Revit Tip: Discipline-Specific Revit Views with Rule-Based Filters

Today’s tip: build trade-focused views with Filters so each discipline sees only what they need—cleaner coordination, faster navigation, and fewer graphic overrides.

• Why it matters
  • Clarity: Strip away irrelevant categories to reduce visual noise.
  • Speed: Lean views load faster and print cleaner.
  • Control: Filters are rule-driven and repeatable via View Templates.

1. Plan your trade set
   • List the categories each trade must see (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, Architectural).
   • Decide whether you’ll rely on categories alone or also use parameters (recommended for finer control).
2. Add a simple visibility parameter (recommended)
   • Create a shared Yes/No parameter, e.g., “Show in Electrical,” “Show in Mechanical,” etc.
   • Apply it to key categories across trades (Walls, Ceilings, Generic Models, Mechanical Equipment, Lighting Fixtures, Ducts, Pipes, Conduits, etc.).
   • Set defaults in your family types and your project template so it scales across projects.
3. Create rule-based Filters
   • Manage > Filters > New.
   • Select the categories to include for the trade view.
   • Rule example: “Show in Electrical equals Yes.”
   • Optional: Add secondary rules (Phase, Design Option, Workset) to refine further.
4. Apply Filters to views via View Templates
   • V/G (Visibility/Graphics) > Filters tab > Add your trade filters.
   • Set non-trade elements to be Hidden via a complementary “Not in Electrical” filter, or override them with halftone + thin lines.
   • Save these settings in a View Template named clearly (e.g., “Discipline - Electrical Plan”).
5. Organize filter precedence
   • Place “Hide” filters above “Graphic override” filters to ensure suppression wins when needed.
   • Keep a compact set of filters; too many overlapping rules create maintenance overhead.

• Suggested category packs by trade (start point, adjust per project)
  • Architectural: Walls, Floors, Roofs, Ceilings, Doors, Windows, Stairs, Casework, Furniture, Generic Models.
  • Structural: Structural Framing, Structural Columns, Structural Foundations, Structural Connections, Floors (structural), Rebar.
  • Mechanical: Mechanical Equipment, Ducts, Duct Fittings, Duct Accessories, Air Terminals, Ceilings (as host context).
  • Plumbing/Fire Protection: Pipes, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Accessories, Plumbing Fixtures, Sprinklers.
  • Electrical: Lighting Fixtures, Lighting Devices, Electrical Equipment, Conduit, Cable Trays, Electrical Fixtures.

• Pro tips
  • Use Selection-based Filters for one-off coordination views when you can’t rely on parameters (2020+).
  • Color-code systems (e.g., duct supply/return) while keeping non-trade categories halftoned.
  • Bundle trade Filters inside discipline View Templates and lock them to prevent ad-hoc overrides.
  • Document filter logic in a drafting view; future teams will thank you.
  • Audit the model quarterly to retire unused filters and keep templates lean.

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