Revit Plugin Review: Dissociate Dimensions

About this app

Annotations and dimensioning play a crucial role in architectural design projects, and one common issue that often arises in Autodesk® Revit® is the accidental deletion or modification of elements linked to dimensions. This can be frustrating and time-consuming to rectify, leading to potential errors in the project. However, there is a solution to this problem in the form of a handy plugin called Dissociate Dimensions.

What is Dissociate Dimensions?

Dissociate Dimensions is a Revit plugin designed to address the issue of dimensions being inadvertently deleted or modified when the reference element in a linked document is altered. This tool creates dissociated copies of dimensions in the current view, allowing users to easily select and isolate them for visualization purposes. By grouping these dissociated dimensions, users can hide them in the view and refer back to them if needed, ensuring that they remain prepared for any accidental loss of dimensional annotations in their project.

The app button with its tooltip in Revit interface

(Image by: Sanjiv Kapila)

Features of Dissociate Dimensions

One of the key features of Dissociate Dimensions is its ability to create dissociated copies of dimensions in the current view. This means that even if the reference element linked to a dimension is deleted or modified, the dimension itself remains intact and accessible for future reference. By grouping these dissociated dimensions, users can easily manage and organize them within the project, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

Additionally, Dissociate Dimensions allows users to hide grouped dimensions in the view, ensuring that they do not clutter the workspace or interfere with the design process. This feature enhances the user experience by providing a clean and organized working environment, free from unnecessary distractions.

The app button on the annotation panel of the add-ins tab

(Image by: Sanjiv Kapila)

How to Use Dissociate Dimensions

Using Dissociate Dimensions is straightforward and user-friendly. Simply install the plugin in Revit and access the tool from the toolbar or ribbon menu. Once activated, select the dimensions in the current view that you wish to dissociate. The plugin will create dissociated copies of these dimensions, which can then be grouped and managed as needed. By following this simple workflow, users can safeguard their dimensional annotations and prevent potential errors in their project.

As a standard workflow, the newly created disassociated dimensions can be kept hidden in the view until the need arises.

(Image by: Sanjiv Kapila)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dissociate Dimensions is a valuable plugin for Autodesk Revit users who frequently encounter issues with dimensioning and annotations in their projects. By providing a solution to the problem of accidental deletion or modification of dimensions, this tool offers peace of mind and efficiency in the design process. With its user-friendly interface and practical features, Dissociate Dimensions is a must-have plugin for architects, designers, and drafters working in Revit. Give it a try and experience the benefits of enhanced dimensioning workflow in your projects!