Filter/hide generic annotations in linked models?

[russellvee]

I suspect I know the answer, but does anyone have a workaround for hiding generic annotations nested in linked models without having to set up custom linked model view settings for every single view? For example, architects like to nest generic annotations in their families that say things like "Refrigerator" or "Dishwasher" in large bold text which shows up as big as a room and through the roof on a site plan. Since filters don't work on annotations the only options seem to be hide all generic annotations in the view (including the ones we want to keep) or set up custom view settings in every single view to hide all generic annotations in the linked model. Am I missing another way to do it?

[RSomppi]

Not using "By linked view" in visibility settings for the links should turn off all annotations in links.

[russellvee]

I'm using "By Host View" in a brand new default view. To hide the nested generic annotations ("Refrigerator", U.C. Refr.") I have to hide the family types they are nested in or I have to change link display settings to custom so I can hide generic annotations in the linked model, which requires custom settings for every single view template (power, plumbing, hvac, etc).

[RSomppi]

---

@russellvee wrote:

I have to change link display settings to custom so I can hide generic annotations in the linked model, which requires custom settings for every single view template (power, plumbing, hvac, etc).

---

This is what I do.

[russellvee]

Yeah that method is a lot more work and when the architect updates something you have to change every custom view template again. It's almost like the program is designed for architects.

[RSomppi]

A lot more work than what?

You shouldn't have to make changes for updates.

The program was originally designed for architects but that is irrelevant these days.

This should be really easy. Maybe there is something that's missing from your description of the content?

[russellvee]

Autodesk wants me to say my question has been answered but the only solution is what I was looking for a workaround for. 

As far as I can tell, here is the quickest process for a consultant to add a linked model that includes some generic annotations nested in families. 

1. Click on Insert Tab - Link Revit
2. Since we work with this architect frequently, all of their typical generic model garbage is already hidden in our view templates using filters, EXCEPT FOR THE NESTED GENERIC ANNOTATIONS which can't be hidden with filters for some reason. 
3. Open the list with the dozens of view filters that are set up in our template.
4. Click on view template #1
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
5. Click on view template #2
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
6. Click on view template #3
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
7. Click on view template #4
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
8. Click on view template #5
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
9. Click on view template #6
   1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
   2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
   3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
   4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
10. Click on view template #7
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
11. Click on view template #8
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
12. Click on view template #9
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
13. Click on view template #10
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
14. Click on view template #11
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
15. Click on view template #12
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view
16. Click on view template #13
    1. Click on V/G Overrides RVT Links
    2. Click on Revit Links Tab and change from "By Host View" to "Custom"
    3. Click on Annotation Categories tab and change <By host view> to <Custom>
    4. Deselect the checkbox for Show annotation categories in this view

... 

If you need to add another linked model, just repeat the entire process!

[RLY_15 · Accepted solution]

The way that you are describing this, all of your View Templates are set up to Include V/G Overrides RVT Links.

The faster answer might require some buy-in......but don't do that. If you leave it unchecked, it enables you to make:

View Template #14

1. Just the changes you want for RVT Link display. Ignore all other parameters.

-------

Select all views -> Apply Template Properties -> View Template #14.

This approach is generally useful to address what I would otherwise describe as 'consultant quirks' - them doing things that make sense to them that make no sense to anyone else. For instance, them copying MEP equipment but not monitoring it so now updates stop being live and you have duplicate equipment in the wrong locations and now you have to turn off entire categories in your linked model so that you can see your current work and not the work you did a month ago.....yeah.

[russellvee]

Ok that's actually a decent workaround. I've used that method before with CAD backgrounds (a view template that only applies to imported categories). Sometimes we do use custom V/G overrides for links in certain views, but I can't think of any reason we need to have them controlled by the template. I just have to remember to not apply the link template to any views that have other custom link settings. Thanks!

[russellvee]

So I actually went to apply this workaround in our template and of course revit's gonna revit. Prior to a link being added, the checkbox for V/G Overrides RVT Links does not exist. It only shows up after adding a linked model, and always in the checked position for every template. So either we need a dummy linked model in our template or we have to go through every template and uncheck the box after adding a linked model. Then we have to apply the workaround view template to every view so they will have <custom> settings that hide the embedded generic annotations. Or Autodesk could simply add generic annotations to the list of filterable items, but we know that's not going to happen.

[RLY_15]

I'd recommend the dummy link approach - I've seen firms opt to have placeholder empty links for expected trade models and Reload From as applicable. There's a number of benefits to doing so, this happens to be another one.

[RSomppi]

You haven't realized that you cannot have dummy links in a template file, either. I started using a dummy project file as my template so that I can store Link settings in my view templates.

[russellvee]

Yes, our template is a dummy project because the .rte files are pretty useless. We actually paid big bucks for a "plug-and-play" MEP template that was set up that way. It's pretty useless too.