Matrix Schedules

[three_yees1748]

Hey All,

I searched through the newsgroups but could not find an answer.

Can Revit produce Matrix Schedules or "dot" Schedules?

These are schedules which have dots in the cells of the tables. They are often used in tables that compare items.

Thanks.

Tyrone.

[gregcashen]

You may want to post an example image. I have neve heard of this and Google turned up nothing.

[beegee]

Yes, you can enter custom fields which can contain just about anything, including dots/asterisks which could cross reference other information.

In R6.0, due any day, the capabilities of schedules will be significantly enhanced.

[bclarch]

You may want to post an example image. I have neve heard of this and Google turned up nothing.

I believe he is refering to schedules which have headers for certain items and then a mark is applied in the fields below if that item apllies. I worked for a firm that did nursing homes and they used this type of schedule. For example, in a finish schedule there might be a heading for baseboard. This heading would have a number of subheads below for each type of baseboard used for the project (vinyl #1, vinyl #2, wood, ceramic, 4"marble, 6" marble, etc.). Then in the row for each room a dot would be placed in the appropriate column to indicate the base for that room.

This type of schedule saved time in the hand drafting era because you didn't have to write out "Vinyl Base #1" 50 or 100 times. I am not sure that it is as useful today, especially since it can be automated in Revit. The only reasons I could see for using this type of schedule today are to maintain an office standard or to create a more compact schedule to fit on a sheet better.

[three_yees1748]

Hey Robert,

What you described is exactly what I was asking about.

This architectural firm prefers this looks and it requires less space on a sheet.

So, is there a way to easily create this in 5.1 or 6.0? I know beegee says you can but I did not really understand his suggested method.

Thanks.

Tyrone

[bclarch]

Although I have used that type of schedule in the past, I've never tried to create one in Revit. I use the default schedules and haven't done any customization in this area. Maybe one of the Reviteers that has mastered schedules can chime in now that we have established what you are trying to achieve. Sorry that I couldn't shed any further light.

[Steve_Stafford]

First there is no default DOT format option for the yes/no data type, this could/should be a wishlist item.

You need to understand shared parameters so you can standardized the items you wish to use in a matrix. You need to use these because it is a safe bet that Revit doesn't have all of the ones you want by default. These shared parameters need to be located in a common folder that all users can access so you can expect some consistency and reliability.

Then once you've got a handle on them, create a schedule for the objects to which these parameters are associated (Rooms have wall finish, floor finish etc for example).

Using these shared parameters you can use the Yes/No data type which will give you a matrix of yes and no. To use a dot instead you'll need to use fonts that have a symbol or acceptable characters to enter instead, using the text data type. The closest approximation I've done at this point is our door schedule and we use yes and blank, - or no instead because it doesn't require explanation...category...YES we want it, NO we don't.

You can see an example of the door schedule HERE (http://www.zoogdesign.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=968&highlight=door).