How To Create A Ceiling Plan In Revit

A constant point of misunderstanding I see among design professionals using Revit is confusion around Revit View Ranges and how to control them. So, as ever, I have taken to my little corner of the internet to try demystify View Ranges for the average Revit user.

So, how best to approach this tutorial so it is concise and accurate? I consider it best to opt for an approach that will serve the overwhelming majority of users in order to enable them to understand and effectively use View Ranges in Revit as quickly as possible.

So, in simple terms, how do View Ranges in Revit work? What are the steps to setting Revit View Ranges up?

The View Range dialogue can be selected from the View Instance Properties in the Properties Palette. When in a Plan View, users only need to alter the Cut Plane Value and Bottom Value. The View Range will project down as far as the Bottom Value dictates. The Cut Plane is an offset height which the view starts from above the host level. For example, if the Cut Plane is set to 1500mm above the finish floor level, and the Bottom is set to 100mm below the Finish floor level, your view will show all items within the 1600mm total View Range Depth. Note that Wall hosted elements (such as openings, windows etc) that do not cross the Cut Plane will not be visible as the view will show the wall instead (eg – Window head at 1400mm above FFL would not be visible, but at 1700mm it would be).

So, now that we understand how View Ranges work for the majority of plan views, lets work through the example tutorial below to learn the full process of creating View Ranges in Revit and any nuances that need to be highlighted.

Note: I have created an accompanying video that illustrates each of the steps on How to Create and Use View Ranges in Revit below. I hope you enjoy it! If you would prefer a more linear, methodical approach to learning about View Ranges in Revit proceed below the video for a step-by-step written account complete with descriptor images.

Step 1: Understanding View Range Settings in Revit

So, let's look at the image I have created below which explains the view range settings in detail.

Revit View Range – Example Section Explaining View Range Properties

1. Overall View Range – pretty self explanatory. The Overall View range extends from the top of the view down to the bottom offset value.
2. Primary Range – can be a little more confusing, but this is essentially the view that extends from the Top Clip Plane down to the Bottom Clip Plane, where the majority of the elements that fall within this range information are shown with default projection and Cut Line Weights and Styles (some minor exceptions, covered in the following steps).
3. View Depth – Elements that are within the View Depth are depicted with the <Beyond> Line style . Minor exceptions include Ramps, Floors, Foundations and Stairs which follow a Projection line weight until an independent default View Depth of circa 1200mm below Bottom Clip Plane, then convert to <Beyond> Line Style should they occur deeper on the view.
4. Top of View – Sometimes referred to as the top clip plane. Your Views "Eyes" are placed here, looking down. The Only elements that show up as visible between the Top Clip Plane and the Cut Plane are Casework, Windows and Generic Model Categories which are given the default projection line weights. Nothing else will be visible in this zone.
5. Cut Plane – Everything will be visible from the Cut Plane down to the Bottom Clip Plane of the view. Anything that intersects with the Cut Plane will take on Cut Line Weight of the element category. (Note – if the element category does not have a default line weight, Revit will apply the standard Projection Line Weight as the element is not deemed cuttable).
6. Bottom Clip Plane – Elements that fall between the Bottom Clip Plane and the Cut Plane present with the default Projection line weights of family category.
7. Offset from Bottom – Informs the position of total view depth. Refer to Point 4 above for detail on the View Depth and how elements present when located between the Bottom Clip Plane and the Bottom Offset Plane.

Step 2: Setting up View Ranges for Standard Plans in Revit

So, now that we have a strong understanding of the settings that control the View Range in Revit, let's put it to the test in a standard plan view.

So – we want to match our view range to meet the parameters that are outlined in our section which explains the various settings in the view range.

To Begin, let's look at how our Plan view is presented

Plan View Presentation before View Range Settings Change in Revit. Note how the Southern Window is not presented correctly.

Now, lets look at how the view range settings are set within the plan view. Go to the Properties Palette, and select View Range from the Extent subsection.

Original View Range Settings

As you can see, we have our View Range settings setup differently to the desired format that the explanatory section title image uses. We can Barely See the Window on the sourth wall (merely the framing that extends beyond hte face of it) as teh Cut Plane is set too high, meaning it does not intersect the window. Let's make edits to the View Range settings in the plan so they match the desired settings dictate by the title section image.

Open the View Range settings from the Properties Palette.

Alter the Top to equal 2500mm

Alter the Cut Plan to equal 1500mm

Alter the View Depth Value to -750mm.

Note – ensure all values remain associated to the same level.

Your View Range settings should look like this when updated:

Updated View Range Settings to Match out Descriptor Section.

Now, let's look at alterations made to the presentation of the plan, comparing against how the Plan originally presented.

Updated Plan View now that View Range Settings have been changed to suit our needs. South Windows now present correctly with required Cut Line Weights and Styles as the window now instersects with the Cut Plane.

