Revit TIP Calculating Values with Revit Dimensions!

by Dennis Collin

I was having a conversation with some Revit users recently on the apparent need to use the scale command for elements. Digging deeper into the issue revealed their need to be able to resize elements to a desired length and place elements at set intervals or spacings.

These tasks can be achieved by using Revit dimensioning tools. If an object needs to be moved or positioned to a number that is not easily achieved by a quick mental arithmetic calculation, then edit the dimension string with the required formula or expression.

Fig 1. Positioning a wall using a calculation within a dimension.

Edit the dimension string with an Equals symbol and place appropriate operators to evaluate the desired result.

When working in non-project units, Revit understands relationships between units, whether that is with dimensions or working with elevation symbols and level tags. For buildings I may work with millimetres, but for sitework I may switch to metres, whereas working with the US feet or inches may need to be shown!

However, put the calculators away! They are not needed, instead suffix any measurements that use non project units with a suitable suffix after any inputs.

Some examples for linear length units:

• Millimetres          -              mm
• Metres                 -              m
• Centimetres        -              cm
• Inches                  -              in or “
• Feet                      -              ft or ‘

Hopefully, this tip will save a little bit of time when working on projects.