How To Reduce Revision Cloud Size In Revit?

To reduce the size of revision clouds in Revit, the primary method is to change the Arc Length setting in the project's Sheet Issues/Revisions dialog. This project-wide setting adjusts the size of the individual arcs that make up all revision clouds drawn after the change is made. This approach is the most common and effective, but other strategies exist for handling existing clouds or specific graphical adjustments.

Method 1: Change the project-wide arc length

This is the most direct way to control the size of newly drawn revision clouds and is typically the first step in setting your project's drafting standards.

1. Navigate to the View tab on the ribbon.
2. In the Sheet Composition panel, click (Sheet Issues/Revisions).
3. In the dialog box, locate the Arc Length field.
4. Enter a new, smaller value. The unit of measurement will correspond to your project's length units.
5. Click OK. All new revision clouds will now be created with the smaller arc size.

Note: This method does not retroactively change the size of existing revision clouds. You must manually redraw existing clouds or use the "Edit Sketch" function to update them after changing the Arc Length setting.

Method 2: Modify existing revision clouds manually

For clouds already placed in your project, you can adjust their boundaries and arc size individually.

Edit Sketch:

1. Select the revision cloud you want to modify.
2. Click the Modify | Revision Clouds tab and choose (Edit Sketch).
3. This will display the individual arcs and grips that make up the cloud.
4. Drag the endpoints of the cloud's segments to adjust its shape and boundaries.

Recreate the cloud:

1. Delete the existing revision cloud.
2. Change the project's Arc Length using Method 1.
3. Redraw the revision cloud in the desired location. It will now reflect the new, smaller arc size.

Method 3: Override graphics by element

For isolated cases where you only need to change the appearance of a single cloud in one specific view, you can use the graphical override tool. This is less about changing the actual cloud arc size and more about modifying its visual representation.

1. In a project view, select the revision cloud.
2. Right-click the cloud and choose Override Graphics in View > By Element.
3. In the dialog, you can change the Line Weight and Line Pattern to make the cloud appear less prominent.

Considerations and best practices

• Consistency is key: Changing the project-wide arc length ensures all new clouds adhere to the same drafting standard. This is the most professional approach for maintaining a consistent project appearance.
• Existing vs. new clouds: Remember the distinction between new clouds and existing ones. New clouds will follow the updated Arc Length setting, while existing clouds must be manually edited or redrawn.
• The annotative nature of revision clouds: Revision clouds are annotative elements, meaning their size is relative to the view's scale, similar to text and dimensions. They appear the same size on a sheet, regardless of the view's scale.
• Object styles: For broader, project-wide changes that affect all revision clouds, you can adjust the line weights and colors in the Object Styles menu. Go to the Manage tab, click Object Styles, navigate to the Annotation Objects tab, and find Revision Clouds. This does not change the arc length but can affect the visual "weight" or thickness of the lines.
• Use on sheets: When a revision cloud is placed on a sheet, its properties are controlled by the sheet's revision schedule. Use the Revisions dialog to manage this information.

By following these methods, you can effectively manage and reduce the size of your revision clouds in Revit, ensuring clear and consistent project documentation.