Simple tip to share today... but use it with caution:)
It is possible to hide certain family parameters within the project environment. For example, if you have several intermediate calculations - you know, the ones you've seen in manufacturer's content - which are not needed by the end user and just clutter the properties dialog.
The 'use with caution' comment stems from the fact that this has the potential of leading to confusion when trying to troubleshoot or modify the family later on.
Here is how it works...
First, this only works with Shared Parameters, so create one.
Next, use that Shared Parameter in a family (see image below).
Also, be nice and add tooltips to all your parameters:)
In this example, I will create a simple Family Parameter to display the result. Don't over analyze this example, I am just making this up as I go...
Now I add a formula to the Shared pParameter and drive the results into my Family Parameter.
If this family is loaded into a project, both parameters show up as expected.
To make a Shared Parameter invisible, you have to manually edit the text file which starts with the statement 'do not edit manually.' Notice there is a column for visibility, which is set to "1" by default. Setting it to "0" will make it invisible.
But here is the catch... this change is not retroactive. If the Intermediate Calc parameter has already been loaded into a family/project, like my example above, it will not become invisible automatically. I think the only way to fix this is to recreate the parameter... comment below if you have a trick (perhaps, CTC Revit Family Processor) - I have not really done any testing on that.
Once the parameter is recreated in the family and then loaded into the project (for the first time) then the shared parameter is invisible.
A nice thing to know, but this can lead to some end-user confusion in some cases.
This technique is used a lot in the MEP Productivity Pack which LHB helped create with CTC and Gausman and Moore. For example, the auto-sizing air terminal which is face-based by default, but can also be "floor" hosted with an offset in the same family, has a "few" calculations in it!
Fun stuff!
For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter
It is possible to hide certain family parameters within the project environment. For example, if you have several intermediate calculations - you know, the ones you've seen in manufacturer's content - which are not needed by the end user and just clutter the properties dialog.
The 'use with caution' comment stems from the fact that this has the potential of leading to confusion when trying to troubleshoot or modify the family later on.
Here is how it works...
First, this only works with Shared Parameters, so create one.
Next, use that Shared Parameter in a family (see image below).
Also, be nice and add tooltips to all your parameters:)
In this example, I will create a simple Family Parameter to display the result. Don't over analyze this example, I am just making this up as I go...
Now I add a formula to the Shared pParameter and drive the results into my Family Parameter.
If this family is loaded into a project, both parameters show up as expected.
To make a Shared Parameter invisible, you have to manually edit the text file which starts with the statement 'do not edit manually.' Notice there is a column for visibility, which is set to "1" by default. Setting it to "0" will make it invisible.
But here is the catch... this change is not retroactive. If the Intermediate Calc parameter has already been loaded into a family/project, like my example above, it will not become invisible automatically. I think the only way to fix this is to recreate the parameter... comment below if you have a trick (perhaps, CTC Revit Family Processor) - I have not really done any testing on that.
Once the parameter is recreated in the family and then loaded into the project (for the first time) then the shared parameter is invisible.
A nice thing to know, but this can lead to some end-user confusion in some cases.
This technique is used a lot in the MEP Productivity Pack which LHB helped create with CTC and Gausman and Moore. For example, the auto-sizing air terminal which is face-based by default, but can also be "floor" hosted with an offset in the same family, has a "few" calculations in it!
Fun stuff!
For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter