Managing general notes in Revit!

[@czh998]

This takes general notes / reference notes to a new level, very inspiring👍.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@stephenroche1488]

Need to use note no.3 more often going forward, thanks for the tip! Another great vid

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Haha yep note no.3 is a good one!

[@BIMGenie]

I create some highly customized content. I will put it into a blank model and on a sheet. Then I use this workflow to identify the content features and workflow intended to be used with it and any further information the designer may need. Highly versatile workflow. 👌

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes building in a cleaner model tends to make things a bit easier before introducing it to the live model systems - good approach!

[@BIMGenie]

@@AussieBIMGuru Thanks man! I'd love to share, but it's all confidential and NDA tied. 😶

[@willhull-brown9664]

Very smart Gavin. I like it!!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks Will!

[@abumuataz6478]

Thanks , ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Youre welcome!

[@MartinsMichel]

Fantastic! I wanted an alternative other than the key notes.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Glad I could help!

[@abumuataz6478]

Select generic mode fro schedule list

[@mohamedsamir8824]

I have another method by using keynote legend by using keynotes can add all notes in one text file and make number for each notes, after that add keynotes in location what do you need make schedule keynotes legend add keynotes for each sheets contain keynote, can make numbers of notes apper on each sheet by project or by sheet.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

That is indeed an option. I usually use keynotes to manage codes/descriptions, so I find this can be a bit difficult to handle versus a multiline text parameter which provides more editing functionality however. Keynote descriptions must be continuous line and must be associated to an element (even if on a user basis), so don't function as well for general notes in my experience.

[@jamiew5039]

1. Your understanding of Revit is great. It helped me think about strategy. 2. I always thought of General Notes as not applying to a specific area of the plan, I think you are talking more about keyed notes or location specific notes. 3. For General Notes, why not just use a legend with simple text? You could create a legend with General Notes for each view series or sheet type, and even make the text a detail group for easy transfer between projects.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks Jamie! Yes for general notes that don't require a reference on the sheets/drawings a generic annotation on a legend is my preferred approach, that way the notes are controlled at a library level. In the case of noting them on a sheet this is probably moreso a specific notes approach.

[@nitishsharma4832]

It was amazing tutorial

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks!

[@christopherhanson9351]

Fantastic lesson. How do you approach having these schedules on sheets which only show the numbers related to each sheet's views? Lately I have created a Text parameter in the annotation family meant to hold a list of sheet numbers (that are typed in manually), then created different schedules for the various sheets and filtered each schedule via the sheet numbers Text parameter. This has many consequences I don't like, the top two being that it clutters my schedule browser and that the schedules don't inherently sense which sheets they are on (no "Filter by sheet" option available), but I haven't come up with a smarter method.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Thanks! Your method is probably the only way to do it using note blocks unfortunately. The alternative is to use keynotes for general notes, but that in itself becomes a bit of a headache. I agree that this system could really benefit from the 'visible on sheet' logic that keynote legends allow. You could use Dynamo to check the sheet each note is on regularly, then populate it automatically that way I guess? Same issue with multiple schedules formatted the same way to manage, but less manual management of the filter parameter.

[@christopherhanson9351]

@@AussieBIMGuru I thought you'd say that, and I figured Dynamo would be the closest way to automate it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@why0engineering]

@@christopherhanson9351 @Christopher Hanson I did the same thing only to find out some of the pitfalls you mentioned above. I can't believe I'm saying this but I think using user keynotes is the way to go since managing the keynote sheet references such a big part of this. What would you guys recommend for tagging elements in the model. Another pitfall with using user keynotes is that they have to be tagged to an element. For MEP designers this can be troublesome since we delete elements all the time and don't want to lose that key note association. I asked an architect about this once and he said to use a reference plane and tag that seemed rediculous. But maybe it's the only way. Any ideas?

