topic Possible To Provide External File To Configure An RFA File? in Revit API Forum

Possible To Provide External File To Configure An RFA File?

DJB_CADfx — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 19:19:56 GMT

Would there be any way to create an external xml file containing settings for a Revit Family file? The hope being that a third party could be provided both the RFA file and this configuration file and upon insertion of this family into a RVT file it would come in configured with those particular settings from the xml configuration file?

The plan being that different third parties would use a website/tool to setup the RFA file how they need it configured specific to them. Each party may require a completely different configuration of the same family. All parties would be sent the same RFA file, but each would get a unique configuration file that sets up the RFA to their preconfigured specifications.

Any possible way to accomplish this with the Revit API?

Thanks,

Dave Blackburn

CAD fx, Inc.

Re: Possible To Provide External File To Configure An RFA File?

jeremytammik — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:05:38 GMT

Dear Dave,

If all you wish to configure are specific dimensions that are defined and exposed as family type parameters in the family definition, then this mechanism already exists: a TXT file with the same file base name as the RFA will automatically be treated in the manner you describe.

Check it out and learn the ins and outs of Revit families from an end user point of view.

Cheers,

Jeremy

Re: Possible To Provide External File To Configure An RFA File?

DJB_CADfx — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 17:20:37 GMT

Jeremy,

Thanks for your input. I believe you are referring to Revit Type Catalog files where all options are presented to the user for them to select from when inserting a family. The hope was that we might find a way where the settings for only one specific predetermined setup is included and the family is automatically inserted that way without the need to pick anything from a list or have any additional pop-up screens appearing. They would go to the website and configure exactly what they want and then when they receive it via email the family they insert is exactly what they setup on the website without any further input from them.

It sounds like this may not be possible? If not, would we want to consider sending a Revit Type Catalog with just a single item in it containing their selected setup? Of course this could be troublesome if they were to return to the website at a later time and make a slightly different selection to the same family giving them a different Revit Type Catalog from what they had received before for the same family. We’d be interested in your suggestions on the matter as a best course of action to take.

Thanks,

David Blackburn

CAD fx, Inc.

P: 810-732-0085