What RVT_ELEC_01101 Questions and Answers feature?

The warning message — “Can’t create this kind of element in this view in the current mode” — appears when an electrical designer attempts to place a Generic Annotation family inside a model family (e.g., a data device or electrical fixture) that is not configured to host annotation elements.

According to the Revit Electrical Design documentation, Generic Annotation families are 2D annotation elements, and therefore, cannot be created or viewed in 3D model views unless configured as “Shared.” The official guide clarifies:

“You can create generic annotation families and nest them inside host model families so that the annotations display in the project.”

However, this only functions correctly if the annotation is enabled to act independently within the host:

“To allow a nested annotation to be visible and editable when placed in a host model family, the nested annotation must be set to Shared before loading it into the host.”

If the nested annotation is not set to Shared, Revit cannot create or display it in the host’s model view, triggering this exact warning.

Thus, the correct workflow is:

Open the Generic Annotation family in the Family Editor.

Go to Family Category and Parameters.

Check the box “Shared” under Family Parameters.

Save and reload the family into the host electrical device family.

Other options—changing view level, detail level, or annotation orientation—do not resolve this placement restriction.

In Autodesk Revit for Electrical Design, arrowheads on leader lines—such as those used with tags, text notes, or annotations—are controlled through Type Properties, not through instance properties or free-end options.

According to the Revit MEP User’s Guide – Annotating Chapter (Chapter 47 and 42), the section “Modifying Tags” explains:

“Select the tag, and on the Properties palette, click (Edit Type). In the Type Properties dialog, select a value for Leader Arrowhead to add an arrowhead to the leader line.”

This confirms that the arrowhead is defined at the type level, meaning any change applies to all tags or text notes of that annotation type throughout the project. The Leader Arrowhead property allows the designer to choose from predefined arrowhead styles (like “Filled Arrow,” “Dot,” “Tick Mark,” etc.), which are defined globally under:

Manage tab → Settings panel → Additional Settings → Arrowheads.

Furthermore, the document specifies under “Leader Arrowhead Properties”:

“Sets the arrowhead shape on the leader line. The value is the name of the arrowhead style defined by the Arrowheads tool.”

This behavior applies to all annotation categories, including text notes, keynotes, material tags, and electrical device tags, maintaining consistency across all view types in an electrical project.

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer because arrowheads are configured via Type Properties, while the other options are inaccurate:

Option A (Free End) only defines leader attachment behavior.

Option B (Instance properties) does not include a “Leader Arrowhead” toggle.

Option D (Enable Leader Line) only adds or removes a leader line, not the arrowhead style.

In Revit Electrical Design, the Selection Box tool is used to quickly isolate and display selected components in a cropped 3D view. When an electrical designer selects conduits or devices in a model and chooses Selection Box from the Modify tab, Revit automatically generates a 3D view bounded tightly around the selected elements, helping coordinate routing in confined or congested spaces.

According to the Revit MEP User’s Guide under “Creating 3D Views”:

“Use the Selection Box tool to create a 3D view that isolates selected elements. Revit automatically crops the view extents to the selected geometry.”

This feature is critical in multidisciplinary coordination because it allows the electrical designer to review specific conduits, cable trays, or lighting paths in context without manually adjusting view boundaries.

In contrast:

Default 3D View (Option B) shows the entire model.

Scope Box (Option C) controls view extents in 2D views or view templates, not instant isolation.

Section Box (Option D) is manually adjusted within an existing 3D view but does not automatically generate a cropped view around selected elements.

Therefore, the Selection Box is the correct and most efficient tool for this task.