Understanding Coordinates in Revit
To effectively manage your projects in Revit, gaining a comprehensive grasp of coordinates is crucial. Revit operates with various coordinate systems that aid in placing and aligning elements accurately within a project.
Identifying the Coordinate Systems
Revit utilizes two primary coordinate systems:
1. **Project Coordinate System**: This is specific to the project and is used internally for modeling.
2. **Survey Coordinate System**: This system correlates with real-world geographic coordinates and is essential for integrating site data.
Both systems help to ensure that models are positioned correctly relative to each other and to real-world locations.
Finding Coordinates in Revit
Follow these steps to check and acquire coordinates from linked files within your project:
1. **Open Your Main Model**: Start by opening the host model where you want to acquire or verify the coordinates.
2. **Linking External Files**: If you need to link an external file for reference, navigate to the Insert tab and use the Link panel to attach files like topography, DWGs, or other Revit models.
3. **Accessing the Coordinate Tools**: Navigate to the Manage tab, find the Project Location panel, and click on the Coordinates drop-down menu. Select the option “Acquire Coordinates.”
4. **Select the Linked File**: Hover the cursor over the linked file in your view, then click to acquire its coordinates. This will align the host model’s coordinates with those of the linked file.
Entering and Adjusting Survey Coordinates
Survey coordinates can be vital for ensuring that your project is accurately aligned with site conditions. To enter or adjust these coordinates, do the following:
1. **Open the Site Plan View**: Choose a view that clearly displays the survey point.
2. **Select the Survey Point**: Use your cursor to hover over the survey point symbol. The tooltip will help identify it.
3. **Unclip the Point if Necessary**: If the symbol is clipped, click to unclip it, enabling you to move it freely.
4. **Position the Survey Point**: Drag the survey point to the desired location, aligning it according to site measurement.
Understanding the Project Base Point
The Project Base Point is crucial for establishing a reference for building geometry:
1. **Locate the Project Base Point**: Open a relevant view and find the project base point symbol.
2. **Select and Move**: Click to select the point, then drag it to reposition it as needed.
3. **Pin in Place**: To prevent accidental movement, use the Pin tool in the Modify tab.
Checking Visibility of Point References
To confirm the visibility of the project and survey points:
1. **Access Visibility/Graphics Settings**: Go to the View tab and click on the Graphics panel, then select Visibility/Graphics.
2. **Locate Site Categories**: Scroll through the Model Categories tab, expand the Site section, and make sure both Project Base Point and Survey Point are checked to ensure they are visible in your model.
Linking Models for Shared Coordinates
When working with multiple models, linking them establishes shared coordinates which are vital for collaboration:
1. **Link Another Model**: In your open model, click on the Insert tab, then Link Revit in the Link panel.
2. **Select Your File**: In the dialog that appears, choose the Revit model you wish to link.
3. **Define Positioning**: Specify the desired positioning option (e.g., Center to Center).
4. **Finalize the Link**: Click Open to finish linking the model, allowing shared coordinates to be established.
FAQ
**What are the three origin points in Revit?**
Revit has three primary origin points: the Project Base Point, which sets the model’s internal reference; the Survey Point, representing known geodetic points; and the Internal Origin, a point that serves as the base for all original model dimensions.
**How can I reset coordinates in Revit?**
To reset coordinates, open the host model, navigate to the Manage tab, and select the Reset Shared Coordinates option from the Coordinates drop-down. A notification will confirm the reset.
**What is the purpose of the Acquire Coordinates feature in Revit?**
The Acquire Coordinates feature allows you to align the shared coordinates of a linked project with those of your host project, facilitating accurate placement and orientation without altering the host project’s internal coordinates.
