Special Tag for Kitchen Equipment

[fernanda_grubler]

Hi Everyone!

I need to create a tag for equipment that can be adjusted (leader to be stretched, rotated, and that keeps the text aligned with the view). That would be best if I can load the tag into the equipment family as I use those equipment with the same tag repeatedly, so it cannot be a "specialty equipment tag", otherwise it won't load inside the family. It also needs to be turned on and off easily. I only need it to be shown in floor plans. 

I used to have this in Autocad as a dynamic block, so I will load a file and a video here for you to understand what I need, as well as my failed tentative in Revit, which I couldn't figure out how to add the "dynamic" leader. 🙂

I recently migrated to Revit so my knowledge is limited. I appreciate your patience and help!

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

So you are replicating AutoCAD attributed blocks in Revit.  I do not recommend doing it this way because you will have a hard time turning off the 'tags' in the project when you don't want to see them, and you cannot control the annotation size (they will be huge when the view scale is small), you cannot add leader and control location by stretching.  But if you insist:

- add shared parameters to the equipment family

- create a generic annotation family, add labels, load it to the equipment family

- click the placed generic annotation family and associate each label with a shared parameter of the equipment family

Still, using actual specialty equipment tags is much recommended.  They are much easier and more flexible in every way.

[ai-bimlab]

1. Understand Revit Tag Limitations

Tags in Revit are annotations that depend on the project environment. They cannot directly function within families since annotation families (tags) don't work inside component families. However, we can create something close to your request with some workarounds.

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2. Use a Generic Annotation Family

1. Create a New Family:

   • Open File > New > Family and select the template Generic Annotation.rfa.

2. Design the Tag:

   • Create the tag using annotation text, labels, or shapes based on your desired appearance.
   • Add parameters if necessary for flexibility (e.g., name or type values).

3. Add a Leader Line:

   • Unfortunately, Revit doesn't allow dynamic leaders in generic annotation families. However, you can simulate this behavior by leaving space for a leader when placed in the project. You'll manually draw leaders when using the tag.

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3. Load and Use the Annotation Family in the Equipment Family

1. Open Your Equipment Family:

   • Insert your new annotation family using Load Family and place it in the floor plan view of the equipment family.

2. Control Visibility:

   • Use a visibility parameter to make the annotation appear only in plan views.
   • Go to Family Types > Create a New Parameter and set it as a visibility type parameter.

3. Position and Save:

   • Place the annotation at a fixed point in the family, save it, and reload it into your project.

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4. Placement in the Project

When you use this equipment family in the project:

1. Add a leader using the Annotation Leader Tool in the project view. It won't dynamically stretch like in AutoCAD but will remain connected visually.

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5. Alternatives

If you need true dynamic leader behavior:

1. Use the "Specialty Equipment Tag" as intended for annotations in the project.
2. Maintain separate annotation tools for flexibility—this will function in your plan views without embedding it inside families.

Let me know if you'd like further clarification or detailed steps! 😊

[RDAOU]

@fernanda_grubler 

I would second ToanDN and highly recommend using the relevant Category Tag (Specialty Equipment in this case)

The exact stretch/rotate flexibility shown in  your attached screen capture cannot be mimicked 100% in Revit. You could model a Detail component with grips, rotation angles and all but it still wont be identical to that Acad block you showed. Additionally, if you nest the annotation into the family, you would even lose more on the flexible click-and-drag editing option you wish to have.

[fernandagrubler]

Thanks, everyone!
I ended up creating a Specialty Equipment Tag as per your recommendation, so it will help me with schedules as well.

[handjonathan]

Great to see you got it all sorted @fernanda_grubler 😀