v1_MP2531-L Fast Families - DBUTTS

7/28/2019 v1_MP2531-L Fast Families - DBUTTS

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Autodesk Revit MEP: Fast Families for EngineersDavid Butts Gannett Fleming

MP2531-L

Once you start using Revit MEP, you find out that you need to learn how to create custom familiesand

fast! This hands-on lab starts with the basics of creating custom content by walking you through the most

efficient way to create your model. We will help you understand different engineering object behavior,

explain how to add parameters for families and schedules, and wrap up by reviewing additional tools such

as lookup tables, model review family tools, and family guides. Learn where you can save time and

money on one of the most important parts of Revit MEPcomponent families!

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

Describe key family concepts for family types and categories

Explain the four key starter concepts: reference planes, labels, solids, and constraints

Describe additional resources: lookup table review, Revit modeling guidelines, shared

parameter converter, and model review tools

Assess when and how to use shared versus family parameters

About the Speaker

David is an energetic, highly motivated BIM specialist with Gannett Fleming, a large engineering and

architectural firm based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. His Autodesk product expertise extends to Revit

MEP, AutoCAD MEP, Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Architecture, Navisworks, Green Building Studio,

Plant 3D and more. David's responsibilities include managing the implementation of BIM for the

engineering aspects of the firm, providing training, customization, and programming for the Autodesk

MEP product lines. He also works as BIM manager for several projects (including water and wastewater

treatment, transit, and pharmaceutical), and has also worked as a project manager for Autodesk-related

specialty projects. Prior to joining Gannett Fleming, David worked in the Autodesk reseller channel as a

training manager and applications engineer for the Autodesk building design and construction product

line. He is based in the firm's Raleigh, North Carolina, office and has been speaking at AU for many

years.

Email: [email protected]


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Autodesk Revit MEP: Fast Families for Engineers

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Introduction

More than any version of Revit, Revit MEP 2012 demands a high number of families to be created for

projects. To be fair, architecture and structure have their share, but since the MEP documents typically

account for 60-70% of a construction document set, theres a lot of content that has to be developed.

While the program has a lot of parts included, youll still wind up spending a substantial amount of time

creating HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other families for your projects.

In this lab, were focusing on four areas that will help you get your families finished faster, while helping

you save time in the project. The resources for the lab also include samples of families to help you get

started, so lets take off and get your families fast!

Family Types and Categories

Lets start by reviewing the default types of families:

- Non-hosted similar to a block in AutoCAD, this item can be placed anywhere in a model, and is

referenced to the level its placed on.

- Hosted Including face based types for generic faces, walls, ceilings, etc., this type is attached to

another surface if the surface moves, the family moves.

Typically the most widely used type is non-hosted, and is common for most end-of line mechanical and

electrical equipment. In our firm, we prefer non-hosted for plumbing and light fixtures as well.

For hosted families, we start with generic face based for data, communication, lighting, electrical, security

and telephone devices.

Its also important to understand how different types of families serve different purposes.

An example of a hosted family that I would use for electrical equipment includes power panelboards.

Power panels, which are defined by how theyre used, automatically include a connection for devices, so

they can be assigned to a panel.

This is controlled by the family category. By changing the category to a different subtype, such as other

panel, the behavior of the panel changes.

For first example, open 2531-1.rvt pick the blue electrical panel, and then choose Edit Family to see

how the panel is defined.


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1. Review the category change it to otherpanel.

2. Load the family into project and use the overwrite parametersoption.

3. Try to connect the receptacles in the room to the panel (select all of the receptacles in the room

choose the Poweroption on the Create Systemspanel when the Electrical Circuitstab appears,

pick the Select Paneltool) they wont do it, since it isnt a power panelboard.


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4. Edit the family again, and change it back to panelboard. Reload into project check its

distribution system (which should have stayed as a 120/208 Wye), then try to connect it will

work this time because the category is correct for the use.

5. Select the panel again note the instance properties. The category tells Revit how to associatepower panel specific parameters:


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5 6.


