Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Lesson Overview
Architectural and construction design must follow rules and
standards. The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
establishes the rules for architectural drafting, defining the
layers, colors, line types, and symbols to be used in
architectural drafting. Visit the AIA website at www.aia.org.
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an
organization for students interested in pursuing a career in
architecture. Visit the AIAS website at www.aias.org.
Many cities and counties have their own rules, based on the
AIA standards, to make it easier to check drawings that are
being submitted to their planning departments. The rules
dictate how drawing sheets should be numbered and what
symbols, line types, colors, and so forth, should be used.
Software:

Autodesk Revit 2015 or higher

Time:

3 to 4 hours

Level:

Beginner

Datasets:

Imperial included

Concepts Addressed
Describe drawing units and how they are measured in drawings
Describe drawing scale and dimension styles
Identify the different sheet sizes and how they should be named
Describe title blocks and the contents that are typically included in them
Explain why templates are used, and the settings that are preset within them
Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson you will be able to:

Select a project template

Set project units
Create dimensions and text
Create dimension and text styles
Duplicate and modify views
Work with sheets and viewports
Create a title block
Create labels
Create a project template

Exercise Index
Exercise 01

Select a Template

Page 9

Exercise 02

Set Units

Page 11

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Page |1

Exercise 03

Modify a Dimension Style

Page 12

Exercise 04

Create a New Sheet

Page 14

Exercise 05

Create a Title Block

Page 19

Exercise 06

Insert a Title Block

Page 27

Exercise 07

Create a Template

Page 30

Standards and Building Codes

About this lesson

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Page |2

Architectural and construction design must follow rules and standards. The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
establishes the rules for architectural drafting, defining the layers, colors, line types, and symbols to be used in
architectural drafting. Visit the AIA website at www.aia.org .
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an organization for students interested in pursuing a
career in architecture. Visit the AIAS website at www.aias.org .
Many cities and counties have their own rules, based on the AIA standards, to make it easier to check drawings
that are being submitted to their planning departments. The rules dictate how drawing sheets should be numbered
and what symbols, line types, colors, and so forth, should be used.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Describe drawing units and how they are measured in drawings

Describe drawing scale and dimension styles
Identify the different sheet sizes and how they should be named
Describe title blocks and the contents that are typically included in them
Explain why templates are used, and the settings that are preset within them

Key Terms
AIA
dimension
label
metric
portrait
scale
text
view

attribute
dual notation
landscape
permanent dimensions
ratio
sheet
title block

commercial
imperial
layout
plot
residential
temporary dimensions
units

Building Codes
The Uniform Building Code establishes the rules for building design. The rules are meant to ensure that buildings
are safe for people. Most states have their own building codes that take into consideration environmental and
social issues specific to that state.
The Uniform Building Code also defines what constitutes a bedroom, a bathroom, a common area (such as a
living room or family room), a garage, and so on. For example, in order for a room to be considered a bedroom, it
must have at least one door, one window, and one closet. If it lacks any of these components, it cannot be called
a bedroom. A garage must be completely enclosed, otherwise it is considered a carport.

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A good example of a Building Code rule applies to bedroom windows on an upper floor. Each bedroom or upper
floor room that is adjacent to the exterior must have at least one window large enough to accommodate a
firefighter with a backpack. If there is a fire, the firefighter must be able to get into the room easily to fight the fire
and save the people inside.
Drawing Units
Architectural drawing, like mechanical drawing, uses a system of units to define the size of a structure and its
components: walls, doors, windows, and so on.
A unit is a particular physical quantity, defined and adopted by convention, with which other particular quantities of
the same kind are compared to express their value.
The value of a physical quantity is the quantitative expression of a particular physical quantity as the product of a
number and a unit, the number being its numerical value. The numerical value of a particular physical quantity
depends on the unit in which it is expressed.

