Archibus Smart Client Extension for Revit

Revit Commands: Overview

The following topics describe the Archibus commands that you use to connect your Revit model data to the Archibus project database, to update and synchronize your data. The commands are located on the Archibus tab of the Revit ribbon.

revit_ribbon.gif

On the ribbon, the commands are grouped into sections, such as Asset, Enterprise Graphics, and Web Central. To aid you in locating a command on the Ribbon, the online help includes the ribbon section, such as: On the ribbon, select Archibus / Catalog / Data Edit .

Frequently-Used Commands

Command Summary
Set Model-Properties . . Associates a particular Revit level with an Archibus Building and Floor Code. You can associate more than one Revit model or level to the same building and floor, as may be necessary for modeling very large floor plans
Finding Assets These commands enable you to locate assets in drawings when working in the Smart Client grid, or to find assets in a Smart Client grid view when working from the Smart Client Extension for Revit.
Working with Asset Data The Asset commands enable you to efficiently update database records while working on a Revit building model, so that the most current data is available for enterprise reporting.
Catalog The Catalog command provides a quick method for creating and updating an inventory based on model changes.
Uncatalog Use the Uncatalog command to resolve conditions such as duplicately-linked assets
Number Assign sequential primary keys to several items at one time.
Populate The Populate command uses a data-driven means of adding assets, such as equipment and jacks, to your drawing
Infer The Infer command applies data from a selected area asset symbol to all visible asset symbols located within its boundary
Publish 2D This command publishes as enterprise graphics all assets as well as the architectural background graphics for the current Revit level
Publish 3D

This command has two operations:

  • publishes the model to Forge for use with BIM Viewer

  • publishes 3D views as 3D enterprise graphics for use with the Web Central 3D Navigator

Publish Parameters Publishes all Revit parameters to the BIM Parameter Values ( bim_param_vals ) table in the Archibus database
Web Query Generates a Web Central view about the selected asset into Revit from the Archibus database

Mapping and Synchronization

For a complete list, see Resolving Synchronization Issues.

The following are synchronization commands.

Command Summary
Disable / Enable Dynamic Updates Disable dynamic updates to speed your work when making bulk changes to a model. Enable dynamic updates once you have completed bulk updates
Resolve Synchronization Issues When you work in the Smart Client without Revit open, or work in Revit without the Smart Client open, synchronization issues can occur. Use these commands to resolve these issues
Map Database Fields Map any Revit parameter to an Archibus field
Saved Shared Parameters Although this file is automatically created, you can use this command to write a separate shared-parameters file appropriate for each language with mappings in the Archibus BIM Parameters table (afm_bim_params)
Map Asset Standards to Family Symbols In order to populate assets, you need family symbol names inserted into the appropriate Archibus standards table, so that Archibus knows what graphic goes with each data record.  The Asset Standards to Symbol Mapper dialog helps with this task.  It lists the Archibus standards table for the chosen Asset Type.  For instance, it would list the Equipment Standards table for Equipment assets. The dialog lists Revit's catalog of Family Symbols on the right.  If you choose the two to pair, and select the "Map" action, the Extension will load the family symbol into your model, and insert the name into the Archibus standards table. See Map Asset Standards to Symbols
Clear Archibus Data from Model .
Update Grid on CAD Changes This preference controls whether changes made in the Smart Client grid are automatically updated in the BIM model or CAD drawing, if currently open. This setting is set as a drawing preference from the Smart Client

Filtering a Large Number of Elements

Often you want to invoke a command, like Catalog or Number, on only a subset of the elements of a model. For example, there might be instances of both Air-Handler and Electrical-Equipment in a model, and you may wish to work just on the Air-Handlers.

The Extension adds a series of filters for Revit elements, which the Extension commands apply as appropriate.

Each form will display only relevant options and values for the current environment, which are described in detail in the following table.

Filter

Examples

The values that are displayed for the filter

Asset Type

Rooms, Equipment

Restricts the list of Asset Types to just the list relevant to the current command action.

Revit Category

Walls, Doors, Electrical Equipment, Furniture, Mechanical Equipment, Areas

Restricts to just categories appropriate for the current asset and current view.

Filtering by Revit category is optional, and if not desired, the default option in the list is 'No Restriction'.

Revit Family

Furnace, Radiator-Hydronic Baseboard, Boiler, Square Supply Diffuser

Restricts to just families belonging to the currently selected Revit category, and that exist in the view.

Filtering by Revit family is optional, and can be accessed only if there is more than one Revit family in the current view for the selected Revit category.

Revit Family Symbol

Square Supply Diffuser|24"x24"

Restricts to just family symbols for the current family, and that exist in the current view.

Filtering by Revit family symbol is optional, and can be accessed only if there is more than one Revit family symbol in the current view for the selected Revit category.

Asset Standard

Office Type-A [OFF-A]

Restricts to assets of the specified Archibus standard type.

Depending on the functionality, one of two possible lists of asset standards are displayed.

  • All possible standards in the Archibus database for the selected Asset Type.
  • Only standards that exist in the current view for the selected Asset Type. This is the default list displayed.

The currently running command determines which of the two lists will be displayed in the Asset Standard filter, which is described in more detail per command.