Revit Tip: Revit 3D Annotation Best Practices for Clear Coordination

Use 3D annotation to make coordination issues unmistakable, fast to resolve, and easy to communicate with the broader team.

Set up a reliable 3D-annotated workflow:

• Start from a clean duplicated 3D view. Rename with a clear convention (e.g., “3D_Coord_L2_Core_Elec”).
• Apply a dedicated view template for 3D coordination. Control:
  • Detail level: Fine (when reviewing small clearances) or Medium for performance.
  • Visual style: Hidden Line or Consistent Colors; disable shadows for speed.
  • Categories/filters tuned to your discipline and intent.
• Enable a Section Box and tightly crop to the area of concern for maximum clarity.
• Prefer orthographic 3D for robust annotation. Perspective views are great for presentation but can limit certain annotations depending on version.

Place and manage 3D annotations effectively:

• Use supported tags in 3D views (e.g., multi-category tags, material tags, keynotes where available). Keep tag families lightweight and legible.
• Standardize which parameters tags read (Type Mark, Mark, System Abbreviation, Fire Rating, Model/Manufacturer). Shared parameters ensure consistency across categories.
• Keep tag Orientation set for readability on sheets (e.g., Horizontal on Sheet) and add leaders only when they reduce ambiguity.
• Use “Tag All Not Tagged” when appropriate, then prune aggressively to avoid clutter.
• Pin critical tags after placement to prevent drift as the model updates.
• Leverage spot annotations (e.g., spot elevations on critical faces) where supported to clarify slopes, heights, and tolerances.

Make context explicit:

• Show only the systems needed for the discussion (e.g., ducts vs. framing) via view filters. Color by parameter to highlight responsibility or status.
• Expose reference datums as needed (levels, and where supported, grids in 3D) to tie notes to building coordinates.
• Name views and sheet placements so field teams can find them quickly.

Reduce rework and improve performance:

• Lock the 3D view orientation once annotated to avoid accidental orbiting that misaligns tags.
• Keep annotation density low—prioritize the few tags that answer the coordination question at hand.
• Avoid heavy transparency and shadows during coordination; re-enable for presentations later.
• Bundle common settings into a reusable 3D Coordination View Template and share it in your company template.

Coordination and deliverables:

• Place annotated 3D views on sheets for issue summaries. Pair them with a concise key or keynote legend.
• When exporting models to clash tools, remember view annotations typically don’t travel with the model—use saved viewpoints or issue management in those platforms.
• For cloud-based workflows, align 3D annotated views with your issue-tracking process so each issue has a stable, referenced viewpoint.

Pro tip: build one multi-category tag family that reads your standard “Mark/System/Comments” shared parameters and use it across disciplines—fewer families, fewer mistakes.

Need the latest Revit, plug-ins, or expert guidance? Explore NOVEDGE for licensing, training, and add-ons that elevate your 3D coordination workflows: NOVEDGE, NOVEDGE Autodesk solutions, and NOVEDGE.com.

You can find all the Revit products on the NOVEDGE web site at this page.