by Dennis Collin
The Toposolid element introduced with Revit 2024 has been improved with the current 2025 version.
To aid in modelling complex site features, there is a new Excavate tool which removes the volume of the toposolid to the top of the intersecting floor (or other slab type object). The volume property of the toposolid updates as additional excavation options are applied.
Fig 1. Use the Excavate function for the modelling of roads, paths, and parking areas.
With 2025 it is now possible to use the Shaft opening tool with toposolid and it works as expected! In previous Revit versions, shaft openings would cut through the entire toposolid element. Now, the bottom of the shaft is respected in relation to its position within the toposolid. Use shaft elements in conjunction with toposolids and adjust the bottom of the shaft to model conditions without the shaft element cutting all the way through the toposolid element.
Fig 2. The Shaft opening tool can also be used for toposolid modelling.
I posted about this limitation in previous versions of Revit here: Having the Shaft now working properly is a welcome improvement in modelling sites. When working with legacy files containing toposurfaces and building pads, converting the toposurface to a toposolid retains the building pads as excavated areas on the toposolid. These elements can be subsequently edited if required.
Fig 3. Elements now host correctly on cut toposolid elements. (Right)
Another welcome improvement is that cut (Booleaned/Excavated) toposolids now host elements properly. Previously elements attached either to a level element or the original toposolid extents. In figure 3, elements like trees ignore the excavated surface, whereas in 2025 the elements behave correctly and attached to the designed surface!
Fig 4. Users have several options now on how to specify heights for shape editing points.
When shape editing, it is now possible to use the top place setting for the elevation base. Mass elements can also be now used to generate Toposolid elements. Like other elements, toposolids can be updated to the new face should the defining mass element change.
Contours can now be displayed when editing a toposolid. As users add and edit points and edges, the contour lines remain visible providing feedback as changes are made. Visibility of contours must be enabled using Visibility and Graphics and by toposolid type. Unfortunately, the incorrect contour labelling ‘feature’ has returned in 2025, with contour labelling being set to always be right reading to the view. This is an incorrect protocol for any site drawing as contours should always read according to the up direction of the slope.
Fig 5. With some patience and a little luck! Users can get contours to label correctly! I.e. Read up the slope!
Hopefully, this defect will be remedied in a future version of Revit. A current crude work-around is to be selective on where the placement line for contours is defined, but this process can be somewhat temperamental and best results may be achieved by drawing contour definition lines in small segments.
Fig 6. Toposolids can now be created from Massing Elements
Toposolids can now be smoothed for improved display in views. The smoothing effect is visible, in shaded, consistent colours, textures and realistic. This effect can be toggled on and off in the Model Site Panel. If applied, toposolid elements will also be smoothed upon export.
There are some limitations in that surface patterns will not display if smoothing is applied. Also, materials cannot be overridden with paint or graphical overrides.
In conclusion, Revit 2025 brings some welcome functionality to site modelling tools, which will be invaluable to disciplines such as Infrastructure and Landscape. There are a few glitches too such as contour labelling and making more categories location aware for scheduling purposes, but hopefully these issues will be addressed in a future point release of Revit soon!