Angled elbows and junctions

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

I have tried looking for a way to change the angle in which elbows and junctions are drawn in my ventilation systems. Revit normally draws those parts completely horizontal or vertical. But I have seen several instances when it is far more efficient if the elbows and junctions are drawn at an angle to connect to a different part of the system, whose elevation is different from the central part, yet too small to justify a vertically drawn elbow or junction. I know that I can rotate these connections in a section view, but such a solution could quickly become tedious and time consuming if it happens frequently in a large-scale project.

So how do I make Revit automatically draw elbows/junctions at an angle?

[RobDraw]

Draw the pipe at an angle. Then use corner trim/extend and let Revit put the fitting in for you.

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

Maybe I should clarify:

I wish to add a vertical angle to the elbows and junctions. The suggested solution doesn't seem to work.

[RobDraw]

Oh, it can and does work. 

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

In that case, what does the detailed explanation look like? I need a step-by-step explanation (preferably with illustrations for the location of specific commands) in order to understand what you mean. Yes, I'm taht kind of person.

[RobDraw]

Tha explanation you want sounds like a full blown tutorial. Since I have no idea of how much you know about using Revit's routing tools,I would suggest looking for videos or classes appropriate for your skill level. 

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

That sounds fair. Any tips on what I should look for? Trying to find the right tutorial often feels like finding a needle in a haystack.

[RobDraw]

LinkedIn Learning has some awesome video tutorials covering different skill levels. 

[iainsavage]

If you are talking about "rolled" bends you can do it a few ways.

1.

When you have invoked the pipe command, use these settings

Then hover over the end of one pipe until the elevation changes then click on the connector and then do the same for the other pipe end. The bends will insert with the connecting pipe on a slope which Revit automatically calculates:

2.

Select two pipes or ducts and click on Routing Solutions, then scroll through the various options offered.

Hit the green tick when you get the option that you want.

3.

If you know the slope that you want then in the pipe command set the slope options

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

I tried some experimentation based on the suggested solutions and came up with the following (note that this specifically applies for making a 45 degree angle):

1. Make sure that "Change Slope" is active when drawing a new duct or adding to an existing one.
2. Draw a length of the duct equal to the difference in elevation (so going from 2 500 mm to 2 800 mm means a length of 300 mm). This results in a slope with a 45 degree angle.
3. Move the angled duct to the central duct that you wish to connect it to. DO NOT USE THE ALIGN COMMAND. Aligning ruins the elevation.
4. Split the central duct and move one part to automatically connect to the angled duct.
5. Change the resulting bend to a tee and connect the other part to the open end.

In case there is no demand for a 45 degree angle, the specifications on step 2 can be ignored.

This may not be an optimal solution, but it's a solution that works without any objections from Revit. What do you think?

[iainsavage · Accepted solution]

Ducts are slightly different from pipes because they don't have the option of setting the slope as you draw i.e. this highlighted part below is not available for ducts:

If you initially draw a duct as you suggested, with any difference in elevation between the two ends, then you can select the slope value and change it to anything you want. I find that a quicker way to work rather than trying to work out the required arithmetic to get an exact slope.

Results in:

Or you can draw in a section view and you can see the slope value as you draw:

[jackie_poonLMGLM]

The section view certainly helps. What I was trying to work out would be a method that requires as few steps as possible. Though depending on the designer's preferences, the method of using a section view to any place that requires angled ducts might be preferable.