by Dennis Collin
Working with complex Revit files can sometimes be a tedious process when trying to select elements of single or multiple categories that are obscured by other elements, especially if these elements may need to be selected later to be modified further. This is especially true with coordination models with MEP elements being displayed.
Fig 1. Manual selection filters can make working in complicated models much easier!
Most Revit users are aware and make use of rule selection filters which can be applied as rules to highlight or hide elements. However, many users forget that there is also a capability to make a manual selection filter which can be saved to a name and recalled later for convenience.
This could be useful to help Revit to remember a selection of elements that share minimal common properties but need to be frequently reselected or perhaps highlighted as a different colour consistently in multiple views.
Fig 2. Origin markers like the Project Base Point can also be set to a user defined Selection Set
Certain elements like coordinate system origins can also be easily obstructed by dense linework whether that is steel framing, concrete reinforcement, duct and pipework. This can be annoying when working with Point Cloud data that will typically use the Project Base Point or PBP as the insertion location reference.
Fig 3. Selection Sets make it easier to select obscured project origin markers.
To form a selection filter, select the elements once and then save the grouping to a suitable name. The selection filters will be added to a list which can be recalled by using the Load Selection Filter at any time. By performing this operation on objects, the PBP (or any element) can be selected and moved without having to see or select it on the screen. Selection filters can also be added to view templates like rule-based filters. This ensure that origin markers can be easily hidden or pinned which will make it difficult for users to accidently change the coordinate system of a Revit model.
To recall a particular selection, just load in the name selection from the list, click ok, and the desired items will highlight, and the necessary changes can be applied. If required named selection sets can be modified with new elements being added to a set or existing elements removed.
Defining Selection sets, View Filters and Template and the setting up of Revit Project Templates are just some of the topics that are covered on our follow-on or custom Revit training courses. For more information and to talk to one of the team please click here.