Revit Tip – Suppress non-core wall/slab layers in 3D and Section Views

by Dennis Collin

When modelling walls, floors and roofs within Revit, it is possible to model slab elements within an assembly, and allocate each slab layer a different thickness, function and material to provide a clear representation of that element’s construction. For example, a cavity wall could be made up from Concrete blockwork as its primary structural component, an air gap to provide insulation, a brick exterior finish layer and a plaster interior layer onto which paint, and other finishes can be applied.

Fig 1. For structural purposes only elements inside the Core boundary may need to be considered.

This assembly build up can be shown in fine level of detail in all views, which is fine for most architectural purposes, but users from a structural discipline , may only be concerned with the important structural element, in this case the display of the structural concrete blockwork.

Recently Revit provided the ability to suppress the display of elements outside of the core boundary using subcategory options. However, this functionality only works for plan views!

What about the need to just show purely structural elements in other views such as elevations, sections, and 3D?

Fig 2. For plan views non-core layers can be hidden, but not in section or 3D views!

Going to such views, the sub-category option is not available. For this situation users will need to make use of construction parts and filters.

Fig 3. Parts can be formed by selecting the element and choosing the Create Parts function.

Parts can be made from a range of categories including walls, floors, and slabs. They can be set to a particular view by choosing display parts, rather than the original ‘container’ family.

Fig 4. Part display can be set on a view-by-view basis.

Once parts are enabled, the individual parts can be filtered according to their construction parameter. Elements within the core boundary are assigned a property as Core elements outside the core are classified as finish.

Using a simple filter can enable finish elements to be hidden whilst just showing the important core or structural elements of walls, roofs, and slabs etc.

Fig 5. Using the Construction parameter to filter out non-structural parts.

Like any display configuration, filters can be assigned to view templates and view types within a Revit project template.

Fig 5a. View Templates are a vital component in any Revit user’s toolkit!

With regards to floors and roofs that may need to be sloped, parts cannot be made from these elements that have been modified from sub-object editing or if the slab is pitching from two or more directions.

Fig 6. Parts can be made from Roofs or slabs pitching from one edge.

A workaround solution exists if the slab faces are modelled separately and set to pitch just from one edge. If a flat slab is modifed after parts have been made and is set to pitch from multiple edges then the parts will be deleted, a warning dialogue will display alerting the user of the adjustment.

Fig 7. Editing a parent host object may result in deleted parts!

I have posted previously on using parts for roofs here:

Component parts, filters, view templates, project templates and other modelling tips are just some of the topics covered on our follow-on Revit training courses. Visit the Arkance UK site to get an overview of the courses on offer and talk to one of the team for dates and availability or if you have more bespoke requirements, just ask, we are here to help!