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7. Select the Motor Control Center, and notice how the type of information changes we use

Switchboardas the part type for our MCC panels, to get the panel schedule to look and behave

the way we want.

8. Change to the 1-Mech view. Pick the outdoor air handling unit, and then edit the family. Go tocategory, and review the types.

Mechanical Equipment is a little less complicated theres only two types. The Normalpart type

is used for equipment that sits at the end of the duct line, while the Breaks intooption allows it to

be attached to a duct component.

Both mechanical and electrical equipment are end of line sources, so they have different behavior they

only define systems when theyre connected up to other higher devices, but in most cases the rest of the

MEP families for HVAC and electrical connect to them.

Revit provides both generic family templates, and templates that already have the category assigned.

Usually, you can select one of these templates and start to create your familybut weve got a better way

to do this. Well come back to this the next step is to learn how to use a repeatable process to quickly

create the families you need.


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Four Starter Components Reference Planes/Labels/Solids/Constraints

Mechanical and electrical equipment represent the majority of content that we create. In order to do this

efficiently, you have to understand the key elements to making a family. There are four parts:

1. Reference Planes these invisible surfaces are used to create the boundaries of your family.

They also are used to control the size and shape, and are associated with the dimensions of the

model. Reference planes also are used to place connectors for electrical, duct, pipe, conduit and

cable tray components.

2. Labels After the references planes are defined, you add dimensions to control the reference

planes. The dimensions are edited after theyre placed to create a dimension label. The most

common example of dimensional labels are ones that control length, width and height of a solid in

a family but they can also be used to set the size of connections, and more3. Solids the shapes that define the model, we add these once the reference planes are located

in the model, and the dimensional labels add. To define the solid, you create the sketch by

snapping to the reference planes once the solid is defined, if the reference planes move, the

solid changes shape.

4. Constraints are the final step you take to associate the solid to the reference plane. You can add

constraints while youre defining the solid, or after the solid is created. The constraint defines the

relationship between the reference plane, the label and the solids in a family.


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Lets walk through the steps of creating the components keep in mind that if you consistently repeats

these steps in sequence, youll gain speed quickly.

1. Start by creating a new family from the generic model.rftfile the RFT file is the template that is

used to create an .RFA, which is the file that gets loaded into the project.

2. Begin by defining the reference planes. Start with the floor plan view, ref level this is the same

view you would have if creating a 2D block from the top. The reference plane tool is on the

Hometab:

There are already two reference planes in the view the vertical plane divides the left and right

sides, while the horizontal plane defines the front and back the front is always the bottom side

of the intersection. The intersection represents the insertion point (0,0 for the AutoCAD users).

3. The reference plane tool is located on the Hometab. If the component is to be placed by its

center, add four reference planes around the centered planes as shown:

Before After

4. Once the planes are added, add dimensions to define labels. From the annotation, tab, pick thealigneddimension:


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5. Pick the reference planes in sequence as shown left, center, right then place the dimension

string by picking a point betweenthe planes.

6. Once theyre placed, choose the EQgrip to make them equidistant this will make the object

grow or reduce in size based on the overall dimension, from the center of the model.

7. Repeat this step to add the equidistant dimensions to the front, center and back planes:


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8. Once these are added, we can place overall dimensions for width (pick the front and back planes)

and length (pick the left and right planes):

9. Now that we have the horizontal planes defined, lets add the 3D aspect by added a reference

plane for the height. Change to the front elevation and add a reference plane.

10. After its placed, add a dimension to indicate the height of the unit. A quick way to do this is to

pick the dimension grip the dimension will become permanent:


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One note I always name planes name the plane controlling Height as Unit Top(not to be

confused with Carrot Top).

BIG tip: Name all your reference planes it makes it easy to pick them out when setting a work plane

current!

11. Once the dimensions are added, we can add the labels. Pick the heightdimension on the

options bar, select the labeltool.


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12. Choose ADD PARAMETER when the dialog appears, name the parameter Height (these are

case sensitive, so use Title Caseso it looks professional).

