Smart Browser Pro. The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily Browse, Find and Modify Revit Families

Transcription

1 The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily Browse, Find and Modify Revit Families

2 Working with Families Smart Browser PRO is an independent family content browser where families can be easily and quickly searched and placed into the project; Families are listed in a tree structure allowing the user to group them by original folders, categories, host, version or unit systems; Allows you to overview family types and parameters containing values; Allows to modify hundreds selected families: add new parameters (including shared); copy parameters from one family to other; rename parameters; delete parameters; change values; add new types; delete types; rename types. Helps to find differences between project families and families in the library; Has ability to overview all family 2D and 3D views (using DWFX) before inserting it to the project; Elements can be quickly found by family name, family type, parameter name or value; Has project family browser.

3 Smart Browser PRO - powerful BIM solution for Revit families search & management that includes powerful parameter (incl. shared) adding and editing.

4 Browser Options Before working with the Smart Family Browser you need configure the software by accessing the Browser Options.

5 Browser Options Add New Families Folder from your computer or server locate the folder with your Revit library files. Start creates an XML file which uploads families from the computer or server to the browser. During the new XML file creation the extension opens every family from the library, reads all its information (types, parameter names, parameter values, category, host type etc.) and creates a picture (PNG) and 3D (DWFX) files (if selected in configuration). Creating XML file can take a considerable amount time (.5 hours to 24 or 36 hours), which is dependent on the size of the library. It is recommended that a fast computer be used to create the initial XML file. You can batch process folders by selecting individual folders or sub-folders and then adding more folders at a later time.

6 Browser Options Older file formats because the XML file generation opens every file, this will cause Revit to convert old families to the current version of Revit as the family is opened. This does take time. The XML creation process does not save the families, so they will remain in the older format. Prior to the creation of the XML database it is recommended to use the Revit update utility to batch process the updating of all families to the current release. Create 3D dwf - select if DWF files are necessary in the browser for 3D viewing. Please note that this can significantly increase the time it take to create the database.

7 Browser Options One XML file can have several location to different libraries. Browser Data Storage Location browse the folder where XML file with the library database is to be placed. This can be placed onto a network server for access by multiple users. Please use UNC pathing to point to the server and folder (i.e. //server1/revit/library). Make sure that the UNC path can be resolved via IP ping. This may require modification of HOSTS file. Select Existing select existing XML file if it was created before with previous Smart Browser versions. Make Backup makes backup file of the current XML file. Delete deletes current XML file.

8 Browser Options when your library is on network If your library is used by your whole company and it is located on a server, you don t need to create XML files for each computer. You have to make the first XML file with a full path to your library though the network. Please use UNC pathing to point to the server and folder (i.e. //server1/revit/library). Next, it is required to change the path on every computer to point to the XML file on the network.

9 Browser Options Families thumbnails and 3D DWF files location select the folder where PNG and DWF files is to be placed. This can be placed onto a network server for access by multiple users.

10 Browser Options Synchronize updates the library if there are any changes to the families. Running this will cause all indexed Revit family files to be checked and re-indexed into the database in the event that they have been modified since the last synchronization. Create 3D dwf makes DWF files for 3D viewing if those are not created jet. Delete Backup s during synchronization process deletes backup files.

11 Browser Options All Family Libraries tab where users can create/delete/update XML files with library databases. Company Library select which XML file is your company XML file with library database. Then user can decide what library to use in Smart Family Browser current library or company library.

12 Smart Family Browser Smart Family Browser opens the browser with predefined families from the library.

13 Smart Family Browser Smart Family Browser works independently from the Revit project. To reduce the time it takes to load the Smart Browser Pro, please note that it is not necessary to close the Smart Browser dialog when the user works within his projects.

14 Smart Family Browser Browser shows all family types, parameter names, parameter groups, parameters values, parameter values and units when an element is selected. File Location shows location where the selected family is placed. Open Folder opens a folder where the selected family is placed. Edit Family goes to the selected family editing mode.

15 Smart Family Browser If parameter values are displayed with grey color it means that those values are type values and will effect all the type in the project. If parameter values are displayed with white color it means that those values are instance values and will effect every instance family in the project. If parameter names are displayed with blue color it means that those parameters are shared and user will be able to use them in schedules and tags if needed.

16 Smart Family Browser New feature in v2014.2, v2013.5: Possibility to group by Version! Families are conveniently grouped together in a tree where the user can filter it by configurable criterions. The criterions can be selected with Browser Organization button at the top of the tree. If Category and Insert Type are selected, elements in the tree can be expanded and filtered under these criteria:

17 Smart Family Browser Search By - searches for families by family name, family type, parameter name or value. Search By works on the selected group in the family free. If Search in all Catalogs is selected then the search will be made through all families that are in the browser database.

