Creating Project & Shared
Parameters
Implementation of the Revit Platform
can be a long or short process depending on the time one
takes to properly set up their templates. The advantage of
Revits programming structure is its ability to apply
Parameters to Families and Family Types. Further flexibility
is available to the user by allowing them to create
parameters and determine whether they would like for that
parameter to be applied for an instance or for the complete
Family Type as a whole.
There are many situations that architects, engineers,
designers or draftsmen find themselves in that require
further custom parameters to be applied to objects. The good
thing about this ability to customize is that you are not
restricted to just text. Parameters can be made for numbers,
slope, currency, length, area, volume etc..
In this article I will use an example of creating shared
parameters for the purpose of creating a custom door tag.
Tags have labels inside them and can reference parameters of
the object they are attached to. The situation is that an
Architect wants to include a door code compliance sheet in
their DD package. Revit has a door tag in the library but
the tag has a label that references the door Mark number and
that is simply not what I need. It also is not quite the
shape that I would like for this tag to be.
If the following customization is done within your standard
template, the parameters that you create will be available
at any time in the future.
The first step is to open the Project Parameters dialogue
box. Below is an example of both 2009 and 2010. Both
releases have the same method for creating Parameters
.
Since I do not have Load Capacity and
Load Requirement Parameters available in my list, I will
have to add them. Choose Add.
Shared parameter should be chosen as
type. Then choose Select to view the shared parameter file.
There may not be one and I need to create one.
Choose Edit. Create a New Group for
the current shared parameter .txt file or create a new one.
After naming my new parameter group as
Code parameters, I will need to choose
a
I now have the group and parameters
created.
Ok
Notice that Capacity Required is
highlighted before I proceed.
The parameter that I am applying is
shown above under parameter data. I have checked the door
category on the right so that the parameter will show up in
Door properties. I have chosen Type so that the parameter
will apply to the family type and not just one instance. I
choose ok and then I notice that Capacity Required is now
one of my project parameters.
I will need to click Add, and repeat
for the Load Capacity parameter.
I now have both of my new parameters
available.
When I view the properties of a Door
Family type, I now see the parameters that I have created.
Since the Door Tag that Revit comes
with has references the door mark number I need to create a
Door Load Tag. So I need to choose File\Open\Imperial
Library\Annotations\Architectural\Door Tag.rfa. Then I need
to Save As and rename the Family to Door Load Tag.rfa. Once
I have my new Door Load Tag opened for editing I can copy
the label and change its properties to reference my new
parameters.
Under the Category Parameters I need to
add the parameters I just created to the list, by choosing
the add parameter icon at the lower left corner.
Select
Notice that Load Capacity is
highlighted. I now have the Load capacity parameter in my
list. I remove the Mark parameter and insert Load capacity
parameter.
Ok
The label now refers to the Load
capacity parameter. I repeat the same process for the
Capacity Required label.
I have rearranged the lines to enclose
the tag labels like I prefer and can now load the tag into
my template. When I open the properties of a door family I
now have the option of giving the door a value to my new
parameters.
I can now tag the door on my Door Code
Compliance sheet with my new Door Load Tag.
Shared Parameters are very useful for
creating custom tags and schedules as well. This
functionality has virtually endless possibilities for you to
customize your project templates. Good luck to you on your
way to full implementation and maximum success!
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