Add Shared Parameters to Families using Dynamo! (2020 Update)

[@ProjectLead_JR]

This has probably got to be the most helpful video on the internet! What a time saver!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Glad it helped! I also have an update to this workflow here without Orchid if it helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqeyY5JmfrZrrLM

[@ProjectLead_JR]

@@AussieBIMGuru Legend!

[@amybeckenham]

my head exploded when you started the DesignScript bit. no idea!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes it's a bit of a shortcut, this tutorial may help break down the principles of this technique; kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJLHpnigf7Rqh7c

[@amybeckenham]

@@AussieBIMGuru thank you for such a quick reply :) I will give that video a go

[@amybeckenham]

I am trying to use your videos in this series to create a script that adds shared parameters to multiple project files. I am trying to do roughly the same thing you are with the Revit Project nodes instead of the Revit Family nodes, in this package. But I can't seem to get it to work! Might be another good video to do if you would be up for it :P Otherwise, I will post my solution here once I make it work! Thanks for your help and videos they have been of great use to me while i learn :).

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@amybeckenham i recall genius loci and clockwork packages have nodes for this. Will add it to my video topic list for future reference.

[@amybeckenham]

@@AussieBIMGuru thanks !! I will check those out 😊

[@CrlsE094]

OMG!!! I did it !! I got so stressed, hehe those lists are case sensitive. The Data type is all in Caps on the Shared Parameter txt File and got an error (Fortunately Orchid pointed out). I fix the lower case to match your Variables Sheet. Lol, I also just copied your code block, ask me if I understood it, haha the // values for SP node// I kind of get it. Knowing the coding language is a must! Thanks, Gavin I truly appreciate your help! Thumbs up

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes case and character management is critical in coding, apples must always be apples! Glad to hear it worked out

[@iasdrap]

Man that 10 sec video in the start is sick! Keee pup the good work...!!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Glad you liked it! I actually made a quicker one for my videos recently as this one is a bit long.

[@alowther6848]

Hi Gavin, What is the main difference between applying the shared parameters to component families through opening the family .RFA → Family Types → New parameter (as is being done here) VS opening the project parameters in a project .RVT and adding the necessary shared parameter to the necessary category that houses the family? I've recently had to add shared parameters to all the families in a project - all component families and all system families, this later helped with search sets in Navisworks and the .RVT method above seemed to work fine with all component families had the shared parameter as an instance. Am I missing something ?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Great question. It's all about where family data is stored - either you add the params and values at the family level (loadable families), or add it to the project and fill data there (e.g. system families, always stored in project). Typically, storing data at library level is best where possible, as you can change data in 1 place - obviously only possible for loadable families. I add the parameter at project level as well if; - I want to 100% guarantee a family has this parameter (even if a user forgets to add it to a family) - i need to schedule it - i need to filter it - system families need it

[@alowther6848]

@@AussieBIMGuru Great - thank you for clearing up. I can definitely see the benefits of including it into a loadable family. Appreciate it

[@brendonlay8382]

Thanks so much gavin saved me heaps of time for family set up

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome!

[@alevadag5706]

Hi Gavin, finally i did it, after some mistakes. Thanks a lot.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Great work!

[@mimille555]

Hi ABG, I am struggling with this dynamo. As my version of Dynamo is older than the one that you use, so I did with the previous version of your tuto (old way). I am able to push shared parameter from an Excel to families but the problem is : the shared parameters go only on one group parameter. For instance, all my SP got different groups parameter (GENERAL, MATERIALS,...) but they all go in one group (the first in the list). But the type, name,... everything is ok. Do you have any idea ? I can send you my dyn and Excel or take screen shot. Thank you for your answer.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Feel free to send through your dyn, excel and shared parameters file so I can test. The way this node has been built and changed since this tutorial makes it a bit temperamental. The most common errors I find in troubleshooting people's attempts are spelling errors and group names not being written in the 'PG_' format, but if you've ticked these two boxes email across.

[@anitatavana1259]

Hi Gavin, Thank you for your helpful tutorial. It worked. Do you have a script that fill in text parameter's values from excel using dynamo or copy/past text parameter values from one family to another? Thank you in advance for your great videos.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Unfortunately I don't but I will likely have nodes in the next release of Crumple that can do most of those things. Probably out in a month or so.

