CAD/BIM Tips & Tricks
Escape the Revit Rabbit Hole: 13 Tools To Turbocharge Your Productivity
9 November 2023
Does Revit® sometimes feel like a crazy alternative universe? Just like Alice in Wonderland, stepping into the world of Revit design can feel like tumbling headfirst down the rabbit hole. But it’s precisely here that the value of Revit tools becomes apparent as they serve up an absolute tea party of efficiency and innovation. And they’re not just any ordinary tools — they’re the veritable Cheshire Cats of design, offering features that can conjure detailed, accurate and fantastical visualizations of your projects — with ease.
With Revit tools in hand, you’ll be crafting designs that could make even the Queen of Hearts crack a smile: Designs that are as pleasing to the eye as they are technically sound. You’ll be the envy of Wonderland.
So, buckle up, Revit users. We’re about to leap through the looking glass, exploring the top 13 Revit tools that will turbocharge your productivity and turn monotonous tasks into a joyride on a flamingo croquet mallet. It’s time to rise from Revit user to Revit royalty because frankly, someone has to give that cold-blooded cow, the Queen of Hearts, a run for her money.
What are the Benefits of Using Revit Tools?
Why welcome Revit tools into your design arsenal? Imagine them as subtle whispers from the Cheshire Cat, guiding you through a forest of 3D models.
Stepping into the world of Revit design can feel like tumbling headfirst down the rabbit hole.
Revit tools streamline your design process as if it’s been touched by a sprinkle of Wonderland magic. Revit tools offer rapid and precise tweaks to your drafts, seamless interaction with other software (such as CAD), and an intuitive ability to spot potential hiccups before they become bigger beasts. Plus, they champion sustainable design and offer tools for noteworthy efficiency and precision.
With Revit tools, you’re not just designing, you’re crafting narratives, one design at a time. You’re quite literally fashioning the future. It’s time to journey beyond the looking glass and dive into the world of Revit enchantment.
Productivity Toolkit for Revit
Kick-starting our journey, we begin our exploration with Productivity Toolkit™ for Revit, a powerhouse selection of Revit tools by Axiom. It’s a must-have guest at this tea party, earning its place at the head of the table.
Productivity Toolkit empowers you to accomplish more in less time.
Productivity Toolkit is here to sprinkle a little Wonderland magic on your Revit journey. It streamlines everything from imports of Word and Excel data and PDFs to working with Revit families, making these processes as smooth as the Cheshire Cat’s grin, diminishing stress and leaving you feeling as carefree as the floating daisy petals in Alice’s poem, All in the Golden Afternoon. So, let’s meet the individuals that comprise this indispensable collection.
The star of this show? Microsoft Office Importer™. Think of it as your personal White Rabbit, hopping swiftly between PDFs and Excel and Word data, and delivering them — with impeccable formatting, of course — straight into your Revit project. With formatting that looks just like the original Word and Excel docs — and the ability to bring in an entire multipage PDF all at once — you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. It’s a seamless process, covering everything from schedules to notes, and it’s faster and easier than tipping your top hat.
But the tea party isn’t over yet. Microsoft Office Importer for Revit has been seen cozying up to ProjectWise, so it’s got you covered there too.
Family Studio™ for Revit is the next trick popping out of the magical Productivity Toolkit hat. It’s like having the Caterpillar as your guide, helping you navigate through the dense undergrowth of Revit families with ease. This tool allows you to search inside or outside of an open Revit project and sift through families based on categories, family names, family types, parameter names, parameter values, and any combination of the above. You can easily view all the types of the family you’ve searched for and found, instead of having to navigate them one at a time in the browser.
Once you’ve found a family, you can easily place — or duplicate and rename — the family type. The list of features continues and is impressive. If you’re a Revit user, this tool is definitely worth looking at. It’s as if you’ve taken a sip of the “Drink Me” potion, and, in your altered state, you’re able to explore the minute details of the rabbit hole. With Family Studio, you’ll experience search capabilities the likes of which you’ve never known. It’s a time-saving wonderland!
With Family Studio, you’ll experience search capabilities the likes of which you’ve never known.
