets (instance parameter). That is, the instance parameter only works if the type parameter is turned on.

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    Default Re: Non-plotting lines.

    Is there any way you could send me an example? I know that titleblocks aren't something you want floating around in space, but if there is anything else that you've used this on, I'd really like to see it. I don't quite understand how to make it work, and seeing a working example is the best way for me to get there...

    Thanks either way!

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