Create an offset symbol

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When creating electrical layouts in plan view,

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hosted families such as lighting switches, receptacles,

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control panels and fire alarm brake glass units

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usually have a symbolic representation that is larger and

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easier to read than the corresponding physical element.

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However, when elements are placed vertically aligned on a wall,

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the plan view becomes more difficult to understand.

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To overcome this issue.

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We will look at how annotation symbols can be modified

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within the family editor to give greater flexibility for positioning

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by creating a second annotation symbol in a different position

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and providing the user with the option to control the visibility of both

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the display of symbols for elements positioned

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vertically in line will be improved.

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As an example,

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this section view clearly shows a fire alarm break glass placed above a receptacle.

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Open the view power floor plans, one power

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viewed in plan with the detail level set to medium or course,

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the symbolic representation is not so clear.

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A duplicate view could be created

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and the view range for each view set to only show elements at specific heights,

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but this could generate a considerable number of extra views.

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Alternatively,

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the offset from host parameter could be edited

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to move the symbol to a different position.

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Instead,

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the annotation family that provides the symbolic representation could be edited

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to make plan views clearer in this type of situation.

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This option also allows for different annotation symbols to

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be applied to and controlled within the same family.

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Select the break glass unit and open it in the family editor

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from the project browser. Open the view floor plans reference level

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zoom in closer to the family and select the annotation symbol.

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The annotation symbol is also a family. So open this in the family editor

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windows select the symbol and create a copy that

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is 3/16 of an inch above the existing symbol

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to control the visibility of the symbols. We have to create some parameters.

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Windows select the original symbol, then associate the family parameter,

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select new parameter and create a parameter called symbol visible.

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Make it an instance parameter

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and group it under graphics.

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Then close all windows

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windows select the offset symbol

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and follow the same procedure to create a parameter called offset symbol visible

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again, make it an instance parameter

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and group it under graphics.

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Once complete load the modified annotation family into

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the fire alarm brake glass unit family,

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overwrite the existing version

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and the parameter values

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select the annotation symbol

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and from the properties associate the new parameters as before,

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create a new instance parameter called symbol visible,

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grouped under graphics

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and create a new instance parameter called offset symbol, visible.

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Also grouped under graphics.

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Finally load the break glass family into the project E 07 underscore 01

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again, overwriting the existing version and the parameter values,

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select the symbol from the screen

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and use the new visibility parameters to set the correct display.

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When working with annotation symbols,

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you have the option to change the

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symbol for something aligned to a particular standard

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to duplicate it as we've done.

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In this example, for the purpose of positional adjustment,

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or you may want to add a range of alternate symbols within the same family,

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effectively extending the value of your content.

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Creating a library of content with custom annotation symbols which can be

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used across multiple projects will save on delivery time and promote consistency.

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Throughout this series of videos,

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we've focused on maximizing the functionality of

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rev for use with electrical system design.

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We have created and edited electrical circuits then worked with methods to

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edit circuit links and establish wire sizes using calculated scheduled fields.

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We have looked at creating standards by customizing content for panel schedules,

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tags, annotation, symbols,

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clearance zones and smoke detection layouts or

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to improve productivity and promote consistency.

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Electrical design information was tracked using colorful legends and filters

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and finally, we discovered the importance of understanding system connectors

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and of ensuring the integrity of electrical systems by using the system browser.