topic Re: How to modify families without opening it? in Revit MEP Forum

How to modify families without opening it?

brennenRCY3Z — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 19:38:54 GMT

I am new to Revit from Autocad and I was wondering if it is possible to adjust a family like you can adjust a block in AutoCAD? For instance, I have a security camera I am trying to change viewing angles of once I place the family in the floor plan but can't seem to edit it without opening the editing window of that family and changing it. Thanks for any help provided.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

RobDraw — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 20:20:08 GMT

Absolutely yes but what you can change is a function of the family. Instance and type parameters can be changed without editing the family. These parameters need to be written in to the family in order to be available.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

s.borello — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:03:44 GMT

You sure can... you can adjust instance and type properties without editing the family; assuming this functionality is built in to said family... similar to a dynamic block in AutoCAD.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

hmunsell — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 11:39:28 GMT

Revit does not have a Edit In Place function like AutoCAD does. to physically edit a family, you need to open it in the family editor session by double clicking on it or opening it from the File Open options. once open you can make a change and Load to Project.

That said.... as @RobDraw & @s.borello have stated. if the proper parameter information is in the family from the start, you should only need to edit the instance or type properly of of the family. i usually recommend duplicating the type prior to making a "Type" parameter change. otherwise it will change all the families in your project of that same type.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

RobDraw — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:27:19 GMT

@s.borello wrote:
You sure can... you can adjust instance and type properties without editing the family; assuming this functionality is built in to said family... similar to a dynamic block in AutoCAD.

Isn't that pretty much exactly what I said?

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

s.borello — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 14:49:45 GMT

Yes... didn't see your comment or I would have given you a like and kept on moving as I usually do.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

brennenRCY3Z — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:45:19 GMT

Ok, so I created a Viewing Angle Instance parameter along with an extruded viewing angle piece that has the length and overall angle dimensions locked so they don't change. When I go to change the angle of the instance parameter I get an error. How can I rotate the viewing angle while keeping the length and overall angle of it the same?

Also, I placed a model text C in the center but I can't get it to show in this view, but it will show up in almost all other views. Is there a way to have the C carved out of the top extrusion and show up, I did not see it under Void Forms. Thank you again for any help.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

hmunsell — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:48:58 GMT

honestly, your probably better off putting this question in a new post vs a continuation of this existing post.

Re: How to modify families without opening it?

iainsavage — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:14:05 GMT

You probably need to create a separate family for the field of view, nest it into the main family and then rotate the whole field of view as one object.

This thread might help: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-mep-forum/in-dire-need-of-help-rotating-a-component-freely-in-3-planes/m-p/9605052#M71096

As for the model text, I don’t use it much but what I’ve done before is have it project above the plane by just one millimetre which makes it visible.