Project methodology in revit: area tools

[arq.rfernandes]

Usually, the first stage of a project are the Sketch's, afterwards we move on to the stage where we quantify the area needs and, for last, the development of the project itself.

Revit allows us to begin the project with the Sketch of the areas, with "ROOM and AREA" and "SITE" tools. In a regular basis I use:

- "Room Separation" for the study of typologies and compartments referring to the scale of the building (architecture).

- "Area Plan/Area Boundary" for the management of Areas, Zones, Gross building, rentable, green areas, sidewalks, streets etc (Master plan)

- "Property Line" (site) to delimit the intervention area


There are a few important differences between the area functions: for example, the "room separation" lines are shown in the model in all view, "area Boundary" unfortunately are not. If you want to see these lines (area plan) in other view, we have to copy the "area boundary" (in the Detail Lines format!) which, in its turn, can not be transformed in to model lines… if we want them in model lines, (unfortunately) we have to redesign over them, right?

Doubt:

What is the best strategy to manage and to make compatible all the areas tools?

What is the best way to take advantage of the areas hierarchy of Revit, making the interaction of every element drawn with "Area Plan" (buildings, fractions, rentable useful areas, gross building, streets, sidewalks, parking spaces, etc..) in the graphic representation aspects as well in the database table?

Any tips?

[dbaldacchino]

For area plans and regular plans to be "available" in the same view, you could overlay the two types of views onto one sheet. Then select the view (use tab to cycle until you pick the right one), right click and activate the view. Now you can edit the area plan (area boundary lines) while seeing the other plan in the same context.

[arq.rfernandes]

For area plans and regular plans to be "available" in the same view, you could overlay the two types of views onto one sheet. Then select the view (use tab to cycle until you pick the right one), right click and activate the view. Now you can edit the area plan (area boundary lines) while seeing the other plan in the same context.

... you don't have "precision" in the sheet because you don't have the Snaps How can I overlay the two types without Snaps?

[robert.manna]

Similiar views will snap to each other in sheet views. IE, sections will align by level or grid line depending on how they are cut. Plans can be aligned by common grid lines. You sorta have to allow Revit find the snaps (green aligning lines will temporily appear) when moving the view around on the sheet. 3D views with the same exact camera location will also snap to each other, views will progressively appear on top of each other, ie the first view on the sheet is the furthest back. Therefore care must be taken when layering views on top of each other in a sheet. You can achieve some pretty cool views/sheets using this technique, for instance split open buildings (in 3D) or stacked axometric floor diagrams. Another use is to get elevations to read with depth (make the background halftone), and I've used it on colored floor plans for levels that have multiple heights (colored floor plans don't always behave well in conjunction with plan regions).

HTH,
-R