Karo.WhyHidden handbook.

What it does

Why Hidden — Karo instantly explains why a selected element is not visible on the current Revit view. Instead of manually checking Visibility/Graphics, filters, phases, crop regions, and many other settings, you get a clear list of possible causes — often with the exact filter name, category, or view template involved.

Typical workflow

1. Select the element — on any view where you can pick it (Project Browser, another plan, a 3D view, etc.).
2. Switch to the view where the element should appear but does not.
3. On the Karo ribbon tab, click Why Hidden.
4. Review the results window:
   • Each reason is shown as a card with a short explanation and, where relevant, the specific setting name (filter, category, workset, template, etc.).
   • Multiple reasons can appear at once — Revit often hides an element for more than one reason.
5. Optional quick fixes — for some causes a Fix button is available:
   • Unhide — element was hidden via Hide in View → Elements
   • Reset invisible lines — element has an Invisible Lines graphics override
   • Reset temporary hide — a Temporary Hide/Isolate session is active on the view
6. Click Copy to paste the full analysis into an email, task, or report.
7. Switch language anytime with the EN / RU toggle in the footer (your choice is remembered).
8. Manage license anytime — hold Shift and click Why Hidden on the ribbon (or click the License button in the results window footer) to check remaining days, enter an activation key, or transfer your license.

Supported view types

Works on plans, sections, elevations, and 3D views.

Does not work on schedules, sheets, panel schedules, or report views — switch to a graphical view first.

Important

• Select exactly one element.
• Run the command on the view where the element is hidden, not visible.
• If the element is actually visible, the plugin will tell you and ask you to confirm you are on the correct view.
• To open the license window directly without running an analysis, hold Shift and click the ribbon button.

What the plugin checks

Safe to install. Karo.WhyHidden is digitally signed by Karo Modum. Windows SmartScreen may show an "Unknown publisher" notice on first download until reputation builds — this is expected for specialized BIM software. The installer registers the publisher certificate automatically.

Before you start

• Close all running Revit sessions before installing or updating.
• You need Windows administrator rights for installation (places add-in files in ProgramData and registers the publisher certificate once).
• Make sure at least one supported Revit version (2023–2027) is installed.

Step-by-step

1. Download Karo.WhyHidden-Setup.msi from your purchase confirmation or download page.
2. Double-click the downloaded .msi file. Windows Installer will launch and prompt for administrative permissions (UAC) to install per-machine.
3. If Windows SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC":
   • Click More info → Run anyway.
4. The installer automatically detects installed Revit versions (2023–2027), ensures Revit is closed, and seamlessly migrates any previous versions.
   • Full install — installs for all detected Revit versions.
   • Custom selection — choose specific Revit years if needed.
5. Click Install and wait for completion.
   • The setup automatically registers the Karo publisher certificate in the Windows trust store for trusted future updates.
6. Start Revit. The Why Hidden button appears on the Karo ribbon tab.

Silent & enterprise deployment

For automated deployment across corporate networks or workstations, run via command line:

msiexec /i "Karo.WhyHidden-Setup.msi" /qn

You can also target specific versions using MSI properties (e.g. INSTALL_REVIT2025=1).

Digital signature & security

Karo.WhyHidden is digitally signed with a publisher certificate issued by Karo BIM Solutions.

• Automated setup: The installer copies add-in files to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\{year}\Karo.WhyHidden\ and registers KaroBimSolutionsPublic.cer into Trusted Root Certification Authorities and Trusted Publishers.
• IT-managed environments: If Group Policy restricts automated certificate registration, system administrators can deploy KaroBimSolutionsPublic.cer across the domain via Group Policy.
• Data privacy: The add-in runs entirely inside Revit via the standard Revit API. No model data is collected or transmitted over the network.

License & device transfer

• Activation in Revit: To activate your license or view status, press Shift and click the Why Hidden button on the ribbon (or click the License button in the window footer). Enter your key and activate.
• Device transfer: If you upgrade your hardware or switch workstations, you can transfer or release your license to the new computer.
• Subscription preservation: Moving or unbinding your license never forfeits or shortens your remaining paid subscription days — the full active period remains available.

Updating

Run the new .msi installer over the previous version. The installer handles upgrades and replaces older files automatically. No manual uninstall required.

Uninstalling

Use Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Control Panel → Programs and Features), select Karo.WhyHidden, and click Uninstall. Alternatively, right-click the .msi file and select Uninstall, or run msiexec /x "Karo.WhyHidden-Setup.msi" /qn. Plugin files are cleanly removed from all Revit Addins folders.

Compatibility notes

• One installer covers all supported Revit versions; only versions detected on your PC (or manually selected) are installed.
• Revit must be restarted after installation for the add-in to load.
• The plugin supports both English and Russian Revit installations.

Tips for best results

• Workflow trick: If you cannot select the element on the problem view, select it elsewhere (Project Browser → Select by ID, or another view where it is visible), then switch views and run Why Hidden.
• Multiple reasons: Revit can hide an element for several reasons simultaneously. Fix them in order — start with direct hide or temporary hide, then check filters and categories.
• View templates: If a View Template is listed, it may be locking the setting that causes hiding. Edit the template or temporarily remove it to change VG or filters.
• Workshared models: Workset visibility is checked per view — confirm the element's workset is visible in VG → Worksets.
• Copy for coordination: Use the Copy button to share findings with colleagues without screenshots.
• Language: Toggle EN / RU at any time; preference is saved to %AppData%\Karo\WhyHidden\settings.cfg.

Quick fixes vs. manual changes

Automatic Fix is available only for:

• Direct element hide
• Invisible Lines graphics override
• Active Temporary Hide/Isolate

All other causes (filters, categories, view range, phases, etc.) require manual changes in Revit — the plugin tells you exactly where to look.

Known limitations

• One element at a time — multi-selection is not supported.
• Graphical views only — schedules, sheets, panel schedules, and report views are not supported.
• Element must be hidden on the active view — if the element is visible, the plugin stops with an informational message.
• Undetermined cases — in rare situations the element is hidden but no checker identifies the cause (e.g. an unsupported or future Revit visibility mechanism). The plugin will say "No hiding reasons detected" rather than guess.
• View-specific elements cannot appear on other views by design — this is a Revit limitation, not a bug.
• View filters — when several filters match, only the highest-priority active filter is reported (same logic as Visibility/Graphics → Filters order).
• Section Box check — applies only to 3D views with an active Section Box.
• No batch mode — analyze one element per command run.
• Read-only analysis — except for the three quick-fix actions, the plugin does not modify your model unless you click Fix.

Privacy

The plugin does not collect or transmit project data. Logging is limited to debug diagnostics inside Revit and is not written to disk by default.