You can continue in your previous file or open the progress file (03_Medical Center_Grids_B.rvt) from the previous exercise. If you open the progress file, save it with a new name.
Move your mouse near the bubbles at the top of the grid and then roll the wheel up a little. This will zoom in on the bubbles. To re-center the view, hold the wheel down and drag, this is panning. Look at the numbers in the bubbles. Notice how they are numbered sequentially starting with the first one you placed. We want to add the grids in the other directions but have them lettered instead of numbered. To do this, add one grid, rename it and then continue.
As an alternative, you can use keyboard shortcuts. For the Grid tool, type the letters gr on your keyboard—type the letters only in sequence, do NOT press enter!
Figure 3–7 Create a single horizontal grid - renumber before continuing
Notice that the new grid is number 11. It is important that you renumber it before continuing (see Figure 3–7).
Figure 3–8 Edit the parameter of the new grid to rename it
Stay in the grid command and continue adding grids below Grid A. Start to the right below the end of Grid A and end to the left below the grid bubble. Notice Revit will align the endpoints as you click.
After clicking the end point, a small blue dimension will appear between Grid A and B. This is called a temporary dimension. Click right on the text of this dimension to edit its value to move Grid B.
Figure 3–9 Draw the next grid aligned to the endpoints of the first, then edit the temporary dimension to move it
If you need to adjust the length of grids after you create them, drag the endpoints. All aligned grids will stretch together.
Figure 3–10 Drag one gird and all aligned grids follow
All the grids move together. Usually this is beneficial. However, in some cases you may not want this. To prevent this behavior, unlock the end.
Notice that this time only Grid D is affected (see Figure 3–11). (see ).
Figure 3–11 Unlock a grid to drag it independently
Figure 3–12 Add remaining grids—Dimensions added in the figure for clarity
The main portion of the building (Grids A through H) is “L” shaped. On the right side between Grids 8 – 10 a small projection to the south occurs. These are Grids I and J. Using the unlock procedure, we can shorten Grids I and J in just that area.
Notice that I and J lock back together automatically when they align.
There are plenty of other adjustments that can be made. For example, you can hide and show the bubbles at either end with the small checkbox (see Figure 3–13).
Figure 3–13 Toggle the grid bubble on or off as desired
It is a common office standard in many firms to omit letters “I” and “O” from grid designations to avoid having them confused with “1” and “0” on drawings. If you want to rename Grid I, first rename Grid J to K, and then you can change I to J. You cannot have two grids with the same name (see Figure 3–14).
Figure 3–14 Completed grid layout
