Autodesk Revit: How to rotate a plan at any angle?

Not so long ago, one of the readers of my russian blog posted a question — how to rotate a plan at 180°? It can be necessary while working with the objects that are plotted in the plan as inclined to each other at characteristics angels — for instance, in cases of complicated buildings. The user needed to construct complicated front stairs, that would be more convenient to be created north-oriented.

There are at least two methods to solve the issue — using crop view or shared coordinates.
It is convenient to use crop region rotation, if it is needed to turn only one plan and shared coordinates - when you need to direct several plans in the same way.

Autodesk Revit 2013 family editor: Annotation and detailing (free video on-line training)

I created first free and full on-line video Russian tutorial of Autodesk Revit Architecture in 2011 spring , then of Autodesk Revit MEP, Autodesk Revit Family editor, Autodesk Navisworks. Up to present days my training courses are ones in Russian web.

A lot of time I was planning the same training on English, but cause of my poor English skills I wanted to improve language first.But it takes a lot of time, so now I decided to record first version of tutorial.

I hope to update this material as soon as I improve my English.

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2013: Basic (free video on-line training)

I created first free and full on-line video Russian tutorial of Autodesk Revit Architecture in 2011 spring , then of Autodesk Revit MEP, Autodesk Revit Family editor, Autodesk Navisworks. Up to present days my training courses are ones in Russian web.

A lot of time I was planning the same training on English, but cause of my poor English skills I wanted to improve language first.But it takes a lot of time, so now I decided to record first version of tutorial.

I hope to update this material as soon as I improve my English.

Shortcuts in Revit you must use

Skill level: novice

Product: all Revit platform

What are "Shortcuts"?

"Shortcuts" (or "hotkeys", "fastkeys", "shortkeys") are key combinations, which allow you to use functions in applications faster by pressing buttons on your keyboard. These combinations increase your speed and productivity by minimizing amount of mouse moving and clicking.

Short keys are based on the names of the commands in Autodesk Revit. For example, function "Door" corresponds a short key "DR", for a "Grid" - "GR", and so on. Buttons  should be pressed one-by-one, at first - letter "G", and then "R". You don't need to push "Enter", Space or nothing else. After pressing second button function activates immediatly.

In my every Revit courses (I'm certified Autodesk Revit instructor) I pay much attention to on using these keys, because they can improve your workflow and make it faster and convinient. To help Revit starters in using them, I've make this short list of my own Revit most useful short keys. Of corse, this is only a small part of keys you are able to use, but I believe it can be useful during your first Revit steps.

Autodesk Revit: Grids on a 3D view

First of all it's necessary to mention that grids aren't visible on a 3D view in Autodesk Revit. Of corse, our main workflow is based on 2D views (plans, sections and elevations), but sometimes it can be very useful for better understanding of building dimensions or positions of its main constructions.

If you want your grid lines are visible on a 3D, there are some ways to solve this issue. I'm sure experienced users successfully work with them, but I hope these advice could be useful for beginners.

Revit Architecture 2013 - what's new?

Every season many of us are looking forward to the incoming of spring! The reason for this is not only anticipation of the sun, heat, and flowers, but the release of Autodesk products new versions.


I present a review of the main Revit line innovations in series of reports. We are going to talk about not only what is new was added to a specific product, but also on global changes in the platform (I have to highlight that they really worthy of attention).


As I try to publish the material immediately after the official product release, then I do not pretend my survey to be complete and absolutely accurate. The article will be expanded; there will be more specific material and examples of use. Follow the updates.