Revit Tip: Master Revit Modeling with Temporary Dimensions

Temporary dimensions are one of Revit’s fastest precision tools. They appear automatically when you select an element, providing immediate editable distances to nearby references such as walls, grids, levels, reference planes, or adjacent components. Used deliberately, they reduce unnecessary dimension placement and make everyday modeling significantly faster.

When an element is selected, Revit displays temporary dimensions in blue. Click a dimension value, enter a new number, and press Enter to reposition the selected element accurately. For example, select a door and edit its temporary dimension to place it exactly 4'-0" from a wall corner—without starting the Dimension command.

• Use them for quick placement adjustments. Temporary dimensions are ideal for moving doors, windows, furniture, columns, structural framing, and MEP equipment into a precise location during modeling.
• Check the reference points before editing. Revit may dimension to wall faces, wall centerlines, grid lines, or nearby element geometry depending on the current context and your settings. Confirm that the displayed witness lines reference the intended objects before entering a value.
• Change the reference when necessary. Click the small control near a temporary dimension witness line to cycle through available references. This is especially useful when placing a door relative to a finished wall face rather than the wall centerline.
• Use the drag controls for visual adjustments. Blue grips on the temporary dimension can be dragged to change the reference target or make a quick visual adjustment before entering an exact numerical value.
• Keep temporary dimensions temporary. They are excellent for authoring geometry but do not clutter views, sheets, or documentation. This makes them preferable to permanent dimensions for routine model coordination.

A practical example is placing a window in a repeated residential layout. Select the window, review the temporary dimensions to the nearest wall ends, and type the required offset. If the design calls for the window to remain centered between two references, use the temporary dimensions to establish the initial location, then apply an appropriate constraint or permanent dimension only if the relationship must remain controlled throughout design changes.

Temporary dimensions are also valuable when working with constrained layouts. Before locking an element, use its temporary dimensions to verify the intended distances and reference conditions. Locking a relationship too early can create warnings or reduce flexibility later. A better workflow is to position the element accurately, confirm surrounding geometry, and then apply constraints only where design intent truly requires them.

For consistent results across a project, review the temporary dimension settings in Manage > Additional Settings > Temporary Dimensions. These options help define preferred references for elements such as walls, openings, and component instances. Establishing office standards for these settings can make placement behavior more predictable for the entire team.

Remember that temporary dimensions support modeling efficiency, not documentation. If a distance must be communicated on a drawing, use a permanent dimension with the correct references, style, and annotation placement. For model creation, however, temporary dimensions offer a clean and rapid way to work.

For Revit software, training resources, and workflow tools that support better BIM production, visit NOVEDGE’s Revit collection. Building this small habit into daily work can save many clicks across every project.

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