Datasheet

Chapter 1 • The Revit World

FIGURE 1.6: The Design bar is the backbone of Revit Structure.

FIGURE 1.7: The Options bar replaces the command prompt from

AutoCAD. MicroStation users will be more familiar with this method.

3. Once you have made your choices from the Ribbon and the Options

bar, you can place the object into the view window. This is the large

“drawing area” that takes up two thirds of the Revit interface. To

place the wall, simply pick a point in the window and move your

pointer. The wall starts to form. You can press the Esc key to exit

the command.

Using Revit is not generally as easy as this, but keep in mind this basic three-

step process:

1. Start a command.

2. Choose an option from the appropriate tab.

3. Place the item in the view.

Revit appears to offer a fraction of the choices and functionality that AutoCAD

or any drafting program offers. This is true in a way. Revit does offer much fewer

choices to start a command, but how many choices does an architect or an archi-

tectural designer need? Revit keeps its functionality focused on architecture and

construction. It is the dynamic capabilities of the application during the place-

ment of the items, as well as the functionality of the objects after they have been

placed in the model that gives Revit its robust capabilities. Never judge a book by

its cover — unless, of course, it is the book you are reading right now.

Let’s keep going with the main focus of the Revit interface. This is the Ribbon.

You will be using the Ribbon exclusively within Revit.



You will hear this

throughout the

book: always

remember to look

at your options.

With no command

prompt, the Options

bar will be one of

your few guides.

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