Use Area Pad to create area-based planting layouts, groundcover planting, shrub beds, amenity planting zones, and other landscape planting areas within a Revit project. Area Pads provide an efficient method for defining planting extents, calculating quantities, generating schedules, and coordinating landscape design with terrain and site infrastructure.

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Prerequisites

Before creating an Area Pad:

1. Required plant types have been added to the project palette.
2. Site boundaries and design layouts are available.
3. Planting specifications have been defined.
4. Terrain and landscape elements have been coordinated.
5. Appropriate visibility settings are enabled.

Outcome: The project is ready for area-based planting design.

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1. Review Planting Requirements

1. Confirm the planting design intent.
2. Identify the planting type for the area:
   • Groundcover planting
   • Shrub planting
   • Mixed planting
   • Herbaceous planting
   • Mass planting
3. Review project specification requirements.
4. Verify planting density and coverage targets.

Outcome: The planting strategy is defined before creating the Area Pad.

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2. Create the Area Pad Boundary

1. Open the Area Pad tool.
2. Select the required plant type or planting mix.
3. Create the planting boundary by:
   • Drawing a new boundary, or
   • Selecting existing model geometry where appropriate.
4. Complete the boundary sketch.
5. Review the defined planting area.

Outcome: The Area Pad boundary accurately represents the intended planting zone.

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3. Configure Area Pad Settings

1. Review area placement settings.
2. Define:
   • Plant spacing
   • Plant density
   • Coverage requirements
   • Species selection
   • Plant mix ratios where applicable
3. Confirm the settings.

Outcome: Plant distribution parameters are established for the planting area.

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4. Generate Area Planting

1. Execute the Area Pad creation command.
2. Allow ArtisanRV to populate the planting area.
3. Review the generated planting layout.
4. Verify:
   • Distribution
   • Density
   • Coverage
   • Overall appearance

Outcome: Plants are automatically distributed throughout the defined area.

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5. Modify the Area Pad

1. Select the Area Pad.
2. Edit the boundary where design changes are required.
3. Add or remove vertices as needed.
4. Adjust the planting area extent.
5. Regenerate planting if required.
6. Review the revised layout.

Outcome: The planting area remains aligned with the evolving landscape design.

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6. Coordinate with Terrain

1. Review the Area Pad against:
   • Existing terrain
   • Proposed terrain
   • Grading changes
2. Verify planting areas sit correctly within the site model.
3. Adjust boundaries if necessary.
4. Confirm planting remains suitable for the finished landform.

Outcome: The planting area is coordinated with site grading and terrain design.

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7. Coordinate with Other Site Elements

1. Display:
   • Buildings
   • Paths
   • Roads
   • Hard landscape features
   • Existing trees
   • Proposed trees
   • Root protection areas
2. Review potential conflicts.
3. Adjust planting boundaries where required.
4. Verify design intent and clearance requirements.

Outcome: The Area Pad is coordinated with all surrounding site elements.

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8. Review Quantities and Schedules

1. Open project planting schedules.
2. Refresh schedule data.
3. Review:
   • Plant quantities
   • Plant species
   • Planting area
   • Density rates
   • Coverage calculations
4. Verify schedule information against project specifications.

Outcome: Accurate planting quantities are available for procurement and documentation.

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9. Tag and Annotate Planting Areas

1. Open the tagging tools.
2. Select the required tag style.
3. Tag the Area Pad.
4. Review annotation placement.
5. Confirm tags match schedule information.

Outcome: Planting areas are clearly identified on project drawings.

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10. Produce Project Documentation

1. Update:
   • Planting plans
   • General arrangement drawings
   • Landscape coordination plans
   • Plant schedules
2. Place schedules and views on project sheets.
3. Verify consistency between:
   • Plans
   • Schedules
   • Annotations
4. Complete final review and publish documentation.

Outcome: Area-based planting designs are fully coordinated and documented.

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Verification Checklist

• ✅ Plant types have been selected.
• ✅ Area Pad boundary has been created.
• ✅ Plant density and spacing have been configured.
• ✅ Planting has been generated successfully.
• ✅ Boundary geometry has been reviewed.
• ✅ Terrain coordination has been completed.
• ✅ Site coordination has been completed.
• ✅ Quantities have been verified.
• ✅ Tags display correctly.
• ✅ Documentation has been updated.

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Recommended Next Step

After completing the Area Pad workflow, coordinate the planting area with Linear Paths, Seed Mixes, Proposed Trees, Existing Trees, Terrain Models, Root Protection Areas, and Planting Schedules to ensure the landscape model remains fully coordinated through detailed design, quantity production, and construction documentation.