How to Use Revit’s Drafting Views for 2D Details?

If you have been working with Revit for a while, you already know it is great for creating 3D models and generating coordinated drawings. But what if you want to include a simple 2D detail that is not connected to the model? That is where Revit’s Drafting Views come in handy.

In this post, we will walk you through what drafting views are, why they are useful, and how you can create and use them effectively for 2D detailing. Whether you are an architect, interior designer, or structural drafter, this feature can make your workflow smoother and your drawings cleaner.

What Is a Drafting View in Revit?

A Drafting View is a 2D view in Revit that is not linked to the model. It is just like drawing on a piece of paper, no model elements, no section cuts – just a blank canvas where you can add 2D lines, text, dimensions, detail components, and more.

You can use Drafting Views to:

• Create typical construction details like wall sections or flashing details
• Add general notes or standard legends
• Reuse common 2D details across multiple projects

Why Use Drafting Views Instead of Model Views?

You might be wondering, “Why not just create a detail by zooming in on a section or plan?”

Here is when Drafting Views make more sense:

• When the detail does not need to reference the model
• When you are adding a standard or repetitive detail
• When you want to reuse a 2D drawing across different projects
• When modeling a component is unnecessary and 2D lines will do the job

They give you more control, keep your project light, and help avoid clutter in your model.

How to Create a Drafting View in Revit (Step by Step)?

Let us go through the process of creating and using a Drafting View in Revit:

Step 1: Open the Drafting View Tool

1. Go to the Project Browser
2. Right-click on Drafting Views
3. Click New Drafting View

Or you can:

• Go to the View tab on the ribbon
• Click Drafting View
• Give it a name and select a detailed scale

Tip: Choose a scale that matches the type of detail you are drawing (for example, 1:5 for wall details or 1:10 for furniture components)

Step 2: Start Drawing

Once you are in the Drafting View, you can start adding 2D elements. Here are some common tools:

• Detail Lines: For drawing lines that do not affect the model
• Filled Regions: For shaded or hatched areas
• Text: For labeling parts of your detail
• Dimensions: For adding measurements
• Detail Components: Pre-made 2D Revit families like bolts, anchors, or wall assemblies

Pro Tip: Use Detail Components instead of lines wherever possible, they look cleaner and can be updated centrally if needed

Step 3: Organize with Line Styles and Line Weights

Good details are clear and readable. That means using different line types and thicknesses for different parts.

For example:

• Use thick lines for cut elements
• Medium lines for outlines
• Thin lines for hatching or background elements

You can manage these using:

• Object Styles in the Manage tab
• Line Styles under Additional Settings

Step 4: Add Tags and Notes

Clarity is key in 2D details. Revit lets you add:

• Keynotes linked to a keynote legend
• Text notes
• Tags for detailed components

Keep your notes short and consistent, and align them neatly to avoid visual clutter.

Step 5: Place the Drafting View on a Sheet

Once your 2D detail is ready:

1. Go to the Sheet View
2. Drag and drop the Drafting View from the Project Browser onto the sheet
3. Adjust its position and scale if needed

Bonus: You can reuse this view in future projects using the “Insert from File” feature

How to Reuse Drafting Views Across Projects?

One of the biggest perks of Drafting Views is reusability. You can create a library of typical details and reuse them in different jobs.

Here is how:

1. In the project you want to import the details into, go to:
   • Insert > Insert from File > Insert Views from File
2. Select a previous Revit project file
3. Choose the Drafting Views you want to import

That is it, now your standard details live on in every project without redrawing them

Tips to Keep Your Drafting Views Clean and Effective

• Use view templates to maintain consistent styles
• Name views clearly (for example, “Wall Section Brick Veneer”)
• Group similar details in the Project Browser using View Subcategories
• Avoid over detailing – stick to what is necessary
• Maintain a library of standard details for your team

When NOT to Use Drafting Views

Drafting Views are great, but they are not always the right choice. Avoid using them when:

• The detail relies heavily on the model context
• You need live links to model elements, such as dimensions that update with model changes
• You are working on a coordination-heavy detail like HVAC routing or structure connections

In those cases, use callouts, sections, or detail views that are connected to the model.

Wrapping Up

Drafting Views in Revit are powerful tools for creating clean, simple 2D details that do not need to connect to your model. They help speed up your workflow, keep your documentation organized, and allow for easy reuse across projects.

Once you get the hang of it, you will find they are a flexible solution for all sorts of details, from standard wall sections to complex joinery or trim profiles.

If you are not using them yet, give them a try on your next project; you will be glad you did.