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Weekly BIM Mastery: Tips and Tricks

In late 2024, I was thinking of ways to expand the sharing of knowledge beyond the monthly Buildings BIM Bulletins I have been doing for over a year now. In January, on my 49th birthday of all days, I rolled out what I am calling “Weekly BIM Mastery”. At the time of writing this article (end of January), I have shared 4 weeks' worth of tips. Instead of giving a single quick tip about something, I give numerous tips about a single topic. We have just under 50 people in our Buildings Business Line between MEPF, Architectural and Structural. Similar to my Buildings BIM Bulletin, these tips and tricks posts are getting on average 80 unique views, some more, some less, which means others in Garver are checking them out, Before we dive into the tips I shared with my team, let me give you the description included on every Weekly BIM Mastery SharePoint post from the template I created.

“Welcome to Weekly BIM Mastery, your ultimate hub for tips, tricks, and best practices in Building Information Modeling (BIM). This weekly series is tailored for our Buildings group to enhance project efficiency, collaboration, and innovation. Each post is packed with actionable insights that empower you to solve challenges, work smarter, and deliver exceptional results.

Explore a wide range of topics, including time-saving techniques in Revit, advanced workflows in Navisworks, data management in Autodesk Construction Cloud, and cutting-edge trends shaping the AEC industry. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to BIM, these posts are designed to provide value to everyone, breaking down complex concepts into clear, practical guidance.

By staying up to date with Weekly BIM Mastery, you’ll uncover hidden features, overcome common pitfalls, and learn how to leverage BIM tools to their fullest potential. From improving design accuracy and clash detection to fostering better communication across teams, this series will elevate your mastery of BIM one week at a time.

Let’s transform how we approach our projects and make BIM not just a tool but a competitive advantage. Remember—mastery isn’t a destination, it’s a journey, and we’re here to take that journey together!”

Figure 1 - Weekly BIM Mastery SharePoint Banner

Keyboard Shortcuts in Revit

General Tips for Mastering Revit Keyboard Shortcuts:

1. Learn the Defaults: Revit has a robust set of default shortcuts. Familiarize yourself with common ones like:

a. MM: Mirror (pick axis)
b. DI: Dimension
c. AL: Align
d. MV: Move
e. CS: Create Similar
f. ZZ: Zoom to Fit
g. WT: Tile Windows

2. Customize Your Shortcuts:

a. Access File > Options > User Interface > Keyboard Shortcuts to modify or create your own.
b. Prioritize shortcuts for commands you use frequently but are buried in menus.
c. You can also type KS to open the Keyboard Shortcuts dialogue faster.
d. Hovering over any of the ribbon buttons will give you a quick “fly out” dialogue and it will show you if a keyboard shortcut exists for that button.

Figure 2 - Sample Keyboard Shortcut

3. Use Context-Specific Shortcuts:

a. Many shortcuts are context sensitive. For example, the Tab key is useful for cycling through selections or chain selecting elements in connected models.

4. Memorize Multi-Step Actions:

a. Combine shortcuts for quick actions. Example: Use VG (Visibility/Graphics) to toggle element categories on and off quickly.

5. Combine with Mouse Navigation:

a. Use the Shift + Middle Mouse Button to pan and orbit while executing shortcut commands for smooth workflow.

Top Customizable Shortcuts:

Here are some useful shortcuts to add or modify:

  1. HV: Hide Element (quickly toggle visibility without using the toolbar).
  2. UF: Unhide Element/Category (to bring back hidden elements).
  3. 3D: Default 3D View (jump directly to the default 3D view).
  4. TG: Tag by Category (quick tagging in plans or elevations).
  5. SE: Split Element (faster than searching in the ribbon).

Practice for Mastery:

  1. Focus on Core Commands First: Start by mastering shortcuts for navigation and annotation. Gradually expand to modeling tools.
  2. Use a Shortcut Cheat Sheet: Print or keep a reference guide nearby while working until the commands become second nature.
  3. Set Shortcut Goals: Each week, focus on learning 3-5 new shortcuts.
  4. Practice Efficiency: Challenge yourself to reduce mouse movements by using shortcuts wherever possible.

BONUS TIP:

Enable Command Search in Revit (2023 and later): Press Alt + / to search for any command or tool quickly, and Revit will show its shortcut (if assigned). This is a great way to learn shortcuts as you go.