Align (Shortcut: Al)
The Align tool in Revit is your valuable assistant when it comes to precise modeling tasks. Just as Alice leans on the Cheshire Cat’s cryptic yet precise directions, you can rely on the precision of the Align tool to neatly align your design elements in a way that gives your model a professional and well-structured appearance.
In practice, this tool allows you to select two lines (edges or axes) in the model or drawing and aligns the first selected line with the second. It can be utilized to align doors with windows, furniture with walls, or even entire structural elements, ensuring coherency and precision in your design.
Revit tools offer rapid and precise tweaks to your drafts, seamless interaction with other software, and an intuitive ability to spot potential hiccups before they become bigger beasts.
The Align tool is also versatile enough to handle dynamic alignments. If you need to rotate an object to align with another, this tool is up to the task. However, its power lies in its subtlety. It’s best used with a careful hand, making strategic adjustments rather than broad applications. Similar to the limited but impactful appearances of the Cheshire Cat, the subtle usage of the Align tool can have a profound effect on your project’s success.
Detail Lines (Shortcut: DL)
Detail Lines in Revit are like a proficient craftsman’s toolset, crucial for refining your design. This tool allows you to draw lines on any plane or face with a high level of precision and detail.
Detail Lines are not just simple lines — they’re instrumental for expressing things such as cuts and joins, and various aspects of your design. This tool enables you to depict a vast array of architectural components, whether it’s defining boundary lines, outlining building components, or illustrating intricate interior details. You can choose from multiple line styles, types, and weights, adding depth and intricacy to your models.
Detail Lines also enhance the clarity of your design intentions. They assist in establishing relationships between different elements, reinforcing areas of importance, and guiding the viewers’ attention through the design. Much like Alice’s cryptic clues in Wonderland, Detail Lines subtly narrate the design story, marking their importance in your Revit toolset.
Thin Lines (Shortcut: TL)
The Thin Lines tool in Revit is a testament to the meticulous artistry of great design. It acts as a fine-tipped pen, allowing you to capture the subtle details that bring your vision to life.
Within the realm of 3D modeling — where bold strokes often dominate — it’s the delicate lines that add finesse and refinement to your compositions. Much like the delicate brushstrokes of a master painter, Thin Lines enable you to delineate precise boundaries, highlight specific areas, and add intricate detailing to your plans.
This tool empowers you to articulate the subtle nuances of your design with clarity and precision. Whether it’s accentuating the contours of a striking facade, conveying gentle slopes in a landscape design, or perfecting the final touches of an interior layout, Thin Lines enable you to convey the finer aspects of your architectural vision.
Remember, as you navigate the intricate world of Revit, let the Thin Lines be your guiding pen.
If you want to elevate your design from ordinary to extraordinary, infusing it with depth, dimension, and your unique creative expression, then the Thin Lines tool is your key.
Selection Box (Shortcut: BX)
Just as Alice stumbled upon a magical cake that made her grow and shrink at will, the Selection Box tool in Revit grants you the power to resize your object selection with ease. Whether you want to encompass a whole room or selectively choose objects, this tool offers two whimsical options. You can either draw a box or sift through a curated list of objects.
Revit’s Selection Box offers a range of powerful features that go beyond simple object resizing. It allows you to easily select objects by type, enabling you to quickly locate specific elements in your project. Whether you’re searching for doors, chairs, or other components, the Selection Box simplifies the process, saving you time and effort.
But that’s not all. The Selection Box also provides the ability to refine your selection based on object properties. You can choose objects based on color, size, materials, and more. This functionality adds an extra layer of control and precision to your design workflow.
When working with Revit, the Selection Box becomes a valuable companion, guiding you through the intricacies of object selection. It streamlines your workflow, putting you in command and ensuring you’re always in the right place at the right time.
Hide In View (Shortcut: EH)
The Hide in View tool in Revit is like a mischievous secret passage in Wonderland. It allows you to swiftly whisk away walls, windows, doors and furniture from your views as if they were vanishing down the rabbit hole. With this simple keyboard shortcut, you gain the power to keep your views organized and free from clutter, revealing the true essence of your design.
The Hide in View tool allows you to whisk away walls, windows, doors and furniture from your views as if they were vanishing down the rabbit hole.
