Learn how to efficiently set up a project in Revit, from opening up a template file to creating a series of sheets for the project. Discover different methods to create sheets and how to properly name and organize them for a smooth workflow.
Key Insights
- The article offers a step-by-step guide to setting up a Revit project, starting by opening a template file from a project-specific folder, naming it accordingly, and then creating the necessary sheets.
- Two methods are introduced to create sheets: directly from the view tab or by using placeholder sheets via the sheet index. The latter is beneficial as it allows for sheets to be planned out and named in advance without creating them immediately.
- The creation of a sheet index is also detailed, allowing users to track important details such as sheet number, name, and revision. It's recommended to save your work frequently to avoid redoing any steps.
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Now that we're ready to start our project, what I would like to do is open the start file that we created for you as part of the dataset, and then we will complete the next two steps that I always do when starting a project. I will go to Open and navigate to my BIM 301 folder. I have created a shortcut for myself, so I will navigate there. When you reach the point where you are viewing the dataset we provided, you can go to Tools and then add the current folder to Places. Mine is already there, so it is grayed out, but when you do this, it will display an icon here so you can easily return to it later.
Once I have that set up, I can click on the BIM 301 start file and click Open. Now that the file is open, I can save it with an appropriate file name. I have essentially opened a template file. In this case, it was a Revit project file, but we can use it similarly to how we would use a template.
So I can go to File > Save As > Project, and I want to save it in that same folder that we are using. Instead of using "start, " I will include my first and last name, just like you see here. That will be the file we will use for the remainder of the class. Now that I have the file ready, the next thing I want to do is create multiple sheets that I will use for this project. We will be creating many sheets during this project, and they will be filled out as we progress. If I create a few sheets, this is referred to as creating a cartoon set, and we can do this in a couple of different ways.
The first way is by simply creating sheets from the View tab, selecting Sheet, choosing the title block we want to use, and clicking OK. This creates the first sheet. Next, I will rename it. This will be my Title Sheet, and it will be,000. I will name it "Title Sheet." Another method we can use is creating placeholder sheets. To do this, we need to have our sheet index created, which is simple because it is just a schedule that we can generate.
To create the sheet index, we will go to Schedules and look for something called Sheet List. From here, we can choose the items we want to include in our sheet index. Some common items are Sheet Number (which I usually list first), Sheet Name, and Revision. Remember, this is in top-down order. You may notice that I selected the name first by accident, but that’s okay—we can adjust the order with the arrow buttons. I can move "Number" up to the top, followed by "Name, " and I would also like to include "Current Revision" and "Revision Description" so we can track when sheets were issued, whether for the midterm or final. Then I click OK. Now you will see our Title Sheet. Since no sheets have been issued with a revision, those fields appear blank.
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If we want to add sheets as placeholder sheets, we can insert data rows. This is a good method to reserve sheet numbers without creating the actual sheets. When you insert a data row, it will appear in the schedule. For example, my next sheet will be the First Floor Demolition Plan. When I create that sheet, we go from,000 to A001. Because some titles are long, I will expand the column width slightly. I will continue by creating additional data rows: A002, A003, and then rename A204 to A301, which will be the First Floor Plan for A301. Then I will add A202 and A203 to represent the Second Floor and Roof Plan.
We will rename these sheets later, but it's easy to create many of them right away without overthinking. The next one will be A204, which we will rename to A301. Then I will add A401 for Building Sections, A501 for Reflected Ceiling Plans, and A901 for Renderings. You’ll notice no sheets are actually being created—only the schedule is being populated. We will have the option to create those sheets later. Once A901 is added, we’ll go back and assign appropriate names: Second Floor Demolition Plan, Roof Demolition Plan, First Floor Plan, Second Floor Plan, Roof Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Building Elevations, Building Sections, and the sheet for Renderings.
Double-check that all entries are correct to avoid typos—because that can happen sometimes. Everything looks good. Now we can begin modeling our building in the next video. Before doing that, remember that each time you complete a task you do not want to repeat, be sure to save your file.
Saving frequently is a good habit, especially in a program like Revit, where some operations can be time-consuming to redo if changes are lost. Anytime you complete a step—such as creating sheets, setting up views, or modifying the model—be sure to click the Save icon or use the keyboard shortcut, CTRL + S. This ensures that your progress is preserved and gives you peace of mind moving forward.
In our next session, we will begin setting up the model by inserting the CAD file and aligning it properly within our Revit workspace. This will serve as the foundation for all the geometry we’ll be creating throughout the course. Make sure your sheets are named appropriately and saved in your project file before continuing.
Once that’s done, we’ll start by importing the existing floor plan from the CAD file and placing it on the correct level in our Revit model. This step is essential to ensure everything lines up accurately with the information provided in the dataset. Stay organized and remember to refer back to your placeholder sheets and schedule to maintain consistency across your documentation set.
We’re setting the groundwork for a well-documented BIM project, so taking the time to organize your files, sheets, and views now will make the rest of the course much more manageable. Continue to follow along as we transition into the modeling phase of the project, beginning with base-level elements like walls, doors, and windows based on the as-built plan.
