Keynotes with Instance Parameter Text Field

[Anonymous]

The keynoting system within Revit is good at identifying objects (connecting the drawings to the specifications) and how they’re being used commonly throughout a project.  What it does not do well is identifying objects that are common but are used uniquely throughout a project.  There are two ways to overcome this issue: 

1. Create an unique keynote for all the various uses. This can lead to a long list of keynotes to identify the same objects, defeating the purpose of keynotes in the first place.  In addition, because of the differing keynote number, contractors have asked how the objects differ between the two (more RFI’s, not less).
2. Manually add a line of text after the keynote to identify these unique uses. Less than ideal, hard to maintain graphic consistency.  See example below (The keynote is in Sentence Case while the text field is in ALL CAPS):

Therefore, I would like to suggest the ability to add an Instance Parameter text field to the keynote family.  Not only will this allow for various uses to be identified, but it will also assist at identifying different finishes for a given product.  For example, if multiple finishes of a solid surface counter are being used throughout a project, the keynote would read 12 36 61.A2 SOLID SURFACE COUNTER TOP SS-1 (SS-2, SS-3, etc).  If a change to the keynote text is required, it would be done once, versus three times, without changing the finish identifier.     

 

Thanks,

Chris

[tbushmaker]

In AutoCAD you can type in additional descriptive text after a tagged keynote without breaking the scheduling, and right now in Revit we have to create a separate text object and hope it stays lined up with the keynote.  Would come in handy especially with non-standard applications, e.g. "06 10 00 B1 - 2x6 STUD", add "@ 24" O/C".  It just isn't practical to cover all conditions using keynotes.

[JADAstudio]

This would be huge. An easy way to do this would be to allow users to add fields to keynotes. This would also give us the ability to group and format keynote legends in some meaningful way.

[kt4000]

There is same idea in another thread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/keynotes-with-instance-parameter-text-field/idi-p/7030258

[JADAstudio]

The keynote system should allow creation of any number of user-defined parameters. These parameters should be available for users to group, sort, and filter keynote legends, and to include in keynote tags. Additionally, there should be an easier way to manage the keynote.txt files that does not require the use of third-party tools.

[Anonymous]

I would agree that Autodesk needs to address this issue. 

[JOHN.SZLACHTA.JACOBS]

This a fundamental flaw with Revit and needs to be addressed right away. Unlike many other flaws, there is currently no reliable work-around for this, even through the magic of dynamo or scripting. Let's get to it Autodesk.

[Anonymous]

I wholeheartedly support this option. As of right now, I'm using Ideate Sticky to work around this, I have a coordinated/referenced keynote schedule in excel so that it's never off. It's a cumbersome workflow which requires absolute diligence, but it's working for us.

SHEET VIEWKEYNOTE EXCEL SHEET COPIED INTO NOTEPAD AND REFERENCED LIKE NORMAL KEYNOTESKEYNOTE EXTENDED COLUMN SHEET REFERENCING PREVIOUS SHEET TO STAY CURRENTUSE NAME MANAGER TO MAKE SELECTION OF KEYNOTE EASIER, AND REFERENCE COLUMNS IN STICKYSTICKY - REFERENCED COLUMNS (FORMAT EXCEL TO MATCH GRAPHIC STANDARDS)

[Mario_LeRoux]

I agree an option for some additional filtering in the keynote legend will be helpful

[adt]

Absolutely.  I am fine with the Keynote Value/Keynote Text parameters.  But there are a million different conditions that might require some further explanation and there is no good way to convey that without creating a whole new line in the keynote file dedicated to that project.

I would also love a way while working to graphically differentiate between an element keynote and a user keynote after it has been placed.  Maybe it is a filter, but I haven't played around with it yet.  

[Anonymous]

It seems this still hasn't been addressed in Revit 2020 - is there any plan to implement?

[Anonymous]

Any update on this requested feature?

[cavanzino]

Still Not Available in 2022 Release.

