Counting the components

[eriktoom]

Hey, 

I have a nested component that has its own Assembly code. Now depending on the situation the number of the same nested component varies. At the end I need to get the total number of components onto my Schedule so that the manufacturer know how many components they need to order. I know there is a possibility to create an arrayed component family so you can just apply the number of components and it creates copies from the same component and the total count can be seen in the Schedule. 

Is there an easier way of doing it? I don't need to see visually the number of components but rather see them in the schedule list. I imagine there is a way to create some type of parameter where you just enter a value and it multiplies this value with the assembly code and shows the total number with the same assembly code in the schedule.

Quite a complex description probably. In the picture Component-1 there is an item I am talking about. Just in case I will attach the host family with the nested component. 

[iainsavage]

I don’t fully follow the question but can you not just make the nested family “shared” and then it will appear in schedules and can be counted?

[eriktoom]

Well, I made it with the array system already. My goal was to apply the count of components so that that the changes would appear on schedules as well. Each component is attached with a certain assembly code. For example 10A component has an assembly code of ''1234'', 16A ''12345'', 25A ''123456''. Now when changing the number of each component it counts them all together. But I was seeking a simpler solution to that - I did not find actually. 

[iainsavage]

If the component family is “shared” when nested and if “assembly code” is a shared parameter then the components should appear in schedules just like any other family and you should be able to sort by the code? 
Or am I on the wrong track?

[eriktoom]

@iainsavage Okay, I added a sample Project file (see Test-Project). Inside there you can see a family called Electrical-Test-Project which has its own assembly code and is attached on the wall. Under the Electrical Fixture Schedule you can see that it counts 1 Electrical-Test-Project. Now when you copy the test object once across the wall you can see the total count for that object shows 2 under the schedule. This is fine. But is there another way of doing it? For example a way to insert the total number of elements needed inside the Electrical-Test-Object properties so that it would reflect on the Schedule as well? The count could be from 0 - 100 for example. I don't want to array it. It is not important for me to visually see for example 100 objects in the project but to see the total number in the schedule. 

[iainsavage]

So you want one object physically in the model but you want Revit to count extra instances which don’t exist? Is that what you are saying?

[eriktoom]

Yes, I mean I did solve this with the array system as indicated above but is there another way? Yes you understood correctly. 

[iainsavage]

I would think the built in Count parameter won’t count things which don’t exist but you could probably use your own shared parameter in some way.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

If you only need the quantity and not the actual components then add an instance shared parameter (integer) to the nested family, associate it with the same shared parameter in the main family so that you can enter the value where required in the project, and add the parameter to your schedule.

[eriktoom]

I am not sure on how to work with shared parameters but I can give it a try!