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

Transcription

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

2 Working with Families The Smart Browser 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, insertion types or unit systems; Allows you to overview family types and parameters containing values; 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 the current project family browser.

3 Revit extension Smart Browser allows to quickly and easily browse and find Revit families that are stored in the user s computer or on your server.

4 Browser Options Before working with the Smart Family Browser you need to 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 New feature in v and v2012.6: Show if the library was modified! 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. Smart Browser automatically will show if the library was modified. Now user can know when XML file should be updated.

11 Smart Family Browser Smart Family Browser opens the external predefined family browser.

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

13 Smart Family Browser Browser shows all family types, parameter names, parameter groups, parameter values, formulas, parameter types 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.

14 Smart Family Browser New feature in v and v2012.6: New column is added for formulas! 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.

15 Smart Family Browser Families are conveniently grouped together in a tree where the user can filter it by configurable criterions. The criterions can be selected with Configure Filter 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:

16 Smart Family Browser New feature in v and v2012.6: Possibility to search by family version! Search By - searches for families by family name, family type, parameter name, parameter value, Price or Version. 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.

17 Smart Family Browser With the right click you can change presentment of families. If Details will be selected then you can know Revit version when family was saved.

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 Project Family Browser New feature in v and v2012.6: Possibility to see tags and other detail families! Project Family Browser opens the browser with families from the current project. Convenient dialog allows you to filter/find elements and with drag-and-drop put it to the model. Filter by filters elements by family name or family type. Edit Family goes to the selected family editing mode. Browser works like external application, so you don t need to close it.

21 Project Family Browser Project Family Browser allows to transfer families from one project to other. Projects has to be open in one Revit. With drag and drop you can select family from project 1 and place it to project 2.

22 Let us know your opinion! New feature in v and v2012.6: Dialog with Smart Browser review! After using the some time Smart Browser will show dialog where we are welcome to place your opinion about Smart Browser. Your opinion will be sent to If you have downloaded Smart Browser from Autodesk Exchange Apps then the tool will open Smart Browser in Autodesk Exchange Apps for you could leave your message about Smart Browser. Copy of your message will be sent to

23 Benefits The SMART BROWSER Revit add-on reduces by 50% or more the amount of time spent searching through 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.

24 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.