[@why0engineering]

Also to add to that, when using user keynotes when construction has started typically some keynotes need to be removed from The view. This creates problems since it will automatically rename all the keynotes on the sheet since you deleted one of the entries. Have you guys found any workarounds for this?

[@christopherhanson9351]

​@@why0engineering Per your first comment: I still advise note blocks over user keynotes when placing general notes. The biggest boon that comes to mind is that note blocks allow someone to add and use multiple parameters; the parameters of keynotes are locked down, you cannot add to them. Having multiple parameters allows you to filter them. For example, if you place a note block symbol on a view which you want to use only for a specific time (such as for an in-house review of some drawings), you can create a "Review Date" parameter, fill it out on appropriate note symbols, then later use view filters to hide those in several views. The way I see it, general notes are used either for a limited time or on limited views (such as the construction documents views), so using symbols rather than tagging parameters is appropriate precisely because the contents of the general notes are not permanent information inside modeled objects. Per your second comment: See what I wrote above, particularly the last sentence. Symbols/Generic Annotations are not based on parameters of modeled objects and therefore can be easy to filter out or remove entirely.

[@noss81]

When I tried to implement this back in 2013, I was told "that is too hard" Unfortunately it's still a struggle to get people to adopt it

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It sure can be difficult to bring people along for a journey of efficiency when they're set in old ways - I can relate. Many companies out there still abuse text notes hard, but a few I've come across have this as their system.

[@francoisgeldenhuys6431]

much appreciated!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Glad to help!

[@mep_guy]

You have any good techniques for creating cover sheet general notes, or even Specifications/Book specs (We sometimes include these on our sheets, not on 8.5x11)? I use the note block type notes for my sheet notes, but I've never come across a good way to organize large amounts of text. I can definitely see using the work around method, but I think you're like me, I don't really like to use these types of techniques. Is the best method for large sets of notes, to just use text boxes? I'm actually surprised Revit doesn't have a dummy schedule not linked to any element. It would essentially be just like and excel file, but at least it could give the flexibility to create multiple columns for formatting. Just wondered if you had any good techniques. I think the work around will work for me in the meantime.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

It really depends on a few things... What benefit does having spec notes inside a model bring, if we're talking beyond general/cover notes? And secondly are the spec/note writers actually using Revit, and if so do how do you manage spec data across multiple projects? If the answer to these is that it isn't, then I tend to avoid putting text blocks onto sheets when it could be better stored externally, assuming we're talking beyond note blocks. Most firms i know store their general drawing related notes in a generic annotation family or set of families so it is stored outside the model at library level to keep it consistent, but I haven't seen firms have success with using the model environment as a spec or detailed notes sheet typically in any other way.

[@mep_guy]

@@AussieBIMGuru thanks for the Reply! Definitely agree with the specs, but in the MEP trades you'll see this practice a lot for small jobs, not that it makes it correct. I like the idea of using a generic annotation to store the text data. I will definitely look into taking that route.

[@daveotis7016]

What's about specific notes? What do you recommend? For my experience, the keynote function isn't the best way to do this because the note change very frequently. Thanks!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

A specific note is probably acceptable as text unless you want to capture it in a note block. I almost never use keynotes for notes (even though in principle it works), mainly as the people making notes don't know how keynote files are structured, so it's high risk giving them the ability to edit the file, and it's also really hard to write in a tab separated file for longer notes. You could also switch the annotation symbol's properties to instance based if you wish, or have an alternative note family with a toggle to use an override parameter and an if statement to inherit the manually written parameter value or the type based one, then they can still be scheduled together in a note block. At a higher level, I find usually our notes are far too specific in AEC and say things that are really managed by contractors or captured in a spec. In an ideal world we'd just label all the systems, dimension the set-out and let our spec/details do the talking. Too many architects treat the drawings like a specification these days.

[@asifkhorrami384]

I am wondering if you would share a double storey project of yours perhaps the one in this video purely for educational purposes, I am happy to even pay for it as I want to use for educational reasons only.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

The model in this video is part of my housing template package I sell over here: courses.bimguru.education/courses/template-revit-housing There are some free models on the website also. My housing template is paid as it is used by clients/customers.