[Anonymous]

a simple instance parameter would be nice

[Mark_Engwirda]

Totally agree with this idea, adding one or more text instance parameters to keynotes will make things much easier and far more simple to document things on the fly.
A long-term observation of Revit is that it is far too rigid, not allowing flexible solutions for the user and this is a good example of this rigidity.
How many times have we thought that we have found a way to easily document things only to find a major limitation that prevents it.

[adt]

I have run the excel method with a quick key macro to save a copy as a text file and then reload in Revit.  That's intended to be a poorly worded sentence.  The issue is the macro breaks, more and more staff aren't comfortable working in excel, someone saves over the template file, yadd-yadda. 

I've yet to find a .txt editor that makes it clear where the tab dellimitations are.  Get someone working directly in that file that isn't SUPER careful, and it breaks in 30 seconds.  

PyRevit is a great manager with a smooth interphase, but it doesn't solve the issue in discussion. 

I also haven't found a clean way to host keynotes to a linked consultant model.  We have less control over what they do and one deletion and replacement of an element drops our keynote.  I've used a pinned "blank detail components" which is basically a big sheet of transparent paper sitting behind the drawing that a user keynote will host to.  It keeps keynotes from getting deleted but is still a dumb method.

But yes, a two line user keynote would be great.  Line one:  Here's what it is (txt file defined).  Line two:  Here's how it's used/what it's doing/special feature.  Shoot, even that line could be managed by a second (or third, or fourth...) category in the same txt file that can be chosen from.......now that's got me thinking....

[Mark_Engwirda]

Hi Adt, I did go down the path of using spreadsheets for keynotes, but
realised this solution was not going to cut it for what I wanted to do.
I have been using "keynote manager" with great success for several years,
it allows me to create the main tree of keynote divisions with sub-branches
for the individual keynotes, and it's very easy to use.
It doesn't solve the problem of adding an instance parameter for your
keynotes but it's got some very useful features that make life a lot easier.
Going back to "Revit '' I don't know if you remember how awful the keyboard
shortcuts were to manage and to Autodesk's credit they  came up with a fantastic dialogue box
to solve this and have never looked back!
I think that Autodesk needs to do the same with keynoting, add a dialogue
box or something to make keynotes much more easily manageable, and really
start looking at keynotes as a serious documentation tool, because I don't
think they have taken it seriously?
Autodesk would have to admit that they have not advanced keynoting in the
last 15 years or maybe more and yet we use keynoting every day.

Screenshot of Keynote Manager using sub-branches.

Revit needs to have a simplified version of a keynote editor like this built-in and have the ability to add instance parameter text fields to keynote legends as @Anonymous has shown in his previous post back in 2017.

 

[ben.m594PK]

What good is incorporating building information into a model program if there are no reliable ways of conveying that information through a set of drawings?

The uselessness of the keynotes to express anything but the simplest of information is the most obvious flaw. I find myself just using text notes with leaders, which makes me wonder what good any of the BIM is that Ive just incorporated into the model.

Add to this the text editor being one step above notepad, and the insane, irrational, and inconsistent limitations to their legends and schedules.

Again Revit team, what good is incorporating building information into the model if there is no good way to 

[jmarshRBA3K]

6 years later and no progress.

[benDFZJ2]

I agree. I just started using keynotes and was shocked when I found out that they are only available at the type level. Image for example you have a renovation with some existing toilets. Some are to be salvaged and moved others replaced and other stay in place. You will need to create a new type to address these conditions. 

Autodesk should definitely make this an instance parameter. Conversely you could set which parameter you want to get the keynote code from. Essentially its just a tag and then a schedule from a text file. Instead of being so restrictive maybe it would be best to think about functionality more abstractly so that users can implement this feature how they see fit.

[adt]

BenDFZJ2,

You likely realize this, but keynotes do function at the instance level.  Look into User Keynotes where you can associate two different keynotes to the same element, as wildly incorrect as it might be.  It's more the custom "descriptor" field that this thread is tracking.