Revit’s guide grids are a useful feature for aligning views and elements within your project. However, there are times when you need to turn them off for a cleaner workspace or to avoid accidental snapping. This guide will walk you through the process of disabling guide grids in Revit, providing a clear and concise explanation.
Understanding Guide Grids in Revit
Guide grids are non-printing reference lines that help you position elements precisely in your Revit project. They are particularly useful when arranging views on sheets or aligning elements within a view. These grids can be customized to suit your specific needs, offering flexibility in design and layout.
Methods to Turn Off Guide Grids
There are a couple of ways to turn off guide grids in Revit, depending on whether you want to hide them temporarily or remove them altogether.
1. Hiding Guide Grids Temporarily Using Visibility/Graphics Overrides
This method allows you to temporarily hide the guide grids without deleting them. This is useful if you want to bring them back later.
- Access Visibility/Graphics Overrides: In the View tab, click Visibility/Graphics, or simply type “VG” or “VV”.
- Navigate to Annotation Categories: In the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog, go to the Annotation Categories tab.
- Uncheck Guide Grids: Find “Guide Grids” in the list and uncheck the box next to it.
- Apply Changes: Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
The guide grids will now be hidden in the current view. To make them visible again, simply repeat the process and check the “Guide Grids” box.
2. Deleting Guide Grids
If you no longer need the guide grids, you can delete them.
- Select the Guide Grid: In the view where the guide grid is visible, select the guide grid.
- Delete the Guide Grid: Press the “Delete” key or click the “Delete” button in the Modify panel.
The guide grid will now be permanently removed from the project.
Best Practices for Using Guide Grids
While guide grids can be helpful, it’s essential to use them judiciously. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
- Use Title Block Grids: Consider using lines within your title block family as an alternative to guide grids. This can provide more control and flexibility. You can give these lines instance and type (global) visibility controls.
- Snap to Unactivated Viewports: Remember that you can pick references through unactivated viewports, which can be a significant improvement for alignment.
- Avoid Overwhelming Grids: Avoid adding too many grid divisions, as this can make the workspace cluttered and confusing.
Conclusion
Turning off guide grids in Revit is a straightforward process that can be accomplished through visibility/graphics overrides or by deleting them altogether. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage guide grids in your Revit projects and maintain a clean and efficient workflow. Remember to use guide grids strategically and consider alternative methods, such as title block grids, for enhanced control and flexibility.