18 Smart Family Browser Preview 3D dwf Preview 3D DWF Turns on a separate DWFX dialog and shows the selected element. Before using the browser Autodesk Design Review software must be installed. User can use all Autodesk Design Review features: view, mark up, print, measure in 2D and 3D drawings.

19 Smart Family Browser To insert the element to the project use drag-and-drop functionality. Element will be loaded by default with the first type. Load Type loads family with the selected type only. Load Family loads the family with all it s types.

20 Modify Families Modify Families - extremely powerful functionality that allows to change/add/delete parameters or types for selected families. Modify Families can be founded with the right click for selected families and at the bottom of the dialog. Then it will work for all families in the list.

21 Modify Families Enter modification name. Modification name will identify the group of families with tasks that are assigned to those families: Then it s needed to write a name of person who is trying to modify the library. Short description and notes can be written with information about the changes that will be made:

22 Modify Families Dialog for modification:

23 Modify Families Families are conveniently grouped together in a tree where user can filter it by any parameters. Parameters for grouping can be defined with Configure Grouping. Families with it s parameters. Every type is displayed in a separate row. Parameters that groups families are displayed with yellow color ( Category, Family, Type ). Other parameters ( Cost, Description etc.) can be selected with Select Parameters.

24 Modify Families Configure Grouping If Category, Family and Type are selected in Configure Grouping then elements will be expanded and filtered under these criterions.

25 Modify Families Select Parameters Cost, Description, Manufacture and Type Comments parameters will be loaded by default. In order to change it go to Select Parameters:

26 Modify Families Select Parameters Parameters can be selected with Select Parameters. At the left side there are all available parameters from selected families. At the right side all your selected parameters that you are wiling to modify. Adding new or removing parameters are available with the commands Add and Remove. The order of parameters can be changed with Move Up and Move Down.

27 Modify Families colors The situation between families (rows) and parameters (columns) will be displayed with different colors in cells. For example:..if cells are displayed with grey color then there is no such parameter in the family;..if cells are displayed with red color then the user added a task to delete a parameter for selected families.

28 Modify Families right click functions New feature in v2014.2, v2013.5: Rename Type Name by Configuration! With right click menu you will be able to modify selected values or parameters.

29 Modify Families Change Value Change Value changes values of selected parameters. Changed values will be displayed with the green color.

30 Modify Families Copy Value Copy Value makes a copy of selected values from one parameter to other. Changed values will be displayed with the green color.

31 Modify Families Rename Family Name Rename Family Name will rename selected family. Changed names will be displayed with the green color.

32 Modify Families Delete Family Delete Family deletes selected family file from library.

33 Modify Families Add New Type Add New Type adds new type to selected family. Created new types will be displayed with the green color.

34 Modify Families Rename Type Name Rename Type Name renames selected type names. Renamed types will be displayed with the green color.

35 Modify Families Rename Type Name by Configuration New feature in v2014.2, v2013.5! User can very easily add his own configuration for type names. Let s say door type names has to be renamed by Width x Height mm : Result: You will not need to rename types one by one! You will be always sure that type names are correct!

36 Modify Families Delete Type Delete Type deletes selected types.

37 Modify Families Add Shared Parameter Add Shared Parameter adds shared parameters for selected families. Select and open txt shared parameter file:

38 Modify Families Add Shared Parameter Select parameters that will be added: In this dialog it s possible to choose if parameter will be instance or type (Is Instance) and to change parameter group (Parameter Group). Selected parameters will be displayed with green color.

39 Modify Families Add Shared Parameter Two shared parameters will be added to selected families: Cells of new shared parameter will be displayed with the blue color.

40 Modify Families Add Selected Parameter Add Selected Parameter adds selected parameters with the same properties to selected families. Cells of new parameter will be displayed with the green color.

41 Modify Families Add Family Parameter Add Family Parameter adds new or existing parameters to selected families. Cells of new parameter will be displayed with the green color.

42 Modify Families Add Family Parameter Select Item possibility to choose if New or Existing parameter will be created; Parameter Name add new parameter name or select existing one; Parameter Group select parameter group. If existing parameter is selected then the group will exactly the same like in existing parameter. It can be changed if needed; Parameter Type select the type of parameter. If existing parameter is selected then the type will exactly the same like in existing parameter. It can be changed if needed; Is Instance select if parameter has to be instance.

43 Modify Families Rename Parameter Rename Parameter renames parameter name for selected families.

44 Modify Families Modify Parameter Modify Parameter modifies parameter settings for selected families. Cells of modified parameter will be displayed with the green color.

45 Modify Families Delete Parameter Delete Parameter deletes parameters for selected families. Cells of deleted parameters will be displayed with the red color.

