Structure to parameter

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Related news and articles

• New plugin for Revit. Structure to parameter
• Revit. Structure to parameter: Reverse result and volume of layers to parameter

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Using

• Settings
• Main window
• Examples
• Command "Volume of layers in the parameter"

The plugin window at first startup:

When you start, go to the settings window by clicking  in the upper right corner of the window, and make the preliminary settings of the plugin.

SETTINGS

In the Parameters section, you need to specify the following parameters:

• Template – required Type parameter with the data type "Multiline Text". This parameter specifies the template of the result formation using the structure wildcard (described below).
• Result – required Type parameter with the data type "Multiline Text". The numbered list of layers of the structure is written to this parameter, taking into account the specified line formats and numbering settings.
• Reverse Result – optional Type parameter with the data type "Multiline Text". The same result as in the "Result" parameter is written to this parameter, but in reverse order. The parameter is filled in, if the processed Type has it.
• Variable thickness – optional Type parameter with the "Text" data type. This parameter specifies a custom variable thickness value that can be used in the string format for a variable thickness layer.

The parameters must be applied to the element categories for which it will be necessary to transfer information about the layer structure to the parameter (e.g. categories "Roofs", "Walls", "Floors", etc.).

The Structure placeholders specified in the template section describes how to use placeholders that are in the template and replaced with a formatted list of structure layers in the "Result" parameter:

@ – used to substitute a formatted list of structure layers in the result

& – used to substitute a formatted list of merged structure layers in the result

[n] – used to specify the indices of layers that will be used to substitute a formatted list of structure layers in the result

^ – used to specify a subheading for the layers. Will not participate in the numbering of structure layers in the result.

The following settings are available in the Numbering section:

Use numbering – when this option is enabled, the layers of the structure will be numbered according to the numbering settings.

Numbering – a drop-down list with options for numbering the layers of the structure

Number format – a character or group of characters that separates the layer number from its description. For example, if you want the string to look like "1. Concrete..." select the Numbering: 1, 2, 3, ..., and in the Number format field put a dot and a space.

In the String format section, you can configure templates for strings containing information about the structure layers that will be written to the "Result" parameter. The string format is specified for the following types of layers:

• Standard layer – a layer of material with a constant non-zero thickness
• Zero-thickness layer – a layer of material with a thickness equal to zero
• Variable thickness layer – a layer of material with variable thickness
• Combined layer – a combined layer consisting of several layers of material with a constant non-zero thickness

You must use wildcards in the string format template: {0} - for inserting the material name, {1} - for inserting the layer thickness, {2} - for inserting the variable thickness from the parameter "Variable thickness", {3} - to insert the number of combined layers. For example, if you write the value "{0} - {1} mm" for the standard layer, the result will look like "Concrete - 175 mm".

The option Take material name from material parameter allows you to specify a material parameter whose value will be used as the material name - {0}. When this option is enabled, a button  becomes available in the Structure column of the main plugin window for changing the material parameter value.

On subsequent runs of the plugin, all the settings you have made are saved.

MAIN WINDOW

The main plugin window consists of the elements of Type filtering and searching, a table of Types and their parameters, and a status bar and control buttons in the lower part of the window.

When you run the plugin, the table displays all the model Types for the multilayer element categories (e.g. categories "Roofs", "Walls", "Floors", etc.).

For convenience and faster processing of Types, you can use the following settings at the top of the plugin window:

• Category – drop-down list, where you can select one category of elements to display in the table of Types or all categories simultaneously.
• Search by Type or material name – the field for quick search in the Type table, is register insensitive.
• Show only Types with required parameters – when on, the table shows only Types with the required "Template" and "Result" parameters.
• Show only used Types – option that, when checked, shows only the Types used in at least one element in the model.
• Show only changed Types – an option that, when enabled, displays only those Types for which the new result value differs from the current result value and the Update checkbox is not selected in the column.

