Length parameter for schedules

[denise.lollar]

I have created columns and I need to be able to schedule their length. I have tried using templates for  Arch columns, Structural columns and just columns, NONE of them allow me to use a length parameter. Any time I try adding it I get a message that its over constrained.

I need to show the length in both Inches and MM. I have created a parameter for both and have a formula set up so they both show, but again HOW and WHERE can I put it so that it will work and not over constrain the drawing? AND WHY would common sense not all ready have this as a usable parameter? I have spent over 2 weeks looking for a way to do this and have been through literally 100's of posts trying to accomplish the same thing, none with a workable solution.

I have tried to set up a parameter that would calculate minus the offsets but that isnt something I have been able to accomplish either.

We model and schedule off of lengths so it makes no sense that this isnt available, I imagine I am just missing it, so please tell me where you have it hidden so I can move on with my work.

It seems its a common problem that has been widely ignored and I need to know how to get it to work.

[EdwinG]

Hi,

Simply load your column into your project and the length parameter is available.

[denise.lollar]

If only it were that were that easy, but on my end, it isnt. It isnt even showing as an option.

[denise.lollar]

Is it a a project or global parameter that I am missing?

If it is, how would I set it up to schedule it in both Inches and MM?

[EdwinG]

Hi,

You need to use a structural column template for your schedule and its strange that it is not available in a column template.

Your family is as far i can see ok to convert (calculate) to inches use calculated value in the schedule.

I believe the conversion = 0.03937

[denise.lollar]

First off thank you, you have gotten me closer than Ive been in weeks.

When I try to calculate the value it tells me inconsistent units. I tried moving where I put the * and the numbers, same issue. 

I also tried to use the field formatting and although it gives me the option to use decimal inches, it doesnt work either, because it doesnt display in decimal inches.

[EdwinG · Accepted solution]

Make that mistake many times you have to do calculated value (fx) again and choose by Type --> Length

you didn't change it from number to length.

There is another way to convert maybe easier

i suppose your template is metric then you can also make another (fx) Length*1 instead of 0.03937 and formatting fill in like below.

[denise.lollar]

I was just coming to tell you I got it once I realized I hadn't changed the type.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This has been giving me so much grief. I greatly appreciate your time and you taught me something brand new that will be widely used in the future. 

[EdwinG]

no thanks 

[denise.lollar]

I have one more question I was hoping you could help me with. I need to create a column tag that has the Length of the part in MM. 

How do I get the length in a tag?

I tried a generic tag and choose "structural column" but length isnt a category parameter. I tried as an analytical Column tag which gave me length as a parameter but when I loaded it I get an error " There is no tag loaded for structural columns". Setting it as Material doesnt give me a length parameter either. 

[denise.lollar]

I added a shared length parameter attached to the ends of the beam and it works to en extent. It does allow me to tag the height, the only problem is I have to enter the beam length when I add it into the project, and it no longer spans between the levels which causes  new problem. When I put in a Base offsett, rather than shorten the column by that amount, it moves the whole beam up that amount, and no the top offset no longer has any effect on the column at all. 

[EdwinG]

Hi,

You made your column independent from the levels, the length of the column is determined by the top and bottom level (+ or - offset) you have to attach your extrusion to the levels in the family and you can not dimension it with a parameter, else it would be over constrained --> the length is already calculated.

best way to test your family is to make changes in the parameters in your family and see if you get errors, if i change you length parameter i get "constrain are not satisfied"

I don't think you can add the length to a tag.

[denise.lollar]

Thats exactly what has been happening. It seems I can either constrain it to the levels, which is what I want and need, but doing so keeps me from being able to put the length parameter in the tag. The only way I have been able to get the tag to show length is to unconstrain it from the levels, which is not what I want to do in the long run. 
I was hoping I might just be missing something and you might know of a way to get the length parameter into the tag label. 

Thanks again for your help and time, looks like this is an inadequacy on Revits side. 

[denise.lollar]

Just wanted to share that I found a way to show the length in the Structural Column tag without un-constraining the column from the levels.

I created a shared parameter and made it an Instance-reporting parameter constrained to the ends of the column. It flexes like it should using bottom and top project offsets. It shows the lengths in both Inches and MM in the schedule, and the tag shows the MM length also. 

I am attaching on of my column family's and the tag in case anyone is ever looking for it. 

Edwin, thank you again for your help, it is most definitely the reason I was able to find a work around in the long run.