Pre-assigned value on Instance Parameters

[oskyaqui]

Is it possible to create a instance parameter with pre-assigned values?

We have created a Interior Window family with a text (instance) parameter named GLAZING, this can be changed from the revit model but I would like this to have pre-assigned values, like 4 or 5 options for glazing types that don't need to be typed manually.

Thank you very much in advance for the help.

[jsteinhauer]

If you add types in the family editor, you can 'predefine' these values to your types. Another way to do this is to have a Type Catalog, with these settings defined. The great thing about a Type Catalog is that it allows you to load only the families you want into your project, instead of every Family Type currently defined in the family.

Hope this helps,
Jeff S.

[oskyaqui]

Thanks a lot for your answer Jeff, could you please explain a little bit more or give me an idea of where I can find more info about how to 'predefine' values to my type or creating a Type Catalog?, thanks a lot

[jsteinhauer]

I'm going to stumble through this explanation, so I'll apologize in advance.

So, when you're in a project you can select a family from the Project Browser, and either expand the family to see all the Types=>Duplicate Type or right click the family=>Edit Family. You can either Duplicate existing Types or edit the family and create additional types there. You can then predefine what the parameters should be as your base point.

I think what you want is to have a Drop Down List (List Box in Excel) predefined for an instance parameter. Revit doesn't let you predefine information like this. You need to have Instances of a family placed in your project. Then you can add information to an instance parameter. Type Parameters don't need to be placed in a project for the information to be filled out. Once information has been added to the instance/type parameter, Revit will create a drop down list for you.

Text Parameters are Case Sensitive as well, meaning you could have 'glazing', 'Glazing' or 'GLAZING' all as selectable items in your list. Having this parameter set as Type might not work well for your application. But, in a Type Catalog, you can predefine Type parameters with the values you want. Do a search for creating Type Catalogs, and that will give you a better understanding of them, then I can give you...

Cheers,
Jeff S.

[oskyaqui]

Thanks a lot Jeff, I understand, I'll check how to create Type Catalogs, thanks again

[oskyaqui]

Hello Jeff, sorry to bother you again, I saw couple of videos and I understand type catalogs now, but I will need to create a type of door for each glazing type I'll have, the only advantage I get with type catalogs is I can choose the types I want to load, I am right?, Thanks a lot,

[jsteinhauer]

Yes, if you want to go TC route. If you want to stay with an instance parameter, your best be is to work from a schedule and fill in the information for each instance.

Also you can force a reload back to the original parameter settings for any of your types if someone messes them up. Smaller family sizes for your libraries. There are many pro's to TC's.

Cheers,
Jeff S.

[oskyaqui]

Thanks a lot Jeff