[@ArtemKhrapov]

Hi Gavin! Thank you the video! It's the very useful! I want to use the "FamilyDocument.Current" node from Orchid in Dynamo 2.16 (Revit 2023.1), but the node doesn't work. The error 0x00000007/u01 appears. Have you or somebody else faced it? Could you share ideas how to fix it?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Not that I am aware of. Maybe lodge an issue on erfajos github.

[@danser97]

This is awesome, but it only gets me halfway to what I'm trying to do with my detail item families. We have multiple line styles that we would like to use in several of our detail families, so we would need to add subcategories for each of these line styles that would be controlled by parameters. Anyone know of a custom node to do that?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I'm not aware of any packages/nodes that do this, but this is the Revit API method for adding a subcategory: www.revitapidocs.com/2023/aba44eba-9882-54cb-fe52-30553a684c34.htm

[@shashikumargh9877]

Hey gavin, you are doing fabulous job, really appreciated your effort. So 1st thing that orchid package looks different for revit 2021 for ex: shared parameter add node but anyway there is a warning after running script that it shows "other" invalid parameter group. Kindly help.....

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes Orchid has changed a bit since I made this video as the package manager makes edits over time. I think there is a new function called Condense and also the inputs work different in regards to list levels. If I recall correctly, where I used @L2 in this video it is now @L1 and where I used @L1 it is now no levels. If the script is assigning to the 'other' group then you may have used an incorrect parameter group name. I have an excel file over on my github with most of the commonly used PG groups in it if it helps.

[@Dan-is1ly]

Hi Gavin! Thank you for your informative video, as always. I can't seem to find the Parameter.AddSharedParameter node in the Orchid package anymore, I think it has been removed from its latest version. Have you got an idea if there is an alternative that can be used?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Hrm its definitely still there somewhere but I made my own node for Crumple in the end which should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqeyY5JmfrZrrLM

[@Dan-is1ly]

@@AussieBIMGuru Brilliant, thank you

[@francesconardi6112]

hi, how can i set the discipline parameter, in the shared parameter properties? with this procedure it is set to default common. Another question concerns the possibility of automatically inserting specific shared parameters within specific families, starting for example froma matrix on excel. Thank you and congratulation for the always useful videos.

[@francesconardi6112]

First problem solved

[@AussieBIMGuru]

The second challenge is moreorless what this tutorial lays the foundation for. If you wish for specific parameters to be added to particular families only, then you would need this to be captured in a cross matrix in Excel, then set up the lists in Dynamo using filtering conditions. I'd suggest your family names in rows, and parameter names in columns and then simply a YES/NO if you wish to add the parameter or not. In Dynamo, you can then get those family files, and depending on their name check if each parameter is needed using a boolean mask for each sublist of parameter names. It's a complex workflow though, needs intermediate to advanced experience level to set up. Alternatively, try Paramanager by DiRoots.

[@francesconardi6112]

@@AussieBIMGuru Thanks for the reply, i will try as you suggested and in case I fall back on Paramanager by DiRoots

[@CrlsE094]

Hi Gavin by chance do you have a video on how to set global parameters to multiple family parameters inside a Revit project. For example set a global Material parameter to the Material parameter of multiple cabinet families.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Not currently, as I find most people manage parameters differently so it's a hard topic to produce a video for. I'd probably just end up getting questions from viewers that relate to messy data setup (e.g. we use 4 different parameters in different categories to effectively do the same thing). I'd suggest checking out this thread which shows a way to apply global parameters using Python and Revit API; forum.dynamobim.com/t/associating-global-parameters-to-a-multiple-family-types-in-a-project/34253/6

[@CrlsE094]

@@AussieBIMGuru thanks for the feedback, I was also thinking to set the material parameter as instance, select all and apply the global parameter. But I’m not sure if instance parameters are as useful as type for data schedules. It is a shared parameter though, heheh I haven’t tried that way. I agree, handling data can be quite chaotic. Cheers

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@CrlsE094 usually material parameters are best managed at a type level for most objects as you'd want consistency across selections placed multiple times. For example if a chair has two upholster options I'd use two family types to ensure consistency and more easily quantify selections.

[@ahmedhagras1882]

Is there a UK naming convention for the shared parameters???