46 Modify Families Add Text Formula New feature in v2014.2, v2013.5: You will see plain formula when you move the cursor above the cell with formula! Add Text Formula adds text formula values for selected cells. Formula values has to be between commas.

47 Modify Families Change Text Formula New feature in v2014.1, v2013.4! Change Text Formula changes text formula values for selected cells. Formula values has to be between commas.

48 Modify Families Remove Text Formula Remove Text Formula removes text formulas for selected cells. Deletes text formulas and leaves the values.

49 Modify Families Select Column Select Column selects all rows in the column for later modification.

50 Modify Families Filter by Selected Data Filter by Selected Data filters elements according to the selected values.

51 Modify Families Export to Excel New feature in v2014.2, v2013.5: Formulas will be exported in a separate column! Export to Excel exports all visible data to MS Excel spreadsheet.

52 Modify Families Add Families to be Modified Add Families to be Modified adds families to the group of modification that was created before.

53 Smart Family Browser Add Families to Modify Select modification:

54 Smart Family Browser Add Families to Modify To continue working with the families go to Modify Families and select the same group:

55 Run Saved Modifications Run Saved Modification runs the process of modifications that were added before. Select modification according to it s name: After modifications you can go to Smart Family Browser and all families will be updated. You don t need to do any synchronization. After pressing OK the tool will open every family and will do all modifications that were predefined with Modify Families :

56 Check and Update Families from Library Check the difference between families from library and opened project.

57 Check and Update Families from Library 1 Step open the project that has to be updated; 1

58 Check and Update Families from Library 2 Step open T4R Create/Modify tab Smart Browser PRO Check and Update Families from Library. 2

59 Check and Update Families from Library 3 Step select the library. Library can be defined thought Browser Options. 3

60 Check and Update Families from Library 4 Step press on Start Checking 4 5 Step wait for the results. The time of checking deepens on the amount of elements in the project and in the library.

61 Check and Update Families from Library 6 Step review results. The situation between families (rows) and parameters (columns) will be displayed with different colors in cells.

62 Check and Update Families from Library Some cells can be displayed with two colors for example in cases if family parameter type and group were modified:

63 Check and Update Families from Library 7 Step Reload families to the current project. There is possibility to overwrite parameter values if needed.

64 Check and Update Families from Library Result opened project families will be updated with families from the library:

65 Project Family Browser Project Family Browser opens the browser with families from the current project. Convenient dialog allows you to filter/find elements and with drag-anddrop put it to the model.

66 Project Family Browser Filter by filters elements by family name or family type. Edit Family opens selected family in editing mode. Browser works like external application, so you don t need to close it.

67 Project Family Browser Project Family Browser allows to switch between opened projects. It gives possibility to transfer families from one project to other.

68 Resave Families to current Revit version Resave Families to current Revit version resaved families to the current Revit version from selected catalogue and deletes backup files if needed.

69 Create Shared Parameters Create Shared Parameters creates shared parameters for selected category in the project. With Revit user needs to create shared parameters one by one. This function allow to create them much more faster.

70 Create Shared Parameters 1 Step open project where you need to create parameters 2 Step open T4R Create/Modify tab Smart Browser PRO Create Shared Parameters 3 Step select the category. The list of categories comes from the project:

71 Create Shared Parameters 4 Step open shared parameter file:

72 Create Shared Parameters 5 Step select shared parameter file:

73 Create Shared Parameters 6 Step select shared parameters and it s properties:

74 Create Shared Parameters Result can be founded under Manage Project Parameters: Four parameters are automatically created for windows category. Parameters are shared, so it can be used for tags and schedules.

75 Smart Browser PRO How to Start? How to Start? - contains Technical Documentation and Videos that explains all techniques step by step. Anytime you are in tools4revit dialog window you can Press F1 and you ll be directed into E-Help automatically

76 Benefits The SMART BROWSER PRO Revit add-on reduces by 50% or more the amount of time spent searching and modifying your families allowing you to create more projects and earn more money in less time. No special training necessary. There s no money to invest. There are no fees for the SMART BROWSER license and no charges for upgrades, etc., as the plugin is created, endorsed and sponsored by tools4revit developers.

77 tools4revit TOOLS4REVIT is developed by AGA CAD Ltd., Autodesk Authorised Developer AGA-CAD is the supplier of computer-aided design software and data management solution, operating since Company s activities consist of TOOLS4REVIT development, Revit families creation, programming services for working with BIM projects faster and easier. With resellers in a number of countries AGA CAD Ltd. implements BIM solutions for architects, structural and MEP engineers, constructors and building contractors. If you have any ideas or problems and you would like to make your work with BIM projects faster and easier we can design a tool or a program especially for you. Write your ideas directly to info@tools4revit.com.