Creating an Annotation Symbol Family

An annotation symbol is a tag or symbol applied to a family to uniquely identify that family in a project. The tag can also include properties that appear on schedules. See Creating a Schedule or Quantity.

You create annotation symbols by selecting the family category with which you want to associate the symbol, sketching the symbol, and applying values to its properties. Some annotation families are for tag purposes. Others are generic annotations used for varying purposes.

This is a general procedure for creating an annotation symbol. Your steps may differ based on design intent.

Specify sample text

1. Click New (Annotation Symbol).
2. In the New Annotation Symbol dialog, select the Annotation Symbol template for the project, and click Open.

   The templates are all very similar. Some may already have predefined properties and values.

   Revit opens the Family Editor.

3. Click Create tabProperties panel (Family Category and Parameters).

   See Family Category and Parameters.

4. In the Family Category and Parameters dialog, select a category, such as Generic Annotations.
5. Specify the Family Parameters, and click OK.
   Note: Parameter options vary depending on family category.
6. Click Create tabText panel (Label).
7. In the Type Selector, select the label type.
8. On the Format panel, select the vertical and horizontal justification.
9. In the drawing area, click to position the label.

   For example, in a generic model tag template, place the cursor at the intersection of the 2 reference planes.

10. In the Edit Label dialog, under Category Parameters, select the parameter you want in the label, and click (Add parameter(s) to label). If necessary, you can add a new parameter.

    If you select a numerical or dimension value, you can specify the formatting of the value.

11. Click OK.
12. To modify the placement of the label, click Modify, select the label, and then drag it to the new location.
13. Select the label, and click Modify | Label tabLabel panel (Edit Label).
14. In the Edit Label dialog, edit the Sample Value for the Description parameter, and click OK.
15. Sketch the shape of the tag symbol, such as a circle. Click Create tabDetail panel (Line), and then select a Draw tool.
16. Save the annotation.
    Note: Generic annotations have multiple leader options when loaded into a project.