This guide shows how to create a reflected ceiling plan in Revit, from the empty view to a finished drawing with a ceiling, lights and tags. It also shows where Revit keeps the ceiling plans it makes for you and what to do when the view is blank. The steps are checked against Autodesk’s Revit 2027 help.
Quick answer
To create a reflected ceiling plan in Revit, go to View tab > Create panel > Plan Views drop-down > Reflected Ceiling Plan. Select the level and click OK. The new view opens and is listed under Ceiling Plans in the Project Browser.
Then add a ceiling with Architecture tab > Build panel > Ceiling, place the lights and other fixtures, and tag them.
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What Is a Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP)?
A reflected ceiling plan, or RCP, is a drawing of the ceiling. Imagine a mirror on the floor: the RCP shows the ceiling as it would appear in that mirror. This is why it lines up with the floor plan, with every room in the same place.
It works like a floor plan for the ceiling. It shows the ceiling type and height, the grid, lights, air diffusers, sprinklers, bulkheads and soffits. Electrical, mechanical and architectural teams use it to find clashes before construction starts.
In Revit, an RCP is a view of the model, not a separate drawing. When the model changes, the ceiling plan updates by itself. Revit calls these views “Ceiling Plans”, so a ceiling plan and a reflected ceiling plan are the same thing here.
Where Is the Ceiling Plan in Revit?
Check before you create one. Revit makes a reflected ceiling plan automatically when you add a level, so the view may already exist. In the Project Browser, expand Views and look for the Ceiling Plans group. Double-click a level name to open its ceiling plan.
The view is missing when the level was added with the Make Plan View box cleared, when the level was copied from another level, or when someone deleted the view. In those cases, create it with the steps below.
How to Create a Reflected Ceiling Plan in Revit
What you will do: create the RCP view, add a ceiling, place the fixtures, then annotate the plan.
Time needed: About 5-10 minutes for one room.
Step 1: Create the Ceiling Plan View
- Go to the View tab > Create panel > Plan Views drop-down.
- Click Reflected Ceiling Plan.
- In the New Plan window, select the level. Hold Ctrl to select more than one.
- Click OK.
The list only shows levels that do not have a ceiling plan yet. To make a second ceiling plan for the same level, clear Do not duplicate existing views. Revit names the copy “Level 1(1)”.
Tip: Name your views clearly from the start (e.g., “L1 – RCP – WORKING”). Right-click the view in the Project Browser and choose Rename.
Step 2: Add a Ceiling
A new ceiling plan shows only the walls, because the model has no ceiling yet. Add one in the ceiling plan view:
- Go to the Architecture tab > Build panel > click Ceiling.
- In the Type Selector, choose a ceiling type. A compound ceiling with a 600 x 600 mm (2′ x 2′) grid gives you a tile grid. A basic ceiling has no thickness and no grid.
- In the Properties palette, set Height Offset From Level, for example 2600 mm (8′-0″).
- Click inside a room. Automatic Ceiling is active by default and fills the closed loop of walls.
For a ceiling that does not fill the room, click Sketch Ceiling, draw a closed loop and click Finish Edit Mode. A second closed loop inside the first one makes an opening. Automatic Ceiling ignores room separation lines, so use Sketch Ceiling in open-plan spaces.
To move the tile grid, select one grid line and use Move, Rotate or Align. Centre the grid in the room so that the cut tiles at both sides are equal.
Want to add a slant to your ceiling? Check out our Revit Sloped Ceiling tutorial.
Step 3: Check What the View Shows
A ceiling plan looks up from a cut plane. If that plane is higher than your ceiling, the ceiling does not show. Click Edit next to View Range in the Properties palette and set the Cut Plane below the ceiling height. The Top must be above the ceiling, and the Bottom is not used in this view.
The right numbers depend on your floor-to-floor height and your ceiling heights. For the full settings and examples, read our guide to the reflected ceiling plan view range.
To see the furniture or the floor plan faintly under the ceiling, set an underlay. It is worth taking a minute to understand the underlay, so that it does not confuse you in ceiling plans.
Step 4: Add Lights and Ceiling Components
Add the elements in this order, so that each one has something to sit on:
- Ceilings and grids first (step 2).
- Lighting fixtures: Systems tab > Electrical panel > Lighting Fixture, or Architecture tab > Build panel > Component > Place a Component.
- Mechanical elements such as diffusers and sprinklers: Systems tab > HVAC panel > Air Terminal, or Place a Component.
- Special features such as bulkheads and soffits: model them with walls and a second ceiling at a lower height.
Many light families are ceiling-hosted. They only place when the cursor is over a ceiling, which is why the ceiling comes first. If the family you need is not in the project, click Load Family on the ribbon while the tool is active.