13. Select OKto finish. Close this view to go back to the plan view.

14. Edit the left to right dimension, and add the label, LENGTH.15. Edit the front to back dimension, and add the label WIDTH.


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Heres the tip be consistent, try to use the same labels for all types of equipment, regardless of how

theyre used.

Next, well add the solid some users add this first, but by already having the planes, I can usethem to create the solid, and constrain it while I create it so it moves when the reference planes

move.

16. From the Hometab, select Extrusion. On the ribbon, pick the rectangle to create box shape.

17. Snap to the lower left corner first, then pick the upper right corner.

Were going to jump ahead to the constrain part notice all the locks these are constraint locksand appear whenever you use a reference plane or other surface to create a solid. Pick all four

locks to constrain the solid to the reference plane.


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18. Pick the green check mark on the ribbon to finish the solid.

If you dont create all constraints when you build the part, you can always come back and add a

constraint later.

19. Change to the front view notice how the top of the solid doesnt match the height. Pick the

modifytab, and then pick the aligntool.


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20. Always pick the item you want to stay in place firstwhen using the align tool, so pick the

reference planefirst.

21. Next pick the top of the solid the solid will match the plane. Pick the lock icon to constrain the

top of the solid to the plane.


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Pick Modifyto complete the command. Now youve covered the four main parts for defining the

geometry of the model. Heres the fast part save this family as Raw Mechanical Equipment

NON-HOSTED.

You can now use this family as a starter family, instead of using the RFT template. If you were

to rename the family y changing its extension to an RFT file, then everything youve created to

this point is locked and uneditable so we dont do this. We just leave it as an RFA file, and keep

it with our other family templates. Theres more you can add to this family to save you time well

cover this a little later.

22. Undo what youve done back to the start point. Name this Vendor Mechanical Equipment

Non-Hosted.

23. Now you can import a vendors 3D .SAT, .DWGor .SKP(Sketchup) model to create your part.

From here you can add a connector, parameters, etc. as needed to complete the model. Lets try

this from the insert tab, select Import CAD. When the dialog opens, select the Grinder Pump 3Ddrawing. NOT SO FAST change the colors to Black and White; the positioning to Origin to

Origin, and uncheck the Orient to Viewoption:

24. Openwill bring the model into the family. If you get a warning dialog box, ignore it.


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25. Change to front view. To move the part, youve got to unpin it, so select the 3D model pick the

pushpin gripto unpin it:

26. Once its unpinned, move it so the insertion point is at the intersection of the reference level and

vertical plane:

27. Change to the left view move the part to align it with the vertical reference plane:


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28. Now that youve got the model defined, you can add connectors and other parameters as

needed. Well add the connectors for now, so switch to a 3D view. From the Hometab, choose

the pipe connectortool. Add connectors to the pipe connection points on the pump:

Note: Use the View Cube to orbit around the model to place the connectors. The connectors will

be constrained to the surface they are placed on (the only exception is the conduit surface

connector, which can be located anywhere along a specific surface).

29. Next up pick the Electrical Connectortool from the home tab, and add the connector to the top

of the motor:


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30. Pick Modifyto complete the command then pick the electrical connector. Change the properties

of the connector to match the image below:

31. With connectors, you need to edit each connection and define its parameters. Remember that

any parameters you want to include in a connection (such as the voltage), in most cases, should

be defined as a shared parameter.

32. With the pipe connections, select one make sure that you set the parameters such as sizeand

flowto what you want. One item youll want to change is the name of the connection be clear,

so that when its picked, you can see whats purpose is:


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Once youve added the connectors, load this one into the project. Its controlled by Mechanical

Equipment since thats how we started this family, so use the visibility graphics command (VG) to

turn its visibility on and off.

The part is now ready to use review the type and instance properties, and connect pipes if youve got

the time. You now have a more accurate representation of the part, when you work with the vendor toprovide the true models.

When to Use Shared Parameters vs. Family Parameters

Now that we have the modeling part of the family complete, lets take a look at the data associated with

the model. Revit includes a couple of primary parameters youll use with families shared and family.

