REVIT FOR PRESENTATIONS

GRAPHICS THAT “POP”

Jason Grant - http://jasongrant.squarespace.com/ - @jasongrantarch

David Light – http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com - @davewlight

BIM Manager, HOK

© 2011 Autodesk
 A N N O T B E T H E O
R E V IT C
T U N N I N G P R E S E N TA
F OR S

Maybe in the early days, but not now!

Autodesk Revit 7 changed all that…….
© 2011 Autodesk
Presentation Graphics
Revit Architecture includes in-built tools
which allows you to create compelling
presentation graphics without the need
for full rendering…….

© 2011 Autodesk
Drafting Techniques Apply
 Thehardcore BIM gurus may
disagree; however…..

 In many cases your deliverables are still 2D

 How you present your model may be difference
between winning or loosing work
 Maximise the “model” as much as you can
 Don’t forget the approaches you appled when you
drafted on a drawing board
 Punch out building elements where you need to
 Experiment…….& develop a style

© 2011 Autodesk
Graphics Cards
 To maximise the ability to work with some of
the graphic functions within Revit, ensure your
graphics card can use Hardware Acceleration.

 For more details on Graphic Card drivers go to

http://www.autodesk.com/us/revit/
revit_graphics_hardware_list_June02.html

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?
siteID=123112&id=15387396&linkID=9243099

© 2011 Autodesk
Display Settings
Wireframe
Displays the model as a wireframe only

Hidden Line
Displays the model as a linework to define geometry

Shaded
Displays the model as shaded colour geometry only

Shaded with Edges

Displays the model as shaded colour with line work to define geometry edges

Consistent Colours
Displays faces of elements in flat colour; faces of elements that are oriented at different
angles to the camera will display in the same shaded colour.

Realistic
Elements that have material definitions assigned will display texture maps in real time.

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Graphic Display Settings

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Realistic

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Ambient Shadows

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Ambient Light Settings
 Playing with the Ambient
Light settings can yield 0 50 100
differing results.

 0 -100%

 As you increase the value,

this will affect the material
colour.

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Shadows

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Shadow Settings
The Graphic Display Options allows you
to control the shadow settings.You can
control –

 Sun Intensity
 Ambient Light
 The shadow Intensity

From experience, playing down the depth

of the shadows helps to pop the view.

Try Sun Intensity set to 60 and Cast

Shadows to around 20 to 30.

© 2011 Autodesk
Silhouette Settings
 Elevations and 3d views can be given
graphic emphasis automatically.

 The Graphics Display tools allow the

user to specify line styles to be used as
overrides on the profiled edges seen in
elevation and 3d views.

 Linework can be used to further refine

the profiles.

© 2011 Autodesk
Background Graphics
 Under Graphic Display Options you have the
ability to display a Gradient background in 3d
and perspective views.

 Play with different Background color's to give

your image a different ambience.

© 2011 Autodesk
Depth of Field in Elevations
 You can’t technically control the depth of
field of elements between what is close
and what is far away.

 However, with some strategic use of the

override graphic tools you can alter
certain elements to fade them into the
background so they are less dominate
in the view.

© 2011 Autodesk
Give a Basic Plan some kick
 Adding some colour, via Colour Fill Legends and
Room Tags, to communicate the spaces use.

 Editing Visibility Graphics to clean up the view,

change line-weights, and screen certain
Elements.

 Swapping in better looking symbols and

dimensions, and editing the annotations so they
aren't so dense.

 Making the plan punch by adding a coarse fill to

the walls, and turning on shadows (but keeping
them light & the sun bright).

© 2011 Autodesk
Give a Basic Section some kick
 Don’t forget you can use
colour legends in sections
views as well as plans.

 The important factor is that

the room volume extends
from the floor finish all the
way to the underside of the
floor above.

© 2011 Autodesk
Consider your Image – Rule of Thirds
 This might seam obvious, but when creating a
3d view - consider the Rule of 3rds

 Used extensively in the world of 3d visualisation

& photography

 Setup image composition exactly like a

photographer sets up a shot

 Links to sites which explain more:-

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds
http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/
guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

© 2011 Autodesk
Orient to View Tool
 Create a section or a wall section
 Create a new 3d view
 Then from the view cube select Orient to View

 Pick your section and the 3d view will be oriented

to the section.

 Free rotate as required to generate a 3d section.

© 2011 Autodesk
Orient to View Tool
 Use the Orient to view
to create floor slices for
stacking diagrams

 Or 3d details….

