Autodesk Parameters Service, Part 3: Revit integration

Summary

This video tutorial explores the integration of the Parameters Service with Revit, highlighting its benefits for efficient workflow. It allows for clear definition and easy management of parameters, overcoming the limitations of shared parameter files. The service enables bulk loading of parameters and centralized storage, simplifying access and parameter management. It also supports user role-based access management, with different capabilities for Account Admins, Project Admins, and Project Members. The video demonstrates how to load parameters into Revit projects or families and emphasizes the importance of using descriptions for clarity in design intent.

Takeaways

• 🔧 The Parameters Service allows for clear definition and expression of parameter intent in Revit workflows.
• 🔎 It facilitates easy discovery of necessary parameters and visibility of those already loaded in models.
• 📚 Compared to shared parameter files, the Parameters Service offers richer definitions with customizable defaults.
• 🗂️ Parameters can be organized into collections, labeled, and searches can be saved for better management.
• 🚀 The service enables loading multiple parameters simultaneously, unlike the one-at-a-time method with shared parameters.
• 📁 Parameters are centrally stored in the service, simplifying management and avoiding the need to track multiple files.
• 👥 Access management features let users share parameters and apply standards, adhering to ACC user roles.
• 👨‍💼 Account Admins have full access to create, edit, and load parameters, while Project Admins and Members have limited capabilities.
• 🛑 A Revit.ini setting can disable the Parameters Service to prevent unauthorized access during setup.
• 📊 The service provides a 'manage mode' for admins to add, edit, and organize parameters, and a browse mode for members.
• 📈 Parameters can be in 'Ready', 'In-Model', or 'Missing Data' states, with the latter requiring additional input before loading.
• 🏢 When loading parameters, users can override defaults and specify missing data, but these changes are not saved back to the service.
• 🏷️ In Revit, parameters from the service are identifiable with tooltips showing account origin, data type, and descriptions.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For families, the workflow is similar, but category specification is not required, and project definitions take precedence.

Q & A

What is the Parameters Service in the context of Revit?

The Parameters Service is a feature that allows users to define, manage, and load parameters into their Revit projects more efficiently, providing a centralized location for parameter management and enhancing workflow.

Why is using the Parameters Service beneficial for Revit workflows?

The Parameters Service is beneficial as it allows for clear definition and expression of parameter intent, easy discovery of needed parameters, and visibility of parameters already loaded in models, improving organization and efficiency.

How does the Parameters Service differ from the existing shared parameter file in Revit?

The Parameters Service offers a more flexible and rich structure compared to the rigid shared parameter file. It includes default instance vs type, category selections, and Properties palette group, which can be overridden, and allows for parameter organization into collections, labeling, and saved searches.

What are the advantages of the Parameters Service's structure over the shared parameter file?

The Parameters Service provides a more organized and flexible structure, allowing for parameter collections, labels, and saved searches, making it easier to manage and find parameters compared to the shared parameter file's rigid structure with only groups for organization.

How does the Parameters Service streamline the process of loading shared parameters in Revit?

The Parameters Service allows users to load any number of parameters into a project at once, which is more time-efficient compared to loading shared parameters one at a time in Revit.

How is parameter management simplified with the Parameters Service?

Parameter management is simplified as all account parameters are stored in one place with the Parameters Service, eliminating the need to track multiple shared parameter files that can be copied and scattered across different locations.

What is access management in the Parameters Service, and how does it work?

Access management in the Parameters Service refers to the ability to share parameters with collaborators and use standards in projects. It adheres to Autodesk Construction Cloud user roles, allowing different levels of access and control based on whether a user is an Account Admin, Project Admin, or Project Member.

What roles are defined in the Parameters Service's access management, and what can each role do?

The roles defined are Account Admin, Project Admin, and Project Member. Account Admins can perform all actions, including creating and loading parameters. Project Admins can add or edit parameters and load them into projects. Project Members can only browse the service and load parameters into projects.

