Default Values for Instance Properties for Door Families

[Anonymous]

I have a series of Doors where I see Default Values already inserted when you place the family in areas such as Door Material Scheduled.  I understand how all this is set up and I am trying to update our Doors with Revit's newest out of the box doors.  On the new doors I notice there are no default values set.  I would like to add PTD and HM etc in these areas, and I can when I place each individual door, but I want to know how this door can be inserted with the most likely value already present, and then if need be I modify instance property from there?   Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

Hi there.

You have to open the family file. Selecting the instance, it will appear a button called Edit family.

After clicking, you will be inside the family file. Select the button Family types and edit the parameters as you want. After doing that, click OK and Load in your project and overwright the family and parameters values.

If your problem has been solved, please click on Accept as Solution. Then others users can take benefit of it.

Regards,

Felipe Góes
Autodesk Instructor

[Anonymous]

Thanks Felipe.  I do know how to do that.  I guess I didn't explain it correctly.  The Scheduled values are set up in the project and link to the schedule.  So they don't actually show up0 in the family them selves.  See attached file showing all I can see within that door family.   Do you see what I mean?  See also the first photo I posted. One door family has default values set for Frame Material Scheduled etc and the other one doesn't. Thanks!

[ToanDN]

If you want to enter these fields in the door family, the you need to bring the shared parameters in the family.

If you only need to enter the value for these fields for these doors in the project environment, via door properties or door schedule, then you don't have to do so.

[Anonymous]

This is the only thing I can find for thee values.  I want to put in a default frame type for example.  The parameter also does not let you chance an instance parameter to a type parameter as it is greyed out. 

[ToanDN]

That's it. You need to add these parameters in the family. Open the
family, open type properties, add parameter, choose shared parameter, and
browse to where shared parameters file is saved (same file used in the
project). Repeat for all parameters that you need.

[Anonymous]

Thank you.  My project says it doesn't have any shared parameters.  But the parameters are listed under Project Parameters.  Is there a way to make a default in the project without bringing it into the family?   

[ToanDN]

Your screenshot definitely indicates that it is a shared parameter.

If you select a new door, can you enter the value in the Frame Type - Scheduled field?  If yes, then there do it directly in the project.

As long as converting an instance shared parameter to a type shared parameter, no, you cannot do that.

[Anonymous]

ok thanks.  Yes I can do it in the project but what I'm trying to do is have it default to say a HM frame.  That is our most used, then you change it in the project from there but when I go to place the door those fields are blank so for every door you have to add the values.  So I was trying to find a way to do it universally.  If you think I can bring the shared into the family and that will work id like to try to find a help video that explains that.  Thanks!

[ToanDN]

Please see the screencast below:

- Find out where the Shared Parameters file of the project located

- Open family and add the same Shared Parameters.  They must match the instance/type defined in the project.

- Enter default value as you need.  Load in project to see the new value presents.

The downside of this method is you have to do the same steps for all the door families you have and that can get tiring.  Below is what I would do:

1. Use Type parameters instead of Instance parameters (my preferred method):  you can change the value for all doors of the same type at once.  Easier to maintain, good for larger projects.

2. If you still want to use Instance parameters:  Select all doors and enter the default value at once.  Then go back to unique doors and change them.  It can be done fairly quickly either via a schedule or via doors properties.  This method better suit for small projects.