How Do You Scale Down a View in Revit?

To scale down a view in Revit, you adjust its view scale, which dictates how elements are represented on a sheet. This process makes the building elements appear smaller on the drawing sheet, allowing you to show a larger area within the same sheet space.

You can effectively scale down a view in Revit using two primary methods: via the Properties palette or directly from the View Control Bar. Both methods involve selecting a different scale value, where a larger scale number (e.g., changing from 1:50 to 1:100) indicates that the view elements will appear smaller on the sheet, thus "scaling down" the representation.

Method 1: Using the Properties Palette (For Comprehensive Control)

This method provides detailed control over the view's properties, including the ability to set custom scales. It's often preferred for setting up views for documentation.

1. Locate the View: In the Project Browser, navigate to the view you wish to scale down (e.g., Floor Plans, Elevations).
2. Access Properties: Right-click the desired view in the Project Browser.
3. Open Properties: From the context menu, click Properties. This will open the Properties palette.
4. Adjust View Scale: On the Properties palette, under the "Graphics" section, find the View Scale parameter.
5. Select a New Value: Click the current scale value dropdown and select a new, larger scale value (e.g., if it's 1:50, select 1:100 or 1:200 to scale down). A larger denominator means a smaller representation of the building on the sheet.

Method 2: Using the View Control Bar (For Quick Adjustments)

The View Control Bar offers a quick and accessible way to change the scale directly from an open view, making it ideal for on-the-fly adjustments while you are working.

1. Open the View: Double-click the desired view in the Project Browser to open it in the drawing area.
2. Locate the View Control Bar: At the bottom of the view window, you will find the View Control Bar.
3. Select Scale: Look for the scale dropdown (it will show the current scale, e.g., 1:50).
4. Choose New Scale: Select a scale from the View Control Bar that has a larger denominator (e.g., if currently 1:75, choose 1:100 or 1:200) to effectively scale down the view.

Understanding the Impact of Scaling Down

When you scale down a view in Revit:

• Model Elements: The actual dimensions of your building model (walls, doors, windows) do not change. Only their graphical representation on the view, and subsequently on a printed sheet, becomes smaller.
• Annotation Elements: The behavior of annotation elements (like text, dimensions, and tags) can vary. By default, many annotations are annotation scale-dependent, meaning their displayed size remains consistent regardless of the view scale, ensuring they are always readable on the sheet. However, some detail components or imported CAD elements might scale proportionally with the view.
• Sheet Placement: Scaling down a view makes it appear smaller on a sheet, potentially freeing up space for more views or larger annotations.

Practical Tips for View Scaling

• Consistency: Maintain consistent scales for similar types of views across your project (e.g., all floor plans at 1:100).
• Custom Scales: If a standard scale doesn't fit your needs, you can create a Custom scale via the Properties palette, allowing for very specific scaling requirements.
• Printing Impact: The selected view scale directly influences how your drawing will appear when printed. A view scaled to 1:200 will appear half the size of a 1:100 view on the same size paper.

Example Scale Changes for Scaling Down: