Using Shared Parameters in Autodesk Revit Structure

1. Using Shared Parameters in Autodesk Revit Structure Nick Hugley McComas Engineering, Inc.

2. What I’ll Cover In This Presentation • Project parameters • Add project parameters for scheduling • Add project parameters to help organize the browser • Shared parameters • Create shared parameters to use in a grade beam family and schedule the beams width and height • Create a tag using the same shared parameters • Take a closer look at the shared parameter .txt file • Take a closer look at all parameters

3. What are parameters? • It’s how you talk to revit • Everything has parameters, views, pieces and parts, sheets, lineweights, etc……

4. Three Flavors Of Parameters • Project Parameters • assigned to categories and add content to a project • Reside in the project only • Schedules only – not tags • Family Parameters • added to families to create the flexing or add content • Shared parameters • parameters used in families that can be used for both schedules and tags • given a unique identifier so they’ll keep their association from family to project • OK let’s not forget system families.

5. Footing Reinforcing • The first thing I wanted to do with the column footing schedule was add the No of and Reinforcing Size • This can be done by using a Project Parameter

6. SHEAR WALL SCHEDULE • Adding more parameters under the Wall category

7. I Admit I Use A Cheat Sheet • It helps me keep my thoughts straight

8. Project Parameters NOT Just For Model Components • Create a project parameter to help sort sheet in the browser • Distribution Phase

9. Scheduling Parameters From a Family • I want to schedule the width and height for a concrete grade beam • I’ll have to use SHARED PARAMETERS • Create a shared parameter file .txt • Replace existing family parameters with shared parameters • Create a tag with the same shared parameters

10. Taking a Closer Look at the Shared Parameters .txt File • Be careful, says it right in the .txt file. • Yea, you could probably cut and paste from one .txt assuming the parameter and GUID info is really truly different but……….. • Yea, you could rename or change the parameter in the .txt in lieu of deleting and recreating parameter but……… • That guy in the office deleted the shared parameter file you can recover it • Open the family, select the parameter and export

11. Third Party Help • http://www.biggestbrains.com/revit/revitfamilytools/

12. Things To Keep In Mind • Make a plan, use good practice or have standards for using parameters. • See HNTB’s presentation • Use one company shared parameter file • A parameter named Joe, JOe, JOE, jOe, jOE, etc…. are all different parameters!!! • Create family templates with commonly used shared parameters already defined.

13. More ……. Things To Keep In Mind • Revit SDK 2010 has sample program AutoParameter • There a lot more things you need to know about with parameters so do your homework. • AU 2005 bd35-2 Take Your Family to the Next Level • David Conant – Autodesk and Stephen Stafford – Stafford Consulting • Autodesk’s Parametric Component Design Techniques • Autodesk Revit Style Guide • Revit_Master_Parameter_List.xls • Revit_Master_Shared_Parameters_V2.Txt • AU 2008 AB304-3 Fuzzy Math Essentials for Revit Family Builders • David Baldacchino – SHW Group LLP