Understanding Cut Planes in Revit
Adjusting the cut plane in Revit is an essential skill for accurately representing architectural and structural elements in your drawings. The cut plane determines how elements appear in plan views and can be manipulated to highlight specific areas of your design.
Steps to Change the Cut Plane
Access Plan View
Begin by opening the plan view where you wish to modify the cut plane. This sets the context for the changes you’ll be applying.Create a Plan Region
Navigate to the Create panel on the View ribbon. Here, expand the Plan Views section, and select the “Plan Region” option. This function allows you to define a particular area within the view that can have its own cut plane settings.Draw the Region
Using the drawing tools available (such as lines, rectangles, or polygons), sketch a closed loop that outlines the area for the plan region. Ensure that this loop is continuous as it defines the boundaries of the cut plane adjustment.Edit View Properties
Once your region is created, locate the Properties palette. Here, you will find an option labeled “Edit.” Click on this to access the View Range dialog box.- Adjusting View Range Settings
In the View Range dialog box, you can specify both the primary range and the view depth. The primary range refers to the height at which the cut occurs, while the view depth determines how far below the cut plane the system can display elements. Adjust these settings as needed and then apply your changes.
Working with Depth Clipping
Selecting Your View
Go to the Project Browser and choose the plan view you wish to manipulate concerning depth clipping.Accessing Properties
Look for the Properties palette and identify the parameter labeled “Depth Clipping.” This option allows you to control what is displayed in terms of depth from the cut plane.- Configuring Depth Clipping
Click on the button next to the Depth Clipping parameter to open the relevant dialog. Here, you can choose the clipping option that best suits your project requirements, and then click "OK" to save your settings.
Handling the Plan Cut Height
To adjust the height of the cut plane in your view:
Open View Properties
Select the view you want to modify and access the View Properties via the View menu.Edit View Range
Click the Edit button under the View Range section. This will allow you to set specific offsets for the cut plane.- Setting Offsets
Enter the desired height for both the Bottom Offset and the Top Offset parameters. These adjustments will determine how high or low the cut plane appears in your view.
Troubleshooting: Greyed Out Cut Plane Option
If the option to modify the cut plane appears greyed out, this typically relates to the association of the plan view with a specific level. Each plan view is uniquely tied to its corresponding level in the building model. As such, while you can change the cut plane’s distance from the reference level, you cannot alter the reference level itself.
FAQs
1. How do I view elements below the cut plane in Revit?
To see elements below the cut plane, navigate to the View Properties and adjust the View Range settings. Specifically, you can modify the Bottom Offset under the Primary Range to a value that includes the desired elements below your current cut plane.
2. What should I do if my levels are not displaying in a section view?
If levels are not appearing in a section or elevation view, it may be due to the view depth. Ensure that part of the level is within the cut plane’s view depth. You may need to adjust the view settings to include these elements.
3. Can I use underlays to create complex view patterns?
Yes, underlays in Revit can be used to display elements from other levels or views beneath your current view. This feature can help in creating reference points or highlighting existing conditions in your drawings. Adjust the underlay settings in the Properties palette to select the appropriate level and orientation.
