AC1 Lecture 3 Sept 16, 2026
3D Sections, Exploded Views & Architectural Visualisation Workflows
1. Introduction to the Session
Introduction to Meeting 3 of Advanced Computing 1
Overview of the day's focus:
3D architectural sections
Exploded views
Isometric and axonometric projections
Digital production workflows
AI-assisted production techniques
The importance of keeping architectural workflows current as digital technologies continue to develop
Reminder about class participation and the importance of attending live sessions
2. Assignment 1: Where We Are Now
Review of the work covered in the previous sessions
Recap of the Mimic exercise and swim lane diagrams
How the current technical exercises contribute to Assignment 1
Reminder that the assignment submission link will be provided during the following week's class
Ensuring that students have their Autodesk student accounts and required software operational
3. Building an Effective Digital Toolkit
Overview of the software ecosystem being used in the module
Autodesk/Revit as the primary BIM environment
Photoshop and Affinity for image editing and graphic production
Desktop Connector and related Autodesk tools for working with BIM information
Understanding the role of different applications within a larger workflow
Optimising an existing workflow rather than simply adding more software
4. Organising Your Digital Workspace
Before getting into the modelling techniques, the session looks at how digital files should be organised for efficient production.
Layer Management
Naming layers clearly
Grouping related elements
Merging layers where appropriate
Maintaining control over complex Photoshop files
Avoiding unnecessary layers and duplication
Applying similar organisational principles in Affinity and other graphic applications
The broader principle is that good visualisation depends not only on graphical skill but also on good file management.
5. Introduction to 3D Sections
Why 3D sections are useful architectural communication tools
Difference between a conventional 2D section and a 3D section
Using a 3D section to communicate:
Spatial relationships
Circulation
Building organisation
Relationships between floors
Connections between interior and exterior spaces
Choosing an appropriate section through the building
6. Creating a 3D Section in Revit
The tutorial demonstrates a practical workflow for creating a 3D section.
Basic workflow
Start with an existing 3D view.
Activate the Section Box.
Adjust the section box to isolate the desired portion of the building.
Crop the view to improve the composition.
Hide unnecessary elements.
Adjust the orientation of the model.
Set an appropriate scale.
Duplicate and organise the resulting view.
The focus is on using the existing BIM model to create a strong graphic representation rather than rebuilding the geometry.
7. Using Section Boxes Effectively
Understanding the relationship between the section box and the visible model
Controlling the height, width and depth of the section
Using the section box to reveal important spatial relationships
Aligning the section with the intended communication objective
Using visual feedback from the section box while positioning the cut
Cropping the resulting view for presentation
8. Section Views as Communication Tools
The tutorial demonstrates that the section should be selected according to what you want the viewer to understand.
Potential communication objectives include:
Showing circulation
Revealing spatial organisation
Explaining vertical relationships
Showing connections between different parts of a building
Highlighting specific architectural features
The section is therefore not simply a technical cut through the model—it is a deliberately constructed form of architectural communication.
9. Creating Exploded Views
Introduction to exploded architectural drawings
Understanding how displacement can be used to separate building elements
Using Revit's Displace Elements functionality
Moving selected components away from their original positions
Controlling the direction and extent of displacement
Using exploded views to reveal relationships between building components
10. Isometric vs Axonometric Projection
A significant part of the session is devoted to understanding different types of architectural projection.
Isometric
Understanding the specific geometric characteristics of an isometric projection
Recognising how the building is oriented within the view
Applying the projection consistently when producing architectural drawings
Axonometric
Understanding the broader category of axonometric projection
Recognising how different axes can be represented
Understanding why axonometric views are frequently used for architectural communication
Why This Matters
Previous students had difficulty distinguishing these projection types
Correctly identifying the projection is important when reproducing architectural reference images
Students should understand the projection rather than simply relying on the appearance of an image
11. Creating ISO Linework
Introduction to producing clean architectural linework from a 3D model
Creating an ISO Lines drafting view
Using drafting views as an overlay for controlled graphic production
Creating detail lines
Working at an appropriate scale
Managing linework in "paper space"
Maintaining consistency across the drawing
12. Using Drafting Views for Graphic Control
Why drafting views can be useful for architectural presentation
Separating generated model information from manually controlled linework
Creating an overlay rather than drawing directly onto the original model view
Adjusting scale independently
Refining individual lines and graphic elements
Using the drafting view as a controlled presentation layer
A useful technique demonstrated during the session is to establish one line first and use it to determine the appropriate scale before developing the remainder of the drawing.
13. View Organisation in Revit
Creating duplicate views for different presentation purposes
Naming views systematically
Organising views within the project
Adjusting view scales
Aligning drawings on sheets
Using drafting views for supporting graphic information
Maintaining a structured Revit project environment
The session reinforces the importance of systematic organisation and relates this to broader BIM conventions, including ISO 19650 principles.
14. Creating 3D Sections for Presentation
The workflow brings the different techniques together:
Select the appropriate building view
Establish the section box
Set the projection
Adjust the model orientation
Apply the desired displacement
Hide unnecessary elements
Establish the appropriate scale
Add controlled linework
Combine the views on a sheet
Refine the final graphic composition
15. Working with Imperfect Models
Demonstration using a supplied building model
Identifying inconsistencies within the model
Understanding which problems need to be addressed for the assignment
Recognising when a modelling issue is outside the scope of the current exercise
Focusing on the intended communication objective rather than attempting to correct every piece of geometry
This reinforces an important production principle: not every problem encountered in a model needs to be solved before useful graphical information can be extracted from it.
16. Combining Multiple Projection Types
Using different projection types within the same presentation
Combining:
3D sections
Isometric views
Axonometric views
Exploded views
ISO line drawings
Understanding how different representations can communicate different aspects of the same building
Maintaining consistency in scale and graphic language
17. AI-Assisted Production
Introduction to AI-assisted production within contemporary architectural workflows
Discussion of the need for architects and designers to remain current with emerging technologies
Considering AI as part of a broader digital toolkit
Integrating AI-assisted techniques with established BIM and graphic workflows
Maintaining control over the underlying architectural information rather than treating AI as a replacement for the design process
18. Key Takeaways
By the end of the session, students should understand:
How to create a 3D section using Revit
How to use Section Boxes to control the visible portion of a model
How to create exploded views using displaced elements
The difference between isometric and axonometric projections
How to create and manage ISO linework
How drafting views can be used to control architectural graphics
How to organise and scale Revit views
How to combine different projection types within a presentation
Why good layer and file organisation matters
How different software applications can contribute to a single visualisation workflow
How these techniques contribute to the broader Mimic/visualisation assignment
19. Practical Exercise
Students should use the practical session to:
Open the supplied Revit/SketchUp model.
Select an appropriate portion of the building.
Create a 3D section using a Section Box.
Experiment with different section positions.
Create an axonometric or isometric representation.
Experiment with displaced building elements.
Develop an exploded view.
Create supporting ISO linework.
Use drafting views to refine the graphic output.
Adjust scales and organise the views.
Compare the results with their selected Mimic reference.
Document the workflow using their swim lane diagram.
20. Before the Next Session
Students should:
Ensure their Autodesk accounts and software are working
Review the difference between isometric and axonometric projections
Continue developing their Assignment 1 outputs
Continue documenting their workflows
Prepare questions arising from the practical exercise
Attend the next live session, where the assignment submission process will be finalised
Central Theme of the Session
Use the BIM model as a source of information, then deliberately manipulate its representation to communicate architecture.
The key skill being developed is not simply learning individual Revit commands. It is learning how to move from model → projection → graphic manipulation → architectural communication, while documenting the digital workflow used to create the final image.
