Walls dissappearing in pdf print (vector processing)

[magnus.enstromBIM]

Hey
I have an issue with walls dissappearing in prints. When the width of this Generic Model Line family is wider than the wall - the wall dissappears in the print.

I find the printing to PDF functionality really wonky in Revit and it feels like it is due to an update a long time ago. It is strange to me that I see things in Revit one way and the PDF sees things in a different way. This is a huge loss in quality assurance and it feels like I cant trust this software to print exactly what I model.

Why isnt Sheet view = PDF output? What in the vector processing makes things dissappear and lose visibility like this?

  

I know these 3 "workarounds" so please don't suggest them. A workaround is not a solution.

• We must use Vector Processing, using Raster Processing is NOT an alternative because of quality, measurements, texts, tracing etc.
• Switching to Model Display: Wireframe solves this issue but it makes transparent filled regions opaque and comes with other issues such as families displaying incorrectly.
• Exporting to AutoCAD and print from there is not an alternative due to the time it consumes - besides this should never be suggested as a solution since we leave the Revit environment.

Please just fix issues like this. If anybody has a solution I haven't tried I'm more than welcome to try it.

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@RSomppi wrote:

My point really is that whoever knows and is putting the fire rating on the drawings should be modeling those walls differently from non-rated walls so that others who "know little about" these things don't have to jump through hoops and possibly make errors in indicating them.

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Yes, and that is why fire sectioning line exists in the first place, to distinguish fire sectioning (walls and such) from regular walls. The architect doesn't know where these must be placed or which requirement it should have

[RDAOU]

@magnus.enstromBIM 

It appears that you are not here for a solution for the non existing issue of the original post 😆 

[RSomppi]

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@magnus.enstromBIM wrote:

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Yes, and that is why fire sectioning line exists in the first place, to distinguish fire sectioning (walls and such) from regular walls. The architect doesn't know where these must be placed or which requirement it should have

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Where is the rating information coming from?

Why are lines being used and not proper wall types?

Surely they know how to detail fire rated walls or maybe they "know little about" BIM.

Are they not using BIM?

There has to be a better workflow so that anyone down the line can use the information and not have to rely on dumb annotation for something so critical.

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@RDAOU wrote:

@magnus.enstromBIM 

It appears that you are not here for a solution for the non existing issue of the original post 😆 

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I am very much looking for a solution. Let me just check a few things and ideas you gave me and try and adjust to make it work. Model where I have the issue is in 21 (cannot be upgraded). I will reach back soon  

[magnus.enstromBIM]

Where is the rating information coming from? Fire consultant (standards and regulations)

Why are lines being used and not proper wall types? Wall is in architect model

Surely they know how to detail fire rated walls or maybe they "know little about" BIM. Ofc they know

Are they not using BIM? Yes of course they use BIM. Mostly revit but some archicad

[RSomppi]

In case you're not seeing it, there's an elephant in the room.

Why aren't the rated walls being modeled as such?

[RSomppi]

I got your private message and I think you should post it here so I don't have to copy/paste it without giving you a chance to talk about the elephant.

[RDAOU]

@RSomppi 

Whatever you 2 are discussing is way off topic and maybe it is best that you keep it in PM/DM. Besides that, when someone address you in a private message, ethically you should reply to him via a return private message. Otherwise disable PM

[RSomppi]

It's very much on topic. IMHO, the walls should be modeled as a different type thus negating the need to draw over them.

[RDAOU]

What the op is describing in the OP is a common practice world wide. And it has nothing to do with BIM. It is basic  CAD

Revit does not offer such graphic representation without using either a Line based family or a cut pattern.

Such graphic representation is required regardless if BIM is involved or not. 

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@RDAOU wrote:
What the op is describing in the OP is a common practice world wide. And it has nothing to do with BIM. It is CAD 101.

Revit does not offer such graphic representation without using either a Line based family or a cut pattern.


Hence, with all due respect, you are dragging this discussion absolutly no where

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Thank you for clarifying this. I don't think I can convince him so I will just leave it at that.

I have prepared a model now that I would love for you to check out. It is with your line family and a linked model (which is the case from the beginning).

Please take a look at it and try print the sheet (size: A1) and see if you get the same results. If you don't, then something is up on my end. Open fire model.rvt and you will see the sheet where I have prepared the issue.

[RSomppi]

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@RDAOU wrote:
What the op is describing in the OP is a common practice world wide. And it has nothing to do with BIM. It is CAD 101.

Revit does not offer such graphic representation without using either a Line based family or a cut pattern.

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Why isn't that happening as opposed to using AutoCAD like workarounds in Revit?

I don't put much value on common practice when even this non-architect knows it can be done.

[ToanDN]

See revised file.

[ToanDN]

Edit: @magnus.enstromBIM 

Sorry for addressing the wrong person.

If you insist in using a line based generic model family then nest a line based detail family to present the FR line.  They print just fine to PDF without obscuring the walls, unless there are something else that I am missing.

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@ToanDN wrote:

Edit: @magnus.enstromBIM 

Sorry for addressing the wrong person.

If you insist in using a line based generic model family then nest a line based detail family to present the FR line.  They print just fine to PDF without obscuring the walls, unless there are something else that I am missing.

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Alright, glad to hear that. Thing is that I don't make the call that the line based family must be used, it is the industry standard procedure. If it were up to me I would like to place information directly on the parameters in the architectural wall but this must be done with third party applications and projects and clients won't allow it. 

The printing issue is probably something on our end. Weird thing is I get this with multiple pdf drivers, users and PC's. I will continue investigating and reach back if I happen to solve it somehow. 

Thanks a bunch for all your help.

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@ToanDN wrote:

Edit: @magnus.enstromBIM 

Sorry for addressing the wrong person.

If you insist in using a line based generic model family then nest a line based detail family to present the FR line.  They print just fine to PDF without obscuring the walls, unless there are something else that I am missing.

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Can you check out these files? I added some more lines and walls. In the PDF you see my result from printing, same result for different pdf drivers. Eg revit view is not equal to pdf. Please try print the sheet and see if you get the same issue. 

[ToanDN]

Attached is the PDF created from your Revit file using Export to PDF.  Print to PDF yielded the same undesired result as you show.

[magnus.enstromBIM]

Alright so the print to pdf is part of it. The model I had problems in was in 2021 but I guess I can live with it that Export to PDF in 2022 solves it.

We also managed to solve it in 2020 and 2021 with modifying Underlay settings for the linked model, seems to solve it aswell. 

Thanks again for your help!

[RDAOU]

@magnus.enstromBIM 

Although you seem to be content with the reply you have marked as a solution, I have to say that it has absolutely nothing to do with Revit 2022 Export vs Print to PDF in earlier versions... The issue you have is related to the PDF driver version and Windows patches installed

In the below GIF is the same trial as per reply in message 18; however, using Revit 2020 (Revit File as well as PDF print are attached)

• PDF printer used: the free version of PDF Creator v. 4.2.0.10

[magnus.enstromBIM]

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@RDAOU wrote:

@magnus.enstromBIM 

Although you seem to be content with the reply you have marked as a solution, I have to say that it has absolutely nothing to do with Revit 2022 Export vs Print to PDF in earlier versions... The issue you have is related to the PDF driver version and Windows patches installed

In the below GIF is the same trial as per reply in message 18; however, using Revit 2020 (Revit File as well as PDF print are attached)

• PDF printer used: the free version of PDF Creator v. 4.2.0.10

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Oh I see. I get different results from using basic CTRL+P and Export to PDF so I figured that was one solution. 
Can you try adjusting Offset from Host to 1300 instead of 1200 and see if you get the same result?