Forums >> Community >> Newbies >> Difference Between CSV/TXT Lookup Tables and Family Types?

haggis102

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Hi Guys,

I'm a Revit Noobie and would really appreciate a little help with some family creation information. I've just finished reading the Metric Families Guide/Tutorial and was just wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between creating flexing parts using CSV/TXT file or by using Family Types?

For example:

I need to create a simple custom pipe bend in various sizes and was led to believe that the way to do this would be to create the part assigning lenght/dia parameters etc and then use a lookup tables for the various sizes to assign values based on the different component sizes.

However, I’ve noticed that I could simply create a standard component and then create different size types in the drop down box of the family type dialogue box which would seem a far simpler option!

I was just wondering which is the correct method and or even if there is a difference/reason for using each method?

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Haggis 

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itsmyalterego

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In order to create different types of a family in your project, you'll have to give a parameter to the diameter of a pipe in your family, for example. 

Without any parameters in your family, your project can't have any way of knowing what types of dimensions of what geometries you want to have flexible. It'll just be a static object.

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haggis102

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I think I'm with you! I assume your telling me that a lookup table will associate a part based upon the size of the pipe drawn where as a family part would need to be manually changed?

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itsmyalterego

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Shoot, I'm sorry, I actually don't know much about CVS/TXT lookup files since I work strictly in revit architecture, but I can tell you that for a custom family you will need to have parameters if you want to make new diamter types from the drop down box.  But I can't comment on your other option.

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haggis102

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Yes I'm cool with creating parametric parts but Revit MEP is slightly different to Architectural in that if you draw pipework and put in a bend or tee etc, a fitting is placed to suit the size of the pipework being drawn.

The fitting is only drawn once but with parametric parameters which refer to an external look up table for values of length/diameter etc dependant upon the size of pipework drawn.

Or this is as I understand it!!!

What I dont really understand is why use these external txt files/tables as opposed to just creating a family type with different sizes?

Thanks for your help anyway, its appreciated. You architectural guys are leading the way as MEP's relatively new and the systems are very similar so your inputs of great help.

Cheers,

Haggis

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TKennedy

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There are a few reasons to use a table instead of putting all the types in the family at once. First, file size. A family with one type and a type catalog will be smaller than a family with a dozen or more types. Another is ease of use. A type catalog lets you load just the few types you will need, instead of forcing you to load all of them. This is a big deal if you have dozens of types, it starts cluttering up your project. Our office's rule of thumb is to use a type catalog when you have over six types.

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haggis102

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TKennedy

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I'm not sure what guide you are looking at, but there really isn't much to them. All they are is comma delimited text files stored in the same location as the family.

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haggis102

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Thanks, I've just found a tutorial which explains it a little better I'll work though it and see how I get on!

Thanks for your help! no doubt I'll be back soon in frustration crying out for help!

Cheers Guys

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