How to Include Family Geometry Dimensions in Revit Detail Schedules

How to Add Family Geometry Dimensions to Revit Detail Tables

Family geometric dimensions specifically refer to properties such as length, width, height, as well as top and bottom elevations. These parameters are added to model families that have defined geometric spaces, allowing for accurate representation of the family’s dimensions within its type. To include family geometric dimensions in schedules, shared parameters must be set up within the family, applied to dimension annotations, and then extracted via the schedule.

First, open your project file and locate the loaded families in the Project Browser under Mechanical Equipment. Examples include the HG Series Fan Case, Cooling Water Tank, Horizontal Centrifugal Pump, Expansion Tank, and Low Noise Fire Fan Box. Wait until all five families are visible, as shown in the image below.

Next, click on each family and record their geometric dimensions—length, width, and height—in an Excel spreadsheet. For instance:

• HG Series Fan Case: 700 x 700 x 610 mm
• Cooling Water Tank: 1100 x 1100 x 1100 mm

Refer to the accompanying figure for examples.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Go to the Manage tab and select Shared Parameters. In the dialog box that appears, click Create and save the file as Geometric Dimensions of the Family.txt, as illustrated below.
2. Within the Edit Shared Parameters dialog, create a new parameter group named Family Geometric Dimensions to organize your parameters, as shown in the image.
3. Click New in the Parameter Properties window and enter the following details: Name it Length, set the type to Length, and make it a Public parameter. See the figure for reference.
4. Repeat this process to add Width and Height parameters. Once complete, click OK.
5. Back in your project, go to the Manage tab and select Project Parameters. Link the shared parameters to the category Mechanical Equipment, as demonstrated in the image.
6. Continue to associate the other shared parameters—Width and Height—with the same category, then click OK.
7. In the drawing interface, select each family instance and enter the corresponding length, width, and height values recorded earlier into the dimension fields on the properties panel, as shown in the screenshot.
8. Finally, navigate to the Analyze tab, then choose Schedules and Quantities. Create a new schedule that will automatically include the family geometric dimension information using the shared parameters, as depicted below.

Summary: This method demonstrates how adding shared parameters to families, combined with detailed schedules, enables accurate calculation of project quantities. These steps are practical and can be applied across disciplines to enhance project management and data utilization.

Related Skills:

How to Display Component Shapes in Revit Parts List

How to Generate Indicators and Detailed Lists in Revit

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