The list of Types and their parameters is presented in the form of a table with the following columns:

Category – category of elements to which the Type belongs

Type – contains the name of the Type and number of instances in the model with this Type

Structure – layer-by-layer structure of the Type. Each row contains the following values:

• layer material
• layer function
• layer thickness (a variable thickness is indicated by a red dot)
• the number of material uses in other Types loaded to the plugin, including the current one. When you click (select) a row in the list of materials, rows with this material in all Types are highlighted in green.

Template – a required parameter. To output the list of structure layers, you must specify the structure wildcard in the "Result" parameter in the cell. The field can be edited in the plugin window. You can also specify additional information before and/or after the structure wildcard in the template. 

For example, the Finish Floor is defined by a Floor, the structure of which will be taken from the Type, but it is necessary to specify also the Flooras a part of the Finish Floor. To do this, enter "Concrete slab" after the structure wildcard and get the following value:

Var. thick – user variable thickness value that can be specified for a layer that has a variable thickness, if necessary. The field can be edited in the plugin window.

To quickly fill the Template or Var. thick field with the same value, you should select several rows (with Ctrl or Shift) and type or paste the value you want in the cell of any selected row.

Current result – value of the "Result" parameter at the moment the plugin starts.

New Result – a numbered list of the structure layers, taking into account the specified line formats and numbering settings, which will be written to the "Result" parameter when you press Accept.

Update – option for selecting the Types, in the parameter of which it is necessary to write the layer structure. In order to check multiple Types it is necessary to select the rows (with Ctrl or Shift) and check any of the selected cells in the column. The option is available if the Type contains both required parameters.

The contents of all columns (except the Structure column) can be sorted by clicking on the column name.

The following conditions must be met for the layer structure to be entered in the Type parameters:

1. The Type contains the required parameters "Template" and "Result"
2. The column "Template" contains a structure wildcard
3. The content in the columns "Current Result" and "New Result" has a difference
4. The “Update” checkbox is checked.

The first cell of each row is highlighted in one of the four colors in order to assess whether the Types meet the above conditions:

• no color – no change, the Type parameters will not be updated
• red – the required parameters "Template" and "Result" are missing or they have not been defined in the plugin settings
• orange – the new result value is different from the current result value. The Type parameters will not be updated, because the Update checkbox is not checked
• green – the new result value is different from the current result value. The Type parameters will be updated, because the Update checkbox is checked.

When the first cells of the rows of the required Types are green, you must click the Accept to update the parameter values in the model.  Note that only the visible green positions will be processed (for example, if the Type in the "Walls" category was checked and then the filter for the "Floors" category was enabled, then the Type in the "Walls" category will not be updated).

To close the plugin window, press Cancel or press Esc.

The status bar displays information about the number of Types in the table corresponding to the different conditions.

After you click Accept the Result window appears:

EXAMPLES

VOLUME OF LAYERS IN THE PARAMETER

The command counts the volumes of layers and writes them as a numbered list to the multi-line instance parameter of the element, as well as the total volume of layers in a multi-line Type parameter.

As with the main command, you must first go to the settings window by clicking  in the upper right corner of the window and make the preliminary settings.

The settings are mostly similar to those of the main command, but there are some differences.

The Template parameter can be used the same as for the main command.

Result for instances – instance parameter with the "Multi-line text" data type. This parameter contains a numbered list of structure layer volumes, taking into account the specified string formats and numbering settings.

Result for Type – a Type parameter with the "Multi-line text" data type. This parameter records a numbered list of the total volumes of the structure layers, taking into account the specified string formats and numbering settings.

The parameters must be added to the categories of elements for which it will be necessary to write information about the volume of layers to the parameter (for example, the categories "Roofs", "Walls", "Floors", etc.).

Rounding the volume value – drop-down list for selecting the rounding of layer volume value.

The window of this command is also similar to the main command of the plugin:

The following conditions must be met for layer volumes to be entered into the element instance parameter:

1. The Type contains the required parameters "Template" and "Result"
2. The column "Template" contains a structure wildcard
3. The "Update" checkbox is checked.

After you click Accept the Result window appears: