Datasheet

usIng the gRaphIcal useR InteRface (guI)
|
7
Type Selector
The Type Selector (see Figure 1.6) is located on the left end of the Options bar and lists all of the
types available for a given element that are loaded into your project file. Generally you should
only load in the types you need to use in order to keep the computer performance from slowing.
The Load button is located conveniently close to the Type Selector so you can load in more types
as they are needed. Why load every type of wide flange steel beam into your project if you only
need a W12x26 and a W18x40?
The Type Selector is used to select a specific element type for placement. If you highlight an
element that has been placed in your project, you can then use the Type Selector to identify it or
change its type—for instance, to change a W12x26 to a W18x40. Within your project views any
existing beam tag for that member size will automatically change its corresponding value to the
new type.
Design Bar
The Design bar (see Figure 1.7) is permanently docked along the left side of the GUI and con-
tains commands that are used for modeling, annotating, and viewing. These commands are
organized into nine task-specific tabs: Basics, View, Architectural, Drafting, Rendering, Site,
Massing, Modeling, and Construction. The View, Drafting, and Modeling tabs contain the
majority of the commands required to create and document a structural model. The Basics tab
combines the most commonly used commands from these three tabs and is an ideal tab to have
active for most modeling and annotation tasks.
In addition to the nine tabs, two context-specific tabs (Family and Sketch) will appear and
remain active for the duration of certain commands. The Family tab is used to create and edit
in-place and external families. The Sketch tab is used to create and modify a sketch and will be
displayed on the Design bar when using the Slab or other sketch-based elements.
Tab display is similar to toolbar display in that it is controlled from the menu bar: by choos-
ing Window  Design Bars or by right-clicking on the Design bar and selecting a tab name from
the context menu. Tab display can also be handled by editing the R e v i t .i n i file, which will be
discussed later in Chapter 17. Adjust the width of the Design bar by left-click-dragging the right
border. Tab display settings are remembered, but the width of the Design bar will be reset to its
default when you restart Revit Structure.
Figure 1.6
The Type Selector
84404c01.indd 7 10/23/08 1:58:38 PM