> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ideatura.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Interactive Dimensions

> Create an automation that dimensions elements you select with boxes while it runs in Revit.

**Batch dimensioning** processes a defined scope in one run—for example, the internal walls, external walls or grids in a plan.

**Interactive dimensioning** asks you to make selections while the automation runs. In this example, you draw boxes across elements in Revit, and the automation uses the intersected references to create dimension strings.

This is useful when you want to work through particular rooms or partition runs, choosing each area as you go.

## 1. Create the automation

Open your own project and choose a floor plan. Start an empty Ideatura chat and describe the workflow:

> Create an automation called Interactive Dimensions. While it runs, let me draw selection boxes across walls in the active view. For each box, create one dimension string from the usable references it intersects. Use a horizontal measurement direction for a wide box and a vertical direction for a tall box. Keep asking for another box until I press Escape. Include controls for wall references, excluded wall types, grids, furniture and moving dimension numbers. Report any boxes that could not produce dimensions.

Start with a small area where you can easily check the result. The generated card below opens its controls through **Run with parameters**, marked **1**.

![Generated interactive dimension automation in Ideatura.](https://mintcdn.com/ideatura/jXalIHxlcoryHu-1/images/interactive-dimensions/created.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=jXalIHxlcoryHu-1\&q=85\&s=cbe90b0936577392d488d607ff1647cb)

## 2. Choose the references

Ask Ideatura to expose these controls, then review them before running:

| Control | What to choose |
| - | - |
| **Dimension style** | A dimension type loaded in your project. |
| **Wall refs** | **Full Thickness** for the outer wall faces, **Core Boundaries** for the wall core, or **Wall Centerline**. |
| **Exclude wall types** | Wall types that should not contribute—for example, lightweight cubicle partitions. |
| **Grids** | Include usable grid references intersecting the box. |
| **Furniture** | Include usable furniture references. |
| **Move dimension numbers** | Attempt to move dimension text to improve readability. |

The tested example uses **1** the red dimension style, **2 Full Thickness**, **3** an exclusion for cubicle partitions and **4 Move dimension numbers**. Grids and furniture are off. Select **5 Run** to start making selections in Revit.

![Dimension style, wall references, exclusions and Run controls.](https://mintcdn.com/ideatura/jXalIHxlcoryHu-1/images/interactive-dimensions/controls.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=jXalIHxlcoryHu-1\&q=85\&s=522eeb2199f23c1bc878a18c3fc04cc4)

## 3. Draw a selection box

Run the automation. When prompted in Revit, draw a box across the elements you want to dimension.

For a row of rooms separated by vertical partitions, draw a **wide, shallow box** across the partitions. The box needs to intersect the relevant walls; it does not need to enclose their full lengths.

The box's proportions determine the measurement direction:

* **Wide box:** horizontal dimensions in the view.
* **Tall box:** vertical dimensions in the view.

This example uses straight dimensions aligned with the view. Angled or radial dimensioning would need additional rules.

Each box needs at least two usable references. Here, a wide selection through the lift and toilet core created the horizontal string below.

![Native horizontal dimension string across the lift and toilet core.](https://mintcdn.com/ideatura/jXalIHxlcoryHu-1/images/interactive-dimensions/horizontal.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=jXalIHxlcoryHu-1\&q=85\&s=28ae05e8df49cf5cefaf7a969d2bfb54)

## 4. Continue through the drawing

Draw another box across the next area. You can work through several room widths or partition runs without restarting the automation.

Press **Escape** when finished, then review the report for created dimensions and skipped boxes.

The tall selection below created a vertical string through three meeting rooms. In this test, repeating the same boxes skipped the existing strings instead of adding duplicates. Two other boxes lacked enough usable references and created nothing.

![Native vertical dimension string through three meeting rooms.](https://mintcdn.com/ideatura/jXalIHxlcoryHu-1/images/interactive-dimensions/vertical.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=jXalIHxlcoryHu-1\&q=85\&s=b9ce8fe201169a7ffcfc926ad1887fdd)

## 5. Check, refine and save

Inspect the references, values and text placement in Revit. Confirm that the dimensions measure the intended wall faces, core boundaries or centrelines.

This example excludes unsupported curtain-wall references. Furniture needs suitable family references; visible geometry alone may not be enough. Test any change to the wall-reference mode or included categories on a small area.

If something is missing or incorrectly referenced, describe that specific issue and ask Ideatura to adjust the automation. Test the correction on a small area before saving the workflow for reuse.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.