How to Invoke the Wizard of Ideate XRay!

Revit allows a dizzying array of sophisticated options to display or hide elements within the building information model. Every model manager knows about Visibility Graphics and Reveal Hidden Elements, but layer on top of that Phasing, View Filters, Linked Files and/or Scope Boxes and things start to get complicated.


Now add in the fact that you have new staff that might just ignore work set definitions or decide to make a new level because they can’t find the one they want in the elevation, and you’re headed for a Revit Visibility Evil Spell that can baffle the most seasoned Revit warrior on their quest for the perfect documentation! Before you even begin to understand the specific visibility issue, how do you select the element if you can’t see it?

ideate xray

You need a magical wizard. Well, it just so happens that Ideate XRay, part of the IdeateApps collection, has a powerful wizard to help even the most desperate Revit Muggle.

ideate xray

Ideate XRay comes with a powerful Selection Wizard that helps you filter both visible and invisible elements within a view in order to easily select the element you need to diagnose. After selecting the element via the Ideate XRay Selection Wizard, you can use the powerful diagnostic tools within Ideate XRay to review and fix visibility issues while continuing to interact with any Revit command while Ideate XRay is open and at your fingertips.

ideate xray

The Ideate XRay Selection Wizard will appear by default if nothing is selected within Revit when you choose to initiate Ideate XRay, however you can always access the Ideate XRay Selection Wizard from the main Ideate XRay dialog:


  • Open Ideate XRay from the IdeateApps ribbon panel
  • Choose your Ideate XRay Selection Wizard method
  • Select the element you are looking for, depending on the method
  • Make sure the target view is set to the view in which you wish to find the element
  • Choose the Find Element button on the main dialog
  • Review the information from Ideate XRay
  • Choose Show Me, Fix, or More Options as possible selections
  • Using Revit, initiate the proper commands to fix the visibility issue


Please read our online Help topic about the Ideate XRay Selection Wizard, and you also review the full online Help topics on using Ideate XRay for Revit.


To learn more about this process and to see quick examples of all four selection methods within the Ideate XRay Selection Wizard, be sure to watch this short video

For a more in-depth recent presentation on Ideate XRay and all the features, please watch this recording.

Explore recent posts

BladeRoom Cuts Revit Workflow Time by 70% with Ideate Software and Graitec Group
August 27, 2026
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL - ARTICLE | BladeRoom Group, a leader in modular data center construction, was struggling to manage the complexity of large-scale, data-heavy Revit projects without growing their team.
Smarter Control of Complex Revit Engineering Models | Webinar, April 2026
August 25, 2026
TRAINING - VIDEO | In this recorded webinar, see how MEP and structural engineers, BIM managers, and Revit power users can take control of complex models without adding more manual work to their day, using Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, IdeateApps, Ideate StyleManager, and Ideate Sticky.
What's New in Ideate Software, June 2026 Webinar
August 6, 2026
VIDEO - TRAINING | Watch this webinar to see how Ideate ExportHub, the newest addition to the IdeateApps suite, simplifies Revit export workflows. Learn how to centralize exports, automate batch and scheduled exports, apply intelligent naming rules, and create dynamic sheet and view sets for client deliverables.
Master Complex Revit Export Automation With Ideate ExportHub
July 9, 2026
TRAINING - VIDEO | Master even the most complex Revit export workflows with Ideate ExportHub, part of IdeateApps, and Ideate Automation.
Show More