How to rotate the cable tray

Cable trays can be rotated in Revit by using the rotate command in section or elevation views, or by creating a face-based family for more flexible orientation.

Rotating Cable Trays in Standard Views

To rotate a cable tray vertically or onto its side:

1. Draw the cable tray in a plan view.
2. Switch to a section or elevation view that shows the tray from the side.
3. Use the Rotate tool to adjust the tray's orientation vertically or along a wall .
4. For perpendicular alignment, ensure you are in a perpendicular section or elevation view to see the element standing vertically .

Using Face-Based Families for Custom Orientation

Standard Revit cable trays are system families, which limits rotation along the cross-section axis. To achieve more flexible rotation:

1. Create a face-based family classified under an electrical category.
2. Host the tray onto a surface, such as a wall or trench.
3. Use reference planes and locked dimensions to define the tray's length and orientation.
4. Press the space bar to rotate the tray along the wall or vertical surface . This method allows the tray to follow walls or vertical paths while remaining visible in electrical discipline views.

Handling Fittings and Elbows

When connecting horizontal and vertical segments:

• Place cable tray fittings (elbows, tees, transitions) at the correct elevation before drawing the tray run.
• Use the connectors at both ends to ensure proper alignment.
• This ensures the tray segments rotate automatically to line up with predecessor elements .

Programmatic Rotation

For automation via Revit API:

• Use methods like NewElbowFitting, NewTeeFitting, or NewTransitionFitting to place fittings between segments.
• Ensure the alignment and orientation of each segment is set before creating the fitting to maintain correct rotation . By combining these approaches, you can rotate cable trays vertically, along walls, or in complex paths while maintaining proper connectivity and visibility in Revit.