How to Use Plan Region in Revit?

Using a Plan Region in Revit allows you to override the view range settings for a specific, enclosed area within a plan view, providing localized control over what elements are visible at different cutting planes and depths. This is incredibly useful for showcasing unique details in an otherwise standard plan.

A Plan Region is essentially a boundary you sketch on a plan view, within which you can define a unique View Range. This enables you to display elements that might otherwise be cut off or hidden by the primary view's View Range settings, such as foundations below a floor, or high-level windows.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Plan Region

Follow these simple steps to implement a Plan Region in your Revit model:

1. Open a Plan View
   Begin by navigating to the specific floor plan, structural plan, or reflected ceiling plan where you wish to apply the Plan Region. This is the canvas for your specialized view.

2. Access the Plan Region Command

   • Go to the View tab on the Revit ribbon.
   • Locate the Create panel.
   • Click on the Plan Views drop-down menu.
   • Select (Plan Region).

3. Sketch the Region Boundary
   Once the Plan Region command is active, you will be in sketch mode.

   • Sketch a closed loop using the drawing tools available (lines, rectangles, polygons, circles, etc.). This boundary defines the exact area where the new View Range settings will apply.
   • Ensure the sketch is a fully enclosed shape.
   • Click the Finish Edit Mode (green checkmark) button on the ribbon once your sketch is complete.

4. Adjust View Range Properties
   After sketching the region:

   • While the Plan Region is selected, navigate to the Properties palette.
   • Under the Extents parameters, locate View Range.
   • Click the Edit button next to View Range.

5. Define Primary Range and View Depth
   The View Range dialog box will appear. Here, you specify the unique viewing parameters for your Plan Region:

   Parameter	Description
   Cut Plane	The height at which elements are cut to create the floor plan view. Elements intersected by this plane are shown with their cut line weights.
   Bottom	Defines the bottom clipping plane of the view range. Elements below this plane will not be visible in the plan view unless they extend upwards into the view range.
   View Depth	Extends the view range beyond the "Bottom" plane. Elements within this depth, even if below the "Bottom", will be visible (e.g., footings, elements in a shaft). They are typically shown in a projected line style.
   Top	Defines the top clipping plane of the view range. Elements extending above this plane might not be visible.

   • Carefully specify the Cut Plane, Bottom, and View Depth values. For example, if you want to show a foundation, you might set a lower Cut Plane and deeper View Depth than the main view.
   • Click OK to apply these settings and close the dialog.

Practical Insights and Examples

• Highlighting Specific Elements: Use Plan Regions to display elements like high windows, special ceiling features, or structural elements that extend significantly above or below the typical cut plane of the main floor plan.
• Foundation Details: A common use case is to create a Plan Region over a part of a building to show foundation elements (footings, isolated piers) that would typically be hidden by the main floor's view range.
• Vertical Circulation: When detailing stairs or shafts, a Plan Region can ensure that all necessary levels and components of the stair are visible within a single plan, without cluttering the rest of the drawing.
• Overriding Default Behavior: Remember that the Plan Region's View Range overrides the main plan view's View Range only within the sketched boundary. Outside this boundary, the main view's settings still apply.
• Visibility Control: Elements within a Plan Region that are outside its defined View Range will still be hidden, even if they would be visible by the main view's View Range. The Plan Region dictates visibility exclusively within its bounds.