what are the default Line Styles used for?

[pipapongo0909]

Hi forum,

I have been working with Revit for almost 10 month now and i am still getting confused about the Line Styles. I amj trying to understand the different Line Styles or to use the confusing Revit terminology: " Subcategories of Lines".

In order to understand the default ones that come even with an empty template i created a new empty project and listed all the Line Styles/ Line Subcategories ( i will use the term"Line Style(s) since i get the feeling most of the users here do )  by: Modify Tab --> Additional Settings --> Line Styles.

FIrst things to notice:

• none of the existing Styles ca be deleted
• there a a bunch of Line Styles enclosed in "<...>"
  • i found this link explaining ( i did not get it though) the different use of this styles link
  • this cleared things on:
    • <Area Boundary>
    • <Beyond>
    • <Room Seperation>
    • <Sketch>
    • <Space Separartion>
  • for the other styles like
    • <Centerline>
    • <Demolished>
    • <Fabric Envelop>
    • <Fabric Sheets>
    • <Hidden>
    • <Overhead>
    • <Room Seperation>
    • <Sketch>
    • <Space Separartion>
    • Axis of Rotation
    • Hidden Lines
      
      they explain it: ' [Line Style Name] :]Annotation line style used by the user while drawing a line with the "Detail Line "command'
      I do not get what that means. At best i could argue that this styes are also available for a 2D detail Line, but not all of them ( see picture: availableLineStylesFor 2DAnnotaionLines) but thats not true for all of them e.g. <Fabric Envelope>

In order to be able to setup a standard people will need to get this. Could someone give me some intel, links or push in the right direction please

i added a basic Excel file where i made me an overview of the styles i do get and the ones i do not get ( in red)

thanks a lot in advance

Jeff

[Revit_Whisperer]

The line styles that show up by default are a system family for lack of a better word and will always exist and cannot be deleted or renamed.

I would recommend that you just add the line styles that you need to match your standards with naming that will make sense to your users.  I would do this in your template so you only have to do it one time.

If you are drawing a line, generally a detail line (annotative which means it only shows up in the view you created it in) or a model line (please use these sparingly! since they show up in all model views).

Some line styles as you noticed are not available when drawing a line, but are available if you use the linework tool to change a linetype...ie I can change a solid line to an invisible line, but I can't draw an invisible line using the detail or model line tool.

The <invisible> line style is available in sketch mode for things like filled or masking regions.

Clear as mud =)?

[ToanDN]

@pipapongo0909

I agreed with @Revit_Whisperer.  Just set your office standard line styles and give instructions on where, when and how to use those.  You need not to explain to your users the system line styles any further than they are system line styles.   Over explanation sometime cause more confusions and often give the listeners the impression that you think they are not very intelligent.

[Sahay_R]

Thank heavens for the explanation, @ToanDN! I was asking myself this, and beginning to think that I am not very intelligent!!

Howver, @pipapongo0909, you can use Manage>>Additional Settings>>Line Styles to create new and wonderful line styles that comply with your office standards, all based on the default. They are of some use after all!

[Caed9]

It will be nice to know which other line styles control specific graphics, Like invisible lines which appear when required, Or Beyond Lines, which control the graphics on all elements in view depth. I noticed the Overhead Lines controls Something in Reflected ceiling plans, not sure what and not sure if it really does control something there.