For example, the value of the height h of the Washington Monument is h = 169 m = 555 ft. Here h is the physical
quantity, its value is expressed in the unit meter, unit symbol m, is 169 m, and its numerical value when expressed
in meters is 169. The value of h expressed in the unit foot, unit symbol ft., is 555 ft., and its numerical value when
expressed in feet is 555.
In architectural drafting, units are applied to dimensions. There are two basic types of dimensions: size and
location. Size dimensions indicate the overall size of an object. Location dimensions deal with the actual
placement of an object or structure.
Many architects are beginning to draft using the metric system, also known as the International System of Units.
However, in the United States, the construction industry still uses the English, or imperial, system (inches and
feet) to order lumber, glass, and other materials.
Some architects deal with this by applying metric dimensions to those items they can control, such as room size
and wall height, while noting the width of studs (2 x 4) and so forth, using imperial units. Another method is to
apply dual notation. This means that every dimension is shown using metric units and imperial units. Many
architects in the United States continue to use only imperial units, as they find this the easiest way to
communicate with consultants and government agencies.

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Scale and Dimensions

Because buildings are large, the views must be scaled in order for the entire building to be plotted on a sheet of
paper.

Scales are ratios, one value representing another value. The format typically used for architectural scales is an
inch value equal to one foot, for example 1/8" = 1'-0". This is actually equal to 1:96 scale, because there are
ninety-six 1/8 inches in a foot (12 x 8).

This means that if you plot a drawing at 1/8" = 1'0", everything in your drawing gets scaled down ninety-six times
when it is plotted. If you were to get a ruler out and measure the objects on your drawing, every 1/8" would
represent 1'.
Revit accomplishes this automatically with a system of view scale, sheets, and viewports.
In Revit, dimension styles control the appearance of dimensions: font and text size, line weight and pattern, and
the size and shape of the tick marks that define the measuring point. Dimensions scale with other view contents
when viewports are placed on sheets for plotting.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

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Sheets
Sheets in technical drafting can be different sizes. Each size is designated by a letter. Most offices define a title
block for each sheet size used for their documentation.
Letter
A

Size (Inches)
8.5 X 11

11 X 17

17 X 22

22 X 34

An easy way to figure out what size sheet is designated by which letter is to start by knowing that a standard 8-1/2
(H) x 11 (W) sheet of paper is A.
Each letter size after this is W x 2*H of the previous size.
A B-size sheet of paper is 11 (W) x 8.5*2 (H) = 11(W) x 17 (H).
QUESTION: If your customer demands his documentation in D-size sheets, can you calculate the size of the
paper? E-size?
(See the end of this section for the answer)
The AIA has several recommended naming conventions for sheets, and most architectural offices use a modified
version of the AIA standard.
Project drawing sheets are grouped by a sheet-type prefix that identifies the discipline for each sheet:
SHEET TYPE
Prefixes
A

Discipline
Architectural

Structural

Mechanical/HVAC

Electrical

Plumbing

Fire Protection

Civil Engineering/Site

Landscape

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The prefix is followed by a number where the integer refers to the type of drawing, and a decimal refers to the
drawing order under the type.
The integers go from 0 to 9.
Integer
0

Drawing Type
Index, symbols, notes

Demolition, site plan, temporary

Schedules

Sections, exterior elevations

Floor plans

Interior elevations

Reflected ceiling plans

Stairs, elevators, escalators

Exterior details

Interior details

For example, a sheet for the first-floor floor plan would be numbered A4.01.
A sheet for an exterior elevation showing structural detail would be numbered S3.01.
A sheet in Revit simulates a sheet of paper and provides a predictable plotting setup. You create and position
views, and then add a title block or other symbols.
You create multiple sheets in a Revit project, each of which contains different plot scales and paper sizes.
ANSWER
If your customer demands his documentation in E-size sheets, can you calculate the size of the paper?
A D-size sheet of paper is 22 (W) x 34 (H).
An E-size sheet of paper is 34 (W) x 22*2 (H) = 34 (H) x 44 (W).
Title Blocks
A title block is like a title page to a report or a book cover. It identifies the drawing with a title or description, the
author of the drawing, the date drawn, and other relevant information.
The AIA has enacted certain standards as to the appearance of title blocks for architectural and construction
drawings. Typically, the title block is a single column on the right side of the paper. The paper is oriented
landscape, so that the height is less than the width. The column is divided into sections.
Usually, the name and address of the architectural firm are located at the top space, followed by information on
the building's owner. Remaining spaces are used for any consultants involved in the project; that is, the
electrician, the HVAC company, and so on. The next space is for tracking revisions.
The final sections are for the sheet title and number.

