Understanding Custom Parameters in Revit

Understand Custom Parameters in Revit - Exercise

While there are many built-in parameters in Revit, there is also always a need to create custom parameters. In this exercise, you will review the types of parameters that can be created in a project, including global and project parameters. You will also open a family and review existing parametric labels, family parameters, and shared parameters.  

1. Open the Small Medical Center-Parameters.rvt project. This project is in Revit 2024. 
2. In the GROUND FLOOR plan view, zoom in on the exam rooms. 
3. In the View Control Bar, click Reveal Constraints. The constraints are exposed in red, as shown below.
   
   
   
   
4. There are several dimensions with names, as shown below. These are global parameters, which are created in projects and typically used for dimensions and formulas. Select one of the global parameters and click the pencil icon (Global Parameters).
   
   
   
   
5. In the Global Parameters dialog box, change the Value of the Exam Room Width to 10′ 6″, as shown below. Click OK.
   
   
   
   
6. All the rooms with the global parameter applied update, as shown below.
   
   
   
   
7. Click Undo to return to the previous width. 
8. In the View Control Bar, click Close Reveal Constraints. 
9. In the Manage tab>Settings panel, click Project Parameters.  
10. In the Project Parameters dialog box, click the New Parameter icon, as shown below.
    
    
    
    
11. The Parameter Properties dialog box opens. In the next exercise, you will create project parameters. Note that project parameters can appear in schedules but not in tags, as shown below.
    
    
    
    
12. Cancel out of the dialog boxes. 
13. Double-click on one of the casework elements in the plan view, as shown on the left. This opens the casework family in the family editor, as shown on the right.
    
    
    
    
14. In the Project Browser, expand Views (all)>Floor Plans and click Ref. Level. 
15. In the view, you can see dimensions with text – Width and Depth, as shown below. These parameters control the size of the casework. They are called labels – another word for parameter.
    
    
    
    
16. In the Create tab>Properties panel, click Family Types to open the Family Types dialog box. Here you can see all the parameters connected to this family, as shown below.
    
    
    
    
17. In the Dimensions section, select Width. At the bottom of the dialog box, click Edit Parameter, as shown above. It is a built-in parameter and cannot be renamed or deleted, as shown below. Click Cancel to close the Parameter Properties dialog box.
    
    
    
    
18.  In the Other section, select Manufacturer Phone and click Edit Parameter. This is a family parameter created by the manufacturer, as shown below. It is useful for the information but cannot be added to schedules or tags. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
    
    
    
    
19. In the Materials and Finishes section, select Panel Material and edit the parameter. This parameter is a shared parameter, as shown below. It can be used in multiple projects and families, be exported to ODBC, and appear in schedules and tags. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
    
    
    
    
20. Click Cancel to close the Family Types dialog box.  
21. Close but do not save the family. 
22. Close but do not save the project – no edits were made.