To effectively "crop a link" in Revit, you don't directly crop the link file itself. Instead, you crop the view in which the linked model is displayed. For 3D views, this is primarily achieved using the Section Box feature.
When you want to limit the visible extent of a linked model within a 3D view in Revit, the most common and effective method is to utilize the Section Box. This tool allows you to define a 3D boundary, cutting away parts of the model (including linked files) that fall outside this boundary.
Here's how to crop a 3D view containing a linked model using a Section Box:
- Open the Desired 3D View: Navigate to the specific 3D view where you want to crop the linked model.
- Access View Properties: With nothing selected in the view, locate the Properties palette (usually on the left side of your Revit interface).
- Activate Section Box: Scroll down in the Properties palette until you find the "Extents" section. Click the checkbox next to the "Section Box" option.
- Practical Insight: As soon as you check this box, a dashed bounding box will appear around your model elements in the 3D view.
- Adjust the Section Box: Once activated, you can select the Section Box in your view. Grips will appear on its faces. Drag these grips to precisely where you want to crop the view.
- Tip: You can drag the faces inward to trim unwanted portions of your linked model, or any other elements within that view. This allows you to focus on specific areas, create detailed cut-throughs, or hide irrelevant parts of the linked project.
Understanding View Cropping in Revit
It's crucial to understand that Revit's cropping mechanisms apply to the view, not directly to the loaded link. This means that any cropping you perform will affect all visible elements within that specific view, including linked models, native Revit geometry, families, etc.
While the "Section Box" is exclusive to 3D views, 2D views (such as floor plans, sections, and elevations) use a different method called the "Crop Region." Both serve the purpose of limiting the visible content within a view.
| View Type | Cropping Method | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Views | Section Box | Limits the 3D visible extent of the model. |
| 2D Views (Plan, Section, Elevation) | Crop Region (visible/invisible) | Limits the 2D visible extent of the view's content. |
Why Crop a Linked Model (or its View)?
Cropping a view that contains a linked model offers several practical benefits:
- Focus on Specific Areas: Quickly isolate and analyze particular sections of a large linked model without distraction from the surrounding elements. This is invaluable for detailed design coordination or clash detection.
- Improve Performance: For very large linked models, reducing the visible geometry can sometimes improve view performance and navigation speed, especially in complex 3D views.
- Create Targeted Deliverables: Generate specific floor plans, sections, or 3D views for presentations, drawing sheets, or coordination meetings, showcasing only the relevant parts of the linked project.
- Enhance Clarity: Remove redundant or out-of-scope portions of a linked model, making your drawings clearer and easier to understand for all stakeholders.
By mastering the Section Box for 3D views, you gain significant control over how linked models appear in your Revit project, enhancing both productivity and clarity.
