Forums >> Community >> Newbies >> Snapping and Detailing

VonBraun

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Hello

      I'm drafting details in Revit. I've basically created a series of 2D detail iteams as families or set up a bunch of line

styles and draft elements manually. This is for 1:10 and 1:5 scale details. I'm basically using callouts of the model, mostly

section views, and tracing over these. My issue is trying to snap to the model geometry with my 2D annotation. Sometimes

it works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the view and the objects inside the view but I can't see a pattern to when

Revit will or won't allow me to snap to model geometry. This is usefull for getting spacing of wall elements and speeds the

detailing procress. Would I be missing something as to why my snaps won't work, or is this a glitch? All snap setting should

be set to default, are their even snap settings to check?

When tring to snap to model grometry usually I get full funtionality or nothing. When nothing everything is always "nearest"

and still won't snap to certains lines from the model.

I can't really upload anything without giving away the whole project file, and its too big.

Thanks

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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You can't be creating detail families by tracing model elements because you can't bring a model into a family.  You might be tracing over a model view in a project but this view can never be used in other projects because it is still a model view.  You can copy this linework to a new drafting view in that project and they this view can be used in other projects.  Dimesions should only be done then in the drafting view.

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VonBraun

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I made my detail elements through the family editor, with the "metric detail item.rft" template. Things like studs, soffit

section, rigid insulation, window headers, metal deck, plywood, gypsum ect. Then inserted them in the project.Lines Types are for membrames or other

things.

I am tracing over a model view, I am aware of this, and never intend this use that exact detail in another project. Details

are never that close that we can copy/paste section or plan details between projects.

I'm only usuing a drafting view for details that do not appear on my building or wall sections or any other drawing. When

I'm done tracing I turn off the model and only display the line work. Then if need be I dimention the line work. The idea

was I can turn on the model again later for co-ordination purposes of need be, and compare the model to drafted detail.

So is there a problem with trying to snap 2D drafting or "annotation" objects to a model view?

This method was suggested to me by a local Revit training guy my office has been using.

Notes and text and then put on the sheet and I turn the text for each detail into a group so it is easier to move for

organizing the sheet. Helps for practicing the "art" of sheet layout as the senior tech calls it.

This is kinda getting into detailing methods which I did want to ask other users about.

But how about the snapping issue? Any thoughts?

Attached is an example of a 1:10 detail of a roof overhang. "Display Model" property is set to "do no display".

Attached Images

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WWHub

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In that kind of view, I would use as much of the model as I can.  Remember, you can use edit cut profile to adjust individual portions of elements like walls, floors, roofs.  Then you just add detail elements like batt insulation, studs, blocking but not gyp bd.  If you use the model elements, model element tags, keynote tags and material tags will all still work.... but if you turn off the model, those elements will go away.

There should be no snapping problems in your view or a drafting view.  You need to be more specific about what doesn't snap.

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VonBraun

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Ok for snapping, lets use the example of a detail line. This line on some model views only (others worked) will only snap to the

perimeter of a wall or roof assembly (view from the model), and not the layers in the middle when in a section detl.

It is as if the snap tool doesn't the interior layers of the assembly, or only parts of it. Like I said it is hard to be specific because the error

seems random. Sometimes a detail line will refuse to snap to anything from the model view, period.

I have no problem snapping to other drafted objects, this always works as expected.

Actually the cut profile tool was the first thing I tried. I found by the time I was done cutting profiles there was almost

nothing of the model left (parapet detail). Also for the time it took we thought it was not worth the effort. I'm also being

told to balance time with modeling and don't model everything because of how long it takes. Views of the model can also

not provide as much detail as the tech and architect are looking for. The other thing was when wall assembly changed

thickness,the profile cuts don't update with the model, I have to do them again. (We changed from batt to exterior insulation)

So we are looking for a time balence, drafting over top a view seemed to way to go. At least we are not trying to link AutoCAD details. 

I will use cut profile to clean up building sections or wall sections. For those the model has enough detail.

Your right keytag will not work, this is a draw back, but thus far I'm not using them for wall materials. Not sure what to do about wall type tags in details yet. I need those because most generic things in the wall assembly will be called up in the schedule for that assembly. I only really have to note other things more detail oriented or that don't show in the model, bituminious membrane overlaps, flashing ect. I think I could still keynote a 2D family though.

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WWHub

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OK - now I understand - you don't mean snaps, you mean align. 

You can align with any layer of a wall/roof or floor in an elevation or section view - BUT IN SECTIONS _ ONLY IF THAT ELEMENT IS CUT PERPINDICULAR TO THE ELEMENT...... no "skewed" elements.  The same is true for other cuttable elements.

Good luck with turning off the model and not using it.... BTW - You do know about the linework tool too?

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VonBraun

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Ok for snapping, lets use the example of a detail line. This line on some model views only (others worked) will only snap to the

perimeter of a wall or roof assembly (view from the model), and not the layers in the middle when in a section detl.

It is as if the snap tool doesn't the interior layers of the assembly, or only parts of it. Like I said it is hard to be specific because the error

seems random. Sometimes a detail line will refuse to snap to anything from the model view, period.

I have no problem snapping to other drafted objects, this always works as expected.

Actually the cut profile tool was the first thing I tried. I found by the time I was done cutting profiles there was almost

nothing of the model left (parapet detail). Also for the time it took we thought it was not worth the effort. I'm also being

told to balance time with modeling and don't model everything because of how long it takes. Views of the model can also

not provide as much detail as the tech and architect are looking for. The other thing was when wall assembly changed

thickness,the profile cuts don't update with the model, I have to do them again. (We changed from batt to exterior insulation)

So we are looking for a time balence, drafting over top a view seemed to way to go. At least we are not trying to link AutoCAD details. 

I will use cut profile to clean up building sections or wall sections. For those the model has enough detail.

Your right keytag will not work, this is a draw back, but thus far I'm not using them for wall materials. Not sure what to do about wall type tags in details yet. I need those because most generic things in the wall assembly will be called up in the schedule for that assembly. I only really have to note other things more detail oriented or that don't show in the model, bituminious membrane overlaps, flashing ect. I think I could still keynote a 2D family though.

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frisbiker

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Hi VonBraun,

I am having the exact same problem with the snap tool not working when detailing. It is only one detail so far but it's driving me nuts as I know how easy it can be. Have you found the solution for this problem?

Cheers

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frisbiker

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perhaps I have found the reason why it's not snapping lines on certain details. In my case it is only doing it on the upper part of my roof detail section which is cutting on an angle through the roof. Separate details of the same section located lower than the one not working are fine.

whith this in mind is there a fix?

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VonBraun

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Hi Frisbiker

I'm not sure I'm following you with your own example.I couldn't tell you if this would lead to a fix.

I have personally not found a fix for this. I basically just worked around it. I drafted all my details anyway using 2D

families and lines, so once I got a starting point I was not as concerned anymore with snaping to every part of the model.

In the end I was turning it off anyway. I would really only use the model as a reference for co-ordination after that.

Sorry I know its dissapointing because this isn't really a solution. 

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