How to Create a Section
Overview
Section views are one of Revit's most powerful documentation tools.
A section allows you to cut through your model and view it from the side, making it easier to understand the vertical relationship between cabinets, countertops, walls, ceilings, and other architectural elements.
Because section views are generated directly from the Revit model, they remain fully coordinated with your project and automatically update whenever the design changes.
Why Use Sections?
Section views provide valuable information that cannot always be seen in a floor plan.
They are commonly used to:
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Verify cabinet heights
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Review countertop elevations
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Check appliance clearances
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Confirm the relationship between upper and lower cabinets
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Communicate construction details to installers
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Produce professional drawing packages for clients and contractors
Rather than creating separate drawings, Revit automatically generates section views from the same intelligent model used to create your plans, elevations, and 3D views.
Creating a Section
To create a section:
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Open a Floor Plan view.
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Navigate to the View tab.
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Select Section.
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Click once to define the starting point of the section line.
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Click again to define the end point.
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Move your cursor to choose the viewing direction.
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Click once more to complete the section.
A section marker will now appear in your floor plan.
To open the section, simply double-click the section marker or select the section from the Project Browser.
Working with Section Views
Once the section is open, you can:
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Pan and zoom through the model.
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Review cabinet alignment.
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Verify installation heights.
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Check clearances and construction details.
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Add dimensions and annotations.
Sections can also be placed onto drawing sheets alongside floor plans and elevations as part of your final drawing package.
Automatic Updates
One of the greatest advantages of working in Revit is that section views remain connected to the model.
If you:
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Move a cabinet
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Resize a cabinet
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Modify a wall
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Adjust cabinet heights
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Change the room layout
the section view updates automatically.
This eliminates the need to redraw construction details and helps ensure that every drawing remains coordinated throughout the project.
Best Practices
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Place sections through the most important areas of the kitchen, such as appliance walls, islands, or tall cabinet runs.
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Use sections to verify vertical relationships before finalizing your design.
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Add dimensions and notes where additional clarification is required.
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Review section views before issuing drawings to ensure the design is complete and coordinated.
Why It Matters
Section views help transform a floor plan into a complete set of construction documents.
They improve communication, reduce installation questions, and allow designers, project managers, and installers to clearly understand how the project is intended to be built.
Combined with Revit's intelligent modeling capabilities, section views automatically remain synchronized with your design, helping produce more accurate drawings while reducing repetitive drafting work.