How to identify the Beam Start and End

Many structural users have expressed that it seems quite cumbersome in Revit Structure to quickly identify the Beam Start and End (Figure 1).

(Figure 1)

Currently, one way to identify the Beam Start and End is to go to the Properties of a selected beam and try to adjust the Moment Connection Start (or End) parameter value in order to see which end the moment symbol will show up. This trial and error process seems very inefficient and cumbersome (Figure 2).

(Figure 2)

Some Revit users have discovered another solution to help identifying quickly the Beam Start and End. The solution is to open and edit the existing beam .rfa family by adding a "Control" Horizontal symbol (single arrow) on plan. Assuming the arrow end represents the Beam Start and the arrow head represents the Beam End (Figure 3).

(Figure 3)

After modifying the .rfa, you can reload it into the project and overwrite the existing family. Now, if you select the beam on plan, you will see the blue horizontal control arrow showing up which can be used to identify very quickly the Beam Start and End (Figure 4).

(Figure 4)

P.S. Technically speaking the Control command allows users to place arrows in order to rotate and mirror the geometry of the family. However, due to the current software limitation on any 2 Pick Structural Framing .rfa family, although you can place the blue horizontal arrow, but it really cannot rotate and mirror the beam.

Wai

Comments

[Jean-Paul Tréhen]

It seems that the symbol of the Control is not visible in UP direction view.

[Wai Chu]

I think this is a bug. I will report that to the Revit Development for investigation. Thanks for reporting that issue.

[Steven Mintz]

Great tip!

Can Autodesk incorporate this into all the framing families for the next release? It's very difficult to maintain our own seperate content during each upgrade.