Revit Tip – Speed up selecting elements with Filters and Sets

by Dennis Collin

Working with Revit files and selecting objects can sometimes be a tedious process when trying to select elements of a single or multiple categories. Especially if these elements may need to be selected later in the project to have their properties modified.

Fig 1. Any selection of objects can be filtered down by its category.

Revit works like most window programs in that to select multiple elements, users hold down the Ctrl key to add and the Shift key to remove. It is also possible to use Window and crossing selections for objects that are located over a wider area.

Once the selection is made the filter button can be employed to limit the selection to just certain categories.

Fig 2. Filter and Selection set tools on the modify ribbon panel.

Once the changes have been made, the elements can be released via the Escape key or right mouse click cancel.

But what about if these elements need to be selected again? If not today, then perhaps later, when project circumstances have changed? This is were named selection sets come in.

Fig 3. Retrieving Bespoke Selection Sets.

A grouping of elements can be saved to a named set for easy recollection at a later stage, even in a different Revit session. This can be achieved by saving the selection in the ribbon panel (Figure 2)

To recall the selection just load in the name selection from the list, click ok, the desired items will highlight, and the necessary changes can be applied.

Selection sets can also be employed in view filters, perhaps where elements need to be highlighted a different colour or line type. Like property view filters they can also be saved within Revit’s view templates.

Fig 4. Selection sets can also be saved within Revit’s view filters and templates.

An important aspect to note like any manual process errors can result! Elements may not display as expected due to mistakes made in the manual selection process, the fact that elements can reside in different selection sets simultaneously or due to the order of the view filter priority!

Defining Selection sets, View Filters and Template and the setting up of Revit Project Templates are just some of the topics that we cover on our Arkance Revit training courses. For more information and to talk to one of the team click here.