When starting a new design project, sometimes you need a reference system or guidelines to align your elements to it. Revit has several reference elements. In this post, I will discuss two of them; Work Plane and Reference Plane.

Even if you can't see it, the Work Plane is what you create any new elements upon. If you're in plan view, your work plane is usually the current level. To show the work plane, go to Architecture Tab> Work Plane Panel > Show Work Plane
​

Notice: You can also Set Work Plane to any flat surface in 3D or rotate the work plane when needed.

Your Reference Planes are 3D planes that you can create in any 2D view. It may look like a dashed line, but it is actually a 3D plane that you can pick as your work plane. You may use it to identify a major axis in your design, define building setbacks or even as a sketch for staircase placement.

One of my favorite exercises for using Reference Planes, is attaching a wall to a plane in elevation or section views. Check the example below ...

That's it for this week! If you like this post, share it, and don't forget to comment with your suggestions for next week posts. Until next week, see you!

Revit Live is Autodesk latest product for real-time rendering. It transforms your Revit models into immersive visualization experience. You can combine that with virtual reality and you get the best presentation for your ideas.

To download a trial version, visit www.autodesk.com/products/revit-live/overview

After installation, you get an icon named 'Live' in Revit Add-ins Tab. By simply clicking 'Go Live', your model is automatically uploaded to the cloud, processed and then downloaded to your computer for viewing. The process is fairly smooth and takes only a few minutes. You can then publish the same for viewing on windows or i-Pad.

In many cases of design, you come to a point where you need to consider options. What shape should the stair be, which entrance side is better, what is the best furniture layout? 

The best answer to this issue, is creating design options in Revit. This feature lets you keep using the same file, explore different layouts, create different views to share with others, and ,at the end, approve the best option when you want to.

Begin by doing the following:

• Go to Manage Tab, Design Options Panel, Manage Design Options
• Click New Option set, and rename it as needed

Once you're done with the above steps, click Close.
Now, select the model elements that will be affected by the desired design options, Choose add to option set from the ribbon menu as indicated below, mark the options where you want to keep these elements on and click OK.

You're now ready to change your model elements by selecting the desired option from the lower right tab. Once you're done, you can switch back to 'Main Model' for printing your changes.