Instance parameter, report

[marieHPAJL]

Today's problem with Revit:

I have a linear component with a variable length that I call "running meters".

With the help of an instance parameter, I am able to modify the running meters as wanted.

But - if I tick the box "report" for the instance parameter in order to get the running lenght on the schedule, it does not work anymore. The running meters dont run at all, just stays at the same length.

What is this? Help!

[martijn_pater · Accepted solution]

Why would you use a reporting parameter then? You could add another besides the instance parameter that's already there. But if you remove the instance parameter, no wonder it breaks down... if you're looking to schedule it ie. use a shared parameter...

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

You need to make "Running Meters" a Shared Parameter to be able to report its value in a Schedule.  

Shared Parameters | Revit Products | Autodesk Knowledge Network

[marieHPAJL]

I don't know what happened - I did some changes and then suddenly nothing worked.

Anyway  - I guess I will have to make an instance parameter for the length, then make another one that is shared and use that for schedules. What I don't understand is what the "report" instance parameter is then...

Thanks for your help again.

[syman2000]

Report parameter is useful if you are doing curtainwall panel and you need width and height to drive the other parameter to flex. As well if you use linebase family, adding report parameter allows user to flex nested family instead of locking the family from one corner or the other. It is another way to prevent your family from breaking or getting the cannot make family type errors.

[marieHPAJL]

Hi, Syman2000

Actually this is going to be a complex family with two nested families in the main family.

What I will do right now, is to do without the "report" thing and see if I can make this work..

I am at a point in my Revit education where it seems like some suffering is inevitable even on the last Saturday before Christmas. Should be making gingerbread now, would have been easier at least.

Anyway, thanks for helping and I will come back to your suggestion when I am able to grab what it really means:).

[syman2000]

Share the family so we can take a look

[marieHPAJL]

So here are some questions:

I am making a linear profile with a led-strip and a driver.

I somehow ruined the model I had made, am trying to make it again:

Main family: The aluminium profile that should be stretchable lengthwise.

Subfamily SHARED 1: The led-strip that should stretch with the main family.

Subfamily SHARED 2: The driver that I have placed in the center of the profile - it does matter if it shows or not.

I assign a shared "running meters" parameter to the profile and the led-strip.

Questions: 

1. Should all the nested families be checked for "room calculation point" or will a subfamily automatically be calculated when the main family is?
2. Should the nested led-strip have shape handles before it is nested into the main family, or it is enough that it is tied to the main family's  shape handles reference planes? I have some problems with this.
3. In the schedule, I now get the two subfamilies listed, but not the main family. I dont know why..

[Alfredo_Medina]

...and the thread starts with: "Today's Revit problem", when in reality the problem is not understanding the usage of reporting parameters and shared parameters.

[martijn_pater]

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@Alfredo_Medina wrote:

...and the thread starts with: "Today's Revit problem"

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It does not. It starts with "Today's problem with Revit:", which is referring to the difficulty OP is having at that point with Revit as I would read that anyway. The rest is pretty much on point though...

Reporting Parameters:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/EN....

Reading the manual however, one could imagine the confusion tbh. It could be written somewhat better imo.

[barthbradley]

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@marieHPAJL wrote:

Questions: 

1. Should all the nested families be checked for "room calculation point" or will a subfamily automatically be calculated when the main family is?
2. Should the nested led-strip have shape handles before it is nested into the main family, or it is enough that it is tied to the main family's  shape handles reference planes? I have some problems with this.
3. In the schedule, I now get the two subfamilies listed, but not the main family. I don't know why..

---

Today's answers to yesterday's problems:

1.  Room Calculation Point could be useful in the Nested Shared Families as well as the Host Family.  Can't hurt to include them.   

2. If by "Shape Handles" you mean Instance Parameters are driving Labeled Dimensions that are in turn driving Reference Lines which Family Geometry is Aligned and Locked, then Shape Handles in a Shared Family that is Nested into a Host Family will not be available in the Project through the Host. Those Instance Parameters in the Nested Shared Family should be Associated to Host Parameters.   

3. If the Category of the Nested Shared Family and the Host Family are the same, then they should both show up in a Project Schedule for that Category.  

Post your project with the family. It would help us to help you. 😉

[marieHPAJL]

Hi, everybody - thank you for all your input! I have been taking a Christmas vacation, but right now, just before New Year's Eve, it is time to delve into some shape handles and parameters again, hoping for some clarity before we are too far into 2021.

Allthough my initial questions have been more complex, I have a very simple problem right now - why don't I have working shape handles on this very simple family? I just want to be able to stretch it lengthwise. I have been able to make this kind of very simple family for a long time, but right now I seem to have lost it.

I can flex it in the family editor, but not in any kind of project I open.

[ToanDN]

To have grip handles for a family in project, you need instance parameters constrain reference planes or reference lines, then constrain those ref planes/ref lines to the geometry. Use ref lines will give you grip handles in 3d, planes in 2d only.

[marieHPAJL]

Hi Toan

Thank you for the information on ref planes vs ref lines. I was wondering if that might be linked to the problem, but I think it is something else.

The parameter I use for length "løpemeter" is greyed out in the project environment - I am not able to change it.

[ToanDN]

Is it a reporting parameter? Do not check Reporting box of you want to change it in project.