Can you create a Revit ʼDrafting Viewʼ that isnʼt connected to the 3D model?
Short Answer
Yes — in Autodesk Revit, you can create a drafting view that is not connected to the 3D model. The standard professional method is to use Drafting View from the View tab, then add 2D detail components, detail lines, and text. Limitation: Drafting Views do not update automatically from model changes.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: A Drafting View is fully 2D, so any dimensions, notes, or details placed there are disconnected from live model geometry. A common failure is assuming the view will reflect later model revisions when it will not.
How to Create a revit drafting View
Command: Drafting View
Shortcut: No default keyboard shortcut
Quick Steps:
- Go to the View tab on the Ribbon, then click Drafting View in the Create panel.
- In the New Drafting View dialog, enter a name and set the Scale option correctly for the detail you are creating.
- Click OK, then add 2D content using Detail Lines, Detail Components, Text, Filled Regions, and symbols from the Annotate tab.
Variables & Settings
Key Setting: Scale
Expert Setting: The Drafting view scale controls annotation size behavior, detail component appearance, and linework readability. If the scale is wrong at creation time, imported details and components may appear too large, too small, or inconsistent with sheet standards.
Why it Fails
- Cause 1 (Geometry): Users expect model elements to appear or update in the Drafting View, but Drafting Views cannot display live 3D model geometry.
- Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Imported CAD details may come in with unwanted line weights, hidden layers, or pinned content that is difficult to edit cleanly in Revit.
- Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The workflow fails when users choose a Drafting View instead of a Detail View, then later need references to actual model elements.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
- Quick Fix: If you need model-linked detailing, create a Detail View instead of a Drafting View; if you only need a reusable 2D standard detail, stay in Drafting View and use Detail Components.
- Manager’s Verdict: Use Drafting Views for standard details, legends-like 2D information, and reusable documentation that should stay independent from the model. Avoid them for anything that must track design revisions automatically.
FAQ
Can a Drafting View show model elements?
No, it only contains 2D drafted and annotation content.
Can you import CAD into a Drafting View?
Yes, importing or linking a DWG into a Drafting View is a common workflow for legacy details.
Should I use a Drafting View or Detail View?
Use Drafting View for standalone 2D details and Detail View for model-based detailing.
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