Understanding Work Plans in Revit
A work plane serves as a virtual foundation for sketching and organizing your design elements in Revit. It is essentially a flat, 2D surface that aids in establishing the orientation and layout of the graphical content you are creating. Understanding how to create and manipulate work planes effectively is crucial for architects and designers using Revit.
Steps to Create a New Work Plane in Revit
Creating a new work plane is a manageable task that can significantly enhance your drafting experience. Here’s how to do it:
1. Accessing the Work Plane Tool
Begin by opening your Revit project and navigating to the Main Ribbon. Find the Architecture tab and locate the Work Plane panel. This panel contains various tools for defining and working with planes.
2. Selecting the Plane Command
Click on the Work Plane tool. A menu will appear, providing different options for defining the work plane based on existing geometry or creating a new one from a reference.
3. Employ the Offset from Face Option
Choose the Offset from Face setting. This will allow you to create a new plane that is offset in reference to a selected surface within your model.
4. Define the Reference Face
In the drawing area, click on the object whose face will serve as your reference for the new work plane. You will notice an agile cursor indicating that the plane can be defined relative to that surface.
5. Set the Offset Value
Once you have selected the face, specify the desired offset distance. This can be input numerically, allowing for precise placement of your new work plane. After inputting the value, click Apply to solidify the new work plane’s creation.
6. Validate the New Work Plane
After applying your settings, check that the new work plane appears correctly based on your selected face and distance. You can confirm the plane’s orientation and placement through the 3D view or relevant floor plans.
Redefining Work Planes in Revit
Occasionally, you may find the need to redefine an existing work plane to suit new design requirements. Here’s how you can modify it:
1. Select a Work Plane Element
Identify and select any element that is based on a current work plane in your project.
2. Access the Modify Tab
Once the element is selected, navigate to the Modify tab that appears in the contextual ribbon. Look for the Work Plane panel and click on Edit Work Plane.
3. Choose a New Work Plane
In the dialog that appears, select a new work plane from the list provided or define a new one if necessary.
4. Position the Element
If necessary, reposition the element along the new work plane to ensure that it is aligned correctly according to your updated design intentions.
Creating Vertical Planes in Revit
In addition to horizontal work planes, creating vertical planes can be critical for certain design aspects. To create a vertical plane, follow these instructions:
1. Launch the Reference Plane Tool
On the Ribbon, locate the Architecture or Structure tab and click on the Reference Plane tool.
2. Draw the Vertical Line
To create your vertical plane, navigate to the Draw panel. Use the Line tool to draw a vertical line, or select the Pick Lines tool to identify existing lines for reference.
3. Finish and Position
Once you’ve established your line(s), finalize the plane creation. Be sure to adjust its positioning as needed in 3D or plan views.
FAQs
What types of elements can be placed on a work plane?
A work plane can host various elements, including walls, floors, and family components that rely on 2D sketch planes.
Can multiple work planes exist in a single project?
Yes, you can have multiple work planes defined within a single Revit project, allowing the designer flexibility in correlating elements across different design scenarios.
Is it possible to hide or show work planes in Revit?
Yes, you can control the visibility of work planes in your views through the visibility settings, ensuring that your workspace remains uncluttered during the design process.
