Select all instances of Lines (model and detail)

[JasonLLINDNER]

Hi

I have some plan views from one site which they have been using to create details and markings using detail and model lines of different patterns for example they added a detail dash dot line for all walls which were changed to sound proof. the problem is when I filter select I find more than 300 detail lines on one view.

I would like to find and select all the dash dot lines similar to right click and select all instances in view. Is there a way to do that?

[syman2000]

I would select the dashdot line Isolate by Category and it will show those lines. Then you can select all and swap out with another line.

[Kev_D]

@JasonLLINDNER 

There is a great add-in for dealing with Detail Items such as Lines, Filled Regions, Patterns, etc. called Project Sweeper which is available in the App Store. 

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=6695458069304097371&appLang=en&os=Win64 

This will definitely help. 👍

[ToanDN]

You can try the pyRevit tool below:

[barthbradley]

Works like a charm, @ToanDN !  Thanks for sharing this solution!  

[JasonLLINDNER]

h

[JasonLLINDNER]

@syman2000 Thanks for the reply but that I tried before I came here looking for suggestion. This isolates all of them. Also the tool from @Kev_D I tried on my personal computer and it detects all the lines RADPR but does not recognize the different line patterns. It works by Line or by pattern but not both combination

@ToanDN I don't Know about pyrevit. We had it before but the decision a year and a half ago was to remove it because it caused many issues in the model and we had to wait long on the bug fix. That is when IT decided on No addons unless from a company or enterprise which provides prompt support. but if you think it can do this I cn try see if I can convince them

What I have is this if you can see all are 1 Line style category which originally is solid and black but in the views an override was applied to create another layer list for different types and uses.

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

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@JasonLLINDNER wrote:

h

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It should be fairly easy to do that in Dynamo. Filter model/detail Lines using a Line style and Line pattern but then what?! You just want to filter them?

Just wondering about that overdose of element overrides...300 lines! must have been finger numbing. They could have spent a few mins to start up a line based detail item and tossed those line patterns in the family as types instead of throwing them straight on the canvas. Families in general and Detail items in particular are there for a reason.

[ToanDN]

The pyRevit tool only works for line types, NOT overrides, NOT even patterns.  So I guess it does not work for you.   You may want to look into Dynamo then.

[JasonLLINDNER]

Sorry for the late reply. It is what I am trying to do, replace them with Line styles. What they did with 1 linestyle and  overriding it everywhere is a nightmare. The Line Detail item sound like a good idea I will try. 

What will really help is isolating the overrides. I tried with dynamo but did not work also on the forum I am not really a dynamo expert I use it maybe once a year if I find something ready to use. Can you guys help?

[OnTargetBob]

You can give Select Similar a try. We made it just for these types of issues. 30 day free trial will definitely get you through your current problem. 😉

Select Similar 

Bob

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@JasonLLINDNER 

If you found the first reply helpful accept as a solution then we can take it from there 

For the Dynamo solution...It can be as simple as 3/4 nodes and from there it depends on where you want to take it.  I cannot promise to code and/or put the whole graph for you but I will help you finish it if you put some effort into it.

Here are the nodes which should get you through the first step (Straight forward - connect them to each other out/in same order as listed)

OOTB Nodes

1. Select Model Element
2. Element.Category
3. All Elements of Category

Custom Nodes (Package: Genius Loci)

1. Get Elements Override (This has a python script that unwraps the elements and gets it's  Overrides)
   • Get elements override requires also a view as input. You can create a list of view or use an OOTB node called Active View.

NOTE:

1. Solid is not a pattern, it will read null - it is only possible to identify it using Element ID
2. From the output of the Get Override you can filler for certain Override using either a dictionary or a boollian (Similarly if you want to filter a specific line style)

Below an example 6 elements of the same lines style (placed both as Detail Line and Model Line) pattern originally was set randomly to Center and overridden in view to use various patterns

[JasonLLINDNER]

This is very good for a firts step now I can atleast filter them, What I would like to then do is use that filter from dynamo and replace the lines with the line based family you suggested first. I already modeled one.

I know how to use boolians with == to make filters I will work on it and try to manage and if I don't be sure I will be back

Many Many thanks

[JasonLLINDNER]

I am sure it is good but i am really sorry I cannot download addins due to company policy IT must approve

[DZimmerKVJT2]

I don't see how a workaround that requires add-in software can be considered 'solved'. Especially when the software requries programming.

The programming is easy, i get it, but it's also an ever changing dynamic. A script that worked last year is probably not going ot work right out of the box next year.

It boggles the mind that LINES, simple 2d LINES are unable to comply with the select all command (select al instances).
My workaround is to select EVERYTHING and then filter.

[RSomppi]

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@DZimmerKVJT2 wrote:

I don't see how a workaround that requires add-in software can be considered 'solved'.

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Any post can be marked as a solution. Even posts that say it isn't possible can be marked as solutions. It is entirely up to the OP to choose.

In this case, the add-in gets the job done. Problem solved. 

[jriverarbbinc]

I was getting an Error "Can't move pinned element" (Detail Line) when I tried using the CTC Type Swapper Tool and other Dynamo Scripts. I was able to select all lines and change using the PyRevit Tool. Thank you!

[DZimmerKVJT2]

I see where the confusion lies. We adhere to different definitions of the term.  To me, the term solve means:

to find an answer to, explanation for, or means of effectively dealing with (a problem or mystery)

I could convey my child to school via trebuchet but just because the school handed out booklets showing parents how to construct the trebuchets doesn't mean the school solved the bussing problem. 

Is the task (child to school, transport) completed? Yes. 

Is the underlying issue resolved, solved, eliminated? No. Because the tools (manufacturing plans for a trebuchet) provided by the responsible party (the school) do not conform to an accepted definition of english word "solve" 

In retrospect, we failed to include a parameter that requires child to remain safe, so it's on us, I suppose. 

Maybe we can solve  (hehe) our disagreement by finding a less wrong term to use that indicates some users were able to reach a state of task completion and other users were able to replicate that method.

Many users need to submit forms signed by supervisors and wait for IT to install add ins. 

[RSomppi]

You are entitled to your opinion but it is just that, an opinion. Not everyone lives in your world and solutions can be very subjective depending on workflows and point of view.

Good luck.

[JasonLLINDNER]

@DZimmerKVJT2 

I am not sure what exactly is bothering you. The solution using dynamo effectively solved the issue I was having and its author actually answered not just the question of the original post but also the question that I posted after. If you would have read the whole post would have understood why it was marked as a solution but of course you are always entitled for your own opinion and not use it 🙂

From my perspective,

1. Dynamo is not a plugin but more of a built in.
2. It is from Autodesk so no third party applications were involved and no IT intervention was required. 
   
3. I was looking for a solution that works not just with 2d lines but also and most importantly with the overrides those line were subject to. Something neither Pyrivet nor you select all and filter method offered.
4. It easily and elegantly solved the issue without me having to learn programming at the time. It’s just connecting the dots/nodes using simple logic.