The Bottom Line - Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2015 - page 883

aren't actually railings. Finally, don't use geometry when a model pattern will do. This
will keep your project light.
Implement best practices. There are specific best practices when creating custom stairs and
railings. Pay attention to nesting geometry, maintaining the right level of detail, and filtering
schedules so the metadata ends up in the right place.
Master It Is it possible to create solutions that are too efficient? What's the big deal with
detail levels? And finally, what's the most important thing to remember before creating
an elegant workaround?
Solution You're not the only person working on the project! Design is a team sport,
and any out-of-the-box exceptions to the rules need to be understood by the entire team.
“Over modeling” is often misunderstood to mean “too much geometry,” but geometry
is critically important to understanding how your design is going to be assembled. So if
you'll take the time to assign levels of detail to components, it'll help refresh views and
printing. Finally, remember that the best solution is the one that is implementable. If your
team doesn't understand your “custom hack,” you're not playing a team sport and the
project will ultimately suffer.
Chapter 16: detailing Your design
Create details. Details in Revit are a combination of 2D elements layered on top of 3D
model elements or sometimes just stacked on top of each other. Creating good, easy-to-read
details typically requires some embellishment of the 3D model.
Master It What are the three primary categories of detail elements and how are they
used?
Solution Detail lines are used to create two-dimensional linework of various weights
and styles. They are used for drafting, much as you would draft in a CAD application.
Filled regions and masking regions are the two region types that are used to apply pat-
terns (even if that pattern is a solid-white field) against your details. These can help to
show context such as materiality. Components like detail components and detail groups
are used to create 2D families that can be used and reused in a variety of details within
the model. They are historically used to create elements like blocking, metal studs, metal
deck, and so on.
Add detail components to families. You can make creating details in Revit easier by
adding some of the detail elements directly to the family. In this way, when you cut sec-
tions, make callouts, or enlarge plan conditions, your “smart” details can begin to construct
themselves.
Master It Because you don't always want elements to appear in every scale of a view,
how can you both add detail elements to your families and still limit the amount of infor-
mation that is shown in any given view?
Solution Using the detail levels (Coarse, Medium, and Fine), you can control the visibil-
ity of any element within a family to show, or not show, at those settings. By controlling
the detail level, you can keep the family simple in a Coarse view and add more detail
as the drawing gets increasingly complex.