Workplane Grids and geometry associations

Workplane Grids and geometry associations

DrakeCanyonArchitecture
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Workplane Grids and geometry associations

DrakeCanyonArchitecture
Collaborator
Collaborator

I'm posting in hopes that there may be a solution to two big sources of contention with Revit for me.

 

#1, The Work Plane Grids. I find these frustrating as they move and there are multiple grids, a different grid for each work plane. Is there a good reason for this? I ask that question honestly, as maybe there is something that I'm missing. But I can't understand why this would be a good idea. Since I started designing in the 90's, the grid has always been the most important tool we have to line things up across multiple views/layers, etc. In Revit from time to time, I accidentally align the grid to something without realizing it or accidentally move it, and then of course if I move on to another part of the drawing and start using the grid, everything is off until I realize. There is also no way to pin the grid as far as I know. I would much prefer and would have to assume I'm not alone, that there was only 1 grid, the grid was fixed at whatever spacing I choose, starting at the internal origin, and be able to toggle visibility on and off in every view.

 

#2, The way geometry is associative. For instance if I have a foundation stem wall under another wall and didn't get them lined up exactly right to begin with, eventually I'll notice this in my dimensions but it's natural for me to either align to the grid or adjust with the associative dimension. Then of course the wall above that is off. So then I have to cut a section to align the walls vertically. This is just one example, but it drives me crazy that multiple elements move together and would much prefer that everything moved independently.

Kevin Mendenhall
Revit Architecture 2022
Microsoft Windows 11 Professional
Dell Precision 5870 - x64 based PC - Intel Xeon CPU @ 3.80GHz, 6 Core. 80Gb RAM
Installed Add Ins - Enscape/StrucSoft MWF/LotSpec
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ToanDN
Consultant
Consultant

@DrakeCanyonArchitecture wrote:

I'm posting in hopes that there may be a solution to two big sources of contention with Revit for me.

 

#1, The Work Plane Grids. I find these frustrating as they move and there are multiple grids, a different grid for each work plane. Is there a good reason for this?

Yes.  Being able to set different workplanes allow you to draw elements with different alignments.  For instance, you have two room oriented differently, set a workplane for each room allows you to layout furniture more easily in each room.

 

I ask that question honestly, as maybe there is something that I'm missing. But I can't understand why this would be a good idea. Since I started designing in the 90's, the grid has always been the most important tool we have to line things up across multiple views/layers, etc.

Revit workplane are more equivalent to AutoCAD UCSs than to AutoCAD layout grids.

 

 

 

In Revit from time to time, I accidentally align the grid to something without realizing it or accidentally move it, and then of course if I move on to another part of the drawing and start using the grid, everything is off until I realize.

Understand how workplanes work and controlling them are the essence of working in Revit.  The entire program is workplane based.  In your case, I honestly don't understand why you are blaming Revit because or your own 'accident'. 

 

 

There is also no way to pin the grid as far as I know.

A work plane doesn't change unless you change it. So when you changed it and it doesn't work properly then change it back or change to a different alignment.  You can turn it off to prevent any 'accidents'.

 

I would much prefer and would have to assume I'm not alone, that there was only 1 grid, the grid was fixed at whatever spacing I choose, starting at the internal origin, and be able to toggle visibility on and off in every view.

One fixed grid based on the Internal Origin for everything is useless.  First off, the Internal Origin plays a role somewhere between very little to nothing in regard to location of elements in the model.  The spacing is dynamically changed based on zoom level of the view, which is a godsend.  But you are welcome to disagree.  Finally, you already can toggle a workplane on and off for any view, independently, with the Show/Hide workplane button.

 

 

 

#2, The way geometry is associative. For instance if I have a foundation stem wall under another wall and didn't get them lined up exactly right to begin with, eventually I'll notice this in my dimensions but it's natural for me to either align to the grid or adjust with the associative dimension. Then of course the wall above that is off. So then I have to cut a section to align the walls vertically. This is just one example, but it drives me crazy that multiple elements move together and would much prefer that everything moved independently.

 

If you want move an element independently from other elements connected to it, check Disjoin box from the option bar.

 


 

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DrakeCanyonArchitecture
Collaborator
Collaborator

@ToanDN , you seem to want to defend Revit rather than admit that there are some things that could be improved upon in the program or some of the tools could have options that would only make the program better. Having a fixed grid is in no way useless and there should be an option to at least pin the grid. Me being human, of course accidents happen. Since drafting was invented we've been using things such as graph paper, vellum, etc to layer and line up our drawings. That is absolutely essential in drafting. I'm not sure where you got that I was "blaming the program for my accident". I'm also in no way new to Revit or drafting. So in your words, "Understand how workplanes work and controlling them are the essence of working in Revit.  The entire program is workplane based", I don't have a problem understanding work planes. The grids slipping and in no way being associated with one another, and in no way being locked to 0,0,0 (which is where the internal origin lies and cannot be moved) or the ability to lock them at all makes no sense. 

Kevin Mendenhall
Revit Architecture 2022
Microsoft Windows 11 Professional
Dell Precision 5870 - x64 based PC - Intel Xeon CPU @ 3.80GHz, 6 Core. 80Gb RAM
Installed Add Ins - Enscape/StrucSoft MWF/LotSpec
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ToanDN
Consultant
Consultant


Yes I defended it because you were complaining about a tool while misunderstanding what it is for.  Work planes are not for aligning elements from one drawing another like vellum papers on a light table.  For such, people are using actual column grids or ref planes or underlay.  Work planes are UCS, for people who like to use AutoCAD as a benchmark to compare everything.  

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DrakeCanyonArchitecture
Collaborator
Collaborator

Ok, so as with graph paper, we need grids in our programs. That's just a fact, not an observation. I, as with anyone who designs buildings should be using a grid to create their drawings. I put everything on a 2' grid because all of our building materials, trusses, CMU, etc, come in or are divisible by 2'. It's the entire reason we have things such as dimensional lumber. It wouldn't be very efficient for me to create 30 reference planes or column grids. The 2' grid is essential for laying out a floor plan, no different than graph paper. Ironically, they made the work plane grid look similar to graph paper. But I somehow don't understand how things work apparently. If there is anyone misunderstanding anything, it's the people designing software that aren't including the basic tools required for drafting. This is something we've had for years before there was even such things as computers. Nor is it a very big ask. I would think the people at Autodesk would be able to create this function in an afternoon. But more importantly than any of this is that I came at this with a "make me or help me understand if I truly don't" attitude or is there a solution for this (an add in perhaps) and was in no way rude, I absolutely expect the same respect in return from anyone. 

 

 

Kevin Mendenhall
Revit Architecture 2022
Microsoft Windows 11 Professional
Dell Precision 5870 - x64 based PC - Intel Xeon CPU @ 3.80GHz, 6 Core. 80Gb RAM
Installed Add Ins - Enscape/StrucSoft MWF/LotSpec
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