Selection Box

The Selection Box in Revit is a powerful tool that helps with isolating elements in 3D views, improving model navigation, and focusing on specific areas during the design and coordination process.

Figure 3 - Selection Box

Here are some tips for you when using the Selection Box:

Quickly Create a 3D View for Selected Elements

  • Use the shortcut BX to instantly isolate selected elements in a 3D view with a selection box. This is useful when you want to focus on a particular area or resolve clashes without creating a custom 3D view.

Adjusting the Section Box

  • Fine-tune the boundaries of the Selection Box by dragging the grips in 3D view.
  • Alternatively, use the Properties palette to precisely control the dimensions and offsets of the section box.

Leveraging Visibility/Graphics Overrides

  • After isolating elements in the Selection Box, adjust visibility/graphics settings to further refine the view, such as turning off unnecessary categories or applying transparent overrides.

Combining with Filters

  • Use filters in conjunction with the Selection Box to isolate and analyze specific element types, such as all doors on a floor or ductwork in a specific zone.

Temporarily Hide the Selection Box

  • To declutter the view, you can temporarily hide the Selection Box by deselecting the "Section Box" option in the Properties palette while keeping the 3D crop active.

Save Custom 3D Views

  • Once you've set up a Selection Box, save the view as a custom 3D View for quick access later. This is especially useful for team reviews or specific design iterations.

Use for Coordination

  • During coordination meetings, the Selection Box can help focus on problem areas by isolating the region where clashes or issues exist.

Assign to View Templates

  • If certain views always require a specific Selection Box setup (e.g., per floor or per zone), assign the settings to a View Template for consistency across projects.

Selection Box Hotkeys

  • BX: Isolate selected elements with a Selection Box.
  • Ctrl + Drag: Box-select multiple elements before activating BX for a group focus.

Enhancing Presentations

  • Use the Selection Box to create clean, focused 3D visuals for presentations, emphasizing only the critical components of your design.

Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Autodesk Revit is a customizable toolbar that provides quick access to frequently used commands, enhancing workflow efficiency. By default, it includes tools like Save, Undo, and Redo, but you can tailor it to suit your specific needs.

Figure 4 - QAT in Revit 2025

Show/Hide the QAT Below the Ribbon

  • Move the toolbar below the Ribbon for better visibility:
    • Right-click the QAT and select “Show Quick Access Toolbar Below the Ribbon.”

Figure 5 - Show Below Ribbon

  • This can be particularly useful for large screens.

Customize for Frequently Used Commands

  • Right-click any tool or command and select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar" to pin it.

Figure 6 - Add to QAT

  • Include commands like Align (AL), Trim/Extend (TR), and Tag by Category (TG) for quick access.

Group Commands for Better Workflow

  • Organize commands by logical groups (e.g., annotation tools, view tools, modeling tools).
  • Use separators (added via the right-click menu) to visually divide related sets of tools.

Figure 7 - Customize QAT

Reorder Commands for Efficiency

  • Drag and drop commands in the QAT to match your workflow's sequence.
  • Place frequently used tools at the beginning for faster access.

Add Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Pair QAT tools with custom keyboard shortcuts for even faster execution.
  • Example: Assign shortcuts to tools not easily accessible via the Ribbon, like "Repeat Last Command" or "Switch Windows".

Avoid Overcrowding

  • Keep the QAT concise. Too many commands can clutter and slow down navigation.
  • Aim for no more than 10-15 items for optimal usability.

Sync with Workflows and Roles

  • You can tailor QAT setups to specific roles:
    • Modelers: Include basic modeling tools like Wall, Door, and Floor.
    • Designers: Focus on annotation and detailing commands.
    • Managers: Add collaboration and view management tools.

Explore Hidden Gems in the QAT Hidden Gems for Modeling and Drawing

  1. Repeat Last Command
    1. Quickly repeat the last executed command, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  2. Create Similar
    1. Quickly start creating a new instance of an existing element (e.g., a similar wall or door).
    2. Especially useful in layout-heavy workflows.
  3. Measure Between Two References
    1. Use this to measure distances without adding temporary dimensions or cluttering views.
  4. Override Graphics in View
    1. Customize the visibility of individual elements or categories in a view.
  5. Split Element
    1. Quickly divide walls, floors, or other elements without navigating to the Modify tab.

