Happy Holidays - See you in 2018!!!

Wow, 2017 has gone fast! I can barely remember what I was doing in the first half of the year! The second half has been so busy I haven't posted as often as I would have liked, but the good news is, if all goes to plan that should change in 2018 and be back to my regular postings, with maybe even a little something on YouTube!! 

It is that time of year though for my annual review of popular posts on Revit Link, but first, a gift! I found this recently and have decided to use it for my students. It is aimed at the newbies who might be reading, but even experienced users may find it useful! Enjoy! 

Click the Image to see what's inside!!!

So, here it is, a look back at Revit Link in 2017, with a new category too...

Most Viewed Blog Post: Revit Schedules - How to Format Headers, close behind was Why is Revit Not Backwards Compatible

My Favourite Post: Revit User Interface - Filters Dialog Box
Best Revit Dynamo Tip for 2017: Everyday Dynamo - Esc Key
Something New: Autodesk University 2017 - Creating Intelligent Details
Finally Fixed: Browser Sorting, View Templates, and Dependent Views - Resolved
What I want for Christmas: The DJI Osmo Mobile hand held stabiliser (I got my drone a few months ago!) 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!

Hide Categories in View Using a Shortcut

Quick tip: Do you always turn off categories in views via the Visibility Graphics? Why not use a shortcut instead?

When we select a component in Revit, we can right click for 'Hide in View' with 3 options available: Elements, Category & Filter. 

Now, most seasoned users will tell you, 'Hide in View > Element' is full of problems (which I agree with), so if you are using this method a lot, I would recommend learning some better methods. For me, the main problem with this method of hiding is you can't add it to a View Template. 

The next option however is more useful. This is Hide in View > Category. Using this method, is actually the same as going into your Visibility Graphics and un-ticking the box. 

This is why, when a view template is active on a view, this method of hiding is greyed out. 

There is a shortcut assigned to this right click menu combination too! VH = Hide in View>Hide Category. I find this most handy for 3D views, which don't always have view templates assigned. Simply select multiple components on various categories, hit [VH] on your keyboard, and your done! 

If you want the reverse, activate your 'Reveal Hidden Elements' window, select your components and hit [VU] for Unhide Category. 

Column 'Construction' Properties

One of the reasons I enjoy training so much is because I have the opportunity to always be learning on the job. Take for example my most recent training session, where one of my group members came across this great little nugget on column properties. 

Below, we have an architectural column with an unconnected height set to just below the roof. If we take a look at the column instance properties, you will notice aside from a few constraint options, there isn't much else to work with...

...but, something I never noticed is that the properties actually change once columns are attached to components! Notice anything different about the properties after I attach this architectural column to the roof above it?

The Construction heading give us two new parameters when the column is attached to a surface: 'Attachment Justification At Top', with 3 drop down choices that sets the top justification condition: Minimum Intersection, Maximum Intersection & Intersect Column Midline. 

The other parameter is 'Offset From Attachment At Top'. This offset is best seen when the attachment justification is set to 'Intersect Column Midline'. 

Oh, and if your thinking does this also apply to Structural Columns, the answer is yes.

I did ask myself how I never came across this setting before, but I don't use architectural columns as much as I probably could (often using walls instead) and not a whole lot of the structural framing modelling I do comes down to that sort of detail. That being said, it's certainly a nice little concealed couple of parameters to know about!

Credit for this post goes to Bonnie who found these helpful parameters for the class, despite moments earlier hearing me say "I don't think you can do that"

Looks like I was wrong! Never stop learning!