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Templates
A template is a master copy of a file used as a starting point to design new documents. A template may be as
simple as a blank document in the desired size and orientation, or as elaborate as a nearly complete design with
placeholder text, fonts, and graphics that need only a small amount of customization of text. Templates are usually
preset with drawing units, drawing scales, annotation plot sizes, and layer standards. Object styles and display
controls can also be preset in a template.
You can use the templates that are installed with Revit to begin a project, and then modify the settings in the
drawing and save it as a template that you use as a future starting point.
Each building project must comply with a specific standard. The standard will be dictated by the type of building
(residential or commercial) and the location of the project.
Because different projects and types of buildings require different documentation drawings, you can create
separate template files that have preset settings according to the corresponding projects.
Most architectural firms create a template for each standard they need to meet. For example, a firm may have a
template for San Francisco-Residential to use for any residential projects to be constructed Standards and
Building Codes n 99 in the City of San Francisco. The template will contain the required sheets/layouts, title
blocks, layer settings, required symbols, dimension and text styles, and so forth.

Settings
About This Lesson
In this lesson, you use templates that are preset with drawing units, views, dimension styles, and
sheets as your starting point in Revit.
Revit templates also contain preloaded sets of component families such as doors, windows, and walls.
These can be used to build your model.

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You can use one of the templates installed with Revit to begin a project. Revit comes with templates
using imperial or metric units.

Key Terms
dimension
imperial
menu
properties
template
view properties

elevation markers
label
object
sheet
title block

family
load
project browser
styles
view

Exercise: Select a Template

In this exercise, you create a new project file using a
template. You access templates that are included
with Revit.
In Revit, you use templates as starting points.
Templates are empty files that are preset with
drawing units and views that you use in a typical
project. Templates also contain basic sets of object
styles and display controls specific to working with
objects in Revit.
Use one of the templates installed with Revit and
you can get started on a project immediately.

The completed exercise

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Select a Template
1) Open Revit to an empty project file. On the
application menu, click New > Project.

5) Click Open. Click OK.

Revit opens a new project with preset views
for a standard two-story residential dwelling.
Sheets are already set up for documenting the
project.

2) In the New Project dialog box, click Browse.

3) Revit provides you with a set of templates

specific to different project types.

Architecture:
A commercial building is a building used for
a business, factory, or store.
A residential building is a single-family
dwelling.
Condominiums, apartments, and town
houses usually use commercial building
templates.
Structure:
For either commercial or residential projects
Building Systems:
For either commercial or residential projects
4) Select the Residential-Default.rte template file
from the Imperial Templates folder.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

You are now ready to start work on a new

project in an environment that has been
optimized for the particular type of project,
saving set up time.

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6) On the application menu, click Close to close

this project without saving.

In this exercise, you started a new project file using

a standard template.
Exercise: Set Units

2) In the Project Browser, expand Floor Plans

under Views.
Double-click Floor Plans > 00 Foundation to
open that view.

3) To place a wall in the view:

On the Architecture tab, Build panel, click
Wall.
Place the cursor over the left wall. Click to
start a new wall. Pull the cursor to the right.

With Revit templates, the drawing setup options are

preset. You can customize your template by
changing the drawing setup values. Revit has
templates for imperial (feet) and metric (millimeters)
measurement.
In this exercise, you open an existing file and set
the units to be applied to the model. This exercise
illustrates how you control the units in your drawing
model.

The Project Units dialog

Notice the blue temporary dimensions in

millimeters.
Press ESC to cancel the wall. The Wall tool
remains active.

4) Click Manage tab > Settings panel > Project

Units. (The keyboard shortcut is UN.)

Set Project Units

1) Open file:
ProjectStds_Exercise02.rvt
The file opens to a 3D view.

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Click Format for Length.

dimensions.
7) Press ESC to cancel the wall.
8) Close the file without saving.
In this exercise, you opened an existing file and
changed the unit settings.

Exercise: Modify a Dimension Style

5) For Format:
Set Units to Meters.
Set Rounding to 1 Decimal Place.
Set Unit symbol to m. (This means that
dimensions will display m next to the
numeral.)
Select Suppress Training 0's.

Click OK twice to save the setting change.

6) Place the cursor over the left wall, click to start

a new wall, and move the cursor right.

In Revit, there are two types of dimensions,

temporary and permanent. Temporary dimensions
display when you select, create, or insert
components. Permanent dimensions are created
explicitly by the user to capture design intent.

