Reflected ceiling tools are available for creating and replacing reflected ceiling grids and various types of ceiling fixtures. Reflected ceiling plans can be created at specific elevations and fixtures such as lights, diffusers, grills, speakers, sprinkler heads, sensors, and security cameras can be placed within the grids. Cell libraries containing Building specific ceiling fixtures are provided. You as design firms can also create your own cell libraries with fixture content specific to their needs.

Ceilings and ceiling fixtures can be placed in the 3D model or 2D plan. The focus is on production of reflected ceiling plan drawings and utilization of linear elements. Ceiling grids can be converted into 3D ceilings using such tools as Extrude Linear Element to Form. In the 3D model ceilings and fixtures can be placed at the proper Z elevation as defined by space/room height attributes, or you can enter your own height value. The location of ceiling elements in the Z elevation can be controlled by the ceiling height which is stored on the space label. The space shape can also be used to set the ceiling boundary. In addition, shape elements can be used to establish ceiling boundaries and in this case other options (such as active depth and active floor reference plane) are available to set the Z elevation.

The following terms further describe the Reflected Ceiling utility.

• Reflected Ceiling – Generally, a representation of the ceiling viewed from the floor looking up.
• Ceiling Boundary – A shape or complex shape that represents the extents of the ceiling area.
• Ceiling Grid – Ceiling tracks and structural elements that hold individual ceiling tiles and fixtures in place. Single lines represent the grid for construction drawings and solids represent the grid for 3D modeling.
• Ceiling Fixture – Any item that is placed in the ceiling grid, on the ceiling surface, or recessed into the ceiling is a fixture. These can include cells for fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, grills, diffusers, speakers, cameras, sprinkler heads, exit lights, emergency lights, smoke detectors, and motion sensors. There is no limit to the type or number of fixtures that can be used and you can create your own fixture cell libraries and cells.