Get PLT files from Revit

It's a crazy world sometimes. Like when you create a wonderful Revit model and your client wants PLT files as the deliverable. Here is how to do it.

1. In the Print dialog, check the box for Print to File. You need to select a printer that doesn't already print to file by the way.
2. Click the Browse button to indicate where the file should be saved.

 
3. Change the Files of Type to Plot Files.









That was a lot easier than I thought.

MEP Annotation Symbols vs. 3D Architectural Families

Have you ever plotted and found something like the image below where an architectural object is some how thinking it is more important the your MEP object?

Put those pesky architectural objects in there place quickly by making them transparent in Visibility Graphics.

Boo-Ya!

Halftones from Revit with KIP plotters

Ever since we started using Revit MEP I have not been satisfied with the way halftones plot. To be more accurate, the way they don't plot. 

I thought I would share how to gain some control over this situation for others using Revit MEP that link architectural and structural models.

First if your Output Format coming from the KIP is set to KIP GL, try setting it to KIP Script. The image below shows how to access this setting. KIP Script just seems to handle halftone better, with one notable exception. Curved lines get spotty. So far it has been a necessary evil for me and it doesn't happen as much as you would think.

Secondly, try making things darker by using the Halftone Color Adjustment tool found just a bit further down the list from Output Format. I have mine set pretty dark I think.

In the Print Setups dialog, I use Black Lines with High quality and Vector processing. 

All of these things can effect your out put. I recommend that you change one thing at a time and write right on the plot what the settings were, so you can later compare everything. An easy way to do this is to create a schedule of settings along side a good floor plan with a lot of line weights and types represented. when the plot comes out, you can right the settings used directly in the schedule you plotted.

Does that make me a geeky engineer?