Top 42+ Revit Tips, Tricks & Productivity Hacks Every User Should Know (Beginner to Pro)
Welcome, Revit beginners, experts, architects, MEP engineers, and BIM enthusiasts! Whether you’re just starting your Revit journey or you’re a seasoned user looking to streamline your workflow, this blog is packed with essential Revit tips, tricks, and hidden hacks to help you work smarter not harder.
Feel free to share your own Revit tips and tricks in the comments below. We may feature the best ones in future posts!
Boost Your Productivity with These Revit Shortcuts & Tricks
1. Stay Updated
Keep Revit updated with the latest service packs and hotfixes to avoid bugs and improve performance.
2. Keyboard Movement Shortcuts
1. Move objects slightly: Use arrow keys
2. Move objects more: SHIFT + Arrow keys
3. Clean Print Layouts
In the print dialog, check “Hide unreferenced view tags” to keep print sheets tidy.
4. Organize with Named Reference Planes
Name your reference planes—this allows you to select them easily as a work plane.
5. Disable Volume Calculations Temporarily
Turn off volume calculations until you’re ready to export or render. Saves memory!
6. Quick Copy Hack
Hold Ctrl + Drag to duplicate objects quickly.
7. Customize Your Keyboard Shortcuts
Tailor your Revit shortcuts (via KS command) to speed up frequent actions. Learn how on Autodesk Knowledge Network.
8. Clear Revit Cache
Restart Revit after a few hours (like during lunch) to clear cache and prevent sluggish behavior.
9. Rewind Lost Views
10. Pin Important Elements
Pin key elements (e.g., grids, levels, key fixtures) to avoid accidental movement.
️Interface and Display Tips
11. Dual Screen Setup
Stretch Revit across dual monitors by dragging the window edges manually. setup help, visit Autodesk’s dual-monitor support guide.
12. Avoid Unnecessary 3D
Use 2D symbols for furniture and fixtures unless 3D is absolutely needed.
13. Link 3D Furniture
If 3D models are required, insert them into a linked Revit file to reduce main file size.
14. Zoom Into Your Work Area
Working zoomed-in minimizes Revit’s processing time on complex elements
15. Limit the Use of Levels
Avoid excessive level creation. Keep only the ones you’re actively using.
Smart Modeling Habits
16. Use Esc to Abort
Command stuck or freezing? Tap Esc repeatedly and confirm “Stop this operation?” when
prompted.
17. Save Often—Very Often!
Revit may crash unexpectedly. Don’t rely on autosave alone.
18. Use Custom 3D Views per Level
Create separate 3D views for each floor using the Section Box—perfect for client presentations.
19. Export Renders to Disk
Always export final renderings to your local drive instead of embedding them in the project.
20. Separate Images into a Dedicated File
Keep all high-res images in a separate .RVT file to prevent bloating your main project.
Automation & Workflow Efficiency
21. Skip Photoshop with Smart Graphics
Use filled regions, view filters, and line styles to create stunning plans—no Photoshop needed!
22. Learn Dynamo
If you repeat tasks often, automate them using Dynamo scripting. It’s a game-changer.
23. Start with a Template
Use Autodesk Community templates as a base, but customize to match your project standards.
24. Don’t Copy Families with Ctrl+C/V
Always use Load Family to import families. It’s cleaner and avoids embedded data issues.
Understanding Revit Behavior
25. Revit’s “Limits” Are Safety Features
Revit is restrictive to prevent design errors. Embrace it.
26. Sometimes You Have to Outsmart Revit
Revit is smart—but occasionally too smart. Use temporary elements to bypass stubborn
constraints.
27. Place First, Then Move
For hard-to-place elements, insert roughly, then fine-tune position.
28. Control Tag Visibility by Scale
Use “Hide at scales coarser than…” in family settings to prevent clutter on overall plans.
Hardware & Import Tips
29. Best GPU for Revit? Use GeForce
You don’t need Quadro. NVIDIA GeForce works better for most Revit users.
30. Link DWG Instead of Import
Always Link DWG files instead of importing. Keeps your project file lighter and easier to
manage.
31. Avoid Dark Backgrounds
Keep Revit backgrounds white—AutoCAD-style black backgrounds aren’t recommended.
Revit Community Wisdom
32. AutoCAD Promotes Carelessness—Revit Doesn’t
Revit forces you to think in 3D and relationships—not just lines.
33. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Ask for help! The Revit community is generous, experienced, and collaborative.
34. Invest in a Good Mouse
Use a multi-button mouse—it’s your main tool. Make it work for you.
Model Management Hacks
35. Use Visibility/Graphics Instead of Filters
To isolate elements in large models, temporarily hide unnecessary categories.
36. Link Schedules with Excel
Export or link schedules to Excel for quantity take-offs and coordination.
37. Smart Families = Smart Projects
Learn how to build parametric families to save time across multiple projects.
38. Avoid 2D Tags on 3D Elements
For accuracy, always tag 3D objects with 3D-aware annotations.
39. Postpone Adding Impressive Details
Leave elements like imposts or fine moldings for final stages—they add heavy load to your
model.
Tips on Groups & Visibility
40. Build Small Groups First
Create small groups, then grow them. Avoid creating large groups from the start.
41. Make Walls Transparent in 3D
Use View Templates or temporary overrides to make walls transparent and see inside.
42. Don’t Go Back to AutoCAD!
You’ve come too far. Stay with Revit. The future is BIM.
Must-Know Revit Keyboard Shortcuts
- VG – Open Visibility/Graphics
- WT – Tile views
- ZA – Zoom all
- DI – Aligned dimensions
- TL – Thin lines
- CS – Create similar
- MV – Move
- RO – Rotate
Modify Tab Essentials for MEP Design
When working with ducts and pipes, save time using these Modify Tab commands:
✂️ 1. Cut / Extend to Corner
Use this to cleanly connect angled or coaxial duct/pipe sections—works even in 3D views.
✂️2. Trim / Extend One Element
Perfect for embedding sloped pipes into vertical risers. Slopes remain intact!
✂️3. Trim / Extend Multiple Elements
Connect several branches to a main line in one go. Click the main duct/pipe, then all branches.