Parameter Service R2024 - how useful in practice is it?

[HVAC-Novice]

I always had my shared parameters in a local txt file and created them from within Revit. We now use ACC and it seems that also comes with a feature called "Shared Parameter Services" To me it looks like to allow an admin to create (or upload from txt) shared parameters and other users the use them, but can't edit them. Basically a BIM manager situation. 

How well does that actually work in practice? What are some best practices? Is there any meaningful use of that if I'm the only one using those parameters? Do you still keep the txt files and create parameters in Revit the old way, or create them in the ACC parameter tool? 

Some things I noticed:

After uploading, it indicates an error because my shared parameters don't have instance/type set. This doesn't make sense since in Revit you can't set that when creating a parameter. That gets set in the family the parameter is used in. 

There also is a "Category"  where you select piping, electrical etc. that may be useful to sort the parameters and not just a a very long list. but existing parameters (imported from txt) can't be edited to get the designation. 

There also doesn't seem to be a parameter group (a name I can make up, to sort parameters). So this may not as easy to use as the Revit parameter tool. 

here the dialog when you create those parameters in ACC:

Just stumbled on this and wonder if and how I can take advantage of this new (to me) feature? 

[ennujozlagam]

Instance Parameter – Enables you to modify the parameter value separately for every instance.

Type Parameter – Enables you to modify the parameter value, which applies to all elements of the family type.

[Simon_Weel]

Reading the Help text (which btw doesn't explain the 'why'), I get the feeling the name 'shared parameters service' is a bit misleading. For instance, you can add parameters to the service from a variety of sources - except the Shared Parameters list. Not sure if they are meant to replace the 'old style' Shared Parameters?

In the help text there's a part about setting up and accessing the Shared Parameters service, with a link to Using Parameters with Autodesk Docs. Which starts with "The Parameters Service (or Parameters under Autodesk Construction Cloud Library) is used to manage Revit shared parameters and import them into Docs."

Definitely needs more clarification...

[HVAC-Novice]

It seems I don't have the admin rights they talk about. So, I only can edit them out of the Revit feature. Now I'm also not sure if the shared parameters I uploaded (out of the Revit tool) would be accessible by others on our subscription. 

And yes, the help is written for people who already know what to do with the feature. 

And it is odd, that the shared parameters in the txt file (created by Revit) have the option to be grouped, but don't set the type/instance. but the Parameter Service parameters can set instance/type but can't group them.  They also seem to be able to get a category assigned. Since shared parameters have a unique ID, you'd think that would be exactly the same in DOCs and Revit. 

I don't know if this is the case here, but sometimes Autodesk starts a new feature, but it doesn't really work for years. then they fix it, or abandon it. That makes me hesitate to invest time before it actually is usable and mature. 

I made some mockup parameters in the Parameter Service. but I don't know how to get them into Revit or a family.

Helps says this:

" 

Loading Parameters into Revit

When launching the service from Revit from a window where parameters can be added, select one or more parameters. After you select the desired parameters, select Add to Revit Model. You can use shift+click to select multiple parameters at once."  but there is no " Add to Revit Model"  option. 

I'm also not able to delete the parameters i created in Parameter Service. It has the option to " remove parameters from collection", but it doesn't do it. 

I think I stop using this unless I find out if it actually works. 

[luisPDAN6]

I think the service is very beneficial for BIM manager that believe in hosting the parameter information in a web based database. It also allows to transfer the parameters into new families or project much quicker, as we can transfer multiple parameters at once. So I think this service makes a lot of sense. I found a quite good guide that covers the topic, and step-by-step guides to implement this service here:

https://goto.archi/blog/post/how-to-enable-the-autodesk-parameter-service

[HVAC-Novice]

Are you using it? Does it actually work well? If so, they must have improved it since I tried it. See my post above.

I know the marketing explanation makes it sound like a great feature. 

It looks like it can be something useful, but Autodesk hasn't really completed this feature yet. 

"Too many lose ends" is what describes a LOT of ACC

[luisPDAN6]

I am having problems to sync the parameters after they are uploaded from the shared parameter file and again from the template file. In the autodesk video it should sync, and complete the information in the parameters, but currently it is not doing that for me.

[HVAC-Novice]

Since you expect features to work as advertised, I assume you must be new to Autodesk and ACC.....  🙂

I have tried many of the ACC features because they looked like they can be very beneficial. The only thing I gained was the knowledge that Autodesk is NOT afraid to release a feature 4 years before it actually works. They get 10 points for self-confidence. 0 points for execution and QC. 

And no, it wasn't user error on my side. I had worked with support and we didn't get to a working feature. I just had to move on from experimenting and work on actual projects. I will try again once it actually works for users. Before you invest too much time experimenting, know that Autodesk also sometimes abandons features. Even if their feature works, I wouldn't give up my shared parameter txt file just yet.