Using the Filter Selection Tool in Revit

Whenever you select multiple objects in Revit the Selection panel becomes available under the Modify Tab.

Here you’ll see the Filter tool that will open a dialog box listing the number of objects and their categories.

Using this tool makes it easier to select harder to pick objects such as the floor slab or if you want to pick a group of objects.

 There are some additional tools available alongside the Filter icon, Save, Load and Edit.

*These tools are also available under the Modify tab on the Selection panel.

The SaveSelection tool allows you to save the selected elements as a Groupwhich you can retrieve latter. When saving, you name the set for future reference. You can retrieve this selection again after you have invoked the filter tool again by once again selection multiple items, you can then select the Load icon to Retrieve Filter sets.

The Edittool allows you to edit the elements in your selection list.

After you have retrieved a selection set you can modify the saved selection by using the Edit Selectiontool under the Modify tab on the Selection panel.

Here the Edit Selection Set Ribbon tab will display a selection of tools allowing you to edit the selection set.

Add and Remove objects to the selection set.

Note: You cannot add categories to a selection-based filter.

To use a selection boxto select multiple elements, first select Multiple on the Options Bar.

Draw the selection box, then click Finish on the Options Bar.

You can also access your Filtersfrom the Graphics panel on the View tab.

Using Filters to change specific objects colour

We had a minor issue here working on a project with multidisciplinary linked Revit files.
In particular the MEP Model which showed the plumbing elements and floor drains in colour.

We wanted to "halftone" or make the floor drains grey without half toning the rest of the linked file categories (drains are a plumbing category same as W/C's and sinks etc...) using filters.

Here is what Dan came up with...

Here we are using Filters and specifying the Category which then gives up a category specific filter rule list!

Cool stuff!

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Using Filters to Show Fire Ratings

We have started to print in colour to clearly show the fire ratings on our plans. This is a great method to clearly show the fire ratings of the walls in both a plan view and  section.

Here is a step by step guide on how this is done.

1:         Firstly I have created a set of Yes/No parameters for each fire rating that we typically use. We can easily add more when required.

These are Instance Project Parameters that I named to correspond with the type of fire rating I need grouped under the heading Fire Protection.

The categories I assigned include Columns, Doors, Floors, Roofs, Shaft Openings, Structural Columns, Walls and Windows (you probably don't need windows).

2:         Now I have these parameters set up that are associated with the Categories I want I can now use the check box to assign the fire rating I need.

    

3:         So we have created the Parameters and assigned the rating to the assembly such as a floor, wall or column we now need to be able to graphically show this in a new View.

On the View tab under the Graphics panel you'll find the Filters icon. Create a new filter naming it the same as your parameter (this isn't for any other reason other than matching the parameter to the filter).

Set the Categories you want included in the filter, I typically use the same categories I used on the Parameters I set up.

  Under the Filter Rules drop down you can then select the corresponding parameter.

The filter type should then be equals and then select the default setting you want, yes or no.

Repeat for each fire rating parameter you have set up.

4:         now the Filters have been set up we can now assign then to a new View. Duplicate the view you want to show the ratings on (floor plan or section).

Under the Visibility Graphics (VG) dialog box go to the Filters tab. Add a new filter, this will open up a dialog box showing a list of the filters you just created. If you hold down the Shift key you can select more than one filter.

Make sure all the check box's under the Visibility category are checked (we want to be able to see them). now we want to change the Cut Pattern to a Solid fill pattern and select a colour that you can assign to that specific rating (one that reads clearly).

5:         When you set the Fire Protection parameter of the element it should now change to the corresponding colour clearly showing the rating in the specific view you created the filters for.

6:         I then created a Legend with coloured filled regions because you cant use filters on legend views :-( which I then place on the sheet with each Fire Rating view I created.

Colour is a fantastic way to show fire ratings, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation of line types, line weights and line patters that we use to use to show on our show fire rating plans.