Architectural Ceiling Plan Hidden Categories in Revit

A while back, someone asked me why some model elements remained visible when they turned off ALL Model categories in Visibility Graphics.

The list of categories that show on the Visibility/Graphic dialog box varies depending on the Discipline filters applied to the dialog box. If you are preparing a set of architectural reflected ceiling plans, you may want to show lights, sprinklers, security etc. However, not all relevant categories are shown if you only have ‘architecture’ ticked.

Watch out for hidden categories in this situation. Each user may have different discipline filters applied on their computer (it is per user in Revit, not per view).

This means that some MEP categories may not be shown in the Visibility/Graphic list – therefore the user will not be able to show/hide or override those categories.

If the user has only the Architecture discipline showing, then clicks on ‘All’, it does not include the hidden MEP categories, including:

• Data devices
• Fire Alarm devices
• Nurse Call Devices
• Security Devices
• Sprinklers
• Telephone Devices

I have encountered situations where frustrated users have turned off all categories, and wondered why the sprinklers remain on.  For this reason I recommend that architects should consider using only  the following categories for Ceiling and Electrical fixtures in their libraries - for architectural Revit models:

• Electrical fixtures
• Lighting Fixtures
• Mechanical Equipment
• Specialty Equipment 

Architecture Discipline Only

However, for multi-disciplinary Revit models you probably need to stick with the correct categories - obviously MEP engineers should use the correct categories for their models, because they have specific behaviour that is important to them.  In the case of separate, linked MEP models, the services engineers may be modelling their own fixtures, and using the architectral model just for coordinating ceiling fixture locations.

All Disciplines

For architects working in multi-disciplinary models, where you do need to use the correct categories for all fixtures, then you need to educate your staff about changing the filter list to show all relevant disciplines. 

What a pity that we don't have all the categories that we need - Signage for example (amongst many others missing).  However we do have at least one redundant category: Roads - we'd like to be able to use it but we have no tools to model roads with.