Control range of values in Family parameters

[CEdwardsUN5MX]

Autocad did this a LONG time ago, with dynamic blocks, the ability to have control values to work within a stated range, or a list of values to select from, when the dynamic block is set up.

Obvious ones would be for example, Number, to have Maximum and Minimum as a range, or to have a List that would predefine what is allowed.

Creating a ladder for example, I could have the distance between the ladder stiles, or the spacing of the rungs, set to be within a range.

While this can be implemented, using testing of values being within a range, e.g. if (value < min, value = min, value), it is a clunky way to do it, and doesn't give the option of control, that lists do.

Anyway, here's hoping some time in the next 15 years or so, before I retire, Autodesk might implement it.

[adaversa]

Minimum/maximum or list of values would be very helpful, but this can be done (in an admittedly clunky way) already.

Here's an example for a cladding support bracket which comes in a few standard sizes, with the option of custom sizes from 2"-16". Three parameters control this: Insul Thickness, which is user-editable, InsulThkActual, which controls the geometry, and Custom, which is a yes/no checkbox.

if(Custom, if(Insul Thickness < 0'  2", 0'  2", if(Insul Thickness > 1'  4", 1'  4", Insul Thickness)), if(Insul Thickness < 0'  2 1/2", 0'  2", if(Insul Thickness < 0'  3 1/4", 0'  3", if(Insul Thickness < 0'  3 3/4", 0'  3 1/2", if(Insul Thickness < 0'  4 1/2", 0'  4", if(Insul Thickness < 0'  5 1/2", 0'  5", 0'  6"))))))

[CEdwardsUN5MX]

Yes, I know that can be done (look again at my post).

It's hardly made simple though, and it shouldn't require heroic efforts (like yours) to do something like that.

Hence the request.

[mhiserZFHXS]

The problem with that approach is that a user may not realize that they are exceeding a given limit.

Family creation needs a load of updates. Better parameter control is one of the big ones.

[adaversa]

Perhaps I wasn't snarky enough in my original reply; I thought the sideways mile-long scroll past a bunch of gibberish would have highlighted how unfriendly the current functionality is.

That said, I'm happy to play devil's advocate by taking Autodesk's side--there doesn't seem to be anyone left on the Revit development team to do so.

[CEdwardsUN5MX]

@adaversa 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law 

Anyway, yeah, "Revit Development Team", gone the way of the Dodo, USAid, Multilateralism under FOTUS...

Do we need to call Walker, Texas Ranger?

Perhaps they all came in one day, wearing striped caps, 'Wheres Wally' style , and simply faded into the background, like The Cheshire Cat, leaving nothing but the insincere smile [& excellent dental work] of Autodesks CEO, as he contemplates the many $Millions that Revit generates, with minimal outlay.

I guess we'll never know.