Revit 2023 – Working with Site Features

By John Flanagan

Creating a Toposurface

You can create a topographical surface in Revit, which is distinct from a floor element in that each point you place can have a different elevation. This allows you to create the wider site context for your building model.

Creating a Toposurface by placing points

1. Open a Site Plan View
2. Go to the Massing & Site tab > Model Site panel > click on Toposurface.
   

3. In your Site Plan View > in Place Point mode > click and place the Points of your Toposurface.
   Remember to check the Options Bar for the Elevations of each Point you place.
   
   

4. Click Finish Surface when done.
   

Creating a Toposurface from Imported CAD Data

See step 3 above. Instead of clicking the Place Point Option, select the Create from Import option.

When importing contour data, follow these requirements:

• The imported CAD file must contain 3D information.
• In the CAD file to import, each contour line must be positioned at the correct "Z" value.
• When importing the CAD file into Revit, do not select the "Current View Only" option.

Toposurface Created from Imported CAD Data

Working with Toposurfaces

Become familiar with all the site tools.

Note: In the Revit 2024 version, the Toposurface tool has been replaced by the Toposolid tool so there is no need to use the section box in a 3D view. The Toposolid tool generates the solid topography from the imported CAD/Contour data.