Create Sector Plans with Ideate ViewCreator for Revit

Ideate ViewCreator for Revit makes it easy to create new Revit plan views across all building levels based on either the use of scope boxes or crop boxes with the option of using dependent or non-dependent views.

Large building projects often need to be displayed in smaller pieces within the documentation. A simple example of this concept is shown in the image below where the building is split into an east and west sector. This allows each plan view to be placed separately on a sheet. These views are often referred to as sector plans. 

Create Sector Plans with Ideate ViewCreator for Revit

Create Sector Plans for Level 1 

Before you can begin to batch create Revit sector plan views, you will need to decide how to define your sectors. The choices are either to use scope boxes or crop boxes to define each sector, and also whether you prefer to use dependent views, or not. Hopefully your company has already identified a preferred method, because we do not have enough space here to cover the pros and cons of each!

Scope Box Method

If you are using scope boxes to define each of your sectors you should begin by using Ideate ViewCreator to create one plan view for each sector on the main level by following these steps:

  1. Create scope boxes. Refer to Revit help for instructions.
  2. OPTIONAL — name each scope box to match how you would like it to display in the view name “East Wing”, “A”, “Bldg 1”
  3. Launch Ideate ViewCreator from the Ideate Software menu.
  4. Select the Duplicate Views button.
  5. Select a floor plan for which you would like to create sector plans. While it is possible to make multiple plans at once, we recommend that you start by just selecting one at this stage (main level).
  6. If you prefer to use dependent views for your sector plans, be sure to select that option at the top of this dialog, then select Next.
  7. On the Preview dialog, select the default rule called “Level Type ScopeBox” as shown below.
  8. In the Property Overrides section, select one of your scope box names. The new view name should include the name of this scope box. 
  9. Select “Create Views”, then select “Create more” to repeat this process for each of the other scope boxes until you have a new view for that level with each scope box. 
  10. Close Ideate ViewCreator and review each view, then proceed to the next step: Duplicate Level 1 Plans to All Levels

Scope Box Method with Ideate ViewCreator for Revit

Crop Box Method

If you are using only the crop box to define each of your sectors, you should begin by using Ideate ViewCreator to create one plan view for each sector on the main level by following these steps:

  1. Launch Ideate ViewCreator from the Ideate Software menu.
  2. Select the Duplicate Views button, the pick the “Select Views” button.
  3. Select a floor plan for which you would like to create sector plans. While it is possible to make multiple plans at once, we recommend that you start by just selecting one at this stage.
  4. If you prefer to use dependent views for your sector plans, be sure to select that option at the top of this dialog, then select Next.
  5. On the Preview dialog, select the default rule called “My Default”.
  6. In the Property Overrides section, use the Prefix or Suffix options to edit the new view name as appropriate, such as “-East Wing”, etc.
  7. Select Create Views, then select “Create more” to repeat this process for each of the other sector plans needed for that same level. 
  8. Close Ideate ViewCreator.
  9. Review each of the new views, adjusting the crop boxes as needed, then proceed to the next step: Duplicate Level 1 Plans to All Levels

Duplicate Level 1 Plans to All Levels

Now that you’ve created and reviewed the sector plans for your main level,  you can use Ideate ViewCreator to easily batch create these same sector plans to as all other levels within the project. The newly created views will match the scope box or crop box as well as the grid layouts and view properties.

Duplicate to Levels — Independent views

If you are using dependent views, you should refer to the section below that has modified instructions for use with dependent views . For independent views, follow these instructions:

  1. Start Ideate ViewCreator.
  2. Select the “Copy to Levels” button, then pick the “Select Views” button.
  3. Select the newly created independent views. If you do not see them listed, review the Level setting at the top of the dialog, then select Next.
  4. Select each of the levels for which you would like to duplicate the selected sector plans, then select Next.
  5. On the Preview dialog, use the “LEVEL” rule to easily extend matching view names to your new views.
  6. Select Create Views, then Done to complete your work. 

Duplicate to Levels —dependent views

If you have overall level plans already created for all other levels, you can use the Apply Dependents method to copy the newly created dependent views to those existing plans. Learn more about Apply Dependents. If you do not yet have those overall plans created, you can create both the new overall plans and their related sector plans at the same time by following these instructions:

  1. Start Ideate ViewCreator.
  2. Select the “Copy to Levels” button, then pick the “Select Views” button.
  3. Select the main level plan. NOTE, you will not see your newly created dependent views on this dialog.
  4. Select Next. You should receive a prompt asking if you would like to also include the dependent views. Choose this option.
  5. Select each of the levels for which you would like to duplicate the selected sector plans, then select Next.
  6. On the Preview dialog, use the “LEVEL” rule to easily extend matching view names to your new views.
  7. Select Create Views, then Done to complete your work. 

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