Lighting family with generic annotation symbols that shows up both on RCP and Electrical Plans

[Shah_H_]

We had a standard for years where our lighting families shown on Electrical Plans. Our electrical plans were simply floor plans with specific view template. Now we're improving our standards, and I'd like to create symbols(similar to the screenshot below) with Generic Annotations nested in our lighting family, where there are nested 3d models and light source. With the help of new 2024, and later Revit version, the nested Generic Annotations can be shown even on sloped surfaces (by the way our family is face based, so the light can be attached to any surface). The problem is, when I place the family in the model, the symbols (nested Generic Annotations) are only shown on RCPs because of course, they're attached to the face above, and I can't find anyway to show the same symbols on our Electrical Plans. Is there any solutions/tricks?  Attached is the lighting family (no 3d model in it yet) 

[barthbradley]

Model something in the Family.  

[Shah_H_]

Not sure if I got it right. Did you mean to model the 3D models? if that's right, I don't care about those for now. My concern is looking for a solution to show my symbols both on RCP and plans. Thanks

[barthbradley]

Actually, just change the View Range. 

[barthbradley]

....one more:

...needed for context I think: 

[Shah_H_]

Thanks for the screenshots. Actually I don't have problem with ceiling plans views. My problem is how to show the same symbols in our Electrical Plans. Our electrical plans are same as floor plans (looking down) with different view templates. 

[barthbradley]

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@Shah_H_ wrote:

Thanks for the screenshots. Actually I don't have problem with ceiling plans views. My problem is how to show the same symbols in our Electrical Plans. Our electrical plans are same as floor plans (looking down) with different view templates. 

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The issue must with the Template Settings then - not the Family - because I have no like issues on my end (with proper View Range Settings), as my screenshots above prove.  

[Shah_H_]

Hmmm, both of your screenshots (except the 3D view) show that you created a ceiling plan, correct? for the ceiling plan, which the view is looking up the symbols show perfectly on my end. I'm not sure how to trigger our electrical/lighting plan, which the view is looking down, to show those symbols. Can you please send me a screenshot of a regular plan (not rcp) that my symbols show up there? 

I don't know man, maybe I'm trippin 🙂 (sorry for the back an force texts) 

[barthbradley]

[Shah_H_]

I see. thank you. Here are some screenshots of my example, and the last screenshot shows where my cutting plane is. 

[barthbradley]

Just post the RVT file itself. 

[Shah_H_]

Please see attached. 

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

Is this what you are trying to do? Get the Lights to show up in the Floor Plan View without changing the View Range settings? 

https://revitoped.blogspot.com/2008/01/aaaahthe-old-invisible-line-trick-eh-99.html

[barthbradley]

If that's what you want, instead of using a Line, use a Circle originating from the center with a large radius.  That's what I did for that screenshot. 

[Shah_H_]

The view that you sent is exactly what I want. Can you please send me back the modified lighting family or revit project file you took snapshot from? I'm not sure if I can follow that blogspot link trick, and the tip you sent (circle originating from the center) 🙏

[barthbradley]

.

[Shah_H_]

VERY INTERESTING!!! Wow, I'd never thought about this. This is great!! I wish there was a way to not show those ghosted model lines when you hover, or select the family. But that's what it is I guess. Thanks a lot dude. 

[barthbradley]

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@Shah_H_ wrote:

VERY INTERESTING!!! Wow, I'd never thought about this. This is great!! I wish there was a way to not show those ghosted model lines when you hover, or select the family. But that's what it is I guess. Thanks a lot dude. 

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Shout out to @SteveKStafford as well. He invented the workaround almost 2 decades ago.  I think he did it by rubbing two sticks together, but that could be just folklore.      

[SteveKStafford]

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@barthbradley wrote: Shout out to @SteveKStafford as well. He invented the workaround almost 2 decades ago.  I think he did it by rubbing two sticks together, but that could be just folklore.      

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As much as I'd like to take credit for the invisible line trick... I attended a session at AU in 2005 where Phil Read and Greg Demchak (a couple of OG Revit company people) were sharing tips and tricks from projects they supported. The invisible line trick was one of the tips they shared.

FWIW, it's not really a trick... when a family doesn't get cut by the View Range cut plane...adding the invisible line to the family can make it encounter the cut plane, which means it becomes visible to the view, so it shows up. The original instance of using it to our advantage was the shelf/rod closet family.

[Shah_H_]

Anyway, we're grateful for people like you and @barthbradley in Revit community, always present to provide solutions.