Save families from project

[tha]

Hello every,
I'm wondering if it possible to extract families from a project using API (same thing as right-click at a family in project browser as "Save").

We need to do this because we need to run an API application on our whole Revit library of around 900+ families, and because API doesn't work within the family editor, therefore we will have to load our library into a project, run the API application then export the families out. That is the method I have in minds, if anyone have a better idea, please share.

Thanks much,
Tam

[mmason.65315]

Sorry - I've been asking for a while, and it's not there.
There's no good workaround for most family issues.

-Matt

[GuyR]

You can do it using Win32 API's but it's not straight forward. The less elegant method is to use the journal file to build a journal file which you can then run to export families of interest.

Cheers,

Guy

[tha]

Thank you all fro reply, however I just noticed some real big problem.

1. I can't import anything into a family unless the family is placed in the project, and in my case, loading hundreds of families into a project is easy but having to place them in the project is not an option.

2. The current API that we have is importing data into a "Shared Project Parameter", which mean when I export the family out, the family come out clean. There might be a workaround for this with built-in parameters though, I guess I just need to look those up.

Thanks again for all your replies.

[GuyR]

1.. You can't really do anything with families via the API.

2.. A shared parameter added via the API is creating a project parameter, which by definition means it will not be exported with a family.

FWIW, API support for creating and editing families has been on the wishlist since the API became available.

Cheers,

Guy

[tha]

Thanks Guy,

That feature is a must. Now a kind of off-topic question for you, is it possible to import data into the Type Parameters of a family? For example: the Description field.

Thanks again,
Wish every one a great day.

Tam

[Kevin Janik]

Use a version of the Revit Shortcut Highway. In the program, right click on the screen and click "Activate Hidden Commands". Go down to the Family area and look for "Save all Loaded Families". Warning, this is not supported by Revit and could corrupt a file so do it on a copy detached from your central file. It works very well and pretty fast exporting all families to a folder on your C:\ drive.

Kevin

[tha]

Thanks Kevin,

However, if we can't import anything into the type parameter of a family, then we don't really need to export the families and so far it doesn't seem to be possible, but thanks for the suggestion. Except... the program is not free anymore.

Tam

[Kevin Janik]

Tam,

The program is free for 20 days and a minimal cost. Review the other unofficial commands available and perhaps you can do what you desire with the type parameter also. Also, even when the program expires, it seems to still work for these unofficial commands.

Have you looked at the program unofficial commands at all? There is quite a list.

Kevin

[tha]

No, not yet because I've been busy trying to access the type parameter. But so far only some success with the built-in instance parameters, which is not what I need so...

Thanks,