Editing a system family

[ArynBergman]

I would like to modify my cable tray such that when the graphical setting is set to course, that the cable tray is represented by a solid rectangular profile for CFD purposes; similar to the way a duct looks.  Is there an .xml schema somehwhere I could edit or some other way to create such a cable tray system family?

I know that we could use a duct or create a cable tray from a duct family, but those types of work arounds create all kinds of other headaches with things such as quantity takeoffs.

[ajax05k · Accepted solution]

If U want to retain the cable tray graphical settings to fine, even when everything else is set to course then U can do this
Goto VG->"Model category" tab-> "Detail level column"-> set the detail level of the Cable tray and its fittings to fine, that's it.

[ArynBergman]

Ah, good idea Ajay.  Thanks.  However, that only gets us halfway there.  I'd like to be able to use a simple rectangular profile to represent a full cable tray for CFD models which would mean creating a custom profile for the cable tray runs.  The fittings won't be a problem.  Any ideas?

[ajax05k]

I don't know anything about CFD analysis, so I can't help you in that matter.

[CoreyDaun · Accepted solution]

There is no way to modify a System Family in this manner. However, Cable Tray is represented by a solid rectangular profile under Detail Level: Medium.

[ArynBergman]

Suhweet, it wouldn't have occurred to me to check the medium graphics detail.  Thanks again Corey, that's exactly what I needed.

[barden-d]

I have a very similar querey as to that of Aryn,

what I would like to be able to do would be to incorporate a text line into a Pipe, Duct or Conduit family so that underground ducting can be easily identified within a view. I know that REVIT does not have the same options for textlines as CAD but the same outcome is achievable by creating a detail item so that part is covered but is there any way of incorporating this into a system family or incorporiting it into the line pattern options. 

Any Ideas?

Dathai

[CoreyDaun]

The best you could to would be to create a View Filter that applies a specific Line Pattern (not a complex one) to elements based on the value of an unused System Parameter (like "Comments") or a user-defined Project Parameter. The Parameter should be an Instance Parameter, and you will have to manually assign this to all applicable elements.

[barden-d]

Corey, That sounds good but I'm not seeing any options to create " a specific Line Pattern" & the customisation of patterns seems very limited to hatches, Any chance you could give a description of what you mean. Thanks

Dathai

[CoreyDaun]

You can create a customized Line Pattern by going to Manage tab » Additional Settings ▼ Line Patterns. Then, under the Filters tab in V/G Settings, you can create a View Filter with the Filter Rules set as necessary, and then add it to the View. There, you can set the Filter Filter to apply a specific Line Pattern Override to the qualifying elements, under Project/Surface Lines. Note that complex Line Type are not possible. Overriding a Surface Pattern would work in a similar way (Fill Patterns).