Forums >> Revit Building >> Technical Support >> Reference planes or gridlines when setting out model?

ksmith

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Joined: Mon, Jan 12, 2009
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May seem a vague question but I just wondered if some of you could share your preferred setting out methods before building your model. I've recently completed my first Revit model which took forever I might add, but in doing so, I made many errors from the start and would now like to start building future models using tried, tested and accurate methods.

I want to work to established location or boundary lines and wondered what everybody else is doing in their models.

Please can you comment on whether you prefer to use grid lines or reference planes and what the pros and cons are of each method.

I understand that you could probably use either, but the facilities are obviously there for a reason.

What works best for you?

Cheers, Kirk

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USING REVIT 2011--- This old builder is determined to Learn Revit no matter what it takes.

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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We use grid lines for all buildings with columns obviously, but also for our hotel projects where grid lines are center of demizing walls and face of stud for corridor walls.

I try to keep reference planes to a minum, otherwise, they become very confusing.  Why use a reference plane to place a wall ... just place the wall.  Because reference planes do have a 3rd dimension, they are useful between floors but if objects are located at the same place on multiple floors, again why use reference planes?  Just use copy to clipboard and paste to multiple levels.

Remember, you can always have underlays on floor plans.  

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SmileyWhiplash

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Joined: Mon, Jan 30, 2012
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If certain model elements are constantly being replaced and the file is linked so the number of ref planes would be lessened and contained would you consider this an option. Could the ref planes simply be aligned after every update of the model elements to thus said elements?

thanx.

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WWHub

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You wrote: ".... Could the ref planes simply be aligned after every update of the model elements to thus said elements?..."  < This suggests that your process is wrong.  No need to re-align anything if you reload the model instead of re-linking it.  It doesn't matter even if the file's name and path changes, just use the reload from. 

If you don't reload the model, the ony movement of objects are purposely done by the consultant.  If you are copy monitoring objects, you will be told when objects move.

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SmileyWhiplash

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nah, theyre deleting the architectural elements that are dimensioned and replacing with structural files.

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WWHub

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We have rules that we use with our consultants.  DON'T DELETE, when you can just swap families. 

This is especially true with copy monitored items like grids, levels, walls, floors, roofs, columns. 

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Locking structural framing to reference planes

2

Hide all reference planes

2

Deleting Refererence Planes

4

VIEW PORT ALIGNING WITH REF PLANES NOT WORKING

2

Listing the Abilities of Reference Planes

2