Session Number 12Where in the world are my standards?

David Harrington

• Over 25 years in the professional drafting field• Worked at Walter P. Moore for 25 years• Began using AutoCAD in 1987 on version 2.6• Created custom font SHX styles and hatch patterns• Created the original AutoCAD REVCLOUD Bonus Tool• Written books on AutoCAD and Revit Structure as well as technical

editing for magazines, reference manuals, and video training• Past AUGI Board of Director and Current President• AUGIWorld Editor-in-Chief• Design Programs used include AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture,

3ds Max Design, Revit Structure and Tekla Structures

About the speaker

Why are you here?

• I am still using AutoCAD but thinking of switching.

• I made the switch to RST but have not customized.

• I have customized RST but open to other styles.

• I know others who produce ugly Revit drawings.

• I had nothing better to do at Stone Mountain.

• I heard you are funny…but not Lynn Allen funny.

What is a Standard as it applies to this class?• A standard is the paint and

brushes.• A standard can be applied to any

project.• It is not project specific symbols,

those must change as needed.• It is not the arrangement of

components onto a sheet.

Standards are hard

• Researching industry practice• Fleshing out ideas and concepts• Getting management agreement• Achieving global adoption• Correcting standards manual

documentation• Policing the users and models

Standards are important

• Best way to equalize techniques.• Spend more time modeling, not

fixing.• Presents a singular firm style.• But they are very subjective.

Need to know where you are coming from.

• AutoCAD Standards Containers– *.LIN – Line types (dash, dot, spaces)– *.PAT – Hatch patterns– *.CTB – Color Plot Styles (each color = X line

weight)– *.STB – Names Plot Style (layers/objects = X line

weight)– *.SHX – Series of pen up/down instructions for

characters

• This is where you look in order to match.

How does Revit manage Standards?

• Line Types (Patterns) = in the model

• Hatch Patterns = in the model• Line Weights = in the model• SHX = not compatible!• TTF = c:\Windows\Fonts

Starting to develop your standards

• Start with a out of the box template.

• You don’t want to mix with previous standards work.

• You don’t want a totally blank template…most probably.

• Save it with an appropriate name.

Revit Out of the Box Pen Sizes

imperial metric0.003”

(0.0762mm)0.005”

(0.1270mm)0.008”

(0.2032mm)0.012”

(0.3048mm)0.018”

(0.4572mm)0.025”

(0.635mm)0.035”

(0.889mm)0.05”

(1.27mm)0.075”

(1.905mm)0.1”

(2.54mm)0.135”

(3.429mm)0.175”

(4.445mm)0.225”

(5.715mm)0.3”

(7.62mm)0.4”

(10.16mm)0.5”

(12.7mm)

Line Weights

• Revit offers 16 pen slots.• Split for model / perspective / annotation.• Go to Settings > Line Weights.• By default Revit pens range from 0.003” to

0.5” and have 6 different scales.• My advice? Dump it all.• Autodesk makes the software.• You should control your standard.

So, what pen sizes should I use?

Pen Slots and Sizes

• Delete all pen scale controls except 1:100• Assign pen 1 & 16 to 0.0254mm• Assign other pens as follows:

2=0.13mm, 3=0.18mm, 4=0.25mm, 5=0.30mm, 6=0.35mm, 7=0.45mm, 8=0.50mm, 9=0.60mm, 10=0.70mm, 11=0.80mm, 12=1.00mm, 13=1.20mm, 14=1.40mm, 15=2.00mm.

A Word About Pens

• Revit is WYSIWYG (AutoCAD is not)• Many defaults are pen 1 and none are pen

16 – and both plot very thin now.• Use this to your advantage to help discover

relationships• If needed add a smaller scale 1:100 (like

1:200)• Then assign half-size pens for 1:200 for pens

2 to 15 Leave 1 & 16 as is.

Line Patterns

• For starters, ACAD and Revit don’t match.• So either customize to match, or take the

opportunity to correct.• Examine old hand drawings for patterns.• Measure the look of the patterns.• Recreate those patterns in Revit.• Assign them later as required.

Creating Line Patterns

• Settings > Line Patterns…• Create #Grid Line• 1 11/16” dash, 1/16” space, dash, space• Create #Framing Hidden• 3/32” dash, 1/16” space• Create #To Be Assigned• 1” dash, 1/8” space

Object Styles - Prepare

• Primary area for control of pen weight, object color, and line & hatch patterns.

• My approach – change everything!• Change all pens to 16.• Change all colors to pink.• Change all line patterns to

#To Be Assigned.

Objects Style – Now Correct Them!

• Then implicitly correct to follow standards.

• Change one object class at a time.• Review as you go along.• Notice when changes are not

apparent!• Change primary structural

elements.

Symbols and Text

• Generally Family or Simple Font Based• Grids• Sections & Callouts• Level Heads• Elevations• Spot Elevations• Bracing• Connections.

Consider Your Look and Feel Approach

• Once you have assigned your line weights and patterns you can begin to consider what direction you want your look and feel to go.

• Do you go easy or is your style very important? Arial or not?

• Besides font, what about historical industry practice?

• Are you more architect or more engineer?• Once you decide, you simply do it.

The End (and the beginning for you)

• Please do the Class Evaluation.• Enjoy the rest of the conference.• Thank you!

Questions?

David Harrington