Perfect – we can now clearly see a cut of our window and all the associated window geometry. This is because the window now intersects the cut plane (as hte cut plane has dropped 300mm). All Window elements are also now presented with the default Cut Line Weights and Styles for their Element Category accordingly, so you may notice a change in the line weights in your model.

Also note the difference in the the East Window on the South Wall (as the drawing is oriented) shows the bottom mullion now since the view depth was dropped 750mm. Previously this was not visible as the window sill was just below the associated Level 2.

So, that completes the example exercise of setting up the View Range Settings in your Revit plans in order to present you information as you require.

Next, let's have a look at how this all works when we are upside down! I'm talking, of course, about Reflected Ceiling and Services Plans!

Step 3: Understanding and Setting up View Range for Reflected Ceiling Plans in Revit

To begin, we need to take our original explanatory section view and update it to meet the Reflected Ceiling Plan View Range Settings. One moment….

Example Section Explaining View Range Settings for Reflected Ceilings in Revit

Ah, there we have it! OK, let's discuss what this image means and then compare it to the View Range Settings Dialogue box to compound our understanding.

• View Depth – same as in the normal plan example, but works in the opposite direction projecting up instead of down. Presentation Rules for Lines in "Beyond" Style remains the same.
• Primary Range – Extends from the Bottom to the End of the View Depth (can be undefined and extend indefinitely if users desire)
• Top of View – Extent of standard Presentation of items using normal Cut and Projection Line Weights and Styles.
• Cut Plane – Level above that defines the "Slice" through the view where the Cutting of Objects begins.
• Bottom – Remains the same as the Cut Plane – the two are locked together in a Reflected plan such as this. If the Cut Plane Offset above Level 2 is increased, the Bottom will Automatically increase with it. This is the point where the view "Eye" sits.

Let's Look at a Reflected ceiling for our sample area to see how it is presenting as a default.

The Reflected Ceiling Plan presentation as per the default View Range Settings. We would like to make changes to the Default View Range Values so that more Detail is visible

Not too bad, but there are a few things I would like to see in this view. We would like to see the Doors and Windows for this particular Reflected Ceiling Plan (I appreciate this is not the norm – lets assume we have ceiling services that would clash with door swings so I can get away with using this example!).

Now, let's work through and example to see how the View Range Settings work when in a Reflected Ceiling Plan.

To begin, examine the default View Range Properties for the Reflected ceiling plan as it stands. Here are the settings as defgault in Revit for our sample Reflected Ceiling Plan.

The Default Reflected Ceilng Plan View Range Setting Values in the sample Revit project. Note the Cut Plane (and by association, the view Bottom) are @ 200mm above the reference level, which is to high to intersect with Doors and Windows, hence htey are not visible.

Note how the view settings options are a little different by default in Revit when in a Reflected Ceiling Plan. Certain elements are greyed out. These are locekd to the associated level that the view is taken from (Level 2 in the example) and cannot be changed to associate to another level.

OK, time to make some changes to the View Range Settings.

Again, open the View Range Settings from the Properties Dialogue.

Change the settings to match the list below.

• Top – Level Above (Offset 0)
• Cut Plane -Associated Level (Locked and uneditable), Offset 1500
• Bottom – Completely Uneditabel and Tied to the Cut Plane Values
• View Depth Level – Level Above, Offset 750mm.

Updated Values for the Reflected Ceiling PLan View Range Settings

OK let's see the impact that changing the view range settings in Revit has had on our Reflected Ceiling Plan.

Reflected ceiling plan now presenting with Widnows and doors as the Cut Plane and View Bottom were reduced to intersect with these elements.

Perfect! We now have the desired output, with the Window Openings and Doors Swings now visible in the RCP (even if an unorthodox way of presenting it!)

Now that we have updated the settings and explained why they don't work in the same manner in Reflected ceiling Plans compared to standard Plans, we can move onto applying View Range Settings in multiple views rapidly by adding them to a View Template within the Revit Project.

Step 4: Applying View Ranges to Revit View Templates

Let's say that you have a plan that you have edited the View Range on and are happy with how all elements are now presenting. However, you also have a myriad of other plans (perhaps, multiple detail plans of different area's on the same floor level) that you want to apply the same view range settings to.

Do we have to manually alter the view range settings for each of these views?

In short the answer is no (Thankfully) – we can instead use View Templates.

Let's look into how we can create a View Template in Revit and quickly apply it to our other views.

Before applying View Templates to your other views, please be aware that all Visibility Graphics Properties, Presentation Styles, Links Visible, View Style Propertoes etc will be inherited from our base view and applied to our other views, not just the View Range. This may disrupt the presentation of your plans across the project in ways you do not desire.

OK, now the disclaimer is out of the way, let's setup our View Template.

