Creating Customized 3D Views for Project Coordination
3D modeling within Autodesk® Revit® Structure allows us to view the extent of our designs quickly and comprehensively. With the click of a single button, a 3D view of the entire model is created. Along with all project model elements, this 3D view also shows all modeled elements from linked Revit files, IFC models, CAD models/drawings, and point clouds. Everything from foundations to structural steel, floors and roofs, windows, mechanical equipment, piping, and topography, etc. is shown. It is incredible that this amount of information can be viewed in one place so quickly. However, is access to all this information truly necessary? How are meaningful 3D views created from all these modeled elements? This article attempts to cut through model clutter and provide tips for creating 3D views for internal and external coordination.
How Did Ancient Architects Create Blueprints?
Buildings have been constructed long before the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and 3D modeling. Ancient designers did not need today’s high-powered design tools to construct their masterpieces. So, how did they document their designs? What was used to depict the design of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Wall of China, or the Roman Colosseum? How were the overall project requirements communicated to a massive workforce?
In 1979, Lothar Haselberger, an archaeologist from the Technical University of Munich, was wandering through the ruins of the Greek Temple of Apollo at Didyma (circa 334 BC) and saw dozens of very thin, very shallow lines that were scratched into the marble of some of the lower walls. He found straight lines, circles, and even more complicated shapes. He realized that the blueprint, from which the temple was built, was drawn into the very stone of the temple. Since the plans were scratched into the marble, they would survive generations. Similar plans were found to be used by Egyptian architects. Kruszelnicki, K. (n.d.). The Secret Plans of Ancient Architects. Retrieved from www.abc.net.au
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Figure 1: Greek Temple of Apollo at Didyma
Today, even with the use of 3D modeling tools such as Revit, our blueprints really are not that much different than what was used at the Greek Temple of Apollo at Didyma. We still draw full scale building components but, obviously, our plans are scaled down and created digitally. The only purpose of any plan, blueprint, or drawing document is to answer the question, “What are we building?” The adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” applies just as directly to the construction industry today as it did thousands of years ago.
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
Despite the numerous advantages Revit gives us in being able to view scaled, virtual models, there are a few drawbacks associated with having access to so much information so effortlessly. Information overload can easily cause confusion and complications when working with large project files and/or on complex projects. When Revit projects incorporate phases, design options, worksets, and multiple linked files, sorting through the model to create effective 3D views is a difficult task. For these complicated or more simple projects, the Default 3D View is the starting point in creating effective coordination views.
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Figure 2: Default 3D view
Utilizing the shortcuts within the ViewCube on the Default 3D View is the first way to simplify the model. It’s an easy trick to forget, but should be kept towards the top of your Revit toolbox. Right-click on the ViewCube to access the pop-up menu. From here, there are many convenient options to scale down the 3D view. The Orient to View option is a great way to match the extents of the 3D view to a view already created within the project. Floor plans, elevations, sections, and other 3D views can all be used as references to create a new 3D view. This is extremely helpful when you want to view a specific portion of the building. However, Orient to View only controls the section box limits and view rotation/orientation; it does not apply the view template from the referenced view.
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Figure 3: ViewCube
Creating and using effective view templates is critical to generating organized and clear 3D model views. Large projects will likely contain numerous view template categories: sheet views, working views, coordination views, analytical views, etc. Well thought out and refined sheet view templates are essential to ensuring 2D paper drawing documents are clear and consistent throughout the project. Similarly, view templates for 3D coordination views should be given thoughtful consideration during project setup. Having a few 3D view templates is helpful for coordination amongst project team members, project managers, laypersons, owners, and your client.
3D views and view templates must be created with internal coordination efforts and client communication in mind. What items need to be coordinated within the model or between trades? What questions does your client typically ask and what do they need to see within the model? What are typical issues that arise from the specific project type? Once answers to these types of questions are determined, effective 3D views can be created and used for project coordination. The following case study of a new hospital project will showcase these points.