How to show Shadows from Neighbouring Buildings in Elevations
Unfortunately, Revit doesn’t show the extent of shadows from neighbouring buildings in standard elevation views. Shadows work best in 3D views so the workaround is to create an orthographic camera view of the building for each façade following the below steps:
Ensure you are in a Plan view with extents allowing you to see the full extent of the building. Ideally one that is about midway for the height of the building.
Select the Camera tool from the View tab on the Ribbon.
Untick the Perspective checkbox on the Options bar – this changes the view to orthographic much like the standard elevation.
In Plan view place a camera perpendicular to the centre of the building elevation you want to elevate. (Align the camera direction as square as possible to the building façade. Use a reference line if necessary.)
In the camera view ensure the camera and eye height match – adjust to approximately half the building height if not already done.
Ensure the Graphic Display Options: Lighting, Location and Sun Settings are correct and Name the view as per the company standards.
Use Graphic Display Options: Lighting to control the Sun Intensity, Ambient Light Brightness and Shadow Darkness.
Use Location to correctly locate the Building/Site in the world.
Use the Sun Settings to specify a date and time the shadows should be derived from.
Turn on Shadows to complete.