--- title: Enscape Best Practices for Revit Project Setup | Revit Configuration & Settings description: Get accustomed with important realistic view settings in Revit and Enscape that will help your projects appear even more appealing and accurate image: https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Project%20Setup-7.jpeg --- [Chaos Logo](https://blog.chaos.com/) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - English - [français](https://blog.chaos.com/fr/bonnes-pratiques-revit-configuration-projet) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [\< All Blog Posts](https://blog.chaos.com) Dan Stine Last updated: July 15, 2025  •  6 min read # Best Practices for Revit Project Setup When using Autodesk Revit, it is very easy to open a 3D view and then start Enscape to begin exploring your project in a photorealistic real-time environment. To help you understand [how to use Enscape in Revit](https://blog.chaos.com/how-to-use-enscape-in-revit?hsLang=en) from start to finish, this post will mention a few things you should consider for your Revit project and walk you through best practices for configuration, settings and options for realistic 3D views in Revit. These advanced Revit rendering tips will not only aid in your firm’s internal Revit design process, but also facilitate smooth and [effective meetings](https://blog.chaos.com/how-to-boost-your-revit-presentation-with-enscape?hsLang=en)with your clients or project stakeholders. ## Revit project setup from start to finish To introduce you to the best practice Revit design options and settings, first, let’s talk about some challenges we face using the default Revit settings. Using Revit’s installed advanced sample project, we open the **Default 3D view**, as shown below, and start Enscape. Once in Enscape, the model looks nice; we see [realistic reflections](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-glass-in-architectural-design/?hsLang=en)on the glass and [interior lighting](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-for-lighting-and-exposure/#interiorlighting). We might use **Shift + Right click & Drag** to adjust the time of day to brighten things up a bit. *Sample project in Revit* *Sample project in Enscape with default settings* Depending on a few settings in Revit, we may notice some elements don’t look quite right or are altogether missing. For example, as one approaches this entry canopy shown in the next image, the client might say “I love the cantilevered roof” while the structural engineer follows up with “where are my columns and bar joists?”. At this point you must tell the client the project budget could not possibly afford such a design and let the structural engineer know your photorealistic portrayal of the design is missing elements. Revit’s **Detail Level** for the view you started Enscape from influences what appears in the scene. If the **Detail Level** is set to **Coarse**, there may be many things missing throughout your model – just as they are in your Revit view. Let’s see how the scene changes when we adjust the Revit view from **Coarse** to **Medium**. *Coarse – structural elements missing* *Change Revit’s Detail Level to Medium* With the **Detail Level** in Revit set to **Medium** we can now see the columns, but the bar joists are missing the webbing. Now let’s try changing the **Detail Level** from Medium to **Fine**. We can see all the structural components for the project; the columns, bar joists and joist webbing. Thus, it is important to set the Detail Level to Fine to ensure everything shows up in Enscape. Other than users having older [graphics cards](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/system-requirements/), I have not come across a project, in terms of size, geometry and textures used, where I had to use Detail Level at Coarse or Medium to manage system resources – Enscape does a great job at managing system resources itself. *Medium – structural joist webbing missing* *Fine – All elements now show properly* To save time and ensure all elements are visible in Enscape, consider creating a dedicated 3D view in Revit, from which to start Enscape. In this view, do the following: - Name it. For example: **Enscape –Exterior – Main** - Detail Level: **Fine** - Visual Style: **Anything but Realistic** - Realistic makes the view/Revit slow, and “realistic” is Enscape’s job! - Sun Settings (see first image below): - Solar **Study: Still** - Settings: - Location: **Select project location on Earth**(see second image below) - **Set Date and Time** - Visibility/Graphic Overrides: - Model tab (see third image below); - **Turn on, or off**, what you want to appear in Enscape - Analytical tab (see fourth image below): - **Turn off** this entire section for this view - FYI: This is for structural analysis and energy modelling *Sun Settings to adjust for a given Revit view* *Setting location on Earth for Revit project* *Element visibility control for a given Revit view* *Analytical Element visibility control* In addition to the **Location**, which is a project-wide setting (not just a view setting) you must also set **True North** for Enscape to depict the sun and shadows accurately. This can be accomplished from any plan view as shown in the following image. Once **True North** is adjusted, notice the shadows look a lot different in Enscape; notice the two side-by-side comparisons below. And if the main entry seems too dark for mid-June at noon, then perhaps the design needs to change. The designer nor the client would be able to make an informed decision unless they see the daylight, shade and shadow portrayed accurately. Not only is **True North** important for visualization, but it is also key in Revit and Autodesk Insight’s energy modeling workflow. *Original default settings* *Shadows now accurate for project location and true north* *Original default settings* *Shadows now accurate for project location and true north* If your priority at some point is not concerned with true natural