Poor Man’s Array in Revit

There are several situations in Revit where the Array tool is not available – one of those is when using the Sketch commands.  Here is a quick workaround.

Stair Sketch Example

In this example I wanted to create a stepped side to a stair in the sketch mode.

When I selected two of the stepped boundary lines, I discovered to my horror that the Array tool is greyed out.

Workaround

Instead of using the Array tool, use the Copy tool, making sure that the ‘Multiple’ setting is ticked on the Options Bar

Revit first asks for the Start Point

Make sure to snap to the first end point of one of the items being copied

Then snap to the second end point

Then snap to the third end point – being the end of the first copy

Keep snapping to the end of the most recent copy until you have created your array – it is pretty quick once you get going.

In this example I had to delete the last created line

If you need a lot of copies – say 100, you have two choices:

  • Concentrate hard and try not to fall asleep
    or
  • Make 20…

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