Labels and Shared Parameters

[Anonymous]

Some background: I'm working on a project with piping systems. For each pipe I have a tag which contains the system info and the Outside diameter of the pipe. I opened the family for the tag because I need to add some new Labels for other information about the pipe. 

Steps so far: Select Tag -> Edit Family -> Create Tab -> Click Label -> Click to place label -> In dialogue box -> 

From here I can select a parameter for my label and add it to the label. I need this label to be mutable when I'm outside the family but I don't want it to be global because each pipe I tag will need a different value in that spot.

I created a shared parameter by: In the dialogue box from earlier -> Click New Parameter button -> Click "Select" button in new dialogue -> Goes to dialogue box titled "Edit Shared Parameters" -> I Click "Create" - > Choose the file path for the text file and click "save" -> Click "New" under groups -> Enter group name and click "ok" -> Click "New" under parameters -> Enter a name for the parameter -> Choose "common" as discipline -> Choose "Text" for type of parameter -> Click "ok" -> Click "ok" -> Click "ok" -> Click "ok"

Now I have a new shared parameter that I can apply to my label. I apply the new shared parameter to my label and click "ok"

Then I load the family into the project and overwrite the previous one. My new label appears in the tag as a "?" I click on the tag and then question mark to edit it, but it wont allow me to change it from the "?". My other labels let me change them.

Does anyone know what I need to do change to make this parameter mutable?

[Anonymous]

Great question. I've been dabbling with this for a bit too, so hopefully, someone more experienced has a "professional" answer. A workaround that I've done (granted I only need about 7-8 different tags) is to insert a label family into the family I'm using (in this case, light switches) and having the label be dependent on the type. For example, with a 3-way switch, the label is a "3" and with a dimmer switch, the label is a "D".

[Anonymous]

I think I'll ask the Revit expert here in the office I work at and see if he has any ideas. In your case, if you just have one label that needs to be mutable I was able to use a built in parameter called "Comments". It has all the properties I needed it to have, but unfortunately I can't duplicate it.

[Anonymous]

Good luck; keep me updated!

[fabiosato · Accepted solution]

Hello,

You must include the same shared parameter in the family you want to tag.

In this case, to add a shared parameter to pipes you must create a project parameter using the parameter you create, check pipe category and choose if the parameter value will be type or instance.

Then you will get the parameter in the properties, if instance, or type properties, if type.

[kadmonkee]

in your tag family you can create multiple types and control which label is visible by type.

using the YES NO visibility parameter in the family you can assign the correct label to the correct type.

Create the Family Types

then create the Family Parameters for each type (using YES /NO as the Parameter Type)

my tag family has 2 types

SIZE

SYSTEM SIZE

each has its own label inside the family controlled by the assigned parameter.

be sure to separate each label and assign them to a family Parameter that aligns with their respective type.

when you select the label , then select the visibility button then assign the family Parameter to match the Family Type.

repeat for each type you need, also confirm that you uncheck the parameters that do not apply to that type.

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify. I couldn't have figured it out without the accepted solution. But I will list off how I was able to make it work:

In the Project I was working on: Go to Manage Tab -> On the Settings panel Click Shared Parameters -> In the "Edit Shared Parameters" dialogue box Under Shared Parameter File I created a text file. Then (In the same dialogue box) under that I made a new group. Then In that group I made a new parameter. -> In the "Parameter Properties" Set discipline to Common, Set type of parameter to Text -> Click Ok -> Click Ok

Now that the shared parameter is created I the project parameter, this is how you can make it mutable per instance. 

In the project: Go to Manage Tab -> On the settings panel Click Project Parameters -> Click Add -> Under Parameter Type choose Shared Parameter -> Click Select -> Choose the parameter you just created and then click Ok -> Group Parameter under text -> Under Parameter data select instance and the select "values can vary by group instance" -> Under categories select the categories you need -> click Ok -> Click Ok

Now you have associated the parameter with the correct categories and allowed it's value to vary by instance. 
Edit the tag family: Go to Create tab -> Under the Text panel click Label -> In the format panel make sure you pick the justification you want. -> Click on screen to place the label -> This opens an "Edit Label" dialogue box. Under Category Parameters click the symbol at the very bottom for a new parameter -> Click Select -> choose the new parameter you have been working on and then click Ok -> Click Ok -> The parameter should appear in the list of available parameters now. Double click the parameter so that it appears under Label parameters. -> Set the sample value to whatever you want (It doesn't matter much) -> Click Ok 

Now you should be back in the Family and the new label should appear where you placed it along with the sample text you chose. You  can move the label if you want. After that. Save the family and then load it into the project and click "Overwrite the family and its parameters". 

Now back in the project the you can place the tag, and your new label might show up as a "?". Click the "?" and it should give the option to change it. 

[Anonymous]

See my reply to fabiosato.