Camera angle parameter in View Reference family not available in Properties

[bill_gilliss]

The attached JPG shows a View Reference family with rotatable geometry (just the filled area) to show in which direction a camera is pointing for a 3D view. The family flexes just fine when the camera angle instance parameter is changed.

But... when the family is loaded into a project and used as the View Reference Tag of a View Reference system family, the camera angle parameter is not available in Properties. Any solution to this this? I include the project and the family. Thanks for any advice you may have.

v 2018.2

[barthbradley]

I'm not sure what you are trying to do. Are you wondering how to make the camera visible in the plan view? While in the plan view, right-click on the name of the camera 3D view in the Project Browser and select Show Camera. This will turn on the camera in the view your are in. 

[bill_gilliss]

Yes, but the "Show Camera" camera icon does not stay visible . I want the equivalent of a callout for a 3D view so that people using the drawings can tell where each view was take from, and what direction the Revit camera was facing.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Instance parameters don't work in callout or any other type based annotation (section, elevation marks etc...). You have to use a type parameter and create different callout types, or place a separate annotation symbol on top of the callout.

[bill_gilliss]

Thanks, ToanDN. That's what has become clear to me. A further frustration is that we can't even Group such a tag with anything else to keep them together. I'll probably just use a leader arrow with no text.

[Anonymous]

I wish cameras were just an object controllable with normal display settings

[barthbradley]

It's been posted about before. Why can't we reference a fricking 3D view?! It seems that this would be so simple a feature to add.   

[bill_gilliss]

Well, we CAN reference a 3D view: use Annotate > View Reference then select the view type and the view name on the Ribbon, as below, and click in plan to place the reference.

The default reference is the linear boxed 3 / A107 you see above. I've been working tpwards something more helpful like the version in the circle, which is an edited version of the working view reference family with a generic annotation family on top of it to provide the directional "lens." This works okay -- I don't have a lot of them in any one project.

But, that said, yes, you are right - it would be a lot easier just to tag a camera.

[barthbradley]

Really dude? So how's that angle parameter working for you? Think about what you're trying to do, but can't. Now you get my drift; right? 

[curtisridenour]

I think i have an elegant solution for this. Create a reference section with a section tail that looks like a camera.

It is still referencing a view with the desired image on it and you can rotate it at any angle you desire.

Sadly i dont think you can reference a 3D view as @barthbradley has clearly stated.