Feature Request: managing linked files options in Link Manager or Object style

[gsucci]

Hello,

It appears the only way to control the visibility settings of linked models is by view, which is okay but not great.

When we need to display different options for different instances of the same linked model, it become cumbersome to change every view settings or view templates (especially when the usually overboard office BIM standards dictates dozens upon dozens of view templates).

There is a need to control these settings by Object style (like DWG), so that we can set them up project-wise.

Anyone knows if this feature is in the pipeline?

Thank you

Giovanni

[L.Maas]

If you have a feature request. Place it in the IDEAS section.

To see what lays ahead check the roadmap.

[RobDraw]

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@gsucci wrote:

It appears the only way to control the visibility settings of linked models is by view, which is okay but not great.

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Appearances can be deceiving. Links can be controlled by the host's object styles.

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@gsucci wrote:

When we need to display different options for different instances of the same linked model,

There is a need to control these settings by Object style (like DWG), so that we can set them up project-wise.

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These statements seem to contradict each other. Which do you need? Control for views or global control for the project.

[gsucci]

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@RobDraw wrote:

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@gsucci wrote:

It appears the only way to control the visibility settings of linked models is by view, which is okay but not great.

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Appearances can be deceiving. Links can be controlled by the host's object styles.

Yeah... let me rephrase that for you:  It appears the only way to OVERRIDE the visibility settings of linked models is by view, which is okay but not great.

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@gsucci wrote:

When we need to display different options for different instances of the same linked model,

There is a need to control these settings by Object style (like DWG), so that we can set them up project-wise.

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These statements seem to contradict each other. Which do you need? Control for views or global control for the project.

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Statement 1 says the only way to OVERRIDE settings of linked models is by view; statement 2 says we need a way to do so project wise, like from the Link Manager (where you can manage the worksets of the link) or the Object Style panels, both of which are project wise settings and they apply to all views.

However, neither Link Manager nor Object styles allow you to set a link instance current option, which has to be done overriding views (or view templates).

Not sure where you see a contradiction.

thanks

gio

[RobDraw]

So, you didn't believe me when I said that what you are asking for as a new feature can already be done. It seems we are having communication problems. Here's a picture for you.

When linked model graphics are controlled "By host model", it's your model's Object Styles that are the global settings for the entire project.

[gsucci]

Yeah, communication is indeed a problem.

I have attached a picture.

It has pink, little, pretty callouts.

The callouts will guide you to the setting that CANNOT be set for the project, but has to be done by view overrides only (or view templates).

We need this setting to be available under Object Style, in a Revit Links tab, which right now does not exist...

If there is indeed a way to set the options visibility for instances of a linked file for the whole project, I beg you, share it with us.

Thank you

regards.

Gio

[RobDraw]

You didn't say anything about "Design Options". You did mention options. That is where the disconnect is. I've only dabbled in design options and even less so in a linked model. I'm not hopeful as to a global control as they are an option.

Even with the correction to terminology, I'm still not exactly sure what you are looking for and don't say "like you can do in .dwg" as that usually doesn't correlate to Revit very well.

[jgibbsDUDDW]

I, too, am looking for ways to manage VG on linked models project wide.  All I've found is the ability to manage the worksets in the linked file, but that doesn't provide enough detail flexibility.  I'll be curious to see what comes of this.

[RobDraw]

Have a look at message #5.

[gsucci]

Well, "what comes of it" is that we need to wait for Autodesk to implement this feature in the program, unfortunately.

Regards

gio

[jgibbsDUDDW]

the "object styles" option under the display settings doesn't do the trick for me.  I don't want to control "by host file" because I need to manipulate similar objects from linked files differently from the host file.  I don't want to control "by linked file" either.  the linked files I work with are 3rd party files, and I don't want to open them and manipulate them.  it's risky and unethical.  Also, changing this setting still only affects one view at a time.  this is not a global setting when used from the VG dialog box.  the best solution I've found is to simply go to your host project browser, highlight all the relevant views via shift-click or alt-click, and hit Graphic Overrides in the Properties and manipulate the links.  this allows you to modify the display graphics in all your views at once, but will not affect any new views you create.  It would be nice if Autodesk can add VG functionality at the Manage Links dialogue for truly global effect.

[RobDraw]

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@jgibbsDUDDW wrote:

the best solution I've found is to simply go to your host project browser, highlight all the relevant views via shift-click or alt-click, and hit Graphic Overrides in the Properties and manipulate the links.  this allows you to modify the display graphics in all your views at once, but will not affect any new views you create.

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This sounds like a job for view templates. All of our settings for linked models are preset utilizing view templates. new views can be set up with a couple clicks. I don't know how much more control you need on something that should be set it and forget it.

How often do these settings change in the course of a project where you need this so called global control that is supposedly missing from Revit?

