To effectively "turn off" or manage the visibility of design options in Revit, you can control their display settings in individual views, create a primary empty option to show only the main model, or finalize them by accepting an option or deleting alternatives. Revit doesn't have a single "off" switch for the feature itself once initiated, but rather robust tools to manage their display and eventual integration.
Understanding Design Options Visibility
In Revit, "turning off" design options typically refers to controlling which elements are visible in a given view. You can choose to show specific options, display only the main model, or completely remove options you no longer need.
Method 1: Displaying Only the Main Model (Using an Empty Primary Option)
A highly effective way to temporarily "turn off" all design options and see only your main model is to create an empty design option and set it as primary. This method ensures that, by default, no design options from that set are displayed in any project view.
Steps to Create an Empty Primary Option:
- Open the Design Options Dialog: Go to the Manage tab on the Revit ribbon, then click Design Options in the Design Options panel.
- Select a Design Option Set: In the Design Options dialog, select the specific Design Option Set you wish to control.
- Create a New (Empty) Option: Click the New button under the "Option" section. A new option, such as "Option 3," will be created.
- Rename (Optional): You can rename this new option (e.g., "Main Model Only" or "No Option") for clarity.
- Ensure it's Empty: Crucially, do not add any elements to this newly created option. It must remain empty.
- Make it Primary: Select this empty option and click the Make Primary button.
- Repeat for Multiple Sets: If your project uses multiple Design Option Sets, repeat these steps for each set.
Once an empty option is set as primary, all project views will automatically display only the main model, effectively "turning off" the visibility of any other design options from that set.
Method 2: Controlling Visibility in Specific Views
You can fine-tune the display of design options on a per-view basis using the Visibility/Graphics Overrides. This allows you to show different alternatives in various drawings or focus on the main model in specific work views.
Steps to Control View-Specific Design Options Display:
- Open the Desired View: Navigate to the floor plan, section, elevation, or 3D view where you want to adjust the display.
- Access Visibility/Graphics Overrides:
- Type VG or VV on your keyboard.
- Alternatively, go to the View tab > Graphics panel > Visibility/Graphics button.
- Go to the Design Options Tab: In the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog, click on the Design Options tab.
- Choose Display Settings for Each Set: For each Design Option Set listed, you will see a dropdown menu under the "Option" column. Select one of the following settings:
| Setting | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic | Displays the primary option for that set. If an empty option is primary, it will show only the main model. | Default behavior; good for general working views or when you want the primary option to be shown. |
<Option Name> |
Displays a specific named design option (e.g., "Option 1 - Brick Facade," "Option 2 - Metal Panels"). | To showcase a particular design alternative in the view, useful for presentation sheets or comparison drawings. |
| Hides all design options within that set and displays only elements belonging to the main model. This is independent of which option is set as primary. | To temporarily focus on the core building structure without any design options, for coordination or detailed work on non-option elements. |
- Apply Changes: Click OK to apply the chosen settings to the current view.
This method provides granular control, allowing you to create multiple views that highlight different design choices or exclude them entirely.
Method 3: Finalizing Design Options (Accepting or Deleting)
If you've reached a decision and no longer need the alternatives, you can permanently "turn off" design options by integrating a chosen option into the main model or deleting unwanted options.
Accepting a Primary Option
When a design decision is made, you can integrate your preferred option into the main model, effectively making it a permanent part of your project and removing other alternatives.
- Open the Design Options Dialog: Go to the Manage tab > Design Options.
- Set Desired Option as Primary: Ensure that the option you want to keep is set as "Primary" within its Design Option Set.
- Accept Primary: Select the Design Option Set containing your chosen primary option and click the Accept Primary button.
- Confirm Action: Revit will prompt you to confirm. Be aware that this action moves all elements from the primary option into the main model and deletes all other options (including their elements) within that set permanently.
- Repeat for All Sets: Repeat this process for any other Design Option Sets you wish to finalize.
Deleting Design Options
If an option is no longer required and will not be integrated into the main model, you can delete it.
- Open the Design Options Dialog: Go to the Manage tab > Design Options.
- Select the Option or Set:
- To delete an entire Design Option Set and all its options, select the set.
- To delete a specific option within a set (leaving others), select that individual option.
- Click Delete: Click the Delete button.
- Confirm Deletion: Revit will ask for confirmation. Deleting an option or set permanently removes all its elements from the project. If you delete the primary option, its elements are removed, and another option might become primary (if available) or the set might become empty.
Key Considerations for Managing Design Options
- Save Frequently: Always save your project before performing major operations on design options, such as accepting or deleting. This allows you to revert if necessary.
- Main Model vs. Option Elements: Understand that elements in the main model exist independently, while elements in design options are tied to those options.
- Add to Set: When adding new elements to a design option, use the "Add to Set" command to correctly assign them.
- Phasing Interaction: If your project uses phasing, be mindful of how phases interact with design options, as elements created in specific phases within an option will retain that phasing information.
For more detailed information, consult the Autodesk Revit Help documentation on Design Options.
