Friday Wish - IDs of Element on Modify Context Ribbon

As a quick follow up to yesterday's post about using the IDs of Selection tool, I find myself wishing that the button for it would show up on the Modify Contextual ribbon tab when elements are selected.

Yes I know I can assign a Keyboard Shortcut to it... assuming I'd be able to remember it...

Wish - Copy, Rotate and Mirror Sub Elements

I really wish I could copy Split Line or Point while using Modify Sub Elements. It's really quite silly that I have to sketch or pick to place these things over and over (and this is a 2016 image...so no joy there either).

Four Ways to Stop, Wait...Pause

When you are busily working on something in Revit you have four ways to stop what you are doing.

Modify

ESC (Escape key on your keyboard)

Right Click > Cancel

Do something Else

Modify isn't the word that leaps to mind when I think of words like Stop, Wait, Pause, Hold on or Hang on. It's the word they chose though, it's our word now too. When you click on the Modify button Revit stops whatever you are doing and puts it in neutral. This button has the advantage of being a one-button-action, click it you are done. Downside? You have to move your cursor to use it, usually quite far from where you are now.

The Escape button is a natural, if you've used AutoCAD at least, some other software too. If you keep your left hand near the keyboard like many do it is easy. Downside? Sometimes you have to tap the button twice to really stop. Why? Some features stay running, assuming you are going to keep using the tool. The first button tap stops what you were doing but leaves the tool running. The second button tap tells Revit you really want to stop.

The Right Click > Cancel option isn't bad but it shares the same issue with Escape, you have to use it twice sometimes. I don't know about you but doing that combination twice right away nevers feels quite right.

Last and probably the most efficient...just start another tool. If you are placing walls and need to start placing doors, just click Doors.

Okay...there IS a fifth way...the keyboard shortcut for Modify, if you have one mapped to Modify.

Dept. of Reviteristics - Modify?

There are four ways to "quit" something in Revit. The first and perhaps best way is to just pick another tool/command and do something else. Next (number two) is the ESC key on the keyboard. Sometimes you have to tap the ESC key twice to truly exit a command. Another (number three) is to use the Right Click > Cancel. This also may require using it twice in order to completely exit a command.

Last (number four) is the Modify button...on the Design Bar, the first one at the top of every Design Bar Tab.
Does the word Modify make you immediately think "Quit", "Stop", "Bail Out", "Escape", "Wait", "Let's not do anything now" etc? No? You are not alone. It is something that always puzzled me but I've never questioned, I just accepted it as "the way it is". Probably the best thing to do, but it remains a Reviteristic in my book!