Revit Tip: Simplify the display of Stair & Railing Elements

by Dennis Collin

Stairs are a very complex family type and when viewed by default in a project, tend to display far too much information, which makes it difficult to see information such as notes, tags, critical dimensions or even just trying to see what or how the stair and ‘its bits’ have been modelled!

Fig 1. By default, the user is overwhelmed with a myriad of linework from stair and railing elements.

This view simplification can easily be achieved by accessing the visibility graphics, subcategory settings. Simply switch off all the ‘clutter’ relating to overhead features apart from the stair body outline or whatever else may be required!

Fig 2. Accessing stair and railing sub-category view settings.

Whilst modelling at an early stage, it may be worth deleting the railings and addig them back in afterwards. Railings rarely do what’s required anyway. By making the stair clearer to see and diagnose, it will make the modelling process easier to understand and do. The railings can always be added in later.

Fig 3. From the default clutter on the left to a cleaner, easier to understand drawing on the right!

Once set, the overridden stair and railing display can be saved as a view template setting, along with scale, view range, filters and level of detail etc.

In summary, stair and railing families are some of the more complex Revit families, with settings and controls that are several levels deep in terms of dialogue boxes. Stair and Railing elements are a popular topic of discussion on Cadline’s follow-on and bespoke training courses. For more details visit https://training.cadline.co.uk/ and talk to one of the team who can help you with your requirements.