[jgibbsDUDDW]

View templates are another valid approach.  Presently, we use about 2 dozen view templates, so I would have to go thru the VG exercise 2 dozen times.  Still a tedious effort, and my users are real fond of turning off the view templates.  Better if a global application can "set it and forget it" just once per link.

[RobDraw]

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@jgibbsDUDDW wrote:

View templates are another valid approach.  Presently, we use about 2 dozen view templates, so I would have to go thru the VG exercise 2 dozen times.  Still a tedious effort

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Unless you are in the process of tweaking standards, your view templates should have your standard settings preset in your project template. Trust me, I know what it's like to have to update and tweak these, but once they are established they hardly ever need to be touched. I really don't mind doing it when needed but our current BIM manager won't let me help update ours. He's very hands on with them for some reason.

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@jgibbsDUDDW wrote:

my users are real fond of turning off the view templates.

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View schedules are great for checking and resetting view templates.

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@jgibbsDUDDW wrote:

 Better if a global application can "set it and forget it" just once per link.

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The "global application" you are looking for is your project template. The OP on the other hand, I'm not so sure what he wants.

[gsucci]

This feature is missing from the Object Styles panel. There we need a "RVT Link" tab, just like the one under Graphics Overrides.

In the Object Styles Panel we can setup the look of imported DWG, for examples, but not RVT files.

Any time you link a model which has options, and place multiple instances of that model, there is the need to setup the current option, and other visibility overrides, by Objects Styles, not view by view (Graphics Overrides).

For example, we have a linked model that represent half of a symmetric building. Little differences between the two halves are resolved using options within the linked model.

The instance of the North half and the instance of the South half need to show the correct option ALL THE TIME.

Now, since control of the options for linked models does not exist in the Object Style Panel, every time we do a default 3D view, both halves show the primary option... Of course View Templates help, but again, in my opinion all the controls in the Graphic Overrides should be also present in the Object Styles Panel... I just cannot see why not.

Is this answering your question?

thank you

reagrds

gio

[gsucci]

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@jgibbsDUDDW wrote:

 Better if a global application can "set it and forget it" just once per link.

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The "global application" you are looking for is your project template.

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No, not really. The "global application" that we are looking for is the missing tab "Revit Links" from the Object Styles panel.

thanks

[RobDraw]

Why do you keep saying that links need to be in object styles? I'm truly baffled. IME, graphics of links in a project are view dependent and easily controlled with view templates.

Sometimes, it's about what Revit requires to get the desired result. They can't account for every desired workflow.

[gsucci]

Actually, what is really "baffling" is why would anyone, without the experience required to understand and possibly contribute to the topic, keep posting replies which essentially dismiss the issue at hand.

I have even given a concrete example of when we need to control linked files options visibility, project wide, and not as view overrides. I can think of other examples when this need arises (options within a structural model, multi-units apartments with linked units, and so on so forth), but we are not here to do training, we come here to get answers.

In this case the answer appears to be:

there is currently no way to setup the visibility of linked models options at a project level, (like we can with linked RVT files Worksets, or with linked DWG graphics). The closest workflow to this missing feature is to leverage View Templates. Fine.

So, unless Revit 2019 has some new feature I do not know about, this should be the "accepted" solution...?

thanks

regards

gio

[RobDraw]

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@gsucci wrote:

Actually, what is really "baffling" is why would anyone, without the experience required to understand and possibly contribute to the topic, keep posting replies which essentially dismiss the issue at hand.

I have even given a concrete example of when we need to control linked files options visibility, project wide, and not as view overrides. I can think of other examples when this need arises (options within a structural model, multi-units apartments with linked units, and so on so forth), but we are not here to do training, we come here to get answers.

In this case the answer appears to be:

there is currently no way to setup the visibility of linked models options at a project level, (like we can with linked RVT files Worksets, or with linked DWG graphics). The closest workflow to this missing feature is to leverage View Templates. Fine.

So, unless Revit 2019 has some new feature I do not know about, this should be the "accepted" solution...?

thanks

regards

gio

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Oh yeah? I can top that.

Why would someone come to a user help forum to post a feature request when there is a forum for just that? Also, why would said people go on a personal attack when given solutions that do what they want? It happens all the time. People complain because they can't figure out how do something and think something is missing and, when shown that there are solutions which kind of make them look like an idiot, go on a personal attack. I had hope that I could teach @jgibbsDUDDW something, but you on the other hand are just like all the others who post feature requests here, close minded, entitled and want everything handed to them. That's why you won't see me in the feature request forum. It's too frustrating to try to help those who don't want help.

Good luck!

[jgibbsDUDDW]

hey guys.  enough.  there's a pretty low level of professionalism in this string.  let's just end it.  we've beaten this horse to death anyway.