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Not that I'm aware of. NBS has shared parameters but they're pretty awful (some are called 'Description' for example - clearly a system designed on paper and not designed by users). There is an AEC UK BIM standards guide for Revit, but it doesn't seem to get updated often and the section on shared parameters just suggests users have their own corporate system. Personally I designed a system myself in absence of one eventually as I was sick of seeing systems that were half baked or didn't work like NBS.

[@shujath9176]

The error in the orchid package is because the shared parameters are of different groups are fed in one go. This error can be eliminated by separating groups. For example if you have parameters from three groups, you need to run three nodes. All will run at the same time. The error can be ignored when the family is current document but when it is opened in background this needs to be fixed.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks! I ended up writing my own nodes since this tutorial so dont have to worry about this anymore luckily.

[@QuanNguyen-xh5xk]

Hi for the shared material parameter, after added them to generic model family, do you have to come in family editor to nest then to the material of the family itself ? I added shared material family, but could not apply material for the generic model because the parameters are not linked together.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

As far as I know yes, I haven't seen an API method for applying parameters to native geometry that is pre-existing. I believe it may be possible however if the geometry is created by the process also.

[@QuanNguyen-xh5xk]

​@@AussieBIMGuru Can you teach me to add material for a generic model with Dynamo please? I cant even find the built-in material parameter of the family. I wish i can add a picture here for your better understanding :-(

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@QuanNguyen-xh5xk the only ways I've managed to do this in the past is if I create a new family by geometry. There is a node in the Springs package which can do this (and has a material input), or Rhino Inside can create direct shapes and assign a material. forum.dynamobim.com/t/spring-node-family-instance-by-geometry/8312 discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-inside-revit-direct-shape-update-existing-vs-create-new-geometry-after-modification/83561 I believe in both cases this wont be the material parameter, but just a material itself.

[@QuanNguyen-xh5xk]

@@AussieBIMGuru indeed i did, i created solid blocks in dynamo, then create familytype.bygeometry then place family instance by point. Once i have the family, i added share material parameter for the family but i cant not add material for the family. because this share parameter does not link with the material of the family itself. So sad :-( and i am stuck for 2 days now, cant solve it out.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@QuanNguyen-xh5xk as far as I know it isn't possible. Go on the Dynamo forums and see if anyone knows I'd say.

[@danielsellam-kazoula9970]

Hi Gavin, Is there a way to export the same kind of Excel table from an existing Shared Parameter file ?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Not that I know of - not with all the preformatting etc. that I've set up here. You can however copy a shared parameter file and open it in excel as delimited format though (select 'all files' option when opening in excel).

[@danielsellam-kazoula9970]

Thak you for your answer ! I succeed in exporting thanks to Dynamo and GeniusLoci Package, then reimporting following your tutorial ! But I realize that my goal was not to add parameter to a Family, but to Add Shared Parameters , in a Text Label of an Annotation Family (not in the family) ... Do you know if that is possible ?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I don't believe so... I think the API doesn't provide access to labels (yet)

[@BIMv]

Where I can learn this BIPG codes? I would never know that I should format it like that (PG_TEXT etc. ) . What is the rule behind creating it? Your excel doesn't seem to have all the possible options.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I couldn't find a resource that lists them all so i just learnt them via experimenting. Using dynamo often demands these types of things of us. I eventually added them all to a node in my custom package Crumple. Have a look in their for nodes that contain the term BIPG. I only listed the groups I typically use in my excel file, but my node has them all I think.

[@bennohingler7665]

Hi Gavin, will there be a Tutorial for Revit 2021? Best regards!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It's pretty much the same workflow, just a different build and installer for orchid.

[@anhquantrannguyen20]

Hello. It's a super video for shortening the process of creating repetitive family for me. Thank you very much. At the moment, I cannot add my parameter by the group Dimensions, Others, and Text. Do you have any ideas? I am using Revit 2020.2 and Dynamo 2.3, Orchid is also at 2.3 version

[@AussieBIMGuru]

The group names may be why. I believe other is PG_INVALID and text is PG_TEXT. Dimensions I forget... I have an excel file on my github with the group names if it helps.

[@sujanmaharjan9182]

Hey Gavin, I will try to figure out how you changed the icon of Revit versions on your Taskbar First? I need it badly. :D

[@AussieBIMGuru]

icoconvert.com/ Right click the program on the desktop, properties, change icon. Pin to taskbar and it will retain the icon.