How can an Account Admin prevent coworkers from accessing the Parameters Service?

An Account Admin can disable access to the Parameters Service by using a setting in the Revit.ini file. Details on how to do this can be found in the help documentation linked below the video.

What is the difference between 'manage mode' and 'explore mode' in the Parameters Service interface?

In 'manage mode', accessible to Admins, users can add, edit, and manage parameters in the service. In contrast, 'explore mode', accessible to Project Members, only allows users to browse the service without the ability to create or edit parameters.

How can parameters from the Parameters Service be loaded into a Revit project or family?

Parameters can be loaded into a Revit project or family by using the 'Add Parameters From Service' button in the shared parameters interface. Users can select parameters in the 'Ready' or 'Missing Data' state, confirm settings, and then load them into Revit after specifying any missing data.

What information is displayed in the tooltip when hovering over a parameter in Revit after loading from the Parameters Service?

The tooltip displays the parameter name, its type (Project, Shared, or from the Service), the account it came from if loaded from the service, and its data type and description if available.

Why is it recommended to use descriptions for parameters in the Parameters Service?

Descriptions are recommended to provide additional notes and clarify design intent, making it easier to understand the purpose of each parameter both while browsing the service and using the parameters in Revit.

How does the Parameters Service handle parameters when working with families in Revit?

When working with families, the process of adding parameters from the service is similar to a project, but the category does not need to be specified if missing. The service assumes the family's category as the correct binding, and other category bindings are ignored.

What happens if a parameter is loaded into both a Project and a family within it?

If a parameter is loaded into a Project and a family is added with the same parameter, the project's definition of the parameter will be respected, following the same rules as shared parameters between projects and families.

Where can the Parameters Service icon be found in Revit when working with shared parameters?

The Parameters Service icon can be found in areas where shared parameters are loaded, such as in schedules and tags within Revit.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Revit Parameters Service Integration and Benefits

This paragraph introduces the integration of the Parameters Service with Revit and outlines its benefits. It explains how the service allows for clear definition and easy access to parameters, with the ability to override defaults. The comparison with the shared parameter file is highlighted, showing the service's advantages such as rich definitions, organization into collections, and access management. The paragraph also details the user roles within the service, emphasizing the capabilities of Account Admins, Project Admins, and Project Members, and mentions the availability of a Revit.ini setting to disable the service if needed. The 'manage mode' for admins and the limitations for project members are also discussed, along with the process of loading parameters into a Revit project or family.

05:04

🔧 Loading Parameters into Revit and Exploring Access Levels

The second paragraph focuses on the process of loading parameters into Revit using the Parameters Service. It describes the status indicators for parameters in the service, such as 'Ready', 'In-Model', and 'Missing Data', and explains the implications of each status. The paragraph details the steps to select and load parameters, including the ability to override defaults and specify missing data before loading. It also touches on the efficiency of loading parameters in bulk and the tools available in Revit for managing loaded parameters. The paragraph concludes with a look at the workflow for adding parameters to families and the consistency of parameter definitions between projects and families, setting the stage for the next video which will delve into adding parameters to the service.

Keywords

💡Parameters Service

The Parameters Service is a feature that allows users to manage and integrate parameters within Revit, an Autodesk building information modeling software. It is central to the video's theme as it streamlines the process of defining, organizing, and loading parameters into Revit models. The script mentions that this service provides benefits such as clear parameter definitions, easy parameter identification, and visibility of loaded parameters in models.

💡Revit

Revit is a software application for architects and structural engineers that helps in the design, modeling, and documentation of various building structures. It is the platform through which the Parameters Service operates, and the video discusses how the service is integrated with Revit to enhance workflow efficiency.

💡Shared Parameter File

A shared parameter file in Revit is used to store and manage parameters that can be used across multiple projects or families. The video contrasts the Parameters Service with the traditional shared parameter file, highlighting the service's flexibility and organization capabilities compared to the rigid structure of the shared parameter file.

