Are you replicating your Revit view settings in each new view? Or are you looking for a way to copy your view settings between projects? With View Templates we can easily apply the same view properties to multiple views or share them between projects.
View templates allow you to create and manage different view properties and apply to them multiple views. This way you can create a uniform standard for your projects and quickly apply your view settings to new projects.
Table of Contents
In this article, I will explain how view templates work, how to create them, and how to apply or assign them to a view. And we will also look at the Temporary View Template option in Revit.
View Template Revit Overview
A View Template in Revit is a collection of premade view settings that can be applied to each view type. A few examples of Properties you can think of are view scale, detail level, visibility/graphic settings, filters, etc. You can use these View Templates to set standard settings in different views. By doing this, you can maintain consistency across the different views and improve workflow efficiency.
You can create View Templates with different styles for views, such as floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D views. For example, you can create a working view for floor plans, which shows reference planes and annotations, and an output View Template that hides these planes and annotations.
In Revit, there are two options to control the views with View Templates, which are:
- Apply: This option allows you to apply properties from a View Template to a view. Any changes made to the View Template do not affect the view to which it was originally applied.
- Assign: Choose this option to establish a permanent link between the View Template and the view. When you modify the View Template it will update the linked views automatically.
Making the first set of View Templates might take some time, but this upfront effort can lead to significant time savings in the future. You can save the View Templates in a Revit template for all new projects, or even transfer them from one project to another project by using the Transfer Project Standards function.
Good to mention is that Revit LT fully supports the use of View Templates, even while it doesn’t support filters, worksets, and Revit links on its own. However, you can only change View Template settings that are supported by Revit LT.
Tip
Did you know that View Templates also can be used for various schedules and legends?
View Template Properties
There are many properties that you can customize inside a View Template. Note that, each view type has its own properties and can differ from each other. In the table below I outlined the most common ones.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| View Scale | Use this parameter to set the scale of the view. Note: Use custom to create a custom scale with the Scale Value 1: parameter. |
| Display model | This allows you to change the settings on how to show the model. You can choose from Normal, Halftone, or Do not display. |
| Detail Level | To set the detail level of the view. Options are Coarse, Medium, or Fine. |
| Part Visibility | You can choose whether to display the parts and their sources in view. Options are Show Parts, Show Original, or Show Both. |
| VG Overrides Model / Annotation / Analytical Model / Import / Filters / Worksets / Design Options | To adjust the Visibility/Graphic overrides of these categories, utilize these parameters. |
| Model Display | This option allows you to modify display options for surfaces, such as visual styles, transparency, etc. |
| Far Clipping | When creating a View Template for elevations or sections, you can adjust the Far Clip plane settings. |
| View Range | To specify the View Range for plan views. Read more about View Range. |
| Orientation | Use this option to set the orientation of the view to True North or Project North. |
| Phase Filter | Set this to apply any Phase Filter to the View. There are multiple options, such as Show All, Show Complete, Show Demo + New, etc. |
| Discipline | This option allows you to show the visibility of non-bearing walls and other discipline-specific annotations. |
| Color Scheme | You can designate a color scheme that will apply to areas, rooms, spaces, or zones within the view. |
| Depth Clipping | This parameter allows you to set a Depth Clip Plane for the plan view. You can choose from No Clip, Clip without Line, or Clip with Line. |
| Rendering Settings | Adjust various parameters for the Rendering Settings when creating a 3D View Template. |
Create a View Template
When it comes to creating a View Template in Revit, you can mainly choose between three different methods. The methods for creating a View Template are:
- Create View Template by duplicating
- Create Template from Current View
- Create View Template by Graphic Options dialog
Note
When you create a View Template, you can choose which View Properties to include or exclude. The View Properties that are not included will not be overridden when applying or assigning the View Template. This feature gives you more flexibility using View Templates.
Method 1 – Using Duplicating
The first method is by duplicating an existing View Template. Follow the steps outlined below:
- Open the View tab > Graphics panel
- Click on the View Templates dropdown menu
- Select Manage View Templates > View Templates dialog opens
- Set the Discipline filter and View type Filter to find the appropriate View Template
- Select an existing View Template from the Names list
- Click on the Duplicate button
- Give the new View Template a Name > Click OK
- Modify the View Properties to your requirements
- Select View Properties to Include (checked) or Exclude (unchecked) > Click OK
Method 2 – From Current View
The second method is by using the feature Create Template from Current View. As the title suggests, you will create a View Template based on a view. This method requires you to prepare a view with View Properties, such as V/G settings, View Scale, Model Display, etc. Follow the steps written below:
- Open the View you prepared by going to the Project Browser > Select View > Double click to Open
- Open the View tab > Graphics panel
- Click on the View Templates dropdown menu
- Select Create Template from Current View > New View Templates dialog opens
- Give the new View Template a Name > Click OK
- Modify the View Properties to your requirements
- Select View Properties to Include or Exclude > Click OK
Another way to add a View Template quickly is by right-clicking the view in the Project Browser and selecting “Create View Template From View…“
Method 3 – By Graphic Options
The third method is a somewhat hidden one, which allows you to create a View Template from the Graphic Options dialog. Using this method will add the View Template to the current View Type. For Example, when you have a 3D view open, it will add the View Template to the 3D Views, Walkthroughs View Type.
By default, this method only includes View Properties such as Model Display, Shadows, Sketchy Lines, Lightning, Photographic Exposure, and Background to the View Template. To add other View Properties, click Include in the View Template manager.
