Why can't I draw a beam in South Elevation view?

[Anonymous]

I have some wood columns I want to add bracing to. I'm just using Structure Dimensional Lumber to do it.  When I try to add these beams in South Elevation, Revit refuses and asks me to select me pick a work plane. If I go by "Name" it only offers Level 1, Level 2, etc. Doesn't work as these are plan views and I need an Elevation view.

If I try to "Pick A Plane" it doesn't allow me to pick the current view. (I have tried clicking in the window of that view and also clicking on the name "South" in the Project Browser. Neither works.)  Also set "Set Plane" in Structure — same options.  

The interesting one is if I do "Pick a Plane" and try to draw, it offers the option of selecting Elevation: East, Elevation 1- c or Elevation: West.  Why doesn't it offer to let me use the Elevation South that I'm in?

I suppose I could rotate the entire project but I'd rather learn how to do it properly.  Suggestions?

Thanks

[cbcarch · Accepted solution]

Draw a new Reference Plane in a Plan View, and name it under Properties.

Then, in your South Elevation, place your beam--and when prompted, select you new ref. plane.

Usually, beams are placed in a plan view.

You can also use "Set Current" in the ribbon under reference plans and choose your new ref plane.

Revit uses ref planes as "imaginary datum" to position/host elements. It's a bit different than most other 3D modelling programs in this way.

Do some research about ref planes and modeling in Revit--that should help you get the basic understanding and avoid frustration when things don't "work" as expected. It takes some getting used to, but once you get it--it actually makes sense and works very well.

[Anonymous]

Revit utterly sucks in this . . . !

[ToanDN]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Revit utterly sucks in this . . . !

---

Maybe not the program, but the users.

[Anonymous]

Oh sure those darn humans. . . pesky things just don’t think like U machines > Oy vei what a moron! Think dude think. There are better ways to accomplish making 3D things just look @ form•Z before you blurt forth

I suggest a serious thing you let loose your nasty comments suggesting we the user base are “wrong” oh man u got some learning to do fool

[ToanDN]

Such admirable skill of crying fault on the software you are unable to execute an utterly simple command; and even more impressive, the strong will to not learn how to overcome that inability.

[Anonymous]

Said the defender of lame, badly designed 3D manipulation!