Generate Multiple Schedules Quickly

[dkeane_bakertriangle]

We build metal framed wall panels and use revit to generate shop drawings for each individual panel.  We have a project which calls for almost 200 different wall panels which means over 200 different shop drawings.  We create a structural column schedule for each panel and use this as the cut list and for material takeoffs.  The schedule is filtered by panel name which is generated using a framing add-in.  I have had to manually change the filter on each panel so far and this is very time consuming.

Is there a way to enter schedule parameters (fields, filters, etc.) in a different program (excel, ms project etc.) that is easier to change the filter and then import this data into revit to edit or create schedules according to these parameters?  If I could do this in excel, I could simply drag a cell down to copy it and it would automatically add 1 to the previous cell.  However, in revit, I still have to go into each schedules parameters.

Thoughts?

Thank you!

[amitdayan]

not sure exactly what you meant but i think using the white-feet addin might help you

[Lance.Coffey]

I found another forum thread (Revit Forum) on a similar topic:

http://www.revitforum.org/architecture-general-revit-questions/14494-schedule-creator.html

If existing add-ins do not do what you want, there is information on building your own add-in/macro on the following page:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=16849339

For information on differences between a plug-in and a macro, see the following link:
http://boostyourbim.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/macros-vs-add-ins-whats-the-difference/

Additional information on the Revit API is available within the Revit SDK, and from the following link:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=2484975

Another option would be to use a Windows automation program (like Autohotkey or AutoIt) to speed up the process of creating/updating the schedules.

If you are not familiar with macroing programs or the API (and this is a one time setup), it may be faster to simply do everything manually. Although on the other hand this could serve as a good introduction to automating repetitive tasks.