1- ADJUST LINES THICKNESS ON THE “LINE WEIGHTS” MENU
Click on “Additional Settings” in the Manage tab. Select Line Weights. This is where you can assign a thickness value to each number. In the Model Line category, you can assign a different thickness for different scales. We will explore this custom scale feature later. For now, use 1:100 (1’ = 1/8’’) as the basic scale and set the thickness values you want to use.
2- THICKNESS VALUES ARE FOR PRINTED DOCUMENTS
When viewing a Revit model on a computer screen, the thickness of elements is dynamic. That means elements will appear thicker when you are zoomed in and thinner when you are zoomed out. That is the opposite of a printed document, where the thickness never changes.
That is why changing a view scale from 1:100 to 1:200 will make all elements appear much thicker on your screen, while in reality, the elements are twice as small on a sheet of paper.
To reduce the confusion of this effect, consult views when placed on a sheet. The title block will help to contextualize the scale and thickness of elements. To properly test out your settings, you will need to print the drawings using the correct scale. That means avoiding print screen or the “Fit to page” print settings. Make sure to use Zoom 100% when printing.
3- SET LINE WEIGHTS TO ELEMENTS IN OBJECT STYLE
Once you set all the line weight thickness values you want to use, go to the Object Style menu located in the manage tab.
You will have to set both a Projection and a Cut thickness value. Projection lines are seen from a distance. Cut lines are usually thicker and are used when an element intersects the cut plane of the view.
Let’s start with the Wall category. As you see, there are subcategories such as Cornice where you can assign a different thickness value. You can also use this menu to specify a line color and pattern.
In the image below, you can see a wall using the settings we’ve just applied in the Object Style menu. The 1 and 3 thickness numbers refer to the thickness values assigned in the Line Weights menu. In test #3, we’ve reduced the thickness value of line weight 3 in the 1:200 scale to 0.30mm instead of 0.35mm.
4- ADJUST LINES THICKNESS IN SPECIFIC VIEW BY USING VISIBILITY GRAPHICS MENU
Using the combo of Object Style and Line Weights will affect all elements in all views. If you want to modify the thickness of a category of elements in a specific view, you will have to use the Visibility Graphics menu. Use shortcut VG, scroll down to the wall's category, and click on the Override button for Cut Lines. This action will make all walls thicker in the view where this override isapplied.
5- ADJUST PERSPECTIVE LINE WEIGHTS
Since perspective views don’t use a scale, customize the thickness in the Line Weights menu. Make sure to place perspectives on sheets to gauge the thickness properly. For complete control of line thickness hierarchy in perspectives, consider using tools such as Silhouettes and Linework.
6- ADJUST ANNOTATION LINE WEIGHTS
To adjust the thickness of annotation elements like sections marks, dimensions, generic annotations and tags, you will have to use the Annotation Line Weights menu. As you see below, modifying these valuesdoesn’t affect model elements or detail lines.
7- ADJUST ANNOTATION ELEMENTS THICKNESS VALUES IN OBJECT STYLES
On the last tip, you've learned how to adjust the line weight of all annotation elements. You must also set a numerical value to each annotation element category in the Object Styles menu. Then, click on the Annotation Objects category. In the example below, we adjust the line weight of the generic annotation category, which affects our note bubble family.
8- CREATE SUBCATEGORIES IN A FAMILY FOR CUSTOM LINE WEIGHTS
What if the effect of the Object Style menu is too broad for you? Below, we modify a note bubble generic annotation family. First, we create a custom “Bubble Thick Line” in the object styles of the family and assign it to the masking region of the note bubble.
We also add a small tail to the bubble that uses the “Bubble Thin Line” subcategory. Then, we save and insert the family into the project.
Go back to the Object Style menu of the project. As you can see in the image below, the new custom “bubble” subcategories are added to the project. This way, you can adjust the line weight of the generic bubble annotation without affecting the line weight of the other generic annotation families.
Another quick tip: the leader line weight is controlled by the Generic Annotation category. Sadly, this cannot be reassigned.
