Revit Fabrication Pipe: Changing Reference Point for Spot and Invert Elevation

[Anonymous]

Currently with fabrication pipe in Revit you are unable to set the Spot/Invert Elevation tagged parameters to go off of a different value than level. For example, when doing underground pipe it often needs to be based off of sea level (project base point), not offset from level. I.E: we want to see 347' - 6" not -2' - 1".

You are unable to change what the spot elevation parameters are referring to with fabrication pipe like you can on a typical spot elevation tag. If a spot elevation tag is used instead of the native fabrication part-tagable spot elevation parameters it has unusable values.

[Michael-Mair]

For all Revit Design Pipes, I can use the Elevation Annotation. For Revit Fabrication pipes I can also use this kind of Annotation, but can place the annotation only at the start or the end of the pipe.

For a full function Elevation Annotation, I also will need to switch the value to the bottom of the pipe. If I will do that with the existing Annotation the value is nothing.

I know that I can create an normal TAG with this values, but only with the Elevation Annoation I can Reference the Value to a other level.

[Martin__Schmid]

Hi @Michael-Mair  - I think this request is looking for the same outcome as requested here, would you agree?

[Michael-Mair]

Hi @Martin__Schmid - yes it is the same. Thanks, I vote for this one. 

[rbarbosa8DQGJ]

Como vocês estão fazendo fluxogramas e desenhos isométricos?

[Michael-Mair]

We still create schematic drawings with AutoCAD and we only use isometrics in plant engineering with AutoCAD Plant3D. But I saw a function "ExportToPCF" in the RevitAPI - with this, isometrics from fabrication tubes should actually work, but I have never tried it.

https://www.revitapidocs.com/2020/99c52e0d-4cac-c753-ff9b-35554f6454fd.htm

[kimberly_fuhrman-jones]

Congrats! We think this is a great idea, so we've decided to add it to our roadmap. Thanks for the suggestion!

The Factory

[kimberly_fuhrman-jones]

We are pleased to say that this has been implemented in Revit 2023! Thank you for your contribution to improving Revit!

-The Factory

[Michael-Mair]

No, it isn't implemented. I see that there are now more options for the Annotation Tag (Lower End Buttom Elevation, ...) but I still have the problem, that I can't create an annotation with referenced to another Level.

In moste of the time we need an annotation from the ceiling for our pipeworkfitter but also an annotation from the floor for the architect or customer. This is only possible with the elevation spot because the annotation tag can't have another reference level.

When I switch the "Display Elevations" to Buttom Elevation, there is no value in the annotation.

[Martin__Schmid]

Hi Michael-

Sorry this didn't meet your expectations.

Our implementation of this was to provide additional capabilities on the Tag tool to allow an element to be tagged relative to the element's reference level, the survey point, or the project base point as in the original request (see image below). The tag tool provides ability to include other parameters (such as flow rate, system abbreviation, etc..), whereas spot elevation tool does not.

The underlying issue with spot elevation is that it is dependent on there being solid geometry, and presently fabrication elements are made up of polymeshes, and thus, the spot elevation tool is unable to find anything other than some 'special' nodes that exist on the connectors and centerline.  I concur that as a user you shouldn't care about what kind of geometry Revit is using for different elements.. it should behave consistently.

The ability to tag different reference levels is something perhaps to be considered in the future.

[Michael-Mair]

Hi Martin,

thanks for your reply. And the additional capabilities on the Tag tool are very helpfully. Maybe that got lost in my last post, which wasn't my intention. 🙂

Now I unterstand, the polymeshes in fabrication elements is the reason for the most behave.

Should I write a new Revit Idea for the elevation spot? Or do you think it's a better idea when I write one that the Level information should be selectable in the annotation Tag family. Similar as the Room Informationen in the Schedule Properties. Because when I have the full access to the Level it should be possible to calculate the absolut hight in the project.

[Martin__Schmid]

@Michael-Mair -- you can certainly put an idea of whatever you like!  Either/both ideas make sense to me.. e.g., having spot elevation work with the geometry of fabrication parts and/or having flexibility in a tag to select the reference level (e.g., clarify if you need a single tag to have multiple elevation params each with different level reference.. or all elevation params within a tag reference the same level... ).  Examples / specific cases are always helpful to articulate the need.