line tag

[yancey]

im looking for a way to tag a line....
what im wanting to do is draw a series of lines that show the longest path of travel from a exit door, then be able to tag that line so that it atomaticly adjust if the line moves. i know this was possible in cad, but have yet to figure out how to do it in revit

[Dimitri Harvalias]

You might want to check out this old thread for possible solutions. Read through the whole post to find a variety of different approaches and suggestions.
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=38943&highlight=exit+path+family

[twiceroadsfool]

We use a line based Family for this, and change its catagory to Specialty Equipment. We do it in a phase after the project exists (proj.completion) so it doesnt show, and we tag them with a specialty equipment tag that reads the Shared parameter LENGTH.

In the family, LENGTH = Length (default).

[Andre Carvalho]

EDIT: I was writing a long explanation when you guys both answer the question :-) Anyway, I'll post here to add more information...

x-x-x-x

Well what you can do is to create a new family from the "Generic Model Line Based" template. There, you create a model line and lock it to the reference planes. Load it to the project and then you can choose "Component" and create your path (use "chain" to keep the extremities together). Before addin the first line of the path, be sure you have a floor, because the line has to be "hosted" on a surface.

Once you define your path, you can tag it, loading a Generic Model Element Tag. The tags will not show the length because you have to create a "Shared Parameter" first. To do that, go to "File" / Shared Parameters choose a place to save your file (can be the project folder) and after that create a new group. You can call it the name you want. Then create a new "Parameter" and call it "Path" for instance. On type of parameter choose "Length". Leave the dialog box, confirming the choices you made.

Now go to menu Settings / Project Parameters / Add / Shared Parameter / Select / choose the one you just created / on the categories choose "Generic Models" / choose Instance and hit OK.

Now you have to edit the tag. Click one tag and chose Edit Family. There, select the text and chose "Select Parameter" / Add / Select / select the one you just created. Save the family and reload to the project.

Now go back to the project and select obe of the lines. Edit the family and go to Family Types / Add / Shared Parameter / Select / Select the one you created / Make it Instance. It should appear as a parameter now. You have to add a formula to it like Path = Length. It will always reflect the length to show in your tag.

Reload it to the project and your tags should show now the length of the lines.

Andre Carvalho