About parameters

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Parameters are used to control the

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dimensional and visual characteristics of each family

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and are also used to store other types of

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metadata such as materials specifications and identity data.

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There are four types of parameters that could be used within rev

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these are family parameters, shared parameters,

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project parameters and global parameters.

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However,

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the two types of parameters used in most

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structural families are family parameters and shared parameters.

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Family parameters are used to control the

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dimensional and visual aspects of a family.

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They can also store values such as manufacturer data or perhaps

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values to control marking and numbering of instances within your project.

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You can create any number of family parameters to describe and define your family.

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Shared parameters can be used in multiple families and additionally

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can be scheduled tagged and exported to open database connectivity.

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For example, we may require a classification code

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to be used within a variety of

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categories, families and elements.

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It's important to understand that shared parameters rely on an

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external text file and this should be carefully managed.

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It is possible to have a parameter with the same name but a different

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which is a global unique identifier.

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This can cause problems in a project environment and lead to ambiguity.

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Project parameters are defined directly in the project and not in a family.

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A project parameter can be added to multiple categories simultaneously.

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The project parameters can be used in schedules.

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In the example shown here,

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a new project parameter has been defined within the project

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to highlight if a structured element is designed by others.

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Notice that this parameter is a yes no

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parameter and is applied to multiple categories.

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Typically, these are quick and easy to set up and give maximum efficiency

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like project parameters.

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Global parameters are also defined in the project and not in the family.

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A global parameter can be used to control many elements.

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You can control dimensional values as well as parameters such as materials.

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In the example shown here,

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three global parameters have been set up to control the balcony dimensions and

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also the grade of concrete used on a variety of different structural elements.

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This is particularly useful when you need to make a global change

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to the material or the dimensions that are controlled in that balcony.

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All parameters can have a type applied which controls

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the type of data that a parameter can store.

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Some typical examples are shown below.

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So you can see we have text

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integer distance, a yes no parameter or a web address.

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These are just a small selection of the parameter types that you have available.

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Additionally,

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you can create parameters that are specific to the structural

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discipline such as linear force moments and section area.