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jj mac
2010-09-21, 02:00 PM
I was wondering how other people out there are showing beams, columns etc. on their floor plans as either below the floor slab or above the cut plane (as overhead lines).

We have been looking at different techniques in Revit, however when we come to sort out one issue it seems we create another.

For example when we draw a concrete beam the beam is placed on the level which it is supporting – Good. In order to see that beam, we adjust the view depth to a value below the bottom of the associated level and see the beam as dashed – Great. Next we move to a section view and join the beam to the floor to show the elements as being monolithic. In plan, the beam disappears. Why? Bad. The work around to this, is to abandon the view depth concept because we want to keep the elements joined, and instead, using a reflected ceiling plan we overlap the two views on a sheet. More work and fiddling around.

Is this the right way to do this? Is there another technique anyone is using that works better? How is this done in Revit Structure?

Another question involves showing beams above - and only beams. Far as I can tell, the same concept of overlapping views on a sheet is the only way to do this. Again... I may be missing something here - is there a better technique? Sometimes all we want to do is show the structure above or below for analysis reasons. Using underlays works ok but we cannot isolate only the structure…?

These seem to be fundamental graphic display functions that are not obvious in Revit. In CAD of course we use an XREF, and bingo. Revit is not CAD, but there must be a way to do these basic things.

Any ideas???

cliff collins
2010-09-21, 02:25 PM
Use an Underlay in the view where you want to see objects either above or below.

Once the Underlay of the correct Level is turned on, set it to either Floor Plan or Reflected Ceiling Plan orientation.

Next, use the Linework Tool and select the lines you want to show up as below/dashed
or above/dashed.

Then turn off the overlay. The nice thing is the Linework stays attached to the objects
they were picked from in the Underlay, so if you make changes the linework changes
automatically.

cheers

jj mac
2010-09-21, 02:48 PM
Thanks Cliff. That's another technique we haven't considered. Appreciate it.

EDIT:

Hi Cliff,

Ya we just gave that a try it seems to work really well, aside from having to actually pic all the lines. Is there a way to apply the line work tool to a selecton of elements that you are aware of?

jeffh
2010-09-21, 02:57 PM
For beams blow you can use the "Show Hidden Lines" tool on graphics panel of the view tab.

This tool allow you to select the obscuring object and then select the element you want to show as hidden lines. The one problem is you need to select object one by one so it can be tedious.

jj mac
2010-09-21, 03:25 PM
Hi Jeff,

When I tried this I can't pick the lines through the floor, unless I drop the view range... Then I can pick everything I need, but nothing happens... Any advice?

Scott Womack
2010-09-21, 05:31 PM
First, ensure the bottom ranges of your view depth are set low enough to intersect the beams.

Two other ways....

1 Set the view to wireframe, then you can "see" the beams to select them with the linework tool.

Temporarily override your floor to be transparent, then you caan see to select the beams. Using the shoe hidden lines will not work if the beams are part of a linked file.

jj mac
2010-09-21, 06:20 PM
With all do respect to everyone, after working through this command a bit more, a question comes to mind. In the case of showing elements below a floor slab as hidden - using the show hidden lines command, how is this any different than using the <beyond> line style to show elements hidden below?

Scott, thanks for the reply as well. This still does not seem to be working for me though... Any other tips. no linked files. I have used this with walls and stairs before with success using the same work flow, but now it's just not working out...?