The completed exercise

Modify a Dimension Style to Create a New
Style
This exercise shows how to define different
permanent dimension styles based on the
appearance of the dimension text and lines. Each
dimension style automatically adjusts for different
view scales.
Because Revit is a parametric modeling software
application, dimensions not only display, but also
control the size and location of objects. Elements will
change location or size based on changes to the
dimensions.
1) Open file:
ProjectStds_Exercise03.rvt

Notice the change in the blue temporary

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

The file opens to view Floor Plan: Level 1.

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2) On the Annotate tab, Dimension panel, click

Aligned.

Study the dimension options that appear on

the Options Bar. By default, dimensions snap to
wall centerlines.

On the Properties palette, click Edit Type.

3) In the Type Properties dialog box, click

Duplicate.
4) For Name, enter Big Text. Click OK.

Click OK

6) The new dimension style is displayed in the

Type Selector.

5) In the Properties dialog box:

Set Line Weight to 2
Set Witness Line Extension to 3/16"
Set Centerline Symbol to Centerline
Set Centerline Pattern to Dash Dot
Set Text Size to 3/16"

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7) The Dimension tool is still active. Select the

top, left, and bottom horizontal walls.
Drag the dimension to the left of the view.
Click to place.

9) Close the file without saving.

In this exercise, you opened an existing file, created
a new dimension style, and then applied permanent
dimensions to walls.
Exercise: Create a New Sheet
In this exercise, you modify a view and place it on a
sheet in a project file.

Click Modify to end the command

8) Start the Aligned Dimension command again.

Use the Type Selector to make Linear the
current Linear Dimension Style. The Dimension
tool stays active.

The completed exercise

Duplicate and Modify a Plan View
1) Open file:
ProjectStds_Exercise04.rvt
The file opens to view Floor Plan: Level 1.
Notice the door and window tags. These are
annotations.
You need drawing sheets to hold both a Floor
Plan and a Furniture Plan of Level 1. In order
to do this, you create a copy of the view Floor
Plan: Level 1.

Select the far left, upper, and far right

vertical walls
Drag the dimension to the top of the view
Click to place the dimension

Note the differences between the two

dimension styles.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

2) In the Project Browser, place the cursor over

the view name Floor Plan: Level 1. Right-click.
3) Click Duplicate View > Duplicate.

Level 1 Copy 1 displays in the Project Browser

under Floor Plans, and the view window
displays the new plan. There are no annotations
visible.

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4) In the Project Browser, right-click Floor Plan:

Copy of Level 1. Click Rename.

8) In the View Visibility/Graphics dialog box, set the

Filter List to Architecture. For Model Categories
tab, turn off the visibility of the following
categories:
Mark 2: Casework
Mark 3: Furniture
Mark 4: Furniture Systems
Mark 5: Lighting Fixtures
Mark 6: Specialty Equipment (not shown)
To toggle visibility on or off, select or clear the
check box of the desired object category.

5) Rename the view Level 1 Furniture. Click OK.

6) In the Project Browser, select

Floor Plan: Level 1
Double-click to open it.
You turn off the visibility of all of the furniture
and electrical equipment within this view.
7) Click Properties palette > Visibility/Graphics >
Edit.

9) Click OK to update the display of this view.

You can also enter the keyboard shortcuts VG or

VV.

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Set Project Information

Editing the Project Information parameters enables
the project information to be automatically passed to
the title block on drawing sheets.

12) Edit the remaining Project Setting parameters

using the following information, or supply your
own values:

10) On the Manage tab, Settings panel, click Project

Information.

The Instance Properties dialog box displays with

Project Information fields.

Click OK

Add a Sheet
13) Click Sheets (all) in the Project Browser. Rightclick. Click New Sheet.

You can also click View tab > Sheet Composition

panel > Sheet.
14) In the Select Titleblocks dialog box, highlight
the title block displayed in the list.

11) In the Value column of Project Address, click

Edit.
Enter the address as shown.

(Title blocks are automatically embedded in the

sheet size selected. The next exercise teaches
you how to create a custom title block.)

Click OK.

You can also enter the address of your school.

Click OK

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15) The sheet appears in the Project Browser and in

the graphics window.

Click the + (plus sign) to expand the Sheets

tree view

Click Apply

Notice the change to the title block.

