Add gridlines

When working with 3D models, it is useful to have a set of gridlines to navigate around. To know where to draw the gridlines, we need some references. 

To create gridlines we must be on a plan drawing. Open level 1.

Go to Insert - Link - Link CAD to import the DWG reference. 

Figure 1. Import DWG reference

Find the file 'System_Lines.dwg' in the 'Common drawings' folder in the project. Find it by right clicking on 'Drawings' in the IMPACT Project Manager project browser and click 'Open Folder'. The project folder will open. Open the 'Common drawings' (2).

Figure 2. Common drawing folder in the project. 

Copy the search path by right clicking (3) and selecting 'Copy address'.

Figure 3. Copy search path.

Go back to Revit and the dialog for 'Link CAD Formats'. Paste the copied address into the file name text box (4) in the dialog and press 'Enter' to navigate to the correct folder. 

Figure 4. Paste the search path.

Select the 'System_Lines.dwg' (5). To make sure that the scale is ok, change the 'Import units' to 'millimeter' (6). Finish with 'Open' (7).

Figure 5. Link the file and change the units.

The external reference will appear in the plan drawing. The next step is to create the gridlines in Revit. 

Go to Structure - Datum - Grid.

Figure 6. Grid command

Start drawing the gridlines 1-5. Then draw gridline A. Change the name from '6' to 'A' by clicking on the number and continue drawing the remaining gridlines. 

Figure 7. Draw the gridlines and make sure that the naming is correct.

Since we have gridlines now, it is not necessary to have the external reference visible. Go to View - Graphics - Visibility/Graphics and select the tab "Imported Categories". Uncheck the box in front of the 'System_Lines.dwg'.

Figure 8. Turn off the gridlines reference.

To get the name of the gridline on both sides of the line, select each line and check to box. 

Figure 9. Name on both sides of the gridline.

Now the gridlines are placed in the model and visible from all plan drawings. The last thing to do is save them to the IMPACT database. Go to IMPACT - Project - Manage Gridlines. Select one line (1) and click on 'Link' (2). The grid will appear in the linked section on the right side (3). Repeat for all lines and finish with 'Apply' (4).

Figure 10. Link gridlines.

All gridlines are now created and saved to the IMPACT database. Go to IMPACT Project Manager and reload the model viewer (1). The gridlines should appear there now as well (2).

Figure 11. The gridlines are now visible in the IMPACT Project Manager. 

The preparation of the model is now done, and the next step is to start drawing some elements. We will start with the walls in the next chapter.

Next: Walls