Essential Revit Terminology and Definitions

Revit File Extensions

• RFA: Family file
• RFT: Family template
• RTE: Project template
• RVT: Project file

Navigation and Interface

Rewind

A function of the Steering Wheel that allows the user to visually review previous zooms and pans.

Ribbon

The ribbon consists of a series of tabs, tools, and panels. Tools utilize three types of buttons: Buttons, Drop-down buttons, and Split buttons.

• Buttons: Examples include the Door and Window tools in the Architectural ribbon.
• Drop-down buttons: Identified by a small triangle, such as the Model Group tool under the Model panel.
• Split buttons: Feature a small triangle on one part to behave like a drop-down button, while the other portion functions as a regular button. Examples include the Wall, Roof, and Floor tools.

Steering Wheel

An alternative to wheel mouse navigation, providing commands such as dynamic zoom and pan.

Status Bar

A gray bar along the bottom of the Revit screen that provides a constant readout of information relevant to project actions and procedures.

Tooltip

Displays the name of a tool, shortcuts, descriptions, and an image when you pause the mouse over an icon.

View Control Bar

Located at the bottom edge of the view window, adjacent to the horizontal scroll bar. It displays and modifies settings such as drawing scale, detail level, and model graphic style.

Buttons include: Scale, detail level, visual style, sun path, shadows, crop view, show crop region, temporary hide/isolate, reveal hidden elements, and analytical model visibility.

View Window

The primary workspace where your drawing and design are staged.

Project Elements and Views

Sheet View

A view of a chosen paper size on which you drag and drop floor plans, elevations, sections, and schedules within a title block border. A sheet may contain one or several views at different scales.

System Families

Predefined in Revit; any types associated with them must be part of the original template. For example, if you wish to use a Stair or Wall type not in the original template, you must either duplicate an existing type or import a type from another project.

Tag(s)

Provide the means of easily and uniquely locating and identifying elements in the project.

Type

A specific saved and named variation within a Family and its parameters.

Type Properties

Editing the Type Property will alter every item of that type in the entire model.

View Elements

Enable you to display, study, and edit the model in ways that represent traditional architectural drawing types.

View Range

A parameter of a plan view that opens a dialog box to edit the depth of a view.

Walkthrough

An animated camera view created from the floor plan view.