Understanding North Arrow in Revit: A Comprehensive Guide
Recognizing the Purpose of North Arrow
The north arrow is an essential element in architectural drawings as it indicates the orientation of the project. Properly positioning the north arrow aids architects, engineers, and builders in understanding the layout and spatial relationship of the elements in a design. It serves as a reference point for site orientation, particularly in establishing how natural light affects various spaces throughout the day.
Setting Up True North and Project North
Accessing the Manage Tab: Navigate to the Manage tab located in the top menu. This tab is vital for making adjustments to project settings, including viewing and modifying north directions.
Selecting the Position Drop-Down: Under the Project Location panel, find the Position drop-down menu. This menu provides options for rotating both True North and Project North.
Rotating True North:
- Choose Rotate True North from the menu.
- The Options Bar will appear where you can set the Angle from Project to True North. Input the appropriate angle to align your project accurately according to geographic direction.
- Defining Project North:
- To orient your design more appropriately relative to your drawing space, go back to the Position drop-down and select Rotate Project North.
- In the dialog that appears, pick the desired alignment method and confirm by clicking OK. This process allows you to create a working area that best suits your design requirements.
Creating a North Arrow
Switching to Paper Space: If you are working in a viewport layout, transition to the paper space to effectively insert the north arrow.
Locating the North Arrow Tool: Within the Layout Tools tab, you will find an option labeled North Arrow. Selecting this tool will allow you to choose from various north arrow styles.
Choosing a Style: Review the list of available north arrow designs and select one that fits your project’s visual language.
- Placing the North Arrow: After selecting your preferred style, you will need to select a viewport where the arrow will be placed and then click on the designated area within your drawing sheet to finalize its position.
Important Considerations When Using North Arrows
Understanding North Directions: Always remember that True North references real-world geographic north, while Project North is generally aligned with the top of the project’s design space. This distinction can greatly affect how your plans are interpreted.
Adjusting for Future Modifications: Revit allows for adjustments; if you decide to change the orientation later, follow the same steps to reconfigure the True North and Project North settings.
- Visibility Management: Scope boxes that define the limits of design areas can be set to show or hide depending on view properties. Adjusting these settings can help keep your drawing uncluttered while emphasizing essential elements like the north arrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I have multiple north arrows in a single drawing?
Yes, you can include multiple north arrows if different views or sections of a project require distinct orientations. However, ensure that they do not confuse the viewer regarding the primary direction of the project.
2. How can I ensure my north arrow is accurately positioned?
To confirm accuracy, double-check the angle settings for both True North and Project North, and verify that the north arrow correctly reflects the orientation based on those configurations.
3. What should I do if my north arrow does not display correctly in the final print?
Make certain that the visibility settings for the north arrow are enabled in the view properties. Additionally, check the print settings to ensure all elements set for visibility are included in the output.