 Don’t forget in Revit

2012 you can now lock
a 3d view

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3D Sections

Use the section box feature to create

section and plan perspectives.

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Transparent Glass
 One particular challenge is that glass material
displays as a solid color in elevation.

 If you require glass to be transparent, use a

combination of a 3d isometric view and the
view cube to orient to an elevation of the
model.

 The glass will be transparent, but you will not

be able to add text, dim etc in the view. This is
better placed in a sheet view.

© 2011 Autodesk
Using Visibility Graphics to get a Sketchy Feel
 Be creative with graphic
overrides to alter line work……

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Material Overrides
 You can override the materials of objects with solid
colours.

 This is achieved by altering the material colour so that the

surface material is set to solid and the colour defined.

 It should be noted, that the material will even appear in

hidden line views.

© 2011 Autodesk
Using Filters to Control Geometry
 Consider creative ways to
breakup geometry so that
you can hide them in
certain views.

 In this example, the roof

has been broken up, so
that it can be hidden.

 Consider using visibility

filters to hide items
globally rather than per
view.

© 2011 Autodesk
Use Your Fonts
 Whilst fonts such as Arial and Arial Narrow
are commonly used, there may be occasions
with presentation work where mixing up the
fonts you use can improve the overall look
and style of the output.

© 2011 Autodesk
Understanding Poche
 What is Poche?

 The Poche material is the material colour you see when

a section box is defined in a 3d view.

 It will only display when the level of detail is set to

course.

© 2011 Autodesk
Give Your Elevation a Base
 Elevations can look scrappy with the
default terrain shown in an elevation view.

 Hide terrain in the view and use a filled

region to give your an elevation a base to
sit on.

© 2011 Autodesk
Entourage Can Make All The Difference
 Use 2d Entourage families to make your elevations less “Revit” like!

© 2011 Autodesk
Using Images
 Use images in the background to give your elevations a
sense of depth. These can be gradients or sky
backgrounds.

 Edit these in Photoshop and save the image as a PNG.

 In Revit choose Insert > Image and import your image.

Place the image as required. Select the image and then
choose send to background.

© 2011 Autodesk
Using Images
 Use images to with transparency to add interest to
your elevations.

 In Photoshop, remove any background and save the

image as a PNG image.

 In Revit choose Insert > Image and import your

image. Place the image as required.

© 2011 Autodesk
Hidden Linework
 Allows you to display elements which are obscured by other elements

© 2011 Autodesk
Ghosted Surfaces
 Ghosted Surfaces allow you to override
graphics to apply surface with 30%
transparency to building elements

 Ghost Surface can be applied to a whole view,

by element, category or by filter.

 Percentage of transparency cannot be

changed.

© 2011 Autodesk
Hatch Patterns
 Consider the use of hatch patterns

 Instead of using black lines for hatch,

use a dark grey to soften linework,

 Whilst brick hatch looks nice,

sometimes it can be a bit too heavy
depending on the scale!

© 2011 Autodesk
Hatch Patterns
 Need custom hatch patterns?

 Then get Hatch Kit Pro, it will be the

best $125 you will ever spend!

 Best off drawing pattern in AutoCAD,

export as DXF, import into Hatch Kit,
export as a .PAT suitable for Revit.

 http://www.hatchkit.com.au/

© 2011 Autodesk
Custom Hatches for free - Hatch22
 Free app which allows you to create
custom hatch patterns directly within
Revit.

 The app / plugin can be downloaded

from here -
 http://mertens3d.com/tools/revit/2012/h
atch22-2012/hatch22-2012-use.php

© 2011 Autodesk
Summary - Elevation Techniques
Elevations Creation Tips

• Use VH to turn off all unwanted categories

• Use VG to turn all projection and cut planes to neutral
colour, line type and thickness
• Use Orient to view (Elevation) to see through glazing etc
• Use default shadow settings to set shadows
• Keep sun light up and shadows down
• Use bright materials with glow turned on to illuminate
objects
• Use sky and ground images as backdrop
• Use 3D Camera to create perspective elevations.

