Batch family replace with mapping option

[me1a]

Hello!

Do you know if there is an app that allows you to batch replace families, giving the option to map them, then you can use the same replacing map in other projects?

It would be nice if it is for free or cheap 😉

Thank you!

Mela

[aRcHiTeCt.JM]

... hi @me1a

... not in REVIT

... I don't think I never saw something like that

.... you can reuse textures and all materials but as long as I know there is not batch for mapping option available

[me1a]

Hi!

Maybe I don't explain me well.

What I would like is an app to replace the blocks automatically, when I say mapping i refer that I would like the app to remember which family convert in which other one (as in the layer translator of Cad).

i.e.

100 Door -> 200 Door

100 Window -> 200 Window

100 Valve -> 200 Valve

Then I can use the same configuration for every project...

[barthbradley]

I'm still confused. What do you mean by "blocks".  Blocks are AutoCAD elements, not Revit elements.   Sounds like you are saying that you want a utility that will "translate" blocks into Revit doors and windows.   

[ToanDN]

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@me1a wrote:

Hi!

Maybe I don't explain me well.

What I would like is an app to replace the blocks automatically, when I say mapping i refer that I would like the app to remember which family convert in which other one (as in the layer translator of Cad).

i.e.

100 Door -> 200 Door

100 Window -> 200 Window

100 Valve -> 200 Valve

Then I can use the same configuration for every project...

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Even if you will be able to do it with Dynamo, this task should proceed with great cautions, especially with hosted families.  For example:  if the original door and the new door were created with different constraints, different origin reference planes, center plane of one door versus a weak plane of the other.... then all hell can break loose when you replace a batch of them in the project.

[me1a]

I am sorry, it is the habit, I referred to families.

[barthbradley]

Got  it. You just threw me by mentioning CAD Layer translation in the same sentence. 

[me1a]

Yes, we know it is really dangerous, but in the past we had bad experiences with other companies (contractors) copying our super intelligent/time saving cad blocks.
We are water feature consultants and contractors do our work for free (not as good as we do), as we are starting with revit, we don’t want to make the same mistake as we did in cad.
The families we will share would be correct, but not intelligent/super time saving.
We will need to have our standard library and the “dummy” one. Insertion point, and sizing parameters won’t change. We will just delete our “description” parameters (we included in each family it name in 4 different languages, code and free text).
In other cases we will also “freeze” the family... I.e we have a completely adjustable ladder, before delivery, we will erase the parameters and just leave a non adjustable ladder.
At the end, I think we found a balance between sharing (as per Revit conception)
and gifting our library to our competitors.

[me1a]

Hehehe, there have been almost 20 years in cad and just 1 in Revit! Bad habits never die 😉

[ToanDN]

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@me1a wrote:
Yes, we know it is really dangerous, but in the past we had bad experiences with other companies (contractors) copying our super intelligent/time saving cad blocks.
We are water feature consultants and contractors do our work for free (not as good as we do), as we are starting with revit, we don’t want to make the same mistake as we did in cad.
The families we will share would be correct, but not intelligent/super time saving.
We will need to have our standard library and the “dummy” one. Insertion point, and sizing parameters won’t change. We will just delete our “description” parameters (we included in each family it name in 4 different languages, code and free text).
In other cases we will also “freeze” the family... I.e we have a completely adjustable ladder, before delivery, we will erase the parameters and just leave a non adjustable ladder.
At the end, I think we found a balance between sharing (as per Revit conception)
and gifting our library to our competitors.

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There are better ways to dumb down families.  For instance, export the Revit model to IFC will make all intelligent families as dumb as a brick (no offense to bricks).  Open the IFC and save it as another RVT file to send to your consultants along with a nice gift letter.

[barthbradley]

You know, I'm reading your description of what you are trying to achieve, and it sounds a lot like your describing a template (e.g. rft vs. rfa).   You may find that changing the extension to from rfa to rft, might be a better way share your content for use by others.  Do you get the concept?  

[me1a]

Thank you!!!!!! I will try it on Monday!

[me1a]

I am not sure I got it.
We need to deliver our final central file to the architects, for them to integrate it in the project, but then, they will provide the complete pack to the different contractors to prepare the shop drawings and is in this moment when they got our families...

[barthbradley]

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@barthbradley wrote:

You know, I'm reading your description of what you are trying to achieve, and it sounds a lot like your describing a template (e.g. rft vs. rfa).   You may find that changing the extension to from rfa to rft, might be a better way share your content for use by others.  Do you get the concept?  

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@me1a: Actually, the concept would be to rename the extension to rft, open the rft and save it as an rfa. Then share the rfa.  

Any thoughts, @ToanDN?  

[ToanDN]

I think the intent is to share the Revit project model but all the families in it dumb down a few notches. I don't think she wants to send individual family files as gifts.

[me1a]

Exactly. Just the Revit model with “dummy” families.

[barthbradley]

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@ToanDN wrote:
I think the intent is to share the Revit project model but all the families in it dumb down a few notches. I don't think she wants to send individual family files as gifts.

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Yeah, whatever.  I’m not reading between the lines – just what’s printed on the page. And what’s printed on the page is all about “families” – and “sharing” and “gifting” and “usage” and “copying” of families.  The way I read it, is that the OP is trying to mitigate for the “bad experiences” that were brought about in the past when others manipulated their families.  What better way is there to prevent family content from being changed than to lock it down? Template elements are fixed.  Maybe Templates could have an application here.  Maybe not.  

[me1a]

@ToanDN

Hello Toan,

Regarding the ifc exporting...I tried it, but all the families just disappeared. I got an almost empty model with pipes.

😞

[ToanDN]

What category are the families?

[me1a]

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@ToanDN wrote:
What category are the families?

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Several:

Mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, generic models, pipe accesories, plumbing fixtures and specialty equipment.