Hidden Gems for Views and Navigation

  1. Isolate Category
    1. Temporarily isolate specific categories (e.g., walls or furniture) for better visibility.
    2. Saves time when reviewing or modifying specific elements.
  2. Switch Windows
    1. Navigate quickly between open views, especially helpful when working on multiple views or sheets.
  3. Reveal Hidden Elements
    1. Turn on hidden elements in the current view without digging into view settings.
  4. Close Hidden Windows
    1. Closes unused windows to free up system resources and declutter your workspace.

Hidden Gems for Documentation

  1. Tag All Not Tagged
    1. Automate tagging of multiple elements in a single command, saving time during documentation.
  2. Align
    1. Align annotations or elements precisely, especially useful for dimensions and text.
  3. Select by ID
    1. Search for and locate a specific element in the model using its ID.
  4. Reload Latest
    1. Useful in work-sharing environments to quickly refresh your view with the latest changes from the central file.

Hidden Gems for Management

  1. Purge Unused
    1. Quickly clean up your project by removing unused families and types, ensuring a leaner model.
  2. Sync with Central
    1. Keep it on the QAT to ensure frequent updates to the central model without navigating to the Collaborate tab.
  3. Audit
    1. Useful for reviewing model integrity and catching potential issues early.

Bonus: Non-Command Additions

  1. View Templates
    1. Add frequently used view templates for quick application to multiple views.
  2. Section Box
    1. Quickly turn on/off section boxes in 3D views to isolate areas of interest.
  3. Temporary View Properties
    1. Allows you to test different visual styles and settings without permanently altering the view.

Load Autodesk Family

The "Load Autodesk Family" button in Revit allows users to quickly access default content, such as families and templates, directly from Autodesk's library. Here are some tips for effectively using this feature:

Figure 8- Available in Revit 2022-2025

Understand What It Does

  • This button connects to Autodesk’s cloud-based library, offering preloaded content like furniture, lighting, MEP components, and templates.
  • It’s especially useful for users who don’t have custom libraries already set up.

Ensure Internet Connectivity

  • Since this feature requires online access to Autodesk’s library, ensure your internet connection is stable before attempting to load content.

Set Up Default Content in the Correct Language/Region

  • The Autodesk default library is often localized. Verify that the content matches your project’s standards, units, and regional requirements (e.g., US Imperial vs. Metric).

Figure 9 - Language/Region Options

Use as a Starting Point

  • Autodesk default content is often generic. Use it as a base, then modify families or parameters to meet project-specific needs.
  • Add shared parameters or adjust sizes, materials, and nesting to enhance the downloaded families.
  • While the MEPF and Structural teams have a lot of Standard Content already there still may be some things that we do not have and the default Autodesk Content is a good place to start.

Leverage Search and Filters

  • Use the search bar or filters to narrow down the content you need. This saves time compared to browsing large libraries manually.

Figure 10 - Search and Filters

Manage Family Sizes

  • Some families in the default library are detailed and can increase model size. Evaluate the level of detail (LOD) and consider simplifying geometry for performance.

Save Families Locally

  • After downloading and customizing, save the families in your firm’s local or shared library for future use. This builds a curated library of pre-approved content.
  • Families downloaded from Autodesk can be used as a start to your standardized content.

Check for Updates

  • Autodesk occasionally updates its cloud library. Keep an eye out for new or improved content to enhance your project efficiency.

Coordinate with Project Standards

  • Verify that downloaded content aligns with your project's BIM standards, naming conventions, and data formatting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the "Weekly BIM Mastery" series has proven to be an invaluable resource for our Buildings group, offering a wealth of tips, tricks, and best practices in Building Information Modeling (BIM). By consistently engaging with these weekly posts, our team has been able to enhance project efficiency, foster better collaboration, and drive innovation across various disciplines. The actionable insights provided have empowered both seasoned professionals and newcomers to solve challenges, work smarter, and deliver exceptional results. As we continue this journey of mastery, let us remember that BIM is not just a tool but a competitive advantage that transforms how we approach our projects. Together, we will continue to uncover hidden features, overcome common pitfalls, and leverage BIM tools to their fullest potential, ensuring that our projects are not only successful but also exemplary in the industry.

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