This handy tool is a game-changer when it comes to focusing on specific elements or unraveling the intricate interactions between objects. Just like Alice peering through the keyhole to catch a glimpse of Wonderland’s secrets, the Hide in View tool grants you a better understanding of your design by temporarily concealing certain elements. It’s a simple shortcut that leads to a clearer vision and smoother Revit projects.
So, embrace the naughtiness of the Hide in View tool, indulge in its mischievous nature, and let it be your secret passage to a well-organized and harmonious design wonderland. Press “EH” and watch unnecessary elements vanish, leaving you with a view that truly captures the magical essence of your architectural creation.
Temporary Dimensions
The Temporary Dimensions tool in Revit is like the magical size-changing potion that Alice encounters in Wonderland. With just a sip, you’re granted the power to measure and adjust objects within your model in real-time. This whimsical tool makes tweaking your model a breeze, ensuring it meets the highest design standards and specifications.
Just like Alice’s journey through Wonderland, Temporary Dimensions are best experienced with a team. Everyone can sip from the same size-changing potion, comparing measurements and ensuring accuracy before finalizing any changes. It’s like a synchronized tea party, where everyone has their own cupful of precise measurements.
Whether you find yourself exploring the model alone or with a team, Temporary Dimensions is an essential tool in your Revit arsenal. It brings your designs to life, allowing you to measure and adjust objects with real-time accuracy. So, embrace the wonder of Temporary Dimensions, sip from the size-changing potion, and let your models enchant and impress with their perfect dimensions.
Pick Lines
Pick Lines in Revit is like a mischievous White Rabbit, hopping from view to view, helping you swiftly select lines in a single operation. This online tool is your secret shortcut to identifying and plucking lines from different views with ease, whether it’s the plan, elevation, or 3D views. It’s designed to be as user-friendly as a lazy smile from the Cheshire Cat, requiring minimal steps to quickly gather the lines you need.
Just like a deck of playing cards that can be shuffled and customized to your liking, Pick Lines is highly adaptable. It works seamlessly with all versions of Revit, offering a customizable experience tailored to your preferences.
For architects, engineers, and construction professionals seeking to conquer the challenges of selecting lines from multiple views, Pick Lines is an indispensable tool in your arsenal. It unlocks the door to enhanced productivity, saving you valuable time by eliminating the need for multiple steps and complex maneuvers.
So, follow the White Rabbit’s lead, embrace the power of Pick Lines, and witness how this whimsical tool can transform your workflow. Give it a try today and let it work its magic, helping you accomplish your tasks faster than the White Rabbit’s hurried hops.
Consistent Colors
Want a specific visual style for a particular view? Revit, the creative wonderland of 3D modeling, holds a remarkable secret within its depths — the ability to weave a tapestry of consistent colors throughout your project. Like an artist’s palette, Revit empowers you to harmonize colors across materials, layers, and components, creating an organized and navigable project, all thanks to the Consistent Colors tool. This feature helps you to present a visually united theme, making your project a breeze to comprehend.
Immerse yourself in a world of color as Revit unveils a vast spectrum of options, allowing you to match the project’s central color scheme effortlessly. Customizing the color scheme is as simple as a stroke of the brush, accessing the “Colors” tab in the Properties Palette. Consistency becomes the key to unlocking a unified look and feel within your project.
This becomes especially vital when crafting materials or components that visually need to harmoniously coexist.
Revit grants you the power to save your meticulously crafted color schemes, ready to be summoned at will for future projects. This magical ability ensures that a consistent color scheme flows gracefully across multiple endeavors, showcasing your commitment to excellence. The result? An elevated quality that permeates your Revit project, transforming it into a well-organized masterpiece. The cohesion of the color palette not only brings order to your project but also creates an immersive and unified visual experience.
Let the colors paint your vision and unlock the true potential of your Revit projects. Most importantly, Consistent Colors gives you the opportunity to prove your undeniable eye for detail.
Ambient Shadows
Imagine a paintbrush in the hands of a skilled painter, effortlessly breathing life into a canvas. In the enchanting world of Revit, the Ambient Shadows tool holds this transformative power, allowing designers to infuse their projects with a touch of realism. Like a maestro of light, this tool casts shadows in 3D models, emulating the natural play of light within a space and illuminating the essence of the design.
