🧠Understanding the ViewCube in Revit
How to orient and navigate 3D views efficiently
In Revit, you can create different views of the building model, such as plans, sections, elevations, and 3D views. You can orient a 3D view using the ViewCube, which allows you to receive visual feedback of the current orientation of a model and to adjust the viewpoint of the model.
Where to Find the ViewCube
The ViewCube is only displayed when working in a 3D view. If you do not see the ViewCube, go up to the Ribbon, click on View tab, then click on the 3D View icon.
Activating the ViewCube
The ViewCube is shown in one of the corners of the window over the model in an inactive state. When the cursor is positioned over the ViewCube tool, it becomes active.
What Can You Do With the ViewCube?
You can drag or click the ViewCube, switch to one of the available preset views, roll the current view, or change to the Home view of the model.
The ViewCube provides 26 defined areas and 3 groups: corner, edge, and face.
Visual Feedback & Tooltips
When the cursor is over one of the clickable areas of the ViewCube, the cursor changes to an arrow with a small cube to indicate the cursor is over the ViewCube.
In addition to the cursor changing, a tooltip is also displayed. The tooltip describes the action that can be performed based on the location of the cursor over the ViewCube.
Clicking Faces & Zooming
Click the Right face to reorient the model to the right view.
Click ZR to call Zoom in Rectangular command, and draw a window to specify an area to be zoomed.
Roll Arrows & Corner Views
You can also use one of these roll arrows to rotate the current view 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise around the center of the view.
Click the right roll arrow to reorient the model to the Back view.
Click one of the corners on the ViewCube to reorient the current view of the model to a three-quarter view, based on a viewpoint defined by three sides of the model.
Home View & Saving Views
To reorient the model to the Home view, click Go Home.
If you need to check this view later, right-click the ViewCube, choose Save View.
To define the Home view, click Set Current View as Home.
To define the Front view, click Set Front to, and select the desired view.
To restore the Front view, click Reset Front.
Orient to Another View
To orient a 3D view to another view, select Orient to View and then select the view type and name.
💡 Key Takeaway
The ViewCube is your fastest way to navigate 3D views in Revit. Mastering its faces, edges, corners, and roll arrows will dramatically speed up your modeling and presentation workflow.
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