Understanding Project and True North in Revit
When working in Revit, it’s essential to understand the distinction between Project North and True North. Project North is aligned with the design intent of your model and is typically adjusted to optimize the view for modeling. True North, conversely, refers to the actual geographic orientation of the building in relation to the Earth’s north direction. Adjusting Project North to match your design intentions can simplify the modeling process.
Adjusting Project North Orientation in Revit
Follow these step-by-step instructions to modify the orientation of Project North in your Revit project.
Step 1: Open Your Plan View
Begin by accessing a plan view where you want to implement the adjustments. This offers a clear perspective on your layout and makes it easier to manipulate the orientation.
Step 2: Access the Project Location Settings
Navigate to the Manage tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen. Within this tab, locate the Project Location panel, highlighting the options available for orientation adjustments.
Step 3: Initiate the Rotate Project North Tool
In the Project Location panel, find the drop-down labeled Position. Click on this drop-down and select Rotate Project North. This will open the dialogue box where you can specify the new orientation.
Step 4: Set the Rotation Angle
In the Rotate Project dialog, you will see options to input an angle. Enter the desired degree of rotation from your current Project North to align it correctly with your intended design. For example, if you need to rotate it by 30 degrees, input "30".
Step 5: Confirm Your Changes
Once you have set the desired angle, click OK to apply the changes. You will notice that the Project North has now shifted to reflect the new orientation, impacting how your model is presented.
Viewing Orientation Changes
To effectively see how your adjustments have affected the model, you may want to switch to different views after making the adjustments. This allows for checking whether the new Project North aligns with your design intentions for different parts of the project.
Multiple Views of Project North
Keep in mind that in Revit, only one Project North can exist per project. Adjusting this orientation is important for maintaining accuracy in your design, especially when dealing with multiple angles or complex geometries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I switch between Project North and True North?
Yes, you can toggle between Project North and True North in Revit. This allows you to align your views according to local geographic conditions or specific design requirements.
2. What happens if I rotate True North instead of Project North?
Rotating True North affects the real-world orientation of your building but doesn’t change the Project North. It’s best to adjust Project North for design purposes, while True North should remain aligned with the site’s geographic orientation.
3. Is it possible to rotate views in Revit independently of North?
Yes, you can rotate views in Revit regardless of the North orientations. This is useful for presenting your designs from different angles without altering the primary orientation settings. Simply activate the view and use the crop region to rotate it as needed.