💡Collections

In the context of the Parameters Service, collections refer to a way of organizing parameters. The video script mentions that users can organize their parameters into collections, which is a key feature that enhances the management and retrieval of parameters within Revit.

💡Access Management

Access management in the Parameters Service pertains to the control over who can view or edit parameters within the service. The video explains that access is governed by Autodesk Construction Cloud user roles, allowing for a structured approach to parameter sharing and collaboration.

💡User Roles

User roles in the Parameters Service are classifications that determine the level of access and control a user has within the service. The video script outlines three roles: Account Admin, Project Admin, and Project Member, each with different permissions regarding the management and use of parameters.

💡Revit.ini Setting

The Revit.ini setting mentioned in the script is a configuration file used to control certain aspects of the Revit software. In this context, it can be used to disable the Parameters Service, providing a way for Account Admins to restrict access to the service until they are ready for others to use it.

💡Manage Mode

Manage mode is a term used in the video to describe the interface state when an admin launches the Parameters Service from the ribbon in Revit. It allows for the management of parameters but not their loading into the project, which is a key distinction between admin and member functionalities.

💡Status Column

The status column in the Parameters Service is a feature that indicates the state of the parameters within a collection. The video script explains that parameters can be in 'Ready', 'In-Model', or 'Missing Data' states, which helps users understand the status of each parameter and what actions may be required before loading them into Revit.

💡Parameter Types

Parameter types refer to the different kinds of parameters that can be defined and used in Revit, such as type vs instance parameters. The video script discusses the need to specify these types when loading parameters into Revit, which is crucial for the correct application and behavior of the parameters within the model.

💡Descriptions

Descriptions in the Parameters Service are textual notes that provide additional information about a parameter. The video script suggests using descriptions to clarify design intent, which is beneficial both when browsing the service and using the parameters within Revit.

Highlights

Introduction to the Parameters Service integration with Revit.

Benefits of using the Parameters Service in Revit workflows.

Defining and expressing the intent of parameters clearly.

Ease of finding and seeing loaded parameters in models.

Comparison between Parameters Service and shared parameter file.

Rich definitions in the service including default settings.

Overriding default settings when parameters are loaded.

Advantages of the service over the rigid structure of shared parameter files.

Organizing parameters into collections and saving searches.

Efficiency of loading multiple parameters at once with the service.

Centralized storage of parameters in one place for easier management.

Access management features of the Parameters Service.

Different user roles and their capabilities within the service.

Revit.ini setting to disable the Parameters Service.

Difference in access levels for Admins and Members in Revit.

How to load parameters into a Revit project or family from the service.

Status indicators for parameters in the collection.

Specifying missing data when loading parameters into Revit.

Overrides and missing data specifications are not saved back to the service.

Efficient loading of parameters into Revit with the 'Add to Revit Model' button.

Revit tools for searching, filtering, and displaying parameter information.

Use of descriptions to clarify design intent in the service and Revit.

Workflow for adding parameters to families in Revit.

Parameter loading respect between projects and families.

Identification of the service icon in schedules and tags.

Upcoming video on adding parameters to the service.

Transcripts

In our last video, we showed you how to get your account set up to use the Parameters Service.

In this video, we will explore how the Parameters Service is integrated with Revit.

To start things off, let’s delve into why using the Parameters Service is beneficial in your Revit workflows.

Using the Parameters Service, you can define and express the intent of your parameters clearly,

find the parameter that you need easily, and clearly see what parameters are already loaded in your models.

Here, you can see the benefits of the Parameters Service compared to the existing shared parameter file.

The definitions in the service are rich

and include default instance vs type,

category selections, and Properties palette group.

As these are only defaults, they can be overridden whenever they are loaded should the default not fit every situation.

The structure of a shared parameter file is rigid, with only groups to help you organize your definitions.

The service lets you organize your parameters into collections, add labels, and save your searches.

In Revit, loading shared parameters is done one at a time, making it time-consuming work.

With the Parameters Service, you can load any number of parameters into your project at a time.

