Features in Revit Graphic Display Options

by Garry Stockton

The settings on the Graphics Display Options dialog are used to enhance the visual result of your model view. For example, when creating a model in real-time, using the Realistic visual style, you can enable Ambient Occlusion to give your model more realistic shading and depth. The Graphic Display Options dialog is accessed from the Shadows On/Off tool on the View Control Bar.

Graphic Display Option  Description

1. Sun Setting - Select from predefined sun settings for dates and times of interest, such as Summer Solstice, or One Day Solar Study.

2. Sun Intensity - Move the slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the brightness of the direct light.

3. Indirect Light - Move the slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the brightness of the ambient light.

4. Cast Shadows - Move the Shadow slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the darkness of the shadows.

5. Ambient Occlusion - Select this option to simulate the blocking of diffused (ambient) light. Available with shaded visual styles, elevations, sheets and sections. Not available in the Family Editor, or in detail views.

Note: Ambient Occlusion is available when Hardware Acceleration is enabled from the Graphics tab on the Options dialog.

6. Edges - Silhouette Style Select from several line styles that create a silhouette.

7. Background (available in 3D views) - Gradient Background Select this option to enable the sky, horizon and ground colour options.