Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
When you are creating a parameter, it is important to decide whether the
parameter will be used to define a type within the family.
Type parameters can cause the most damage when misused because they
enact changes to every instance of the family type to which they belong. For
this reason, you will receive a warning when editing a type parameter in a
schedule view, and accessing a type parameter in a model view requires an
extra mouse click. However, you can customize the double-click function of
the mouse to access the type properties. This can be done from Application
Options User Interface.
Always Double-Check
Ethan needs to replace an existing 180 VA receptacle with a 360 VA
one. Unfortunately, the Type Selector doesn't have this type of
receptacle. When he takes a closer look at the family types, he notices
the Volt type parameter but also realizes that if he is to change its value,
the change will affect the entire project and all 180 VA receptacles will
be changed to 360 VA. Instead, Ethan duplicates the existing 180 VA
type to a new 360 VA type and then modifies the Volt type parameter.
When editing a type parameter of a family in a project, always
double-check that you do not need to create a new family type. It is a
safer and better practice to create a new type if there is any doubt.
In some cases, you may choose to use instance parameters instead of type
parameters, and we'll be discussing that shortly.
Type parameters do require that if you need to change just one or a few
instances of an object, you will have to create a new family type. This can
leadtohavingseveraltypeswithinafamily,whichcausesyourTypeSelector
to be cluttered and confusing. If you are creating a type parameter that will
define a family type, it is best to name the family type as it relates to the
value of the type parameter(s). A light fixture family, defined by its width
andlengthparameters, wouldlikelyhavefamilytypeswithnamessuchas2′
× 4′ (600 mm × 1,200 mm) and 1′ × 4′ (300 mm × 1,200 mm), for example.
