To overlay plans in Revit effectively, it’s essential to understand the method for creating an underlay and how to manipulate view settings. The following steps outline the process:
Step 1: Open a Plan View
Begin by navigating to the Project Browser on the left side of your Revit interface. Locate and double-click on the desired plan view to make it the active view. Ensure that the view is correctly oriented for the overlay to be configured later.
Step 2: Set the Underlay
Once your plan view is open, look for the Properties palette typically on the right side of the screen. Here, you will find an option labeled "Range." Under this section, you need to specify the "Base Level." Click on the drop-down menu and select the level you wish to display as an underlay. The "Top Level" will be automatically adjusted to the level directly above your selected Base Level, ensuring that it stays within the boundaries of your design.
Step 3: Choose Underlay Orientation
In the same Properties palette, find the option for "Underlay Orientation." Here, you can select either "Look Up" or "Look Down," depending on how you want to view the overlay. Selecting "Look Up" will show the underlaid level above the current plan view, while "Look Down" reveals the level beneath.
Step 4: Adjust View Visibility Settings
For clarity and visual distinction, you might want to adjust the visibility settings of the underlay. Go to the View tab, click on "Visibility/Graphics," and navigate to the Revit Links tab to ensure your underlay is displayed as desired. You can further modify its visual characteristics to help differentiate between the overlay and other elements in your drawing.
Step 5: Fine-tune the Display Settings
Return to the Properties palette and locate the "Underlay" section to manage settings such as halftone and line style. To grant your underlay a more subdued appearance, consider using the halftone feature, which can typically be adjusted in the Manage tab under Additional Settings. Here, you can choose how bright or dark the halftone appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reverse the order of my underlay in Revit?
To switch the underlay display, access the Properties palette and adjust the Base Level to another level. This will reroute the underlay view to the selected level, providing flexibility in your design presentation.
Can I overlay multiple levels in a single plan view?
Revit does not allow multiple underlays in one plan view directly. Instead, you should create different plan views for separate underlays. Each view can then have its own underlaid level set through the Properties palette.
What should I do if my underlay is not displaying properly?
Check your view range settings to ensure the underlay is within the displayed area. Also, verify that the visibility settings for the underlay type are configured correctly in the Visibility/Graphics menu to ensure it appears as intended in your plan view.