Step 5: Add Annotations
Annotations make the plan readable for the people who build from it:
- Add dimensions for the grid layout and the position of the fixtures.
- Tag the lighting fixtures: Annotate tab > Tag panel > Tag by Category.
- Tag the ceilings with their type and height, or add a spot elevation for the ceiling height.
- Label the mechanical elements and note special conditions.
- Include a legend, a north arrow, and a scale.
Power User Tip: Create custom tags that display multiple parameters at once. For example, combine fixture type and mounting height in one tag. Learn more about annotation symbol tools in our guide.
Step 6: Place the RCP on a Sheet
Drag the ceiling plan from the Project Browser onto a sheet. Use the same scale as the floor plan of that level, so that the two drawings can be compared side by side.
To keep every level the same, create view templates for your ceiling plans. You can make one for each kind of space (office, corridor, mechanical room) and reuse them in later projects with your project standards.
What to Show on a Reflected Ceiling Plan
- Ceiling types, materials and heights for every room.
- The ceiling grid and where it starts.
- Lighting fixtures, with tags that match the fixture schedule.
- Air diffusers, grilles, sprinklers, smoke detectors and speakers.
- Bulkheads, soffits, access panels and changes in ceiling height.
- Dimensions, a legend, the scale and a north arrow.
Ceiling Plan Not Showing in Revit? Common Fixes
If you cannot see your ceiling elements, start with the first two rows. They solve most blank ceiling plans.
| Problem | Cause | Fix | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| The view shows walls but no ceiling | No ceiling is modeled yet, or the cut plane is above the ceiling | Add a ceiling, or lower the Cut Plane below the ceiling height | Use view templates |
| The view is completely blank | The crop region is outside the building, or the Ceilings category is off | Turn off Crop View to test, and check Ceilings in Visibility/Graphics (VG) | Create views from a project template |
| No ceiling plan in the Project Browser | The level was copied, or made without a plan view | View tab > Plan Views > Reflected Ceiling Plan | Draw new levels with the Level tool |
| Missing fixtures | The fixture is below the cut plane, or its category is hidden | Check the fixture height and the Lighting Fixtures category | Standardize family settings |
| A light will not place | The family is ceiling-hosted and there is no ceiling under the cursor | Model the ceiling first, then place the light on it | Add ceilings before fixtures |
| Overlapping tags | Poor annotation spacing | Use leader lines | Plan tag placement strategy |
| Coordination conflicts | Insufficient clearance above the ceiling | Run an interference check | Regular coordination reviews |
A good ceiling plan is about communicating clearly with contractors and the other teams. Start with simple rooms and work your way up to more complex layouts.
Revit Reflected Ceiling Plan FAQs
How do I create a reflected ceiling plan in Revit?
Go to the View tab, Create panel, Plan Views drop-down, and click Reflected Ceiling Plan. Select one or more levels in the New Plan window and click OK. The view appears under Ceiling Plans in the Project Browser.
Where are ceiling plans in Revit?
In the Project Browser, expand Views and open the Ceiling Plans group. Revit creates a reflected ceiling plan automatically when you add a new level, so most levels already have one.
What is the difference between a ceiling plan and a reflected ceiling plan?
In Revit they are the same view. The tool is called Reflected Ceiling Plan and the Project Browser lists the views as Ceiling Plans. The word reflected means the ceiling is drawn as if seen in a mirror on the floor, so it matches the floor plan.
Why is my ceiling plan blank in Revit?
Either no ceiling is modeled, or the cut plane of the view is above the ceiling, or the Ceilings category is turned off. Add a ceiling, lower the Cut Plane in the View Range, and check Visibility/Graphics.
How do I add a ceiling in Revit?
Open a ceiling plan and go to the Architecture tab, Build panel, Ceiling. Choose a type, then click inside a room to place an automatic ceiling, or click Sketch Ceiling to draw the boundary yourself.
Can I show the ceiling in a floor plan?
Yes, with an underlay. In the floor plan properties, set the underlay to the same level and choose Look up as the orientation. The ceiling and its fixtures show as a faint background.
Is there a shortcut for Reflected Ceiling Plan in Revit?
There is no default shortcut. You can add one in View tab, User Interface, Keyboard Shortcuts by searching for Reflected Ceiling Plan.
Mohamed Fakhry has helped thousands of architects and designers find their next project with step-by-step guidance on his blog, mashyo.com. About Mohamed
His journey began during his university years when he recognized the need for information-rich 3D models to accelerate learning and improve production processes. Now, Mohamed shares his expertise through Revit tutorials that are accessible to all.
