Using Centerlines when Dimensioning
Dimensioning to the CENTER of an object happens all the time. Centerline of a window, centerline of a column, centerline of a beam, etc. In the past, I have created a CL symbol that I copied and pasted every time I needed to indicate the Centerline.. but Revit has this feature built in now.. but you need to turn it ON… and know it’s limitations.
CENTERLINE SYMBOLS
First, Turning it On:
Select any of your dimension lines and then open and scroll down thru the Type Parameters. Locate the parameter ‘Centerline Symbol‘ and switch it from NONE to Centerline Symbol: Centerline.
Secondly, Limitations:
Dimensioning to the centerline of a family works great every time.. provided the family HAS a centerline built into it. If you create a new family and do not have a centerline in it.. this symbol will NOT automatically appear. You will need to place a REFERENCE PLANE in the family and then designate it to be a Centerline (select it and set the instance parameter to Center). Most family templates already have a Centerline built in… but if you designate a new one to be the Center of your family.. it disables the one that came with the template.
Another limitation is regarding reference planes. If you have a reference plane in the main project file (plan, section, detail, etc.) or in a Drafting View.. you can NOT designate it to be a Center. You will need to create a Component or a Detail Component and place a reference plane INSIDE that family for the Centerline feature to work.
One last thing to note is the ability to change the TICK MARK on the dimension string for centerliines as well as change the LINETYPE pattern for centerlines. Changing these two can help bring attention to the fact that you are pointing to a center of an object rather than a face.
Happy Revitting!