Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
1. Select the Shared Parameter option in the Parameter Properties dialog
box. This activates the Select button, which opens the Shared
Parameters dialog box.
2. Choose the group that contains the desired parameter, and then select
the parameter from the list.
3. Once you click OK, you still need to define whether it will be a type or
instance parameter and where it will be listed. These are the only two
settings that can be modified after the parameter is added to the family.
4. Click the Edit button in the Shared Parameters dialog box to open the
Edit Shared Parameters dialog box, where you can browse to another
shared parameters file or make changes to the active file.
5. Once you exit this dialog box, you still need to select the parameter from
the Shared Parameters dialog box to add it to the family. Once a shared
parameter is added to a family, it can be used as a constraint or in
formulas (just like any other parameter).
Managing shared parameters should be treated with the same importance
as managing your content library. Because these parameters provide
intelligence that carries through from a family all the way to your
construction documents, it is important that they are maintained and used
correctly. Preventing users from having full access to this file is one way
of managing this, much in the same way as many libraries have restricted,
read-only access.
One category for which shared parameters can become cumbersome is the
Mechanical Equipment category. Typically, many characteristics of a
mechanical unit are required to be scheduled, so shared parameters are
necessary. Some of these characteristics are the same unit of measurement,
but for a different component of the unit. Since you cannot add the same
shared parameter to a family more than once, you may need to make
multiple parameters of the same type. It is best to try to keep your shared
parameters as simple as possible for this category. Naming parameters
specifically for their use is helpful in keeping track of them. In addition,
developing a standard for where these parameters are grouped in the
families will help you avoid confusion when editing the properties of a
family.
Even though it may initially require a bit of work, adding these parameters
directly to your mechanical equipment families rather than as project
Search WWH ::




Custom Search