16) To edit the title block properties and to modify

the values in the title block fields:
Select the title block.
The Properties palette shows information
about the title block.
17) In the Identity Data and Other sections, change
the following values:
Sheet Name: Level 1 Plan
Sheet Number: A4.01
Checked By: Your instructor's name
Designed By: Your first initial and last name
Approved By: Your instructor's name
Drawn By: Your first initial and last name

The Scale is a read-only value. It is

automatically filled in when you place your
views.
18) Save your progress, save the file as:
ProjectStds_Exercise04_finished.rvt

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small compared to the size of the sheet.

Click to place the view onto the middle of your
sheet.

Add a View to the Sheet

19) Next, you add the view Floor Plan: Level 1 to
the sheet.
Click View tab > Sheet Composition panel >
View.

21) With the viewport still selected, click

Activate View from the Modify | Viewports tab.

22) Use the View Control Bar Scale control to set

the View Scale to 1:20.

You can also drag and drop the view from

the Project Browser onto the sheet.
Highlight Floor Plan: Level 1 from the view
list.
Select Add View to Sheet.

Right-click in the view. Select Deactivate View.

20) You see the view at the end of your cursor. It is

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23) The view updates on the sheet. Place the cursor

over the edge of the viewport and click to select
it. The cursor changes to a four-headed drag
arrow.
Drag the viewport to the center of the sheet.
Click away from the viewport to deselect it.
Finish the move.

24) The Scale updates in the title block.

Exercise: Create a Title Block

In this exercise, you start a new family file and
create a title block from scratch. This is one of the
longer exercises.

25) Save the file as:

ProjectStds_Exercise04_finished.rvt
In this exercise, you:
Opened an existing project file
Duplicated and edited a plan view
Added a sheet
Placed a view on the sheet
Changed the scale of the view on the sheet
Modified the values of the fields in the title
block using the Project Information and Element
Properties dialog boxes

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

The completed exercise

Draft a Title Block
1) Start Revit. It opens to the Recent
Files window. On the application menu, click
New > Titleblock.

P a g e | 19

sketching tool. On the Options Bar, enter an

Offset value of -1/2" (negative).

Tip: By setting the offset to a negative value,

the resulting rectangle will offset to the inside
of the sketched points.

2) Select A-11x8.5.rft. Click Open.

3) A copy of the 11 x 8.5 title block template

opens. The template consists of lines
representing the paper border (minus printer
margins).

Select the lower left corner of the sheet and the

upper right corner of the sheet to place a 1/2"
border on the sheet.

5) Next, you create a vertical line 2-1/2" from the

right border (3" from the right sheet edge).
With the Line command still active, select the
Pick (arrow) icon from the Options Bar. Set
Offset to 2 1/2".

4) On the Create tab, Detail panel, click Line.

Place the cursor over the right edge of the
border you sketched in the previous step. The
direction you move the cursor towards the
border line determines the offset placement.
On the Draw panel, click the Rectangle

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Once the green dashed line appears to the left,

select the line.

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This places a vertical line 2 1/2" to the left of

the right margin. You have divided the page
outline into two panels.

8) Sketch another horizontal line 1-1/2" above the

upper line as shown.

6) To draw the next lines:

In the Draw pane, click the Line option
On the Options Bar, clear the Chain option
On the Options Bar, set Offset to 0

Click Modify to end line command

9) Next, you thicken the line weight of two

horizontal lines.

Sketch a line 1/2" up from the bottom

margin of the right panel

Select the two lines as shown.

Hold down the CTRL key to select more
than one object at the same time.

7) Sketch another horizontal line 3" above the last

line as shown.

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Note: Line weights will display on screen when

Thin Lines mode is off.

11) Save your progress, save the file as:

ProjectStds_Exercise05_finished.rfa
Add a Company Logo
12) Now you can add an image file.
On the Insert tab, click Import panel > Image.

10) From the Modify Lines tab > Subcategory panel,

Subcategory pulldown menu, select Wide Lines.
13) Select the file Company_Logo.jpg.
This file can be found in the courseware
datasets folder.
Click Open to load the image into the project.
You can also use the logo for your school if you
wish.

If you zoom in close, you can see the line weight

change.