With the Ambient Shadows tool, designers have the freedom to mold shadows according to their artistic vision. Soft or sharp, subdued or intense, the shadows adapt to the design requirements, creating a tapestry of visual effects that mimic reality. But it doesn’t stop there. This versatile tool also grants control over the brightness and contrast of the shadows, enhancing the overall scene’s realism.
From soft whispers to bold expressions, the Ambient Shadows tool unveils a world of possibilities, bringing your imagination to life.
Revit’s Ambient Shadows tool is a harmonious blend of simplicity and power. Its user-friendly interface ensures effortless adjustments, empowering designers to effortlessly achieve their desired visual effects. Furthermore, when combined with other Revit tools like Sun Path, its capabilities soar to new heights, delivering intricately detailed and breathtaking visuals. With the Ambient Shadows tool as their ally, designers can weave a tapestry of stunning visuals that accurately reflect the true nature of their designs.
Infuse your projects with a touch of realism and watch as your designs come alive with depth and authenticity. From soft whispers to bold expressions, the Ambient Shadows tool unveils a world of possibilities, bringing your imagination to life.
Override Graphics In View
The Override Graphics in View tool in Revit offers users a powerful ability to customize their model’s appearance. It’s like having a magical looking glass that lets you tweak and adjust how elements are displayed in the viewport. With just a few clicks, you can switch between wireframe and shaded views, hide or isolate specific elements, and even fine-tune line weight, object color, and background settings.
This tool is your secret weapon for creating stunning visuals and comparing different versions of your model without the need for multiple views. It’s especially handy for generating construction documents, where you can easily tailor the settings to meet your needs. By using the override settings, you gain a deeper understanding of your model and its components, bringing your vision to life with precision.
Revit users rely on the Override Graphics in View tool to unlock a world of customization possibilities. It empowers you to personalize your model’s appearance and is an invaluable asset for creating accurate and detailed construction documents. Step into the realm of customization, harness the power of the looking glass and unleash the full potential of your Revit model.
Pin
The Pin tool in Revit is a true powerhouse when it comes to putting a modeling element in lockdown. Once you’ve pinned a modeling element, it simply cannot be moved. And if someone tries to delete a pinned element, Revit warns you that the element is pinned.
However, if we’re talking components, a pinned component can still be moved if it is set to move with nearby elements or if the level where it is placed moves up or down. It may sound as tricky as the Red Queen’s rules, but this handy tool is guaranteed to be much friendlier and there’s no risk of losing your head!
Drag Elements on Selection = Off
In Revit, one of the most valuable tools at your disposal is the ability to govern the movement of objects upon selection. By disabling the “Drag Elements on Selection” setting, users can ensure that selected objects remain firmly in place within the Revit project. This setting can be accessed in the “Options” menu under the “Selection” tab, allowing users to toggle it on or off as needed.
For CAD users who want to select objects without inadvertently shifting their positions, this setting holds significant importance. By disabling “Drag Elements on Selection,” you can rest assured that selected objects in Revit will remain steadfast, eliminating the risk of unintended movements.
How Can You Get Started Using Revit Tools?
To navigate Revit’s software wonderland and ensure success, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its tools and embrace the adventure ahead. So, don your virtual top hat and follow these steps to unlock the magic of Revit.
First, determine the nature of your project and identify the tools that will bring your vision to life. If you have any difficulty with your chosen Revit tools, don’t hesitate to consult the help files or seek answers from online resources. Joining a Revit user group or immersing yourself in a lively Revit conference will introduce you to seasoned adventurers who can share tips and tricks from their own journeys.
You’ll soon discover that with each stroke of the digital brush, you can create a design that reflects your expertise and creative prowess.
If, on an immediate basis, you simply desire greater productivity and efficiency, we invite you to explore Productivity Toolkit for Revit. This software is designed to enhance your Revit experience and unlock a new degree of workflow optimization. With its powerful selection of tools and features, Productivity Toolkit empowers you to accomplish more — in less time.
To learn more about Productivity Toolkit for Revit, click here to embark on a journey of easy efficiency. Alternatively, call us at 727-442-7774, and our knowledgeable team will be happy to demonstrate the remarkable benefits and capabilities of Productivity Toolkit, and answer any questions you may have. Get ready to revolutionize your Revit experience and embrace a brilliant world of time-saving stress reduction.
Axiom. CAD and BIM made easier.