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 Revit’s 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 new parameter to apply to my new group. Since I need to show on my Door Code Compliance sheet that the Doors I have in my project are rated for the loads that the codes require, I need to have two different parameters. “Load Capacity” and “Capacity Required”.

I now have the group and parameters created.

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.

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!