View Performance in MEP Models

Learn view settings to mitigate performance impact and streamline MEP project workflows.

Model Graphics Style settings impact the performance for view manipulation operations such as scroll, pan, and zoom. Due to the requirement to dynamically generate gaps and hidden lines when elements overlap in the view, the Hidden Line style requires the most processing resulting in a noticeable performance impact in views with many visible elements.

Modeling and Sheet Views

To streamline project workflow, it is recommended to create both modeling views and sheet views for the same regions of the building.

• Configure model views to use the Wireframe visual style.
• Configure sheet views to use the Hidden Line visual style for construction documentation.
• Use dependant views for sheets. This allows multiple regions of a level in different views without the need for duplicate annotations.
• Name views appropriately and differentiate between model and sheet views. This provides logical organization for document readers and defines their intended usage.
• Use view templates for consistency and efficiency in documentation.
• Only use duct and pipe color fills in modeling views using the Wireframe visual style.

Optimize Hidden Line Performance

In views with the Hidden Line visual style enabled, performance directly relates to the number of faces displayed in the view. Although elements display as 2D lines in a Revit view, the model consists of 3D objects made up of faces.

• Only use the Fine detail level when necessary, as multi-line representations slow performance. Displaying pipes as 1-line at Medium detail level is usually sufficient when working with HVAC systems.
• Turn off the visibility of complex 3D components in the sheet views of your building service designs. Use model lines to convey the overall component shape in the family definition. Make those model lines visible at the detail level defined in your sheet views.
• If not necessary for documentation when working with hidden lines in a view, specify the Mech Hidden value for Inside Gap and Outside Gap to zero in the Mechanical Settings dialog. To open the Mechanical Settings dialog, click Systems tab Mechanical panel (Mechanical Settings).

Simplify the Display of Architectural Elements

Simplify the display of architectural elements improves performance by reducing generated visible elements that must maintained within the view. To achieve this, reduce the detail level of elements in the view. Click View tab Graphics panel (Visibility/Graphics). On the Model Categories tab under the Detail Level column of the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog, specify any unnecessary elements to Coarse.

Configure these individual detail level settings in view templates to quickly simplify the detail level throughout a project.