Follow the steps outlined below:
- Open a prepared View
- Go to the View Control Bar in the lower left corner > Click on Visual Style
- Select Graphic Display Options…
- Modify the options to your requirements
- Click Save as View Template…
- Give the new View Template a Name > Click OK
- Optional: Modify the other View Properties to your requirements
- Optional: Select other View Properties to Include > Click OK
Assign or Apply a View Template
After you have created the View Template, you can continue by assigning or applying it to the views. Assigning View Templates to views allows you to create a continuous link between them. Any adjustments to the View Template will update the view immediately. If you like to set the View Template properties without linking, you can use the option to only apply them.
Tip
It is possible to assign or apply View Templates to multiple views at the same time.
Assign View Template
To assign a View Template to one or multiple views follow the steps outlined below:
- Go to the Project Browser and select the view(s) you like to assign or select the viewports from a sheet. (Use
CTRL-keyto select multiple views or viewports) - In the Properties Browsers go to Identity Data > Look for the View Template parameter and click the button which in this case is <None>
- Optional: Inside the Assign View Template menu set filters for an optimal search
- Select your View Template from the Names list > Click OK to assign
Alternative: You can also “copy” a View Template from a view that is already assigned by checking the Show Views [A] button and selecting a view name from the Names list. This action will apply the View Template of that particular view to all other selected views.
Note
View Properties controlled by a View Template will grey out in the Properties Browser. You can change them by opening the View Template or removing it by setting the value to <None>.
Apply View Template
To apply a View Template to one or multiple views follow the steps outlined below:
- Go to the Project Browser and select the view(s) you like to assign (Use
CTRL-keyto select multiple views) - Open the View tab > Graphics panel
- Click on the View Templates dropdown menu
- Select Apply Template Properties to Current View > Apply View Template dialog opens
- Optional: Inside the Apply View Template menu set filters for an optimal search
- Select your View Template from the Names list > Click OK to assign
Another way to apply a View Template quickly is by right-clicking the view in the Project Browser and selecting “Apply Template Properties…“.
Apply View Template to All Views on Sheet
Revit has a convenient feature to apply a View Template to all Views already present on a Sheet. It’s called “Apply View Template to all Views…“. You can apply a view template to all views by right-clicking on the sheet in the Project Browser.
View Template to New Views
Last but not least, you can also add a View Template automatically to newly placed views, such as Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections, etc. You can add the template to the type properties of each View type. Follow the steps below to add a View Template to the View Type properties.
In the example below I add the View Template to an Elevation.
- Open the View tab > Create panel
- Click on the Elevation dropdown menu
- Select Elevation
- In the Properties Browser select a type and click on Edit Type
- Under Identity Data > Go to View Template applied to new view > Click on <None>
- In the Assign View Template dialog choose a View Template from the Names list
- Optional: Choose whether to link (dependent) or apply the View Template to the new views > Click OK
Moving forward, any newly created Elevation of this type will automatically be assigned the designated Template. By using this feature, you can easily create new views that have a consistent appearance and save time.
Manage and Delete View Templates
In the View Templates dialog, you can manage all the templates for the model. You can change View properties, include or exclude them, and duplicate, rename [A], or delete [A] View Templates. To delete a View Template open the Manage View Template dialog and follow the steps:
- In the Names list select a View Template > Check the Number of views with this template assigned under the View properties. When the number is greater than 0, you have the option to either remove or replace the View Template. If the number is 0, you can delete it immediately.
- Click Delete
To summarize, when multiple Views are assigned with a View Template and you like to delete them you’ll get noted with three options:
- Choose a replacement view template
- Remove view template references
- Cancel
Tip
Create a View List to get an overview of all View templates used in your project for easier management.
Transfer View Templates
After creating View Templates in a project, they can be transferred and reused in other projects or template files. By utilizing this feature, you’ll be able to save a lot of time. To transfer a View Template from one file to another, you will need to have both files open [A] & [B]. Select the main file and follow the steps:
- Open the Manage tab
- Click on Transfer Project Standards in the Settings panel
- Select the file to Copy from
- Click Check None to quickly remove all checks
- Select View Templates from the list
- Click OK to transfer the View Templates
Tip
Currently, the Transfer Project Standards feature transfers all View Templates together. To transfer only one template, save a duplicate file and remove unneeded templates. Also, if you are familiar with Dynamo, you can create a script that lets you select which templates to transfer.
Temporary View Properties
One of the most overlooked and underrated features in Revit is the Temporary View Properties. This feature lets you apply a View Template or modify the Visibility/Graphic settings for a moment while keeping the original view intact.
The Temporary View Properties allows for quick swapping between View Templates, saving time. To enable this function, go to the View Control bar in the lower left corner and click on the Temporary View Properties button.
Now you will see three available options to choose from:
- Enable Temporary View Properties: You can change view instance properties temporarily and they stay visible until you click on Restore View Properties.
- Temporarily Apply Template Properties…: This feature lets you apply View Templates temporarily and switch between them quickly. The five most recently used templates will be visible in the Recent Templates section for easy reapplication.
- Restore View Properties: This resets any temporary changes and restores the view to its original state.
Wrapping Up
Using View Templates in Revit is a great way to maintain consistency across different types of views, including floor plans, elevations, and 3D views. Applying View Templates can help you quickly make changes to multiple views, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
When using Revit, there are three ways to create View Templates and two options for controlling views – assigning the template or applying it. Additionally, the Transfer Project Standards function makes it simple to transfer View Templates between projects, which can save a significant amount of time.
I hope this article has helped you understand the fundamentals of the View Template in Revit and how to create and apply them to various views. If you have any questions, tips, or tricks I did not mention, feel free to leave a comment.
