Thursday, May 15, 2014

Stair Cut Mark Zigzag

There are two types of zigzag graphics that we can apply to stairs, single and double zigzag. It is a Type Parameter of a stair. When you click on the parameter (Cut Mark Type) to choose one or the other a little sneaky browse button appears.


You can't just switch from one to another, it's not a drop down list box. You have to open the properties of the zigzag type to choose it. If you do, don't be tempted to change the parameter Cut Line Type at the top of the list under the graphics group. If you do you'll be changing the graphic for the Type, not changing the type. To change the Type you've got to look at the top of the dialog and change the Type with the drop down list box there. If you don't pay attention here you'll end up making your single a double or your double a single. That could get confusing!


Here's a plan view of the pair in action: Single and Double Cut Mark.


It is also possible to edit the Stair Cut Mark types via the Project Browser under Families. It's a category listed under stairs.


If you elect to change the setting for Cut Line Extension here you may notice something weird. If you change the value for the single zigzag it will update immediately (when you close the Type Properties dialog) in the drawing window. Try to do the same for the double zigzag and nothing happens.

You can ensure immediate success if you only alter the settings via a Stair's Type Properties dialog. If you click the Edit Stairs button and then immediately click Finish Edit Mode it will force Revit to refresh the cut mark. It will also update if you close the project and open it again. There may be other conditions that will force it to regenerate the cut mark but I haven't stumbled into one yet.

The Stair Cut Mark is governed by Object Styles. There are separate sub-categories for Cut Marks and Cut Marks.


Here's the same stairs after messing around for a minute.


2014 Revit OpEd

1 comment:

Trevor Pan said...

Hi Steve,

Just tried this, and place tread numbers.

When the tread numbers are center, left quarter, and right quarter they display all numbers. Left and right are hidden from 2-cut line.

If I could post screenshots, I would.

You can adjust the offset on the two quarters to get it where you want.

Have you run into this? Any thoughts why that would occur? I'm using 2014, and just the stock stair to test your post and learn!

Trevor