Creating Project Datums: Creating Project Grid Lines

1.14.10 9:45-11:15am 3o mins

Creating Project Datums: Creating Project Grid Lines

Training File = Imperial\RAC_CPD_02_Grid_Lines_i.rvt.

In this exercise, you add grid lines to the project. The grid lines are numbered and lettered automatically as they are placed. You use the dimension tools to dimension the grids and space them equally across the building.

Adjust the visibility of the view

1. In the Project Browser, under Floor Plans, double-click 01 - Entry Level. Placing grids in this view minimizes the necessity of manipulating the grids in other views. However, you can also display grid objects in the other plans as well.
   
2. In the Project Browser, right-click 01 - Entry Level, and click Properties. To make it easier to position the grids, you temporarily display the building pad object in this view. To display the pad, you switch on the topography visibility and adjust the view range.
   
3. In the Instance Properties dialog, for Visibility/Graphics Overrides, click Edit.
4. On the Model Categories tab of the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog, clear Planting, select Topography, and click OK.
5. In the Instance Properties dialog, under Extents, for View Range, click Edit.
6. In the View Range dialog, under View Depth, for Level, select Unlimited, and click OK.
7. In the Instance Properties dialog, for View Scale (at the top of the parameter list), select 1/16'' = 1'-0''.

   You change the scale of the view so the grid labels are easier to see when you place the grid lines.

8. Click OK.

Place vertical grid lines

9. Zoom in to the building pad to more easily place the grids.
10. Click Home tabDatum panelGrid.
11. Add the grid using the left pad edge as a snap point.
    • Click the upper-left end point of the building pad.
    • Move the cursor down, and click below the lower-left corner of the pad.
12. Press Esc twice.
13. In the drawing area, click the grid line.
14. Click and drag the model ends of the grid line so that it overhangs the pad on both sides. (Exact placement of grid end points is not important.)
15. Click the box at the top end of the grid line to toggle on the visibility of the label.
16. Press Esc twice.
17. Using the same method, add 9 additional vertical grid lines.
    • Use the end points of the first grid line as the snap points.
    • The placement of the additional grid lines is not important. However, grid 6 should be near the end line of the shorter wing of the building.
    • Use snap points to place grid 10 at the end line of the longer wing. Then, adjust the end points as required to align with the other grids.
    
    
    18. Click Modify.
    19. Align grid line 6 with the end line of the shorter wing of the building.

    • Click Modify tabEdit panelAlign.
    • Click the right vertical line of the shorter wing.
    • Click grid line 6.

    20. Click Modify.

    
    

    Dimension the grid lines

    21. Click Annotate tabDimension panelAligned.
    22. Click grid lines 1 through 6 sequentially, and click above the grid lines to place the dimension string.
    23. Click EQ on the dimension string to specify equal spacing among the grid lines between the dimensioned points.
    24. Click Modify.
    26. Using the previous method, equalize the grids from 6 to 10.
    27. Click Modify.
    28. Select the left dimension string, and press Delete. Note: Dimensions can be used to establish constraints. If a dimension used to establish a constraint (in this
        case the EQ spacing) is subsequently deleted, you can choose to maintain the constraint or unconstrain the elements.
    29. In the warning dialog, click Unconstrain.
    30. Using the previous method, delete the right dimension string and remove the constraint on the grid lines.

    
    

    Place and dimension horizontal grid lines

    30. Click Home tabDatum panelGrid.
    31. Click the end point at the upper-right corner of the short wing.
    32. Draw a horizontal grid line to the left, click outside of the building, and press Esc.
    33. Adjust the overhang of the grid as desired.
    35. Use alphabetic grid labels for the horizontal grid lines:
        • Click grid label 11.
        • Type A.
        • Press Enter.
    36. Place 9 additional horizontal grid lines over the building.

        The grids automatically use the alphabetic sequence for labelling. Grid line C should align with the lower wall of the short wing and grid line H should align with the upper wall of the long wing.

    37. Using the techniques of dimensioning and the EQ control, space the grids as follows:
        • A-C are equalized on the short building wing.
        • C-H are equalized through the center section of the building.
        • H-J are equalized on the long wing of the building.
        
        
        End: Close the file with or without saving it.