topic Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print? in Revit Architecture Forum

Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

kstamp0318 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:17:07 GMT

I'm curious if it is possible to draw with a high precision and print with a lower precision?

If this is possible, can you please give step by step instructions on how to assign two different precision units to one drawing file.

Thank you for your time!

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RSomppi — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:29:48 GMT

If by printing with a different precision, you actually mean rounding off dimensions, that is done in the dimension type settings.

If you mean something else, please provide an explanation and examples.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

kstamp0318 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:39:34 GMT

Hi,

yes rounding off dimensions. I have explored dimension type properties and can only find the option to round off all dimensions as opposed to rounding off dimensions only for print.
Do you happen to know if it is possible to change precision (rounding off dimensions) only for print not the entire project?

Thank you for your response

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RDAOU — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:46:54 GMT

@kstamp0318

No it is not, there is no specific settings for printout. Precision either follows Project Units settings or the override set in a dimension type...However, annotations, including dimension strings, are view specific ie: you can create 2 views each with a differnet dimension style/type

View One with lower precision (Printing view)
View with a higher precision dimension type (working view)

Easiest way to do it is to duplicate view with detailing >> select all similar dimensions strings >> edit the type to a new one with fewer decimals

Note: the precision for the printing view would the same, only be rounded to display fewer decimals

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

kstamp0318 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:46:36 GMT

Thank you, I had thought it might be too specific to expect the possibility to print with a rounded dimension set different from a drawing.
I appreciate your alternate option.
I think I may just draw entirely in the high precision and change the whole project dimension properties before printing.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RSomppi — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:46:42 GMT

@kstamp0318 wrote:
Do you happen to know if it is possible to change precision (rounding off dimensions) only for print not the entire project?

Again, it is not possible. You need different dimension styles for different precisions.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

mhiserZFHXS — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:46:59 GMT

I thought about having two views, but I think this might be a case where, if OP insists on having two different precisions, it might be easier to change the precision of the used dimension type in the project. Less things to manage.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RSomppi — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:49:19 GMT

@mhiserZFHXS wrote:
it might be easier to change the precision of the used dimension type in the project. Less things to manage.

I wouldn't do that but, hey, that's just me. I wouldn't want to print three sets of hundreds of drawings each with the wrong precision.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RDAOU — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:15:52 GMT

@kstamp0318 wrote:
...
I think I may just draw entirely in the high precision and change the whole project dimension properties before printing.

You could do that too for sure...however, having printing view sets isn't something which is unusual; it is actually quite a common practice having them in a model, not just for plan/elevation/section views but also for schedule where you would have one set of views that go on sheet and a copy of it for editing purposes. And they are not that complicated to manage, simply sort/group them in the browser using a project parameter and work with the editing set as usual. You only need to visit them when something very specific annotation or filter requires adjustment.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

kstamp0318 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:52:19 GMT

Thank you, yes for my application it would be easier to change the used precision of the dimension style rather than have multiple views.
I was just hoping for a high level fix in the question, this manual change will work though.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

mhiserZFHXS — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:52:26 GMT

@RSomppi wrote:
@mhiserZFHXS wrote:
it might be easier to change the precision of the used dimension type in the project. Less things to manage.
I wouldn't do that but, hey, that's just me. I wouldn't want to print three sets of hundreds of drawings each with the wrong precision.

You mean if you forget to change it but don't realize until you physically print the set on paper? I'd hope someone checks a PDF set before physically printing.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

mhiserZFHXS — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:55:17 GMT

You could always ask for it on the Ideas Board. I know "no print" objects have been requested for awhile now. This is similar to that, buts its a little different, so it probably warrants its own idea.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RSomppi — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:00:19 GMT

@mhiserZFHXS wrote:
I'd hope someone checks a PDF set before physically printing.

I don't rely on hope. Don't assume that everyone works in the same way you do. Sometimes that luxury is not available.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

kstamp0318 — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:01:06 GMT

Thank you for this perspective, I can see this wouldn't be a solution for everyone.

It wouldn't be a wrong precision for my specific application though. I draw for contractors and I'm experimenting with advanced framing techniques - which is splitting the dimension to the 1/16th in residential framing. No one will measure that precise on site. I need to know for my measurements in drawing, but when it comes time for actual building I would want the dimensions rounded to 1/8th at most.
If it gets printed with the more precise measurements, they just won't measure it to the 1/16th and honestly that doesn't matter for a window location.

This question doesn't stem from high science, only curiosity and a hope to keep it easy for me and the crew on site.

I guess disclaimer for those who are reading this thread would be a good idea: don't mess with your precision units unless you are aware of the consequences.

Re: Is it possible to assign one precision unit for drawing and a another for print?

RSomppi — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:01:42 GMT

@kstamp0318 wrote:
Thank you, yes for my application it would be easier to change the used precision of the dimension style rather than have multiple views.
I was just hoping for a high level fix in the question, this manual change will work though.

Multiple views is your "high level fix". It's a very common practice to have sheet views separate from working views.