How to Select Duplicates in Revit?

Identifying Duplicates in Revit

Finding and managing duplicate elements in Revit is crucial for maintaining an organized and efficient project. Duplicates can occur with families, views, and line work, which can lead to clutter and confusion. To effectively select and manage duplicates, follow these detailed steps:

Steps to Identify Duplicates in Revit

Using the Project Browser

1. Open the Project Browser: Locate the Project Browser panel, typically situated on the left side of your workspace.
2. Expand Categories: Click on the categories such as Families or Views. Carefully browse through each category for any elements that may appear multiple times.
3. Select Potential Duplicates: Hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and click on multiple items that you suspect are duplicates. This allows you to select more than one item for comparison.

Utilizing Revit’s Purge Unused Tool

1. Access the Manage Tab: Click on the ‘Manage’ tab located in the ribbon.
2. Choose Purge Unused: Click on ‘Purge Unused’ to display a list of all families and types in your project that are not currently in use.
3. Review the List: Carefully go through the list and check for any families that may be duplicates of the ones currently in use.
4. Select and Purge: If you can confirm that they are duplicates, select them and click ‘Purge’. This will reduce clutter in your project.

Finding Duplicate Views

1. Go to the View Tab: Navigate to the ‘View’ tab in the Revit ribbon.
2. Select Floor Plans: In the dropdown, click on floor plans or any view type you are investigating.
3. Check Existing Views: Ensure you uncheck the option ‘Do not duplicate existing views’ to reveal all available views.
4. Identify Duplicates: Examine the list for any views with similar names or details that indicate they may be duplicate views.

Using Overkill Command for Overlapping Lines

1. Open the Command Line: In Revit, access the command line where you can input commands.
2. Enter OVERKILL Command: Type ‘OVERKILL’ and press Enter. This command helps you find and select overlapping line elements.
3. Select All Elements: When prompted, type "all" and press Enter to include all lines in your selection.
4. Review and Confirm Selections: The tool will highlight overlapping lines, and you can choose to delete or adjust them as necessary.

Checking for Duplicate Elements in Views

1. Activate a Specific View: Click on the view you want to examine in the Project Browser.
2. Select Elements: Use a selection box or individual click to choose elements within the view.
3. Utilize Filters: Some users prefer to apply visual filters to distinguish between different elements, making it easier to spot potential duplicates.

How to Delete Duplicates

Once duplicates have been identified, they can be removed through the following methods:

1. Right-click to Delete: After selecting a duplicate element in the Project Browser, right-click and select ‘Delete’.
2. Use the Purge Unused Feature Again: After you’ve deleted visible instances, it may be helpful to repeat the ‘Purge Unused’ action to ensure that all related duplicates are cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I recover deleted elements in Revit?
Yes, you can use the ‘Undo’ function (Ctrl + Z) immediately after deletion to restore items. For items that have been purged, recovery is not possible.

2. Does Revit automatically prevent duplicates?
No, Revit does not automatically prevent the creation of duplicates. Users should manually check for duplicates, especially when importing families or views.

3. What should I do if I find a necessary duplicate?
If you find duplicates that you need to keep, consider renaming them to avoid confusion. You can also group them or organize them into specific categories to maintain clarity in your project.