14) Click to place the image in the upper right

panel you made by drawing lines. Click away
from the image to finish positioning it.
Mark 1: Use blue grips to scale the image
Mark 2: Use blue dashed lines to drag image
into place

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Add Text to the Title Block

Next, you define new text styles to use in the title
block.

19) Click Duplicate. For Name, enter 1/4" Bold for

the new text type.

15) On the Text panel of the Create tab, click Text.

16) Click the Type Selector drop-down arrow. There

is only one text note type; it is called
Text Note 1.

17) Click Edit Type to open the Text Type for

modification.

18) Click Rename. Enter 1/4" as the name for the

existing text type. Click OK.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

20) Select Bold. Click Apply.

21) Click Duplicate again. For Name, enter 1/8".

Click OK.

22) Modify the Text Size parameter to 1/8". Clear

the Bold parameter. Click Apply.

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26) The Text placement tool is still active. Select

1/4" Bold from the Type Selector list as the text
style.
Drag a rectangular text box beneath the
company logo. Use the image below as a
reference.
23) Select Duplicate again. For Name, enter 1/16"
for the new text type. Click OK.

24) Modify the Text Size parameter to 1/16".

Click OK to close the Properties dialog box.
25) You now see all four text types listed.

27) Enter the name of your school.

You can use the blue grips to lengthen or

shorten the text field. Move grips to position it
in the space without exiting the Text tool. Text
will wrap inside the box.
28) Next, you add an additional text note using the
second new text style. From the Type Selector
list, select Text: 1/8". In the space below the
company logo and school name, drag a second
text note rectangle.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

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30) Select the bottom horizontal line of the right

pane. Click to place an offset line above it.
Place three offset lines in total.

Enter the address of your school. Press ENTER

to start a new line inside the text box.

31) Click Modify. On the Create tab, Text panel, click

Text.
32) Set the current text style in the Type Selector to
1/16".
33) Enter text into each section as shown. Once you
have placed one item of text, you can line up
the text using the snap line next to the cursor.
Once you have placed text, you can adjust its
position by selecting it and using the arrow keys
to nudge it left-right or up-down.
29) You sketch three new lines above the lower
horizontal line that you added earlier in the
exercise.
Click Modify
On the Create tab, Detail panel, click Line
From the Type Selector list, select Title
Blocks as the line type
On the Draw panel, click Pick
On the Options Bar, set Offset to 1/2"

34) Save your progress, save the file as:

ProjectStds_Exercise05_finished.rvt

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Add Labels
Revit labels look like text but are smarter. Labels
show information assigned in file properties,
object/entity properties, or by the user as a custom
property.

38) You need to specify the information fields for

the new label. In the Edit label dialog box:
Mark 1: From the Category Parameters list,
select Project Issue Date.
Mark 2: Click Add

35) On the Create tab, Text panel, click Label.

36) On the Format panel, click the icons for Right

and Bottom alignment as shown.

37) The first label you create is the Project Issue

Date. Place the cursor near the lower right
corner of the date field and click.

Under Sample Value, edit the sample value

as shown. You can also put today's date.

This value is simply a place holder. The

actual value will be assigned in a project.

Click OK

39) Use the blue dot grips to position the label

under the date.

You see that the text is too large for the field.
40) Click Modify. Select the label. On the Properties
palette, click Edit Type.

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43) Add a label for Checked By. Accept the Sample

Value.
44) Add a label for Sheet Number. Accept the
Sample Value.

Change the Text Size to 1/8".

Click OK.

The label now fits properly in the space.

Click Modify to end Label command

45) Change the alignment options to Center and

Bottom.
Add a label above the date for the Sheet Name.
Accept the Sample Value.

41) On the Create tab, click Label.

Revit will provide snap lines for alignment with
the previous label.

46) Right-click. Click Zoom to Fit.

42) To specify the label contents:
From the Category Parameters list, select
Drawn By
Click Add
Accept the Sample Value

47) Save the title block as A - Landscape.rfa.

In the lesson folder or in the folder specified by
your teacher.

Click OK

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48) On the application menu, click Close.

In this exercise, you created a title block using a

template file. You also created new text styles and
learned how to define and apply labels to a title
block.

2) On the View tab, click Sheet Composition panel

> Sheet to add a sheet to the project.

