Adjustable Ground Plane Level

[jthompson.70974]

I would like to see the infinite Ground Plane, the option under Sun and Shadow Settings, become adjustable not simply by Level but by allowing the "Offset by Level" option which is so prevalent elsewhere in Revit. What occurs now is if your Ground Plane is, for instance, only one foot off where you want it, you have to create a whole new level for it even if you simply want it for a quick rendering. I realize that there is another option for a ground plane under Render Scene-->Environment, but as these two options serve two different functions, their heights in the xy plane should both be adjustable. Thanks.

[DanielleAnderson]

Funny you should mention this...until this morning I didn't know that there were two different ways to add a ground plane and this was causing me some grief.
I do think that these tools could be simplified a bit--or maybe made into one tool that was a little more robust.

[gbrowne]

Maybe a tickbox for "follow topography"?

[blads]

Maybe a tickbox for "follow topography"?

this would seem as more sensible approach

[aaronrumple]

Shadows do follow topography if it is present.
Unckeck the "Ground plane" option in the shadows. Otherwise a false ground will be placed @ Level # and the shadows may not reach all the way down to the topo.

[jthompson.70974]

To clarify, I assumed that the Ground Plane option in Sun and Shadow Settings was meant for those modelers who had no modeled topography. Obviously, one probably wouldn't need or desire a flat, infinite ground plane if one had a topo already in the model. All I am wishing for is that the simple, infinite ground plane that one can use, for instance, for schematic drawings be a bit more adjustable in its xy height. The shadows look great whether on a topo or on the simple ground plane, but the plane itself can only be set at each level, not in between.

[aaronrumple]

Just draw in a "Topo" level... simple enough.

[jthompson.70974]

Touché, Monsieur Rumple. But your point is what led me here to the Wish-List in the first place. Yes, one could create a new level for one's most-likely-temporary ground plane, just as one could create levels for the base and top of every object in a Revit file. But, as I'm sure most would agree, one of the greatest benefits of Revit is its user-friendliness and flexibility. Allowing users the same flexibility in this arena as exists in others would simply make it simpler and easier, without the need to create and/or delete unnecessary levels. Isn't making something simpler and easier a good thing?