Ballad of the Note Block

Keynotes, as defined by Revit, can be a wonderful tool. The premise behind Revit keynotes is that you have a database of notes (text) that correspond to a key (number) and that you can place the keynote via a Tag onto your views and then have a Keynote Legend display both the keynote and the related text. This simple concept makes it easy for the Specifier or Project Manager to easily control the contractual language within your construction documents.

While many of our customers have implemented Revit Keynotes with a high degree of success we also hear many complaints about the rigidness of this tool (it’s difficult to edit the text values - which is also why it’s so valuable!).  In some cases the use of Generic Annotation objects (a.k.a. the “dumb” tag) along with a Note Block is a more appropriate solution for the task at hand. Yes, the Note Block is blog-worthy, and it’s time it had its due!

A Revit Note Block is similar to a Schedule entity though it reports on Generic Annotation objects, which are often referred to as Symbols. The most common usage of this would be for Demolition Notes. Other diverse uses include Signage Plans, Piping and Electrical Control diagrams, Renovation Notes, and requirement lists such as the CalGreen Mandatory Requirements Checklist. As many of our California-area customers have experienced the requirement to document the location within the sheetset of each CalGreen requirement presents an interesting Revit conundrum. The Note Block is a perfect way to manage this type of task.  Learn how to make a Note Block and see how Ideate BIMLink can support this kind of checklist requirement.

---

Glynnis Patterson,
N.C.A.R.B. – Director of Services
Glynnis is a Registered Architect and has worked within the BIM industry since 1998. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, she has worked as an architect, educator and construction site manager. Glynnis is currently the Director of Development Services at Ideate, Inc. and continues to work with AEC clients across the nation, developing, and implementing best practices solutions. In her spare time Glynnis is a member of the Morristown Environmental Commission and builds Lego projects. @GVPinNJ

Get it. Know it. Use it.