1. Assign the View Range as desired within your Base / Reference Plan. This will inform the View Template Creation for the other plans. Note the settings below in our example:

Assigning Desired View Range Settings in Revit – follow Step 2 Outline above if more information requried.

2. Next, Go to the View Tab in the Ribbon. Select the View Templates dropdown. Select Create Template from Current View. Name it as desired. The View Template Properties window will appear. Note how the View Range Parameter is Checked ON in the Include category.

View Template Once Setup. Note how View Range is Activated under the "Include" heading. This means that any view that uses this View Template will inherit the View Range settings also.

Press OK. Well Done! You have now created a View Template.

Assigning the View Template now is very straight forward.

3. Navigate to the View you want to update with the View Template (containing the required view range settings as previously created.
4. From the Properties Palette, under Identity Data you will see the View Template option. Access that menu.
5. Select the desired View Template. Press OK

Done! Your View should have updated to meet the criteria (specifically the View Range) defined by the View Template.

Let's look at the impact of that change in our example Views.

Image before the View Template has bee applied. Note how the Window on the South Wall is not cut but the View Range Cut plane.

Applying the View Template to the Plan View in Revit.

View has been updated with the View Template settings. Not how the View Range was acquired automatically and now has the Window being cut appropriately.

So, that completes how to assign View Range settings to a View Template in Revit and have multiple views inherit the desried presentation settings efficiently.

This is great, but sometimes you have just one element that does not present consistently with the rest of the view as it is at an entirely different height. This is where Plan Regions come into play.

Step 5: Using Plan Regions alongside View Ranges

Finally, let's examime the use for Plan Regions in Revit.

Let's say you have a view and every element is presented correctly with the appropriate cut and projection line weights, however one element (let's say, a high level window) if above the cut plane and is not visible in the plan, but we need to present it for the contractor tpo understand the inclusion of the high level window. We cannot edit the View Range to raise the Cut Plane as it will no longer intersect the other doors and windows in the plan. What do we do?

This is where Plan Regions come into play. A plan region allows you to draw a small boundary where you can apply a different View Range in isolation to the rest of the view. Thsi allows you to control the presentation of elements at different levels equally.

So, let's run through an example to show how Plan Regions can work in combination with View Ranges to give the user the best visual output.

1. Go to the View Tab in the Top Ribbon. Under the Plan Views dropdown, select View Region.
2. Using the Drawing Tools, create your boundary as required so that the elements at the alternative level can be completey enclosed by it.
3. Select the newly placed Plan Region**.** In the Properties Tab, you will see the View Range Sub-Menu. Select it. Update the View Range settings to suit what is required within the Plan Region Boundary. Press OK.

Done! The Area within the Plan Region should update with the changes you have made and present differently / correctly as a result. Refer to our workflow in the Example Below:

As per the previous examples, note how the default is not cutting through the window. Let's assume this window is at a level not consistent with the others and needs special consideration. Go to the View Tab, Plan Views (Dropdown) and Select View Region.

Drawing the Boundary for the Plan Region. Note how the boundary only encompasses the window that we want to update the presentation for.

Editing the View Range Setting once the Finished Plan Region is selected. See how the Values match our ideal values from the previous steps. These settings are only being applied to within the Plan Region's footprint

Once the View Range Specific to the Plan REgion has been confirmed you can see the edits to the Window's Presentation locally. IT is not Cut, as the View Range assigned to the Plan Region is set @ 1500mm above the Associated level.

Taht completes this in-depth tutorial on View Ranges in Revit. I hope that you have found this useful and that you now have an in-depth understanding of the primary topics covered in the above:

1. Understanding View Range Settings in Revit
2. Setting up View Ranges for Standard Plans in Revit
3. Understanding and Setting up View Range for Reflected Ceiling Plans in Revit
4. Applying View Ranges to Revit View Templates
5. Using Plan Regions alongside View Ranges

Do you have any other suggested tips? Please let me know in the comments below, or follow me on any various platform (Youtube, Twitter, Buymeacoffee etc.). I also highly recommend joining the Free 8020BIM Discord Community – there are some smart buttons over there and we enjoy helping each other out and discussing our Revit, BIM, Navisworks, CAD and general AEC problems and topics.

Make sure to subscribe to the 8020 BIM Newsletter to get notifications of my personal Revit revelations and upcoming handy tutorial posts just like this.

Become an 8020BIM member (click here) to get free access to all models (see Extras) generated within these tutorials as well as exclusive access to the 8020BIM Community Discord Server Members Channels. If you make a contribution please leave a short note so I can respond and thank you personally.

See you for the next one.

Niall

Signup to the 8020 BIM Newsletter

How To Create A Ceiling Plan In Revit

Source: https://8020bim.com/tag/view-range-in-reflected-ceiling-plans/

Posted by: lomaxpoccour.blogspot.com

Share this post