[@marwanbeaino5377]

Great content, thanks Gavin

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome!

[@JasonTian-rz3ls]

Hi Gevin, im always wondering how you map the GUID in this situation?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

The Guid has already been preset in the shared parameters file. In order for the workflow to succeed the file must be set as active for Revit and the parameters must exist in by name and group name.

[@jasontian9450]

@@AussieBIMGuru oh now I understand, it just function like load shared parameters from shared parameters file. Then it is perfect to use ha. I thought the excel file was to replace the txt shared parameter

[@yalpeke]

Hello Gavin, thanks for your time. I am having trouble running the dyn, apparently I have a problem with the Orchid installation. This requires Python. What version of Python do I have to have running? Sorry for the inconvenience.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I just run the default ironpython thar ships with dynamo. For orchid, you need to install via the exes on github (erfajo) and open one of the sample files.

[@yalpeke]

@@AussieBIMGuru Yes run. If I need to create Instance parameters, just by changing the excel file does it work?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@yalpeke you would need to run the script each time you have new parameters to add. It doesn't work dynamically For additional sets consider different tabs and a string input for tab name.

[@yalpeke]

@@AussieBIMGuru thanks

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@yalpeke you're welcome!

[@yvindfagerholt7994]

Hello, Thanks for really great tutorials. How did you figure out the 'Built in parameter group names'? I use Revit(2020) in german - Names and naming convention for families, parameters, groups etc. are also in german. I would like to check if the 'Built in parameter group nameing convention' in the english version corresponds to the german one. or not. best regards, Ø

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Good question. In this case I used some nodes from Archilab which provide access to the builtin group names. I believe there should be a dropdown node that provides then in exposed form. If you happen to know Revit API I suspect this was achieved using an enumeration method to exhaust all the options the enum accepts. If you don't, then that probably didn't make any sense haha.

[@yvindfagerholt7994]

@@AussieBIMGuru Thanks for the quick reply! Found a GeniusLoci node 'Get shared Parameter' That gives me 'ParameterGroup'(built in parameter group names) and 'ParameterGroupLabel'(Names of the group in german). I generated a dummy shared parameter file with one parameter in each common used 'built in parameter group' - runned the node = syncronized lists of german names and builtIn names :) Turns out 'Built in parameter group names' are in ENGLISH(in the german Revit)! I don't know Revit API => I didn't make any sence:( But I will learn! :D

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@yvindfagerholt7994 interesting, I didn't know groups are always in english - thanks for letting me know!

[@melodiehaze5747]

Hi Gavin, I have the node " parameter.createShareParameter" but I haven't the same enter data than you, I miss the first " familyDocument". And for this node, i have " invalid parameter "type". Can you tell me why please ?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Make sure you are using the node that adds shared parameters by name and not the one which tries to create a new shared parameter if it doesn't exist. Orchid has two nodes that do these things.

[@marranpa]

Awesome video. Thanks a lot! There is something that´s bugging me... If I create the parameters from the excel file, will they be the same as the ones from the "Shared parameters file.txt" or will they be different but with the same name?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome! In this case the parameters would not be the same, as what really matters is the Guid which is nominated when the parameter is made. If you know the specific Guid you want to set to the parameter so it matches one that is pre-existing you could do this using the package Genius Loci, which has a slightly more complex node 'Create Shared Parameter with existing GUID'.

[@marranpa]

@@AussieBIMGuru OK! That´s clear then. Thanks for the Genius Loci tip, I´ll give it a try

[@blakewaeghe4319]

Hey Gavin, I am newer at using Dynamo but am trying to use this method to save some time working. I am not the one who created our shared parameters so they are sort of random. I tried to write all the code you did and create the excel sheet but it seems to not be working. I might be adding in the wrong BIP Name but was not sure where to find this.. All your help is much appreciated! Thank you.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Hi blake! Bit of a tricky script for a new user, but gotta start somewhere I guess. If you go to my github and check the dymamo script folder there will be an excel template you can use. This will set the BIP group for you based on a lookup formula.

[@blakewaeghe4319]

@@AussieBIMGuru I have used other programming languages, just new to this one! Thank you for the fast response, I'll let you know if I have any problems!

