3D Rotate

[Anonymous]

When using shift + middle mouse button to rotate a 3D view in Revit is it possible to have the center of rotation be the center of the items displayed on screen (the same way it works in Autocad) as opposed to selecting an element and making that the center?

[RPTHOMAS108]

I don't think there is any specific setting for that, it is kind of a good Revit thing. Certain things you should avoid selecting for this (such as slabs) the larger the element the less you want to use it for what you say.

Nearest you get to pivoting about the centre of screen is by dragging corner of view cube with left button and no shift. This to me is easier than middle + shift but it is all opinion I guess.

Obviously also if you have nothing selected you get the behaviour you desire (escape prior).

[Anonymous]

It sort of works that way with by using the view cube...but using the view cube seems really awkward.

It does work the way I describe if you use the steering wheel, specify a "center", then use "orbit" (and so does Autocad... in Autocad using the steering wheel like that is basically the same as using shift + center mouse button to rotate).

in general, the 3D Autocad method seems natural to me (as I have done a lot more Autocad than Revit). It seems odd that a program from the same company basically doing the same thing wouldn't work the same...

[RPTHOMAS108]

I think it is the way Revit has always been and it was likely behaviour inherited and stuck with due to user base preference.

I use both AutoCAD and Revit they are quire similar in behaviour from my perspective but I don't use AutoCAD as much as previously so it is probably just one of those things I've got used to. 

I do occasionally click a line in AutoCAD to rotate around it but then everything but the line disappears so I assume I'm expected to memorise where all the other objects are while I have my finger on the mouse button? I catch myself doing that quite a lot but then remember there is no reason to do that in AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

That issue in Autocad happens when you are zoomed way in and try to rotate. Usually if you switch the visual style (up in the top left of the screen) to anything other than "2D Wireframe" it will work correctly...

[RPTHOMAS108]

I'll have to try that thanks.

To be honest wireframe is often the only visual style I use, sometimes conceptual. I'm sure it didn't always do it and it seems to be related to picking the object. Kind of intentionally showing me the line I picked and nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, you're right - if you actually select something in ACAD that will be the only thing visible when you rotate. Things will disappear on their own if you are zoomed way in and use the shift + middle mouse button zoom.