A Quick Tutorial on Pen Weights and Revit by Skisouth

For Autocad users the change to Revits pen management technique can be understood
with a little information. First, under the File Pull Down, go to Settings (fig 1).

Figure 1

Look down the pull down until you get to Line Weights, then select Line Weights (fig 2).

Figure 2.

This is a chart of the pen weights by drawing scale. This is a very nice feature that Revit
has which allows you plot the drawing at various scales without worrying if the pen
weights will be to heavy or light according to the scale you have selected. This was
accomplished in Autocad by having multiple pen configurations for different plotters and
remembering to select the correct one for the correct scale in Autocad.

Note that there are two tabs at the top of the Line Weight pop up. One is for Model Line
Weights, the other for Annotation Line Weights. There is only the sixteen pen weight
choices for the Annotation. (Figure 3).

Back to the Model Line Weights. You can experiment with your pen weights for each
scale. The defaults are somewhat random, as I know of few people who would use a
wide line (as pen 16 is set on default). It matters not what pen is set to what width. The
widths can be random Ascending or Descending whatever you control the pen
usage under Object Styles. I use the following pen weights on my 1/8 and drawings.
The pen weights shown in Figure 2 are the ones I use. Note that if you change these pen
weights in your Template file these pen weights will go project to project. If you change
them in your project Thats where they stay (as they should) but you also cannot
transfer the pen weights using the File-> Transfer Project Standards command. So get
happy with your pen weights and change your template file.
On to Object Styles and Pen weights. Go to Settings, and to Object Styles (Figure 4)

Figure 4.

Select Object Styles and you get this pop up.

Figure 5.

Note on this pop up you have three tabs across the top Model, Annotation and Imported
Objects. Here you can set the number of the pen from the Line weight Chart to use (back
up to Figure 2). So if you want Casework to be pen one in elevation, you would put a 1
under the Line weight Projection box beside the listed Category of Casework. (As is
shown in Figure 5). The cut category applies to sections and plan views, WHEN an
object is CUT otherwise it is ELEVATED . So here when cut in section or plan, a
casework object will be drawn with pen 3. Note on this pop up you can also set the line
type dashed, hidden, center etc and the color that this object is displayed on the screen
(another way of mentally telling yourself what pen your drawing with This is an
Autocad user compromise (crutch) Try not to use it, but you might have to set
something up like that in a larger firm).

Looking at Figure 5 again, go to Doors Note the + sign beside the text. This
indicates that there are additional layers actually types of objects under this category.
When selected, this + changes to a - (allowing to expand or contract this category).
And additional layers or subcategory types are listed under this Category. This allows
you to select pen weights for different aspects of a base object, along with the ability to
turn these aspects either on or off in a view. Selecting Doors, the Category expands to
expose the additional Subcategories. Look at Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Here you can set the plan view pen weights of the six subcategories, all set to Pen 1,
however, if the door is cut (as in a plan view), the pen number (and then weight by
drawing (view) scale ) vary by subcategory. Again, note the addition areas of Line Color,
Line Pattern and Material that may be assigned here. These subcategories may be turned
off or on in any view. They are selected as any other view category. So in sections, if you
do not want the Elevation Swing on doors to show, simply go the the view properties of
the section, under the door category, find the elevation swing and uncheck the visibility
box. (Turn that layer off or on)

Note in the bottom left hand corner the box Modify Subcategories. Here as it says
you may Create New, Delete or Rename SUBcategories. So if we needed a layer for
Door hardware say, we would activate the Door Category by selecting it (see the
background turns blue (Figure 7)

Figure 7.

Then select Create New from the Modify Subcategories, and the software prompts us for
the name for the New subcategory (Figure 8).

Figure 8.

Type in Door Hardware and Hit OK. Now Revit has added the Subcategory of Door
hardware to the Door Category. Figure 9.
Figure 9.

You can now set the Pen Number for the Projection, Cut or the Line color etc for the
Subcategory you have just created. Along the bottom of the Pop Up, Select Apply and
then OK. Close the Object Styles box now, and go to the View properties of the Project
you are working on. Figure 10.

Select the Visibility Box, and the Visibility/Graphic Overrides Box pops up.(Figure 11.)
Figure 11.

Select the + beside the Doors Category to expand the Category. You should now see
the new subcategory you created. (Figure 12.)

Figure 12.