Understanding Scale Parameters in Revit
Adding a scale parameter in Revit is crucial for managing annotations and ensuring that elements are displayed correctly within different views. This process allows the scale of your elements or annotations to adjust automatically based on the view scale, maintaining cohesiveness in your project documentation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Scale Parameter
Step 1: Open the Family Editor
To begin, launch Revit and navigate to the Family Editor. This can be done by selecting an existing family file or creating a new family instance. The Family Editor is where you’ll create or edit family elements and parameters.
Step 2: Access Family Types
Once inside the Family Editor, look for the Create tab in the ribbon. From there, locate the Properties panel and click on the Family Types button. This will open a dialog where you can manage various parameters for the family.
Step 3: Create a New Parameter
In the Family Types dialog, you’ll see a list of existing parameters. To add a new scale parameter:
- Click the New button to create a new type.
- In the dialog box that appears, provide a suitable name for the new parameter, such as "Scale Factor."
Step 4: Define Parameter Properties
Next, click on the Add button under the Parameters section. The Parameter Properties dialog will appear. From there:
- Set the Parameter Type to Family Parameter.
- Choose the appropriate discipline (e.g., Common, Structural, etc.) based on how you plan to use the parameter.
- Specify the data type for the parameter; commonly, this would be a Number if dealing with scales.
Step 5: Attaching the Scale Parameter
After you have created the scale parameter, you need to associate it with the elements or annotations you want to scale:
- Select the object or annotation symbol in your family that requires the scale.
- With the element selected, go to the Properties palette.
- Locate the newly created scale parameter within the list of parameters and assign it to the element.
Step 6: Save and Load the Family
Once the scale parameter is associated with the appropriate elements, save your changes in the Family Editor. Click on Load into Project to bring the updated family back into your Revit project.
Using the Scale Parameter in Your Project
After incorporating the scale parameter in your family, it will now function according to the current view settings. When you change the scale of a view, the annotations or elements linked to the scale parameter will adjust automatically, ensuring they remain visually consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I modify the scale parameter after it has been added?
Yes, once added, you can go back into the Family Types dialog, select the scale parameter, and modify its properties or value as needed.
Q2: Are scale parameters applicable to all families in Revit?
While you can add scale parameters to most families, it is essential to ensure that the family type supports scaling. Annotation families typically require them for scaling appropriately.
Q3: What is the impact of changing the view scale on annotations?
When the view scale is modified, any annotations linked to the scale parameter will adjust proportionately. This ensures that text size, symbols, and other elements remain legible and appropriately sized across different views.