[@ragnafood5897]

Hi Gavin, will there be a Tutorial for Revit 2022?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

There is one :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqeyY5JmfrZrrLMfeature=shared Crumple is a bit different now but the node works simialrly to this video still. I will be changing it quite a bit in a month or so with the next release however.

[@ragnafood5897]

@@AussieBIMGuru Thanks Gavin, appreciate. now its work our hundres of families can update easier thanks for your generosity. to share this video. i'm new to Dynamo even on programing but your video helps a lot.

[@Rob_Bo]

Hi Gavin, does this copying of the parameters from one excel to another file retain the original GUID of the Shared Parameter?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

In this case the excel file is actually just providing things for dynamo to find in the live shared parameter file itself.

[@toanlehuy6481]

Hi Gavin, I have followed you however it does not work on Revit 2019. I do not understand why. you can make a video about Revit 2019?. Thank you very much.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

For Revit 2019 use this workflow instead; kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp61iaJpbNuYl9E

[@toanlehuy6481]

Thank you so much.

[@rockymeng7675]

if the shared parameter already exists in the family ,will there be an error?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes I believe it may report that it cannot be added, or it doesnt report an error but nothing happens.

[@ahg3395]

Hi Gavin, I've got this to work perfectly, which is saving me loads of time :-). However, I've realised that I have set some of my parameters incorrectly in that they maybe Type and not Instance. I've updated my Excel sheet to reflect the changes required, but when I run the script again it doesn't change the parameters to Type or Instance in the sheet. Any ideas or is there another node to change the parameters?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Clockwork has two nodes that can do this, 'FamilyParameter.MakeType' and 'FamilyParameter.MakeInstance'.

[@jamieschneider5521]

Hi Gavin, Love your work and thanks for sharing! For some reason the graph adds the parameters but not exactly as I've setout in the excel file. For instance, if I have multiple SPs in SP Group = DATA, they might be under Parameter Group DATA, GENERAL, OTHER, etc. It does not appear to read past first Parameter Group designation for each Shared Parameter Group. Nor is it reading and setting Instance correctly. Is this just a limitation that we have to work with, as in just have a Data SP's grouped in the family as DATA (or manually adjust after loading them into the families). Thanks, Jamie

[@jamieschneider5521]

Ahh... Ok everybody, relax. I went on and played with the Add SP to Folder graph and used the Level settings on the SharedParameters.Add node set to L1 and it has resolved my previous issues. Thanks again Gavin!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes it appears the package author changed his node after this recording.

[@jamieschneider5521]

@@AussieBIMGuru Actually still having trouble getting the instance to translate properly. Any ideas why that would be?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Not quite sure, if the list of booleans line up to the parameters and the levels match it should work in my experience.

[@jamieschneider5521]

@@AussieBIMGuru Don't get it but... In the spreadsheet, I say NO to instance when I mean YES, and then find the NO values, the graph sets the params to instance as I wanted. In this case NO doesn't mean NO!

[@jawadhazrat4349]

can you do this without Orchid. My dynamo version is 2.10 there is no Orchid package available for this version of Dynamo.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes if you look later in my dynamo playlist I do this using Crumple only.

[@ravichandra-up1nu]

Good remake...Can you make a video in dynamo for plumbing pipes where they run at 1:100 slope...

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I've played with the pipe tool a bit - it isn't really my specialty currently unfortunately. From what I can tell the slope parameter is read only, so Dynamo cannot interact with it directly. The only way I could get a slope I wanted was to adjust a pipe run as I placed it, or using the slope editor for standard slopes between 1:80-1:40. I couldn't find any workflow for adjusting pipes without breaking the connections which isn't desirable. Suggest asking Dynamo forums to see if anyone has a workflow.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

To keep you updated, I reached out to a pipe expert on LinkedIn and he'll have a look into it in his weekly video updates (Mondays): www.linkedin.com/in/jos%C3%A9-dos-santos-02aa54198/

[@kylebrennan6470]

Another informative video. Thanks Gavin.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome Kyle!

[@cristianmartinez1321]

Hi Gavin, the script works properly for me but it isn't classifying correctly by "Parameter Group" it drops all my shared Parameter in the "Text" , any idea on what am I doing wrong?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I believe text is the default. Some groups are not available from what I recall, which ones are you trying and did you use the excel template from github?

[@cristianmartinez1321]

@@AussieBIMGuru In this case I'm trying "Identity Data" "Dimensions" and "Text" and I'm using the Excel template. Since I haven't done my self the Shared Parameters file, I'll take a look at it and try to find my mistake! So as you said it is creating the parameters and the type of parameter correctly but not the "group parameter under" which is being classified as "Text" by default.. Thanks for the reply!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Hrm I'm not quite sure unfortunately... this workflow seems to have very different results on other people's computers (I receive a lot 'didn't work for me') feedback on this video vs my others and believe orchid versioning has something to do with it and how nodes and levels behave. Some ideas; - try changing @L2 to @L1 and @L1 to no levels - cross check all case management - try just one parameter set to a non text group and see if it works. If not its likely the node vs excel, if it does then its likely something in excel Hope that helps. I'm tempted to make my own copy of this node just so i have full control over how it behaves...

[@cristianmartinez1321]

@@AussieBIMGuru Thanks for the Repply Gavin, I've tried your options, Levels solution is working but now it is classifying all as "Identity Data" instead of what it was doing before (Text). I'll keep looking for a solution !

[@User_2026_]

Hi Gavin, Unfortunately it doesnt work with me at the final step, the warning on Node (Document Curent) it says "Please run this command in a project document" Iam opening family editor same as you, any suggestions?!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

If you are using Orchid for Dynamo make sure to use its specific current document node vs the ootb one.

[@User_2026_]

@@AussieBIMGuru I am afraid to ask more :( the new node in Orchid expects "Group Type as Dynamo Type" in the ( groupType ) input instead of string -as it was in the past- how would convert String data into Group Type data in order to have the Add-Shred node accept it ? this is the last question promise LOL! iam still learning Dynamo btw

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@User_2026_ not sure about Orchid nodes really, will need to drop a query on erfajo's github for those... I have a node in Crumple package to get grouptype by name, as well as a collector for all group types which might work here.

[@steedlei1]

Hi Gavin, is this working on revit 2018 using Orchid package? Thanks mate

[@steedlei1]

ALso can this technique applies to multiple families at same time?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@steedlei1 Hi Lee! I believe it should work in 2018 but it will need to be built in that version specifically. I built and tested this specific script in Revit 2020/Dynamo 2.3 only. The video after this one shows how to run the process in batch (also using Orchid).

[@steedlei1]

@@AussieBIMGuru Cool! I do need this in batch working on 2018 to assign material for new created families (fences following topography) :) Thanks!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@steedlei1 ah that's a slightly different workflow I think... the fences are in the project vs. a library structure. You might just be able to work with the families natively in their host project using Orchid though. Worse comes to worse, you know where to find me :)

[@michellemack8021]

Hello, do you know if this will also work for updating/replacing the parameters? For example, if I have the parameter "Length" set as a "Type" parameter in the family already and I update the excel to an "Instance" parameter and run the script, will it update the family to an Instance parameter or does this only work for adding new parameters to the family? Many thanks!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I believe this only works for adding not adjusting parameters. Check out the 'MakeType' and 'MakeInstance' in Clockwork package as an alternative.

[@michellemack8021]

@@AussieBIMGuru sorry for the second question here... do you know if there's another way to achieve the same thing, but without using the Orchid package? It seems to be really temperamental working with it when you don't have the exact version of Dynamo his packages are made for. Thank you!

[@Fabian-yq8sh]

Hi, im currently binge watching all your videos, really appreciate the content! im was trying to get the orchid nodes from github when i realized im running dynamo 2.2 and they dont seem to work for that version. i installed core version 2.3 then, but that didnt work out (exe doesnt start, idk why). Any tips where i can find some help with the installation? do i have to install something else? Thank you very much!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

If the exe is having problems I would contact the package manager (erfajo) via his github 'issues' page. It's important to note that the installer works for the active windows user profile, so make sure you're cross checking which windows location the files actually install to. I would upgrade to Dynamo 2.3.0 if possible anyway, it's a lot more stable.

[@Fabian-yq8sh]

@@AussieBIMGuru i managed to get Dynamo 2.3. and everyhting worked! Thank you very much, now i can learn Dynamo with your vids :D

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Awesome :)

[@revitplumber]

Is there a way to make these parameters populate without restructuring the shared parameters names and groups? I am working on a project where changing the shared parameter groups and naming is not practical to name properly.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

As long as you reference whichever group the parameter is in as well as its name it should retrieve it successfully. By default the shared parameters will have to be in a group to exist in the file, which needs to be connected for the parameter to be accessible to Dynamo. I have a node in Crumple which returns a list of parameter names and their groups in parallel so you can get their group in this manner if needed rather than specifying it from the excel file to reduce workflow complexity.

[@revitplumber]

@@AussieBIMGuru First off. It is amazing to get a response the same day!! Hats off to you. You mention in the above Video at time 3:31 to 3:45 that it is important to have the parameters and groups in alphabetical order due to issues with the orchid node. I was having an issue with it populating some but not all of the parameters. Your video was very instructive. I read another location that you recommended using Genius Loci and was able to utilize its node in place of the orchid node to achieve the same results. Thank you again for the quick and instructive feedback.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@revitplumber ah yes sorry I have a new version of this workflow that I abandon Orchid for, and this quirk doesn't exhibit itself with that approach, didn't realise this was on the version 2/3 video in my iterations. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqeyY5JmfrZrrLM This should remove the pain points mentioned and also brings the workflow into a package with exposed nodes (Crumple, my own) so you can see how it all works in Python too if this interests you too.

[@revitplumber]

@@AussieBIMGuru It most definitely does. Thank you for all you help.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@revitplumber you're welcome! Keep up the automation journey 💪

[@iftekharkhan8879]

Sir...from where i get this node under which packages??..thanku sir

[@AussieBIMGuru]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJXShKGGe9aXbKc

[@raonijardim]

Hi! When I connect the Document.Current and the AddSharedParameter, it says i´m connectin a "Revit.Application.Document" and it must be a "Document"... Wh is the problem?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Try searching for the current document node from orchid itself, you may have used the ootb one instead.

[@lhiclipper65]

Hi Gavin, finally trying Dynamo after your BIM after dark session pulled me in. Thank you for all the great resources and time you give! One question though, how can you add a Parameter? I want to add a 'Family type: Generic Annotations' shared parameter and am still fighting with that... Thanks!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I assume that might be your thread on the forums also? I tried this also and have the same issue, not sure what the workaround is myself but hopefully someone knows!

[@talhakhan538]

Hello! I wanted to use dynamo to give warning if hole in my slab is more than 3 meter, anyone help please

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You could get floor geometry, isolate the top surface using its normal (parallel to Z axis). From here, get surface perimeter curves, convert them to patches and remove the largest one (this is the overall perimeter. You'll be left with the 'holes', measure their surface area and check if any are greater than 3. If you're checking for span of 3m, get these surfaces bounding boxes and mesure their width/depth instead.

[@joebloor1413]

where can i get the spreadsheet

[@AussieBIMGuru]

github.com/aussieBIMguru/Dynamo_Scripts

[@CodigoBIM]

Excelente presentación, muy completa.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Muchas gracias!

[@wesleyanchietaoliveira4050]

What does this mean: Asked to convert non-convertible types? Can someone help me?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Typically that means there is an input of an inappropriate type for what a node is expecting.

[@wesleyanchietaoliveira4050]

"I'm trying to use your tutorial to create a routine to add shared parameters to mechanical equipment families. For that, I downloaded your spreadsheet: ABG_200309_SharedParams2020. Does this spreadsheet work for mechanical equipment?"@@AussieBIMGuru

[@wesleyanchietaoliveira4050]

Revit 2023@@AussieBIMGuru

[@yukicchi626]

Hi I created as your instruction but Orchid package shows the different name for adding a shared parameter. " Shared Parameter. Add". I could not add parameters to a family for some reason. Do you think the node had been changed and I need to change some things from your method? Otherwise, I did exactly same way, no idea why I cannot add parameter...

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Probably, it seems the nodes changed for this workflow a few times... annoying! Make sure you are using Revit 2020 and dynamo 2.3, orchid for dynamo 2.3.X or later.

[@ATTechTutorials]

It seems like you're using Revit 2021 & Dynamo 2.5. You are right that is it now called SharedParameter.Add, but the method that Gavin shows here works exactly the same.