light angle, but on nice looks instead, you can also temporarily move the sun orthogonally to its natural trajectory. To do this, press **Shift + U / I** or **CTRL + U / I**. To reset its position, press \[Pos1\]. When creating a dedicated Enscape view with all the [settings properly adjusted](https://enscape3d.com/community/blog/knowledgebase/settings-presets/), you can confidently launch Enscape at any time for an internal design review or client meeting. Just agree within your team that the “Enscape” views should never be modified in Revit—meaning, someone should never use those special views to hide all the structure and roof elements to get a better look at the model in Revit. Let’s take a look at an interior example. When a Revit view has **Detail Level** set to **Coarse**, we notice the casework hardware is missing as seen in the Enscape-generated image below. When the same view has the **Detail Level** set to **Fine**, we see all the hardware appear in Enscape. *Coarse – Casework hardware missing* *Fine – Casework hardware now showing* In case you are new to Revit, in the **Family Editor**, each 3D element can be tied to a specific **Detail Level** setting as shown in the next image. *Element Visibility Settings within Family Editor* In addition to having a primary view from which to launch Enscape, you can create additional convenience views. These views can be used to efficiently walk a client through a project; as quickly accessible waypoints. We can have camera views and cropped 3D views (using a Section Box). Again, including “Enscape” in the name will keep them organized, safe from modification and easy to use. The image below shows a possible naming convention for even greater view organization and ease of project navigation. With Enscape open, clicking a view from the Enscape tab in Revit, as shown below, the Enscape viewer will instantly update to that location. **TIP:** Selecting the star next to a view(s) will include that view(s) in Enscape’s **Presentation Mode** within the Enscape viewer. *Saved Revit Views* *Same Views in Enscape* On the Enscape tab, selecting a View with a Section Box enabled will update the Enscape view to have the same crop. Not only is this a good way to discuss your talking points about this space with the client, but this can also enhance Enscape performance as there is less geometry and textures to process. *View cropped with section box in Enscape* Keep in mind that a Revit view’s **Phasing** and Design Option settings will have an impact on what is displayed in Enscape, as well. A final point about Revit views relates to ones created by Enscape. Clicking the **Create View** button on the Enscape tab results in a Revit view being created to match the currently composed Enscape view. Keep in mind, based on certain Revit settings, this view may not have the Detail Level and other settings discussed in this article, set properly. So, be sure to circle back into Revit and make those changes. *Creating a saved view in Revit based on current Enscape view* ## **Conclusion** While it is certainly possible to enjoy visualizing your [Revit model](https://blog.chaos.com/free-revit-models-and-3d-visualization-bim-guru?hsLang=en) in Enscape with nearly zero effort, and generate realistic 3D views and renderings, there are a few steps you can take and settings and configurations you can optimize to make the process more predictable and accurate. A standard 3D view for Enscape can even be created in your Revit template to set a precedence for additional views once a project is started. Applying these simple techniques to your project will aid the entire design team when it comes to developing, reviewing and presenting the design. ### Ready to try Chaos products? Start your free trial today and explore all features. [Start Free Trial](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) Share [mailto:?subject=Enscape%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Project%20Setup%20|%20Revit%20Configuration%20&%20Settings&body=Enscape%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Project%20Setup%20|%20Revit%20Configuration%20&%20Settings%20https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-revit-project-setup](mailto:?subject=Enscape%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Project%20Setup%20|%20Revit%20Configuration%20&%20Settings&body=Enscape%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Revit%20Project%20Setup%20|%20Revit%20Configuration%20&%20Settings%20https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-revit-project-setup) [Enscape Tips](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/enscape-tips) [Revit](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/revit) Dan Stine Dan is an author, blogger, educator, design technologist and Wisconsin-registered architect. He is the Director of Design Technology at Lake | Flato architects in San Antonio, Texas. Connect with Dan on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstinemn/). [bimchapters.blogspot.com](https://bimchapters.blogspot.com/) ## Related Articles ### [September 3, 2026 From CAD Model to Finished Render: How Architectural Rendering Actually Works Teodora Mircheva  •  9 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/cad-rendering-workflow-architecture?hsLang=en) ### [July 29, 2026 Veras 4.7 is now available: Edit videos with Gemini Omni Benjamin Guler  •  3 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/veras-4.7?hsLang=en) ### [June 26, 2026 How to use AI to generate architectural design variations Gemma Da Silva  •  12 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/ai-architectural-design-variations?hsLang=en) [Visit the blog for more articles](https://blog.chaos.com) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Get the best tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletter. Learn all about the latest news, company updates and recommended content, cherry-picked for you. 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