Exercise: Insert a Title Block

In this exercise, you create a new project file, and
then load a custom title block into your project. This
exercise illustrates how to load custom title blocks.
Revit comes with several standard title blocks for
your use.

A dialog box displays the current list of title

blocks. Notice that the title block you created in
the previous exercise is not in this list.
Click Load to add additional title blocks to the
list.

The completed exercise

Insert a Title Block
1) In the Recent Files window, click New to create
a new project using the default.rte template.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Browse to the Imperial Library/Titleblocks

folder or other location where you stored the
title block family you created in the previous
exercise.
3) Locate your title block.

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Click Open

4) Your title block is now displayed in the list.

8) Click APPLY. The parameters on the title block

will update as shown.

Highlight the title block and click OK.

5) The title block appears in the graphics window.

A new sheet has been added and is the current
view.

Modify the Title Block Within a Project

6) Select the title block.
7) On the Properties palette, edit the following
fields:
For Sheet Name, enter Student Project
For Drawn By, enter your name
For Checked By, enter your instructors
name

9) On the Manage tab, Settings panel, click Project

Information.

10) Change the Project Issue Date to today's date.

Click OK.
The Issue Date label on the title block is
updated.

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P a g e | 29

Click OK

11) Click Zoom to Fit.

12) Save file as:
ProjectStds_Exercise06_finished.rvt
In this exercise, you a created a new project file, and
then loaded a title block and modified the values in
the title block fields.

Exercise: Create a Template

Project templates are files that provide initial
conditions for a project. Any new project based on a
template inherits all families, settings, and geometry
from the template.
There are various settings you can define for your
template. In this exercise, you define the title block,
a dimension style, and the units for your custom
template.
Settings you can define for a custom template
include:
Colors: Define colors for line styles and families.
Title Blocks: Create a set of title blocks for your
project, and then load them like families.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Families: Load in families you use most often.

Line Style: Define line styles for components
and lines in a project.

Lineweights: Define lineweights for model and

annotation components.

Fill Patterns: Define fill patterns for materials. Fill

patterns are commonly used in walls.

Materials: Define materials for modeling

components, including how the rendered image
looks.

Units: Specify the unit of measurement for

length, angles, and slope angle.

Snaps: Set snapping increments for the model
views, such as 3D and plan views.

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Dimensions: Define the look and size of

dimensions for the project.

Temporary Dimensions: Set display and

placement of temporary dimensions.

Object Styles: Define the display of components

in various views.

Modifying Wall Types: Define custom wall types

for your project, in addition to predefined wall
types.

Click OK

3) Load the title block you created in the previous

exercise to make it part of this template file.
The completed exercise
Create a Template

On the Insert tab, click Load From Library panel

> Load Family.

In this exercise, you create a new project file, and

then implement some of the skills you have learned
in the previous exercises to set up a template.
This exercise shows how to define a template for
use in future projects.
1) On the application menu, click New > Project.

2) In the New Project dialog box, select Project

Template.

4) Select title block A - Landscape.rfa.

Click OPEN

There will be no visible change.

5) Set the units for the template. On the Manage
tab, click Settings panel > Project Units.
6) Click the Length field in the Format column.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

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7) Set Rounding to To the Nearest 1/4".

Click OK
8) Next, create a Dimension Style.
On the Annotate tab, click Dimension panel list
> Linear Dimension Types.

11) Change the following settings as shown:

You create a custom dimension style.

9) In the Type Properties dialog box, click
Duplicate.
10) For Name, enter 3/16" Verdana. Click OK.

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14) Select the A - Landscape title block you

preloaded in Step 4. Click OK.
15) Highlight the Sheet name in your Project
Browser. On the Properties palette, enter your
name in Drawn By and your teacher's name in
Checked By.

Click OK

12) Click Dimension panel > Aligned. The new

dimension style is displayed in the Type
Selector.

16) The title block updates.

13) In the Project Browser, select Sheets (All).

Right-click. Click New Sheet.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

Click OK

You have now set up your template with a

default sheet title block, as well as dimension

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style and units.

Check with your instructor to see if there are
any other changes to be made in your template.
17) Save your project template in your class project
folder.

Save the file name as A-English template.rte.

You can use this template for future projects.
In this exercise, you created a new template file
using a dimension style, title block, and units
that you defined.

Lesson Plan Project Standards and Setup

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