Your shared parameter file can live anywhere, be copied, there can be multiple files, and you need to keep track of all of these.

With the Parameters Service, your account’s parameters are all stored in one place, making parameter management much easier.

The Parameters Service also provides access management.

You can share your parameters with collaborators, and you can easily use standards in your projects.

Speaking of access management...

the service adheres to Autodesk Construction Cloud user roles:

Account Admin, Project Admin, and Project Member.

See this table as a handy guide for who can do what.

Account Admins can do everything. They can access the service in ACC, they can create parameters, and load them into projects.

Project Admins can still add or edit parameters and load them into projects;

while Account/Project Members can only browse the service and load parameters into projects.

If you are setting up your account as an Account Admin

and don’t want your coworkers poking around in the service just yet, there is a Revit.ini setting to disable our service.

See our help documentation, linked below the video for details.

Back in Revit, you can see the difference in access levels.

Admins launching the service from the ribbon will be in “manage mode” similar to how selecting the

shared parameters button only allows you to manage your shared parameters

but not load them into the project.

In this window, your admins can add or edit parameters in the service

(singularly or in bulk), set up saved searches, label parameters—

everything you need to do to manage your parameter definitions.

A project member launching the service from here will only be able to explore the service.

They cannot create or edit parameters.

We will explore all the ways to populate the service in our next video,

but for now we will work with a parameters collection that is already populated.

To load parameters into your Revit project or family from the service,

simply look anywhere where shared parameters are added to your project

and look for our new “Add Parameters From Service” button.

Starting with project parameters, I’ll launch the service.

Looking at the status column, you can see that the parameters in your collection are in one of three states:

Ready,

In-Model, or Missing Data.

Ready means the parameter is ready to load into Revit with no extra work for you—it can be loaded in just a few clicks.

In-Model means this parameter is already loaded into the active project or family.

Missing Data: this will include a tooltip for what data is missing.

While this data isn’t required for the parameters to live in the service, you will need to specify a value when loading into Revit.

This data is the same for any shared parameter; you will need to specify type vs instance, what categories it belongs to,

and what Properties palette group you want it to display in.

Note: you may see a difference in the status for a parameter when loading it into a family

as category does not need to be set, but I’ll address this again when we look at a family.

For this project, I’ll select a few parameters from Ready and Missing Data at random.

Note that the parameter already loaded in this model cannot be selected a second time.

After selecting the parameters I want,

I hit “Confirm Settings”.

This page lets you override defaults on parameters and specify any missing data prior to loading into Revit.

Any changes on this page are not saved back to the service; they are only applied for this download.

I’ve updated the values on a few parameters that already had values set,

and once I set the missing values, the “Add to Revit Model” button becomes active.

Once I hit the button, the parameters are loaded into Revit.

Loading these few dozen parameters only takes a few seconds;

this clip has not been sped up.

In Revit, there are tools to search through loaded parameters, filter loaded parameters,

and hovering over parameters will display a tooltip.

Included in this tooltip is the parameter name;

what type of parameter it is (whether it is Project, Shared, or from the Service);

if it is loaded from the service it will also specify what account it came from;

and you will also see its data type and description (if any exists).

While adding descriptions wasn’t always the most useful practice in the past,

we suggest making use of them now to add notes to make the design intent clear while both browsing the service

and while using these parameters in Revit.

Working with families is much the same as working with a project. If you go to Family Types,

you see your usual tools for adding parameters, along with the new button for “Add Parameters From Service”.

Selecting and adding parameters

follows the same workflow with one change—

you do not need to specify a category if one is missing.

The service will assume that the category of the family is the correct category binding. Other category bindings will also be ignored.

If the parameter is loaded into a Project and a family is added with the same parameter loaded

within it, the project’s definition will still be respected—

this is the same way shared parameters work now between projects and families.

As you explore how to use our service, look for our icon anywhere where shared parameters

are loaded, such as in schedules and tags.

In our next video, we will explore how to add parameters to the service to populate your collection.