© 2011 Autodesk
Summary - Concept Sections
Concept Section Creation Tips
• Use VH to turn off all unwanted categories
• Use VG to turn all projection and cut planes to neutral colour, line
type and thickness
• Use VG to override the cut pattern fill
• Use default shadow settings to set shadows
• Keep sun light up and shadows down
• Use bright materials with glow turned on to illuminate objects
• Transfer legacy CAD details to create entourage
• Use sky and ground images as backdrop

© 2011 Autodesk
Summary - Perspective Views

3D Creation Tips

• Use VH to turn off all unwanted categories

• Use VG to turn all projection and cut planes to
neutral colour, line type and thickness
• Use default shadow settings to set shadows
• Keep sun light up and shadows down
• Use bright materials with glow turned on to
illuminate objects
• Use gradient backdrops
• Use Steering Wheel to dynamically modify
view.
• Use Advanced Model graphics to override
silhouettes
• Be creative with camera angles (rule of 3rds)

© 2011 Autodesk
Summary - Cropped 3D Views
3D Creation Tips

• Create Callout or section view

• Click into the default 3D view
• Press F8 and orient to new callout view
• Use the crop region to refine crop box
• Use VH to turn off all unwanted categories
• Use VG to turn all projection and cut planes to neutral colour, line type and thickness
• Use default shadow settings to set shadows
• Keep sun light up and shadows down
• Use Advanced Model graphics to override silhouettes

© 2011 Autodesk
Questions

© 2011 Autodesk
WHY DESIGNERS SOMETIMES SAY…
 The graphics are not great…
 Too hard to show options…
 Renderings take too long…
 Need to assign materials to everything…
 Lifeless views…

© 2011 Autodesk
 A N N O T B E T H E O
R E V IT C
T U N N I N G P R E S E N TA
F OR S

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WHAT REALLY MATTERS
 Client understands the design.
 Graphics reinforce design.
 Client is excited about design.
 Graphics can be used in marketing.
 Clients, Clients, Clients…

© 2011 Autodesk
 A N N O T B E T H E O
R E V IT C
T U N N I N G P R E S E N TA
F OR S

© 2011 Autodesk
MATERIAL CHOICES AND CONTROLS

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VISIBILITY GRAPHICS CONTROLS

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Research

 www.ArchDaily.com
 Over a year of collecting
 4,500+ Images
 2.5 GB
 Great cross section of
firms and styles
 Probably most not done
in Revit

© 2011 Autodesk
LIFE / FEELING SIMPLICITY / FOCUS

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CONTENT FILTERS

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Web Research
MASSING

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

© 2011 Autodesk
• 6 Separate 3D Views
• Site Created by Massing and Roofs
Applied
• Filters to Turn Non-Focus Structures
and Roofs White
• Filter to Turn Focus Elements Red
© 2011 Autodesk
• 6 Separate 3D Views
• Site Created by Massing and Roofs
Applied
• Site Massing Left On for Ground
Thickness
• Filters to Turn Non-Focus Structures
and Roofs White
• Filter to Turn Focus Elements Red
• Filter to Turn Ground Mass Red
© 2011 Autodesk
Web Research
CARTOGRAPHICS + INFOGRAPHICS

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

© 2011 Autodesk
• Generic Annotations Family
• 62 Families Loaded into 1
• Edit an Existing one and Load into
Master for Future Needs and
Expansion.
© 2011 Autodesk
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 • Drafting Lines on Sheet for
Enlargement Lines
• Three Views Stacked on Sheet
• Drafting View
• Filled Regions (Grey and Red)
• Detail Lines
• Drawn Over Image

• Plan View
• Drafting View • Masking Region for Circular View
• Filled Regions (Grey and Red) • Filters to Turn Roads to Black,
• Detail Lines Buildings to Grey, Site to White
• Drawn Over Image and Building Location to Red
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Web Research
SITE ANALYSIS + DEPICTION

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

© 2011 Autodesk
• 3 Views (Site, Solar Path Winter, Solar
Path Summer)
• Solar Path Views are 3D Views
Oriented to Plan with everything else
turned off in VG.
• Analysis Lines – 3D Components
• Wind Lines – 3D Components with
Ghost Surfaces
• Wind Direction Derived from Wind
Rose
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Web Research
PEOPLE - SECTIONS + ELEVATIONS

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

Web Research
PEOPLE IN PERSPECTIVE

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

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Web Research
TREES IN PLAN

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

Web Research
TREES IN ELEVATION

Images from the website ArchDaily http://www.archdaily.com/ © 2011 Autodesk

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Tree – Coarse Setting

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Tree – Medium Setting

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Tree – Fine Setting

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Web Research – MOST POPULAR COLORS

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 SUMMER

8 AM 10 AM 12 PM 2 PM 4 PM

WINTER
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Filter Hack

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Filter Hack

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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6543805/AB4564-Dataset.zip

© 2011 Autodesk
Autodesk, AutoCAD* [*if/when mentioned in the pertinent material, followed by an alphabetical list of all other trademarks mentioned in the material] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and
services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2011 Autodesk