Visibility settings for text

[eglover]

I am creating a family in which different family types need different graphics settings. Some types need to have an S on the back, while some need to only have detail lines there. Is there a way to set the visibility of text to a yes/no parameter? I can't use a symbol because of the location, and I attempted to draw an S with detail lines, but it doesn't come across well when the size changes.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[RevitNinja]

Select the text and go to its element properties. Under 'Graphics' you will see a browse button. Click that to add the visibility parameter.

After you save and close your annotation, you will be able insert it into a project or a template and change the visibility of whatever part of the symbol you linked to the Yes/No parameter.

[eglover]

Under the instance parameters, the only items under Graphics are "Horizontal Align" and "Keep Readable." Under type parameters, the options are "Color," "Line Weight," and "Background." I don't see a way to browse.

[eglover]

After you save and close your annotation, you will be able insert it into a project or a template and change the visibility of whatever part of the symbol you linked to the Yes/No parameter.

I just re-read your post and realized that you intended to have me make an annotation and insert it into the family. However:


I can't use a symbol because of the location

It is a face-hosted object that will be placed on a vertical face. This means that anything that needs to show up in floorplan has to be put on the back of the object. I've been incredibly frustrated by this for some time: on most family types you cannot place a symbol on the back of an object. One workaround is to set the family type wrong, but as I need this to function correctly, I have to leave the correct family type settings.

[james.klatt]

what type of family are you creating?

[eglover]

The family is electrical equipment: equipment switch. As I need all the functionality of that family type, I cannot change it to one that allows for symbols in any view.

If I cannot make this work any other way, I suppose I can break it into multiple families, but I would really rather not.

[james.klatt]

This probably won't be of any help to you since you seem like you have to have the equipment switch work, but the few suggestions I have. Use a lighting switch or some other family category that offers the "maintain orientation" option (even a nurse call device would work if not being used in the project). Create shared parameters if needed to get the switch to function how you would like it to on schedules.

Other option if you are locked into the equipment switch then draw the symbol you want multiple different ways and attach a yes/no parameter to it. If you need to show text use "model text" set the height to 1/16" so that it isn't very visible in 3D. Model text can incorporate a yes/no parameter while regular text command cannot.

Not sure what you are using the switch for if it going to be scheduled or not but my advice with all of Revit MEP think out of the box, just because something is labelled one thing doesn't mean it can't be used for something else. Hope that helps.

[eglover]

Thanks for your help. I think from here I will have to ask the person I'm building it for how much of a problem 3D text is. I have a feeling, though, that I'm going to have to go back to having a different family for the types with this symbol, which is what I was trying to avoid. We don't use 3D views that often, but when/if someone would notice it, it would cause a problem. Oh well, one more thing to add to my wishlist: the same visibility options for regular text as for model text.

[james.klatt]

Yeah check with the person requesting the family. It isn't very noticeable in 3D and there may be ways to hide it by adjusting appearance settings. I didn't look into to much. Often times it's better just to do things and see if people notice problems with it.

"Always better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission". Should be the slogan for Revit.... =)

We didn't place 3d views on our CD's so it didn't matter. I used this type of thing on our transformers for the "T" I choose model text for a different reason then why you would need it, but it still would work for your purpose. Good luck.