In this lesson we will learn how to use the View Control bar to quickly change a view's display properties. We will also learn how to enable shadows and to specify the location of the light source. We will also learn how to set the location of the building to form an accurate solar study. Finally we will use the Graphics Display options to enhance the silhouettes of elements and add gradient backgrounds to 3D views.

Getting Started

Make sure you have the source files downloaded for this exercise. You can get them with the links above.

Create an Exterior View Using the Camera Tool

1. Open Revit file Lab06_E4_Adjusting the Appearance of Elements in a View.rvt.
2. Open the Site Plan plan view.
3. On the view tab click on the little arrow below the 3D View button and select the Camera tool.
4. Place a camera view about here:
5. Change the frame ratio to 16:9 like in the previous lesson by clicking on the Size Crop button on the ribbon and changing the width to 16" and the height to 9". Tip: If you double click down on the mouse button the view will be fit to the viewport.
6. Rename 3D View 1 to Exterior Perspective

Try out some of the Visual Styles.

1. Click on the Graphics Display button on the View Control Toolbar (at the bottom of the viewport):
2. Click through and observe every option available to you. Note that some of these options have shortcuts. See below:

• Wireframe: WF
• Hidden Line: HL
• Shaded: SD

3. Apply the Hidden Line style to this view.

Create a Realistic View

1. Duplicate the Exterior Perspective view and rename the duplicate to Perspective - Realistic
2. Apply the Realistic style to this view.

Create a Shaded View

1. Duplicate the Exterior Perspective view and rename the duplicate to Perspective with Shadows
2. Apply the Shaded style to this view.
3. Open the Graphics Display Options dialogue by either clicking on that option in the Graphics Display button (same button as display mode) or by typing GD.
4. Expand the Shadows and Lighting dropdowns.
5. Enable both Cast Shadows and Show Ambient Shadows.
6. Click on the <In-session, Lighting> button.
7. Select the Still Radio option.
8. Set the date to June 1, 2019
9. Set the Time to 10:00 AM
10. Click OK to accept the sun settings.
11. Expand the Background section of the Graphics Display Options. Select the Gradient background option. Make sure your color options match ours:
12. Click OK to accept all graphics display options.
13. See finished result below:

Save your file

Save your file as Spring2024_3262_firstinitial_lastname_LAB06_EX04.rvt

Cover Image Credits: easyrender.com