9- MODIFY SYSTEM FAMILIES TYPE PROPERTIES TO ADJUST THICKNESS
You’ve just learned how to modify a loadable family and use the object style menu to control line weight properly. However, Revit also contains SystemFamilies, which cannot be edited in the family editor. Such families includelevels, grids, dimensions and many others. In the example below, we modify the type properties of a dimension. Both the Line Weight and the Tick Mark can be assigned to a specific line weight numerical value.
10- MATERIALS PATTERNS ARE ALWAYS LINE WEIGHT “1”
When setting the pattern in the material properties menu, you don’t have the option to pick a line weight. That’s because all the weights are set to 1 and cannot be changed.
There is an exception to this rule: a line weight can be assigned to a pattern used in a Fill Region.
11- CEILING PATTERN LINES ARE ALWAYS WEIGHT “2”
You can customize the line weights of almost all elements. The ceiling pattern lines are an exception. The weight of ceilings is always 2. That’s why ceiling patterns tend to be quite thick. There is no way to modify that thickness except by using the Line Weights menu.
12- ADJUST CAD IMPORT LINE WEIGHT
Most CAD files use a color system to assign a thickness. In the image below, you can see the typical color hierarchy. The problem is that by default, Revit will ignore the AutoCAD color system and set everything to the basic line weight 1.
To fix the issue, go to the Insert tab and click on the small arrow below “Manage Images”.
Below, you can see that the Line Weights in the default settings are all set to 1. Adjust the values to fit the DWG color number. When you re-import the DWG file, the line's thickness will match the Revit Line Weight settings.
13- ADJUST CAD LINE WEIGHT IN OBJECT STYLE
In some cases, you will work with a CAD file where a thickness is directly assigned to a layer instead of using the color code. When Revit import such a file, it will match the thickness of the CAD line to the closest value inside your Revit Line Weight setting. For example, a CAD line with a 0.30mm thickness will be assigned to Line Weight 3, which is 0.35mm.
It is always possible to customize the line weight of all imported CAD layers. Go to the Object Styles menu, then to the Imported Objects tab. As you see below, you can reconfigure the weight, color and pattern of all CAD layers. This action will affect all instances of the CAD file in the model.
14- MAKE THE THICKNESS THE SAME FOR ALL SCALES
Now that we’ve covered how line weight is used in Revit, time for some strategic advice. In tip 1, we covered how it is possible to use different weights for different scales. While it can be helpful in specific cases, you should use the same scale everywhere to simplify your template. This way, you know that the numerical value always refers to the same thickness. We also slightly beef up the thickness to get better lines hierarchy.
15- CREATE LINE NAMES THAT MATCH THE LINE WEIGHT NUMERICAL VALUE
By default, Revit has lines called Thin Lines, Medium Lines and Thick Lines. That’s vague. Instead, create line names using the numerical value set in the Line Weights menu (see image below).
To create a line, go to the Line Styles menu. It is located under AdditionalSettings in the manage tab. You can also add the real thickness value tothe line name, but only if you use the same thickness for all scales as recommended in the previous tip.
16- CREATE A LEGEND VIEW WITH ALL LINES
To ensure all users understand the lines contained in your template and the line weight used by elements, you should create a legend view containing all lines. Indicate both the numerical value and the actual thickness.
17- ADVANCED STRATEGY: KEEP LINE WEIGHTS 1 AND 2 EXCLUSIVELY FOR PATTERNS
Ok. Now we are getting deep. If you are a beginner/intermediate user, you might want to skip this tip.
There is a debate raging about how line weights should be used. In tip 10, we learned that line weight 1 is always used for patterns and that line weight 2 is always used for ceiling patterns. Many BIM managers recommend using line weights 1 and 2 exclusively for patterns and ceilings. That means 3 would be the lowest value for all other elements.
Implementing this strategy can be long and complicated. You will have to modify all your families and family templates to ensure users never use line weights 1 and 2. In the image below, you have an overview of how to use this system properly.
For most people, I would advise them not to use this system. If you are experienced and want more control over your line weights, go for it.