[@ATTechTutorials]

@@AussieBIMGuru Hey Gavin, looks like the node's warning issue is now gone in Revit 2021 & Dynamo 2.5 when we run the script. But it's interesting that "Dimensions" is not a built in parameter group, so I had to group my shared dimension parameters under another group

[@yukicchi626]

@@AussieBIMGuru I used Revit2020.2 and Dynamo2.3.0. Orchid for 2.3.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@ATTechTutorials thanks Alan! I just about give up with managing Orchid issues, it seems like the package behaves entirely differently depending on build and Revit version...

[@charlesball9522]

Will this also work in Revit 2019.2?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It should, all custom nodes are in this build also for orchid.

[@quoctuanhoang9258]

I could not download pakage Orchid

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Did you go to the github?

[@quoctuanhoang9258]

@@AussieBIMGuru I download online on pakage in Dynamo. I do not have the github

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Everyone has github, it's a website. Search for erfajo on github and follow the instructions.

[@minhhoangconstruction3120]

thank you so much Gavin!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome!

[@sonlamhoang5832]

Hi Gavin, I can't find the excel file on your Github, could you send me? Thank you!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

github.com/aussieBIMguru/Dynamo_Scripts/blob/master/ABG_200309_SharedParams2020.xlsx

[@ahg3395]

Hi Gavin, just a heads up, I have had a problem with the Orchid "sharedparameter.add" node and checked out that this node should work on a Level1 (the package has been updated by the author). But for some unknown reason I'm still getting errors with "Invalid Parameter Type". However, the node used from Dyn to add shared parameters, which you used in a previous video works, happy days :-)

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It seems the orchid node behaves differently in builds of Dynamo and Orchid. The dyn shared params node is ok for pre-R19, although I don't think ships into R20+ successfully. Thanks for letting me know though!

[@ahg3395]

@@AussieBIMGuru I'm using R2018 so the Dyn shared node works fine. But, I am also using the Orchid package for 2018 (OrchidforDynamo_200).

[@peuma_AI]

SAME PROBLEM HERE

[@yogev55]

Hi Gavin, can you please send me the excel file?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It's on my github in the dynamo repo.

[@eddimaruyama]

I’d love to see your approach to this using python only!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Made a video just then scheduled for late June. It's very complex, goes for over an hour and I do it via pyRevit.

[@eddimaruyama]

@@AussieBIMGuru can’t wait!!! Thanks!

[@luischanoise8883]

I couldn't, I don't know what is wrong but not appear my parameters in the family :(

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Sometimes people need to set the levels differently from what I've been told. Try making the @L2 into @L1, and the @L1 no levels.

[@luischanoise8883]

@@AussieBIMGuru Hi again, I tried but I couldn't, Can I send you my files?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@luischanoise8883 try my script on github first, then send me your files (sp file, excel, dynamo). Check excel for typos carefully.

[@luischanoise8883]

@@AussieBIMGuru I took a more time today and finally I could to do this! thanks

[@midhunjohn902]

Very helpful video, sir can u share your dynamo packages?

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I do, check out my github; github.com/aussieBIMguru

[@midhunjohn902]

@@AussieBIMGuru thank you sir✌️✌️

[@clausneergaard]

Hi! Excellent video! Thank you so much for doing what you are doing. It’s great. I have a quick question, though; The Data.ImportExcel-node keeps giving me this error: "Warning: Data.ImportExcel operation failed. Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel, Version=15.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified" Do you by any chance know what this means? I am assuming that it has to do with the version of my Excel-file, could that be correct? My process is, that I write the file in a Google Spreadsheet and then download it to my harddrive as a Excel-file (a temporary work-around, since I don't have the Office-package installed on my machine). I think that it might have something to do with that? Thank you so much!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I believe you need Excel on your machine to read the Excel files in Dynamo. To my understanding it actually uses MS Excel with these nodes to interpret the data, not just the file format itself. You could try exporting the data from Sheets to a CSV file instead maybe? I believe the CSV nodes don't need any program installed to read these files.

[@clausneergaard]

@@AussieBIMGuru Ah ... yes. That could definitely be an explanation. Thank you. I’ll try that. Thanks!

[@namulondosarah6191]

Thanks alot #blessings

[@AussieBIMGuru]

You're welcome!

[@immi85]

You are too fast in Code Block 😄.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

50% video speed ;)