Docs part 1 | Navigate the 3D model

Dive right into using Autodesk Docs with this series of exercises. Before beginning the exercises, it is assumed that your teacher has created an Autodesk Construction Cloud project for you (refer to the Get Started in Autodesk Construction Cloud section). In this part, you will navigate 3D models in the Autodesk Docs environment and use tools such as the Measurement tool and Properties tool to obtain values in the model (Part 1). In Part 2, you’ll view and evaluate a Revit model in the Model Browser and then work with a 2D sheet set for a quantity takeoff. In Part 3, you’ll perform a design review and compare two versions of sheets and models. After identifying non-conformance issues, the final exercises test your skills in communicating design by adding and publishing markups and creating and resolving issues (Part 3).

Tip: For more details on document management and how professionals implement best practices, refer to Construction Document Management Best Practices.

Autodesk Online Help resources: About Autodesk Docs; View files on web

Learning objectives:

  • Navigate a 3D model using a scroll wheel mouse device. 
  • Navigate a 3D model using the ViewCube (Figure 3).
  • Navigate a 3D model using the Viewing toolbar (Figure 4).
  • Navigate a 3D model using the Add Y and Add Z plane tool (Figure 5).
  • Measure distances in 3D (Figure 5).
  • Obtain model metadata using the Properties tool (Figure 6).
ViewCube icon.
Figure 3

 

Viewing toolbar showing Orbit, Pan, Fit to View, Zoom Window, First Person.
Figure 4

 

Viewing toolbar showing Section Analysis and Measure.
Figure 5

 

Viewing toolbar with Properties circled.
Figure 6

Open project file

  1. Account sign in: Sign in to the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
  2. Access folder: In Docs, open Files > Project Files > Class Project folder.
  3. Open file: Open the file named: Revit 2025_Small Bldg_All disciplines.rvt.

 

Exercise questions

After opening the Revit file, provide answers to the questions below. Make sure you are using Version 2 (unless otherwise noted).

  1. Determine wall height: Navigate to the West elevation using the view cube. What is the height of the exterior brick veneer wall along grid line 1 (Figure 7)?

Answer: Wall height_________feet and inches or_________meters.

West elevation of exterior brick wall with arrow marking overall wall height.
Figure 7

 

Note: To change the default units to feet and fractional units, click Measurement Settings > Unit Type > Feet and Fractional Units.

  1. Measure distance: Open the 3D model view. Navigate to a Level 1 view using the Section Analysis tools (v1 of model file): What is the clear inside distance between Office 3 wall and Mech Room wall (Figure 8)?

    Answer: Distance between walls_________ feet and inches or_________meters.
Interior level 1 view with arrow indicating distance between Office 3 wall and Mech Room wall.
Figure 8

Hint: In the top-left corner of the model viewer, click the file name and set the active version to display version V1. Use Levels to set display to Level 1 and use the Section Analysis tool to lower the upper cut plane to below the ceiling level to make the walls visible as shown. Click the Section Analysis tool again to turn off the tool to reset it back to normal.

  1. Find wall properties: Second Floor plan: What is the surface area of the wall with the door into Conference Room 31 (in the southeast corner of the building, Figure 9)?

    Answer: Surface area is_________square feet or_________square meters.
Conference Room 31 zoomed in.
Figure 9

Hint: Use Levels to set display to Level 2 and use the Section Analysis tool to lower the upper cut plane to below the ceiling level to make the walls visible as shown. Click Section Analysis tool again to turn off the tool to reset it back to normal.

  1.  Find ceiling properties: From the 3D model view, add a Y Section plane to view the first floor conference room in the northwest corner of the building. What is the height offset of the ceiling system to the ground floor and ceiling type name (Figure 10)

    Answers:

Distance from floor to ceiling (Figure 10, mark 1)

_________feet and inches or_________ meters 

Revit family type name ___________________ (Figure 10, mark 2)
                                                     

First floor conference room in 3D view with arrow indicating floor to ceiling distance.
Figure 10
  1. Close viewer window: Click X in the top-right of the screen to exit the viewer window and return to the Files view.

Hint: Click Level 2 if used from #3 above to reset the view and display the entire model. Click the up arrow on the Section Analysis tool to select the Add Y Plane tool. Drag the yellow arrow on the gizmo in the model view to move the cut plane forward or backwards so that it is similar to the view shown. Click Front on the View Cube to make the cut plane view orthogonal to the screen.