The key different is that Shared parameters can be used to populate schedules and tags. Shared

parameters are stored in a text file, which can only be edited in Revit. Family Parameters are for the most

part dimensional parameters but some default values, such as electrical load classification, or apparent

load, can still be added to schedules depending on the part type. The best approach is to make any

parameter shared, if you might use it in a schedule, tag or both.

Super Tip: Once a shared parameter is added to your family or project, that parameter belongs to that

family or project. If changes have to be made to the parameters, the change should be made in the

shared parameter file, and then updated in the affected family or project file. Its critical to plan how

youre defining the Shared Parameters before placing them in families or projects.


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One way to get the parameters exposed is to use an associated parameter, which looks at the default

family parameter, and makes it available to use in a schedule. It has to be the same units and format to

work, so well check to see if the parameter is a family parameter first.

1. Select one of the light fixtures in the 2531-2 project. Choose the Edit familytool on the ribbon to

review it:

2. Once the family is open, check the family types:

3. When the dialog appears, select the Load ClassificationParameter. Choose the modifyicon to

review how its defined:


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Autodesk Revit MEP: Fast Famil

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4. Right now its a familypara

be scheduled. Select the S

If you get a dialog asking y

folder under the model g

Parameters v2_1.txt file. If

button, and then locate this

5. Once you get to the shared

Load Classificationparame

lies for Engineers

eter, so we need to convert it to a sharedparamet

ared Parameteroption, and then pick Select:

u to choose a shared parameter file, browse to the

ide folder > general_guide, and select the Revit Ma

the default parameter group is not Construction, ch

file. Well talk more about this file in the next sectio

parameters dialog, change the group to Electrical

ter, and then choose OK:

r in order for it to

class dataset

ster Shared

oose the Edit

.

Loads. Select the


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6. Notice than the name is no

Leave it as a type for now,

complete the command an

7. Now we want to check the

exposed, and can be used i

properties palette:

8. Notice how the Load Classi

parameter to check this,

grayed out in your model, g

lies for Engineers

grayed out since its now controlled by the shar

ince we want this to apply to all examples. Select

exit the family types dialog.

onnector, to make sure the connectors load classifi

in a schedule. Select the electrical connector, and lo

ficationis grayed out that means its already asso

ick the associate button on the right side of the field

o ahead and associate it):

d parameter.

Ktwice to

ication value is

ok at the

iated with another

(note if its not


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9. This opens the Associate Family Parameterdialog. As long as the units and format are the same,

the parameter is associated with the one we just made into a shared parameter so now it can

be scheduled. Select OKto close this dialog.

Normally, youd have to actually edit the family and assign this value directly to the connector, but with

some families, theyre already assigned. By having it defined as a shared parameter now, it has great

flexibility and use in the model. In the next section, well examine how to quickly load shared parameters

into your families.

Important note: Avoid using a character in a parameter name that can be interpreted as a

mathematical symbol. Example: parameter name Load Classification or Load_Classification, NOT

Load-Classification. So characters such as: +, -, *, /, or ^ are no-nos.

Additional Resources Lookup Tables/Model Guidelines/Shared Parameter

Convertor/Model Review

Theres a lot more to families than we can cover in one lab, so lets review some additional resources.

There are four tools you can edit and review, to help you get your parts defined correctly.

Lookup Tables

Well start with lookup tables. With some parts, you have a lot of combinations for example, pipe fittings

use hundreds of combinations. In our case we needed a ductile iron flange instead of a grey iron flange,

so well duplicate the part, since it already has the same values.

1. Use the open command to open a family from the dialog, pick the Imperial Library content

shortcut. From the default content library, browse to this folder Piping\Fittings\Gray Iron

Flanges\Class 125 folder. Open the Flanged Threaded GI Class 125 family:

Note: For this class, the file is also located in the class dataset folder, under Gray Iron Flanges.

2. Once its open, go to the Family Typesdialog on the properties panel:


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There are two things to look at here

the first is the lookup table name

the second are the parametersthat are associated with the dimensional parameters.