[@ruthnolasco4]

The problem with using Schedules and Keynotes, you can't use spell check.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

There's a few apps out there that try to help here such as Ideate spellcheck but yes naturally revit has some issues there.

[@hendrik-jansmit8064]

Then also can I create a parameter to choose which of these notes to apply to this sheet/project? Thanks for your assistance! Regards, Hendrik-Jan

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes if you made a parameter to store the sheets the tags are on this could be done. A tool like Dynamo would be needed to automate the addition of the sheet numbers to that field however I think.

[@thelunatick1993]

@ Aussie BIM Guru Issue I see with the note family created is the number of family now listed in the browser. Instead of one family. There is an instance for each note. Could be hundreds to page through. How to solve that Also wondering if it could be exported with something like diroot to have the edit ability inside of excel or a text file shack as user keynotes can. But without limitations user keynotes has (association required to place)

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Yes these are both workarounds to address the issue that Revit doesn't have a suitable/simple system to deal with this. I believe the note block is their intended approach, but as you identified you end up with lots of family types potentially. The SheetLink addin by DiRoots could be used to update a note family by getting the types of the note family and their note type properties, sure.

[@thelunatick1993]

@@AussieBIMGuru Is why the user keynote does this is a bit more manageable. And simply other than its association requirement. Does one creates invisible objects with keynotes. Or Label the family with a prefix. Like z to group it at ends of list. Or Note in a table without the protection of being assigned into each family instance but scheduled. Or Is there a better way? Revit really needs more browsers for focused navigation

[@AussieBIMGuru]

@@thelunatick1993 there's no one way to do it, any approaches work. Personally I prefer a note family so at least the family holds data versus an invisible object a user wont see probably. User keynotes are a good method sometimes but the keynote file needs to be managed carefully and can't support multiline formats like a tag family can.

[@nitheshramanan]

Hey Gavin, Just an out of topic query which I guess you might have crossed in your initial days. What do you think about patenting workflow solutions? I'm pretty confused if this is possible or worth the time and money. I have a workflow where dynamo is just a part of the process which will result in a noticable savings and quality in design. The dynamo packages I've used are open source which is what confuses me.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I don't think that would be possible, as you don't own the rights to open source packages. It's almost impossible to lock down Dynamo scripts unless you build in a system to nodes in a package you develop that only work under very specific circumstances (e.g. does the username running the script belong in a database you control). Beyond this, securing a patent is a long and expensive process so not sure if you've taken that into consideration also? And enforcing it is still up to you legally, so you'd need to take people to court if they breach your patent also. Not worth it, in my opinion.

[@nitheshramanan]

@@AussieBIMGuru Great insight mate. Thanks! I admire your skills! Keep rocking..

[@hendrik-jansmit8064]

Hi Gavin, thanks for a great video! I've created a Schedule (shown in your first example for General Notes, using exactly the same parameters as you. However my text note column is not Multiline Text. Is it possible to change this TEXT to MULTILINE TEXT, without retyping the schedule? I've tried a View Template, but this didn't change it to Multiline. Then also

[@AussieBIMGuru]

I believe you'll need to make a new parameter as data types are locked down on creation. You could use an automation tool to transfer the values across though to save some time in making a new parameter.

[@matthewosullivan7632]

Awesome stuff man - Just slow down a bit eh. It's tough to absorb when you're at a million miles an hour!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Haha yeah many people watch me on 75% speed I hear...

[@ruthnolasco4]

can you insert a cell in the middle of the schedule? i'm trying to create general notes using schedule keys. if i use insert data row, it adds to the bottom of the schedule.

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Hrm I can't seem to recall if you can - i usually insert and move it up or sort them in the schedule properties.

[@ruthnolasco4]

@@AussieBIMGuru thanks!