Changing the Project North angle in Revit is a fundamental task for aligning your building model with site-specific conditions and ensuring accurate documentation. This process allows you to rotate the entire project model so that a chosen direction points "up" or "north" on your screen, which is often crucial for design, drawing production, and coordination.
Understanding Project North vs. True North
Before adjusting Project North, it's essential to understand the distinction between Project North and True North in Revit.
| Feature | Project North | True North |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The orientation of the building model on your screen, typically pointing up. | The actual compass direction (North Pole) relative to the site. |
| Purpose | Optimized for ease of modeling, drafting, and viewing within the project. | Used for accurate sun studies, site plans, and coordination with real-world geographical data. |
| Rotation | Rotates the model relative to the screen. | Rotates the site relative to the model, or the model relative to the geographical north. |
| Views | Most floor plans, sections, and elevations are typically set to Project North. | Site plans and views for solar analysis are often set to True North. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Project North
To change the Project North angle in Revit, you will typically use a detail line as a visual reference, then activate the "Rotate Project North" command.
1. Prepare with a Reference Line (Optional but Recommended)
It's highly recommended to first draw a detail line to visually represent the desired new Project North direction. This line acts as a clear guide for the rotation.
- Go to the Annotation tab and select the Detail Line command, or simply type DL as a keyboard shortcut.
- Draw a detail line from a known point in your project, extending it in the direction you wish to designate as the new Project North. For instance, if a specific building face should be "North," draw the line along that face.
2. Access the Rotate Project North Command
Once you have your reference line (or if you prefer to rotate by a specific angle), you will access the Project North rotation tool:
- Navigate to the Manage tab on the Revit ribbon.
- In the Project Location panel, click on the Position dropdown menu.
- From the options, select Rotate Project North.
3. Execute the Rotation
After selecting "Rotate Project North," Revit will prompt you to define the rotation:
- Specify Rotation Origin: You will be prompted to click a point to set the rotation origin. This is the pivot point around which the model will rotate. Choose a central or relevant point, such as a grid intersection or a corner of your building.
- Define New North Direction:
- By Picking a Line: If you drew a detail line in step 1, click on that detail line. Revit will rotate the entire project so that the selected line now points upwards (to the screen's Project North).
- By Angle: Alternatively, you can click a second point or type in a specific angle relative to the current Project North. For example, if your current Project North is truly pointing 45 degrees East of your desired new Project North, you would rotate -45 degrees (clockwise).
Important Considerations
- View Orientation: When rotating Project North, ensure the active view's "Orientation" property in the Properties Palette is set to Project North. If it's set to True North, the rotation will appear differently or not at all.
- All Elements Rotate: The "Rotate Project North" command rotates the entire project model, including all elements, families, and annotations relative to the screen. This is distinct from "Rotate True North," which rotates the site relative to the fixed building.
- Annotations: Text, dimensions, and other annotations that are view-specific will rotate with the view to maintain their orientation relative to the drawing sheet. Model-based annotations will rotate with the model.
- Coordination: Be mindful of how changing Project North affects linked models or shared coordinates, especially in multi-disciplinary projects. Good communication with other team members is key.
By following these steps, you can effectively adjust the Project North angle in your Revit model, enhancing your project's usability and accuracy for drafting and visualization purposes.
