topic Cable Family in Revit MEP Forum

Cable Family

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 08:38:05 GMT

I can't find any cable family, Is there a way to create one?

Re: Cable Family

mpeperkamp — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:28:02 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Welcome to the Autodesk forum.

Cable family is a system family and is in your template.

If there are no wiring types, you can create one.

Go to the Electrical Setting and select wiring types:

Add a new type and click OK.

Got to TAB systems and shoos Wire:

And create one.

If my post answers your question, please click the "Accept as Solution" button. This helps everyone find answers more quickly!

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:07:17 GMT

Thank you @mpeperkamp for your help,but the problem that I have to save the family.

wire family is system family and can't be save.

Is there another way to create cable family?

Re: Cable Family

Matt__W — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:33:04 GMT

@Anonymous do you want to save the styles so you can import them into another project? If so, just use the TRANSFER PROJECT STANDARDS command. You can transfer cable trays and wires. And just about anything else.

Re: Cable Family

Scott_D_ — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 23:25:00 GMT

There is no 3D element family for cable.

Only Wires with associated wire types.

If you are trying to show cables on a ladder for example; you will need to model them with something else.

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 06:54:30 GMT

@Scott_D_ yes, I want a 3D family.

something else like what?

Re: Cable Family

rudi.roux — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 07:15:02 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Hope you are well!

You could use "conduits" to mimic Cables/Wires in your project.

Conduits are System Families, but you'll be able to create new Family Types for the existing conduits and fittings.

You can then assign relevant data to the Family Types with Filters to it - so that it can resemble wires in sections or 3D views.

Quick (OLD) Example Below:

I hope this helps!

Re: Cable Family

Scott_D_ — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:59:45 GMT

I have used conduits and ducts, they are both pretty poor solutions if I am honest.

Creating a custom family would be better, perhaps Site or Generic Equipment categories.

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:45:47 GMT

thank you for your help 🙂

I want a 3D cable family, I can't use system families because I need to upload the family as a file(required).

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 10:50:41 GMT

Hello @rudi.roux

Thanks alot buddy, this is very helpful.

but the problem is I cant use system families because I need to save the family as a file(required).

I can't find any similar family to cable that is not system family 😞

Re: Cable Family

rudi.roux — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 11:09:20 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

The reason why I suggested conduits is because they will be a quick OOTB (out of the box) solution. They way in which you can use them in other projects (loadable into other projects as you mentioned), is to use the Transfer Project Standards option in Revit, or set them up in your main project or discipline template. Although Conduits are System Families, you can still create Family Types for them, which can then be transferred.

If you are keen on using your own 3D family which will mimic cables, then I would suggest that you build an adaptive family for your cables.

Have a look at the following two links below regarding "Adaptive Families": (Both links include videos)

Link ONE

Link TWO

I hope this helps!

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:22:11 GMT

hello @rudi.roux

I appreciate your help, thanks a lot it was very useful.

Re: Cable Family

rudi.roux — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:42:50 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Only a pleasure! Did any of the post/s serve as a solution for you or do you require additional assistants?

Re: Cable Family

Samir_emam — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 07:57:11 GMT

Kindly check Electrical Power Cable Add-ins from following links:-

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=2870984389903401467&appLang=en&os=Win64

and pro product

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=8817589469754836824&appLang=en&os=Win64

Re: Cable Family

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 06:51:52 GMT

Hello, Samir Emam!

Could you make it possible to try your plugin before buying it? Is there any trial version?

It would be great to have a tool which makes cables visible in 3d view because here lies one of the reasons why many electrical engineers don't use Revit as a primary software.

As I expect your product may be a solution.

Re: Cable Family

Samir_emam — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 07:18:17 GMT

Dear ngen_1

Kindly check my You Tube channel videos which describe "Electric Power Cable Pro" Add-ins options through the following link:-

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtfuvalW5_B_Znc5HBB_aoztvQAwlB-9e

i wait your feedback.

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello, Samir Emam!

Could you make it possible to try your plugin before buying it? Is there any trial version?

It would be great to have a tool which makes cables visible in 3d view because here lies one of the reasons why many electrical engineers don't use Revit as a primary software.

As I expect your product may be a solution.