The lookup table is a .CSV table file that is used to list sizes for the default parameters. Since this

file can be edited with Microsoft Excel, open the Flange Threaded GI Class 125.csvfile

located in the class folder by double clicking on it:


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Note the headers across the top the first column nominal size of the fitting. The remaining

headers are associated with the parameters in the family. The format goes something like this:

PARAMETERNAME##PARAMETERTYPE##PARAMETERUNITS.

So, for the second parameter, FDIA is the flange outside diameter parameter. Looking back at the

family types, its associated with the Flange Diametervalue:

So, rather than taking up a bunch of instance parameters and having to define a large number of

types, you can duplicate this table, and edit the parameters.

The parameters in a lookup table can be these types:

Number just a raw number, up to 6 decimal places;

Length a measurement, which can be made in feet, inches, millimeters, etc. Area square footage/yard/meter value;

Volume cubic footage/yard/meter value;

Angle measured as number values, but applied to the rotation angle for example, the

angle of elbows would use this value

So if I wanted the table to read inches instead of millimeters, change the last part of the

statement, from FDia##length##millimetersto FDia##length##inches.


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3. Lets edit this file delete the rows for sizes 1 to 3.5 by deleting the entire set of rows:

4. Save the file as Flange Threaded DI Class 125.csv. If you get the follow warning, select

Yes:

5. Copy this to the default library for lookup tables, under the Pipefolder (note: the file cannot be

used unless it is saved as a .CSV file, and located in the folder specified for your lookup tables

this is usually in the same location as your default content.

6. Go back to the fitting family type change the lookup table to look at your new table.

If you dont copy the CSV file first, youll get an invalid formula error, so make sure you have the

CSV file in the pipes lookup table folder (cant say this enough)/ Now the part can be placed with

the new sizes. The sizes you deleted will no longer be available.

Heres a big tip: When possible, use and edit existing tables its much faster we bought ours from

CADWorks, and then expanded them

Revit Modeling Guidelines

A few years back, Autodesk published the Revit Model Content Style Guide. Version 2.1 was release in

late 2009 but it still have relevance in how it identifies parameters. Heres the fast part it already comes

with a master shared parameter file to help the MEP engineer get started.

To help you get started and see whats available, begin by opening the Revit Master Parameters List

XLS file. This file shows you the category, part type, parameter name, group, type, GUID, disciplineand

type of parameter. What I really like about this file is that it also lists what parameters are default system

parameters that occur in every Revit project:


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Use this file to help you plan how youre going to use these parameters in your families.

To use the shared parameters file in your families, do this:

1. On the manage tab (either in family or project files), select the Shared Parameterstool.

2. Browse to the class dataset folder under the model guide folder > general_guide, select the

Revit Master Shared Parameters v2_1.txt file:


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3. Select Open. This will set this file as the default source for your shared parameters. Once its set,

change the group to electrical loads. Pick the Apparent Loadparameter, and then pick

properties:


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4. You cant modify a shared parameter once its created, so you have to create it from scratch if

you need to add one. Be aware if you delete a parameter, then add it back with the same name,

the GUID identifier will also be changed so you could have two parameters in a model with the

same name, but sourced by different components. Once you get your parameters set, stick withthem and test, test, test.

Big tip: Load your shared parameters to your starter families.

Exporting and Converting to Shared Parameters

Every once in a while, youll need to export parameters you have loaded into a project, so they can be

used in another project. You may also want to convert family parameters to shared parameters, so they

can be used in a schedule. Revit includes an extension, the Shared/Project Parametertool that helps you

convert these parameters.

For example, we might have received or edit a family where Ballast Voltage and Load Classification were

defined as a family parameter, but we want to use them in a schedule. Lets see how this works.

1. Open the project file, 2531-2.rvt. From the extensions tab, select the Toolsoption on the

Autodesk Revit Extensions panel. Select the Shared/Project Parameterstool.

2. When the dialog appears, there are three file locations and a file you need to select:


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Source Files Location

exclude backup files;

Destination Files Loc

Log File Location T

Shared Parameter file

data.

