This tutorial will work for a new project (if you would like to start the project by making a grid) or an existing project (if you have an existing project and you would like to add a grid).

Some definitions:

gridline: in Revit, a gridline is (by default) a vertical plane with finite extent. It is used as a means of organizing and aligning components in the project. Each gridline has a unique identifying bubble.

grid: Revit uses the term “grid” to refer to a collection of gridlines.

structural column: In Revit, a “structural column” is a vertical (or sloped) element in the project representing a load-bearing element, i. e., an actual column in the building.

architectural column: in Revit, an “architectural column” is a column-shaped element which can represent either a load-bearing element or a non-load bearing (i. e., a decorative) element. In the practice of building Revit models, architectural columns are often co-located with structural columns, so that the architectural column becomes a kind of “wrap” around the structural column.

 

To set up a conventional (straight-line) grid:

1. On the Architecture tab, Datum panel, click Grid.

2. Click a point to begin drawing a gridline.

3. Click a second point to finish the gridline.

4. (Optional) Click on the check box to place a grid bubble. The default check box can also be unchecked to remove the default grid bubble.

5. (Optional) Click on the elbow symbol to introduce an elbow or break within the gridline.

6. To add a second gridline, either repeat the previous steps, or use Revit’s Copy or Array tools to copy the existing gridline:

Option 1: Using Revit’s Copy tool: On the Modify tab, Modify panel, click the Copy tool (or type CO). Click once on the existing gridline and press Enter. Next, click on two points one after the other to indicate the “start from” and “copy to” points. Once the gridline is copied, Revit will display a temporary dimension which can be used to precisely locate the new gridline with respect to the existing one.

Option 2: Using Revit’s Array tool: On the Modify tab, Modify panel, click the Array tool (or type AR). Click once on the existing gridline and press Enter. On the Options bar, select the type of array to create (linear or radial); check “Group and Associate” to send all gridlines to a group (not recommended for gridlines); speficy the number of gridlines to create (including the existing gridline); and specify whether the “Move To” point will represent either the “2nd” gridline in the array or the “Last” gridline. Check “Constrain” to constrain the Move To point to orthogonal dimensions, and check “Activate Dimensions” to ensure that the temporary dimensions appear.

 

To place Structural Columns:

Broadly speaking, two options exist for placing structural columns: manual or automatic placement.

Option 1: To place structural columns manually, choose Column > Structural Column from the Architecture > Build panel. Use the Options Bar to control the column height. Click to place a column; repeat until done; press esc twice to complete the task.

Option 2: To place structural columns automatically,  choose Column > Structural Column from the Architecture > Build panel. On the Modify | Place Structural Column tab, Multiple panel, click At Grids. Highlight all gridlines for column placement at grid intersections. Click the green check mark to finish, then press esc to complete the task.

Important note: By default, Revit constructs structural columns “from the top down.” This means that  the properties of columns may need to be adjusted after placing them, to make sure they are extending vertically to the intended extents. Use an Elevation view to verify the vertical placement of structural columns, and then use the Properties Palette to adjust the Base Level (by default, the level which was active when the columns were placed), the Top Level (the level to which the columns should extend), and the Base Offset (by default, a negative number pointing downward from the Base Level; it can be set to zero).

 

To place Architectural Columns:

Choose Column > Architectural Column from the Architecture > Build panel. Use the Options Bar to control the column height. Click to place a column; repeat until done; press esc twice to complete the task.