Link Selection Box
by Vixeldorf
Create a Section Box around selected linked elements, similar to the native Selection Box tool
General usage instructions
Link Selection Box adds three tools to the Vixeldorf → Link panel that let you work with elements inside linked Revit models directly from your host project — something Revit’s native tools only allow for elements in the current model.
During coordination, modelers and BIM coordinators constantly need to inspect, locate, and reference elements that live in linked models (architecture, structure, MEP, etc.). Normally a linked element can only be selected, not isolated or used to drive a section box, and its ID cannot be read or reused. These three commands close that gap.
Commands
1. Link Selection Box
- Either pre-select the linked element(s) — and, optionally, host-model elements — in any view, or just run the command and pick them when prompted.
- The tool builds a 3D selection box tightly around the selection, switches to the 3D view, zooms to fit, and highlights the elements.
- Works correctly even when the link is moved, rotated, or mirrored.
- Use it to quickly crop a busy model down to the area you are coordinating.
2. Link Element IDs
- Pre-select linked elements, or run the command and pick them.
- A window lists each element’s ID, category, and source link.
- Click Copy IDs to put them on the clipboard — ready to paste into reports, RFIs, issue trackers, or the command below.
- Use it to communicate exactly which linked elements you mean (e.g. “fix structural beams 1234567, 1234568”).
3. Select by Link ID
- Run the command and paste or type element IDs (comma-, space-, or line-separated).
- Choose a specific link, or leave “Check in all models” to search every loaded link automatically.
- The matching linked elements are selected and the view zooms to them. If the same ID exists in several links, you’re asked which one.
- This is the reverse of Revit’s “Select by ID”, but for linked models — the natural counterpart to Link Element IDs for round-tripping IDs received from teammates.
How it fits in
The tools are designed to be used together and to drop into existing review habits: find an element in a link → frame it with a section box → read its ID → share it → and later re-select it by ID. Pre-selection support means they also chain naturally after a normal selection, without extra clicks.