Creating Depth to Revit Elevations

By Bill Adams, Redstack

badams@redstack.com.au
@blads
There are many different ways to create "depth" in your elevations and sections. Unfortunately, none
of them are done automatically (unless you are using shadows or ambient shadows). One day, in my
wildest dreams, Revit will automatically create outlines and view depth in elevations based on clipping
distances...
Until then, here is of one my favorite tips n tricks for adding depth to elevation views...
When presenting your design, either in elevation or section view, you may want to show far objects
thinner/lighter than objects at the foreground. Refer to the image below.

One way to achieve this, is the use of Override Graphics in View. Lets review the process in more
detail

1. Selecting Objects
Lets configure our views for easier objects selection. The easiest way to select object at the back is by
viewing it from top view. But you need to open 3D view, not the floor plan. Remember, if you select
objects in floor plan, objects that are not visible here will not be selected.
You can show both of the 3D view from top and also the elevation view by opening the two views and
then selecting Tile Windows (WT) [View Tab > Windows panel > Tile]. The main reason we don't use
a plan view, to select objects, is because if you select objects using the floor plan, then you can only
select objects visible in that view. If you have objects outside of that particular floor plan, then they
will not get selected.

Creating Depth to Elevations by Redstack

P: 1300 667 263 | E: solutions@redstack.com.au | W: redstack.com.au

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2. Override Graphics in View

Now with the objects selected, click anywhere in elevation view to activate the view I strongly
recommend to click the view title, to prevent you loosing your selection set.
With elevation view active, right click in empty area. Choose override graphics in view> by element
from context menu.

In this example I changed the line weight to 1, the thinnest line weight available. To give even more
distance effect and I changed the color to mid-to-dark grey (RGB: 100-100-100)

Creating Depth to Elevations by Redstack

P: 1300 667 263 | E: solutions@redstack.com.au | W: redstack.com.au

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If you have more objects farther than this, you can repeat the process and give lightest color, or select
Grid Lines as Halftone. Revit views are very powerful and can be customized independently. Its
amazing just how much you can do using View options and Graphic overrides.
More Information:
Phone: 1300 667 263
Email: solutions@redstack.com.au
Web: redstack.com.au

About Redstack
Thinking by Design
Redstack (formerly IMAGINiT Technologies) is a leading provider of design technology and services to
engineering and architecture professionals. With over 15 years of local experience, we provide the
expertise, training and support to help companies realise the full power of their design technology.
We partner with the worlds leading technology providers such as Autodesk, SAP, IMAGINiT
Technologies and RAND Worldwide to provide local service with the support of global resources.

Creating Depth to Elevations by Redstack

P: 1300 667 263 | E: solutions@redstack.com.au | W: redstack.com.au

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