Master Lighting Fixtures

[Anonymous]

I am trying to create a master library of lighting fixtures that will automatically populate every cell in this fixture schedule in the picture. But when I create a light I don't have the option to add in certain parameters needed. I know on the fixture schedule you can "add to all elements in the selected categories" but i want my master fixtures to already have them and can be easily edited.

[Anonymous]

You need to add those shared parameters to all of your light fixture families.  You can do this individually (yuck) or you can download the Shared Parameter Converter extension from Autodesk and add all of them in bulk to every family in a specified folder.  

However, even doing this won't auto-populate values - you'll have to create a unique Type for each fixture you want to use (speaking of which, make all of those parameters Type rather than Instance parameters in the families).  You'll then have to enter all of the desired information in each type for each family.  I don't recommend doing this unless you know you'll be using the exact same fixtures across multiple projects.  Typically we will use the "Edit Type" command inside a project to generate fixture type information.

Also, be aware that even after you enter all of the information in the family (assuming you do indeed go that route), you still will not have your schedule auto-populated in its entirety, because the "type Mark" parameter will always be blank when a family is loaded into a project.  You could get around this by using a different shared parameter to identify your fixture types and replacing the Type Mark parameter in your schedule with that shared parameter.

You will also want to make sure you either don't have any filters assigned to the schedule to exclude certain fixture types or make sure that all of your "Type Mark" values conform to the filter's logic.

[Scott_D_]

The lowest level of Hell is reserved for people who don't use the OOTB Type Mark parameter.

[Anonymous]

I wholeheartedly agree, but if you want to have a constant library of fixtures with all of the fields populated there's no other way.

I have no idea why anyone would ever want that, but there it is.

[Anonymous]

Where can I find this "Shared Parameter Converter extension" and how do I use it?

[Anonymous]

It's buried somewhere on the autodesk website.  Search "revit extensions" and you should be able to find it.

[rudi.roux]

Hi @Anonymous, 

Welcome to the community! 

Electrically, mainly for Lighting Fittings, it can be a difficult or tedious task due to the constant progression of Light Fittings in the industry. Ben already outlined what can be done. Below is a few things which I can say regarding this... 

Not to discourage you regarding the task at hand, once you setup everything, your Revit life Electrically would be amazing and efficient! 

• It all starts with the Project Template, plan everything, your filters, view templates, schedules (BoQ's), Families (including Family Types), Browser Organisation etc. Because everything can serve a specific purpose in you Project which will result in a Data-rich and efficient BIM Model. 
• I'm a fan of using Keynotes and Setup Keynotes in my Family Types >> Identity Data >> Keynote. This will then be pulled into your Project, opposed to Type Marks. My Type Marks are project specific and my Type Marks are used to Annotate my Light Fittings. 
• I use Keynotes assigned to my Light Fitting Library, (hundreds of fittings with correct data and IES files associated to each fitting). Now, you will not have to use hundreds of lights in a single project, maybe 20-30 different fittings, depending on the size. My Keynotes will be something like, EL-L-053, so this would refer to light fitting family number 53 which I added to my Database. But my Type Mark for that Fitting might be "D1" which would refer to "Downlight Type One" in my Project. Think about how you would like to create and sort your Database / Master Fitting Library.
• I filter/sort my schedules according to Keynotes, then assign Type Marks in the Schedules accordingly.

Family Library: 

• You might want to start with Families which you've already used on projects, then scrutinize the data associated with the Family and Family Type.
• Make sure you have a centralized place on your Company Server with Final Fittings and a Working Folder. 
• Create an Excel Sheet to keep Track of your Families and Info. (Or, create a "Families Only Project Template" where you already schedule and have all the families in one place). Work out what will be easier for you. 
• Every time you come across a new fitting which needs to be used in a project, Save it in the Working Folder, scrutinize it, add it to the Excel Sheet or Master Families Project File (Note, this isn't your Electrical Template, you only use it and verify that all the required data is filled in and pulled in properly in schedules, prior to saving the family in the "Final Fitting" folder). 

This way, spending 3-5min on a new fitting family per project, building your Master Fitting file would grow incrementally. It will feel less tedious to do and you'll so be organized with so much data at your fingertips. 

I can really write a book about this, but I think you get the point and the best thing to do is TO START. You'll be thankful that you did on every project going forward. 

I hope this helps! 

[Scott_D_]

Forgive my ignorance, aren't Keynotes kept in a separate file outside of Revit?

[Anonymous]

Keynotes are basically a project parameter that points Revit at a separate text file, similar to a lookup table in function.  Mostly I've seen architects use them to reference spec sections/define project-wide building elements (wall, window, and door types, etc.).

I use them to drive project parameters defined by the "key" in the schedule so I can monitor light levels and LPD during design.  I'm actually in the middle of creating a PP for a presentation I'm giving at Lightfair on the subject.

[Scott_D_]

Separate files with Revit?!?

Won't be using them then. Thanks very much.

[Anonymous]

They work the same way that Shared Parameter files, Lookup Tables, etc. do.  They're just a location to store large amounts of data outside of the model so you can pull in only the information you need.  I don't like them for MEP work because our plan notes aren't typically applicable project-wide the way the architectural notes are.  But the Key Schedule tool works splendidly for defining project parameters on an if-then basis.  For example, I create a key called "IESNA Space Type" and populate the data rows with space types from the Handbook, then add a parameter to the schedule called "Target Light Level".  I assign the first parameter to a space and the second one populates automatically.  Then I have a space schedule that also has the calculated light level and I can compare the two.

[rudi.roux]

As I stated, Electrically with Ligth Fittings it can be a difficult task at
hand. Apart from projects being different, company and industry per country
can be different.

It all depends, there is "no one size fits all" solution and it depends on
internal/project/standards/discipline requirements how you would "comfront"
setup and implementation.

You need to asses all of the abovementioned and plan how you are going to
implement the task at hand from the OP.

[rudi.roux]

Hi @Anonymous, 

THIS FILE might be worth a read to clear a few things up regarding Keynotes. 

Below is an OOTB Light Fixture. You can open your own Light Fixtures and then scrutinize the data at hand. Then add parameters to the Family. As you can see, most of the information which you require in you schedule is already available. Then you can just fine-tune the data accordingly so that your schedules will populate with all of the information which you desire. 

I hope this helps!