Can you convert a ʼDetail Lineʼ into a ʼModel Lineʼ in Revit?

Short Answer

Yes — in Revit, you can convert a detail line into a model line using the most common professional method: Pick Lines while creating a Model Line on the correct work plane. This is the fastest practical workflow for recreating visible 2D detail geometry as model-based linework. Limitation: it is not a true one-click conversion tool.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Detail Lines are view-specific annotation elements, while Model Lines are 3D model elements tied to a work plane. If the active work plane is wrong, the new Model Line may appear misplaced, invisible in other views, or fail to match the original geometry.

How to Convert a Detail Line to a Model Line in Revit

• Command: Model Line

• Shortcut: ML

• Quick Steps:

  1. On the Ribbon > Architecture tab or Structure tab > Model Line, start the Model Line command.
  2. In the Draw panel, click Pick Lines, then set the correct Plane or Set Work Plane option before selecting the existing Detail Line.
  3. Click the Detail Line to recreate it as a Model Line, then delete the original Detail Line if no longer needed.

Variables & Settings

• Key Setting: Work Plane / Sketch Plane

• Expert Setting: The active work plane controls where the new Model Line is created in 3D space. If the sketch plane does not match the intended level, face, or reference plane, the converted line may not align correctly with model geometry or display as expected in other views.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The Detail Line was drawn in a view orientation that does not match the current work plane, so the new Model Line is created on the wrong plane.

• Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The target view, work plane, or host element may be constrained or controlled by view settings, making the recreated Model Line appear missing or incorrect.

• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Revit does not provide a native direct “convert Detail Line to Model Line” command, so the line must be recreated rather than automatically changed.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Use Set Work Plane first, then run Model Line > Pick Lines and select the Detail Line again.
• Manager’s Verdict: Use Model Lines only when the line must exist in 3D and appear across multiple views; otherwise keep Detail Lines for view-specific drafting to avoid unnecessary model clutter.

FAQ

Can Revit convert multiple Detail Lines to Model Lines at once?
No, Revit does not have a native batch convert tool for that workflow.

Will a Model Line appear in other views?
Yes, if view settings and the work plane orientation allow it.

Is there a direct Revit convert command for Detail Line to Model Line?
No, the standard method is to recreate it using Pick Lines.

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