Adding shared parametres to nested families

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

So I have a couple of families that have 10-12 nested families in them. Currently they have shared parametres linked to shared parametres so when the parent family is given some data the nested families have that same data in the schedule. This was done the manual way adding them in each of the nested families and linking the parametres in the parent family which was a bit tedious but fine. I have of course already been asked to add further shared parametres and knowing the way my colleagues work I will likely be asked to add new parametres a number more times.

Other than using Dynamo which I have only barely begun to look at is there any way of speeding this up? It's worth noting that the nested families appear elsewhere in the project, un nested and will also need the shared parametre applied there. 

Thanks for any and all help. I'm aware the answer may just be Dynamo but it's worth asking.

[smbrennan]

I use CTC Tools BIM Manager Suite. It has a really nice tool for bulk adding not only parameters, but also defining formulas if that’s what you need. You can add to multiple families at the same time. It is a yearly subscription, but it’s super affordable. If you check it out, look at their BIM Project Suite as well. 

[ahjorn · Accepted solution]

Try using the DiRoots ParaManager.

It's a A free Autodesk Revit plugin to manage Revit parameters inside the project and family environments.

Oh and did I mention that it is free?

[Anonymous]

Thank you both! By the time my company approves money for software I could have added parameters hundreds of times over so I will certainly try out the free product first.

[Alfredo_Medina]

The shared parameters do not have to be in the family. The shared parameter could be used as a project parameter that applies to the family's category. Then, if you schedule the families and add the shared parameter to the schedule, now you can enter data in the families.

[ToanDN]

What are the intent of the shared parameters? Are they driving geometry, changing materials, or are they simply for entering data (text/multi-line text parameters)? If the former then you do need to add them in the families. If the latter then you can just add them in the project and assign to the applicable categories, then you can add the data fairly quickly in a schedule with some creative filtering/grouping.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority are text box data only. There's a few material ones I need to revisit so I will have to go back in at some point but good to know I don't necessarily have to go back in to every family. Will try that today and see if I can get the desired results using grouping, thanks!

[Martijn.Pater]

Not entirely sure about this family/situation, but instead of linking all these parameters couldn't you just make these shared nested families (type-based)?

About Nesting and Sharing Loadable Families | Revit Products | Autodesk Knowledge Network

[smbrennan]

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@Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority are text box data only. There's a few material ones I need to revisit so I will have to go back in at some point but good to know I don't necessarily have to go back in to every family. Will try that today and see if I can get the desired results using grouping, thanks!

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All of these suggestions are good suggestions. Just keep in mind, if you're not aware, that you can only do this to nested families if they are set to 'Shared' via the properties palette when loaded into the parent family.