How to Create a Filter to Identify Specific Top of Wall Elevations

[DNP]

Hello AUGI Forum.

I am looking for assistance in defining the parameters required to create a filter to identify and color code wall elements that have specific top of wall spot elevations in plan view.

For example, the attached concrete grade beam section is constructed with an 18” wide tall wall element (below) and a 10” wide X 0’-4” tall wall element (curb) joined on top. The plan view illustrates the curb (green) and the balance of the grade beam (below) in purple.

The intent is to create a plan view that will use a filter to identify and color code the wall elements that are at elevation 5’-2” (similar to the attached color coded plan view). Please note that there are several grade beam configurations therefore the wall thicknesses that may be at elevation 5’-2” can be of any thickness and height.

The colors on the plan view have been applied via graphic overrides based on manually selecting the walls that have a top elevation = 5’-2”. This method works, but has the obvious issue as it is a static analysis and relies on manual-visual identification. If the walls change in elevation then the surface pattern identifications will not change unless manually modified.

The question.

What is the process to create a filter that will programmatically identify only the wall elements (of any thickness) that have a specific given top elevation (5’-2” for this example)?

Also, it seems the parameter formula “Height” = “Area” / “Length” is not 100% accurate; especially for walls that do not have constant cross-section as illustrated in the elevation view.

Searching this and other forums has not yet provided the specific answer and my apologies if there is a solution posted to this or a similar question. Thanks in advance.

DNP
Revit Structure 2012

[Norton_cad]

Create a parameter for top of section or TOS within the beam family, then in the visibility graphics, in filters create a few colour coded filters based on the value of the parameter.

[DNP]

Thanks, but the elements are walls, not beams. If the same would apply for walls can you please explain further? Thanks again.

[Norton_cad]

In 2012 you can create shared parameter that references the unconnected wall height.

[DNP]

Norton_cad, thank you very much for helping, but doesn't the "unconnected height" only provide the overall net height for the wall element and not the specific top of wall elevation? It seems like the unconnected height can be the same for similar walls, but the walls can still have different top elevations based on their offset relative to the level that they are created? Also, if the wall is profiled (as in the attached example) the unconnected height is only relevant to the original "un-profiled" wall element.

It's the top of wall elevation that I'm looking to filter, if the unconnected height is part of that solution can you please indicate the formula or how to use the unconnected height to determine the top of wall elevation (and then apply it to a filter)?

Thanks again....there's got to be an easy OOB way to extract the elevation data.

***just in case the PDF's have been converted to jpeg's

[Norton_cad]

Thanks for the Jpeg's, much easier to read on my Android phone. Try a formula say volume, divided by length then. Once you have the parameter, the visibility graphics filter trick should work.

[DNP]

Thanks again Norton_cad

Unfortunately, it does not appear that utilizing the geometric properties (Area, Length, Volume) can always be used to determine the exact wall height (or be used to further calculate or filter the walls for a specific top of wall elevation). Dividing the Area by Length results in the approximate height and also assumes that the wall profile has not been altered and that the shape handles align with the actual wall ends (and not a grid or other wall centerline).

There must be a way to create a filter that can override the surface patterns (or colors) for walls that have a specific top of wall elevation value (5’-2” in this example).

Thanks again.

[Norton_cad]

Only solid modelling will give accurate values, my method is an approx, but at least you can get the colour filters to work. Anyone else care to chime in, on a better solution?

[DNP]

I guess I still didn't follow on how to create the filter based on your method. Can you please expand the explanation. Thank you for hanging with me on this one you assistance is greatly appreciated!

[Norton_cad]

Providing your parameter is set, go to visibility graphics, and select the filters tab. Create a new filter select category , and choose filters rules. Now your new filters will show. Select override for projection or cut to the colour you want, and your walls which are a certain height will highlight in your choosen colour.