3. Once you have all of the lo

into the sourcefolder. The

included a series of light fix

Classificationset as family

4. Then click Configuration; th

parameters text file you sp

arrow to add it to the list to

parameter under:

lies for Engineers

Specifies which files will be changes use the S

tion Specifies the location of the modified files;

e program generates a log activity file here;

- specifies what shared parameter file will be used

ations set, copy and paste any number of families

e original files will not be modified. In your dataset,

ures from the default library that have the Ballast V

parameters.

is will read all of the groups and parameters from th

cified. Expand any groups and highlight a paramet

replace as a shared parameter. Specify which cate

ipoption to

s a source of the

ou wish to convert

weve already

ltageand Load

shared

r. Click the right

ory to group the


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Note: When you copy a parameter from the left column to the right, it no longer appears in the

left column.

5. Click OKwhen complete.6. Click Runto start the conversion process. The modified family files will be copied into the

destination fileslocation. Open one of the families and make sure the parameter is now a shared

parameter:

7. From the dataset folder, load the updated Plain Recessed Lighting Fixture.rfa file into the

project, using the overwrite parameters option. Select one of the lights, and review the type

parameters the updates parameters can now be used in a schedule.

A BIG point in order for this to work, the matching shared parameter already has to exist and be

formatted the same way for units in the shared parameter file, in order for this to work.

One nice side effect of the utility since its also saving the file, it will save it in the current release so

thats a step you wont have to take when converting old files.

If you run the utility to add shared parameters to a file that doesnt have the family parameter, it will simply

load the shared parameter in the file. In some cases, youll still need to associate parameters withconnectors, but this still saves a tremendous amount of time, especially if youre tailoring a lot of families

to meet your standards.

Here are a few more tips from the help file about using the Shared Parameter Converter:

For the parameter of source file not contains the same name with configuration -- Add the shared

parameter according to configuration.


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For some family parameters with same name already exist in source files -- Change the parameter

from family parameter to shared parameter, and assign to the group (except for "other" group)

according to configuration.

For some family parameters with same name and different properties (Instance/Type) already exist insource file -- Change the parameter from family parameter to shared parameter only, other properties

constant

For some shared parameter with same name already exist in source file -- it will regarded this file as

failed file and copy it to failed folder, which is at the same lever of the destination folder

Model Review

You can also use the Model Review extension (available only to subscription customers) to check

parameters in families and make sure they match. The first step is to review the different reports that can

be used to check the project.

To do this, select the ManageTool on the Add-insTab (on the Model Reviewpanel)

From the Filemenu, select Open. There is a custom review file Ive made for the class, so open the Load

Classification Check.bcf file to review its settings.


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Select the Detailstab. This particul

Classificationshared parameter as

The Filtertab includes the specific

edit this file and add other category

Close the dialog. From the Add-ins

lies for Engineers

r check is looking for Lighting fixturefamilies that h

igned.

ategory of Families, and is looking only at light fixtu

types as needed (for example, electrical fixtures).

tab, choose the Checktool on the Model Reviewpa

ve the Load

es but you can

nel:


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The Model reviewdialog allows you

linked models, or an entire folder of

Make sure Current Modelis selecte

After the check is finished, a report

can also check the fix box, which ta

lies for Engineers

to run the test against the current model, the curre

models.

d and choose OK.

will appear from here, you can see where any err

kes you to any part that wasnt correct, so it can be

t model and

rs occurred you

ixed.


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Conclusion

So youve had a chance to get a quick look at the things I look for in families, how to build your starter

families, and how to edit them quickly. As you get your library built, youll appreciate how this consistentapproach has helped your designers get their projects out the door faster and better coordinated.

Heres another thing to try out check out Autodesk Inventor Fusion, available online for free at the

Autodesk labs these utility really helps you review, edit and convert different formats of 3D model files

we use it almost daily. The download is available at this site until May 1, 2012:

http://labs.autodesk.com/technologies/fusion/

For more tips and trick, refer to my blog, The MEP CAD Engineer, at http://mep-cad.blogspot.com.

Thanks for attending!

Documents

v1_MP2531-L Fast Families - DBUTTS