Exit signs

[JamesVan]

I have developed a couple of exit sign families (YAWN...). They have glass panels with model text for elevs and 3D and circle-X symbols for the plans.

I'd appreciate any comments before I upload to RUGI.

[Allen Lacy]

They look pretty good to me. If you really want to be picky, how about adding the directional arrow on the model?

[JamesVan]

I'm actually working on that

Thanks for the feedback.

[Scott D Davis]

This is where a parameter to control more geometry would be useful. It would be cool in this instance to have a user-definable 'fill' that could be turned on and off by check boxes, like elevation tags.

Then you could have all four directional 'fills' colored in the family, and turn them on or off as needed in your project.

[Steve_Stafford]

I did something like that for my keyplan in the title block family...I used specific object styles for the parts I want to turn off. Then in each bldg plan I "turn" off the wrong parts. So, part A is object "part A" in the titleblock model category. I turn on part A and turn parts b,c,d off...etc.

Does that make sense?

So you could do it now if you wanted, you just need to create specific object styles that give you that level of display control. It would be very slick to have another parameter for objects that lets you "turn" off stuff tho'....better add the wish Scott!

[mr6jam]

I have developed a couple of exit sign families (YAWN...). They have glass panels with model text for elevs and 3D and circle-X symbols for the plans.

I'd appreciate any comments before I upload to RUGI.

I have been trying to revise your exit sign family to make it look like the one our firm uses (see attached PDF). First thing I did was to open the actual annotation family that is linked into the main family, there I ran into trouble when I tried to make the hatch regions smaller because they became non circular and I also had problems adding the arrows (they showed up in wrong places when I dropped the family onto ceilings. I feel a bit helpless, could you give me a brief walkthrough how you would accomplish this. I only have a total of one year of Revit Architecture experience. I am using Revit Architecture 2009.

Thanks

[JamesVan]

Whoa. I'll have to dust off this one. Will check it out as soon as I get a chance....stay tuned.

[JamesVan]

Some quick advice...these families were created before Revit had the "Edit Family" ability for nested components. I'd recommend creating at least a new symbol family. Use the Generic Annotation family template and create your circle, X and filled regions. You can also create the arrows and use the Visible value, tied to some Yes/No parameters such as "Show Left Arrow" and "Show Right Arrow."

To resolve the orientation issue, I think you have to go to Settings-Family Category and Parameters (in the Exit Symbol family) and check the option for "Rotate with Component". Let me know if that works. Remember, when you place a component (or even after placement) you can use the SPACE bar to rotate.

Hope that helps.

[mr6jam]

Since I posted the question I have made alot of progress, and I did exactly what you said. I created the annotation family from Revits Generic Annotation Family and then linked it into the Revit out of the box Exit sign family (for 3-D). Everything works fine except that I can't get the Text Label for my "x" to work. I need the "x" to be able to get turned on and off in RCP view but it's not working. I am not sure if I should add the x label into the annotation family or the actual main 3-D family; and I am not sure if it should be an instance parameter or type (for the label). I also experimented with "group parameter under" options and still no success with being able to turn the text label on and off in the RCP. See attached Family. Thanks

[JamesVan]

If you want to drive parameters in nested families, you have to create a parameter in the host family and 'push' it down into the nested one. In the Exit Sign family, you pick the symbol family and drill down to its Type Properties - in this case, looking for the "Suffix" parameter. At the end of that row, you'll see a small button. Click that to assign the nested "Suffix" parameter to an existing or new parameter in the host family. In the file I uploaded, I created a new parameter called "Symbol Suffix" and tied it to the "Suffix" parameter in the nested symbol family.