The Family Category and Parameters tool assigns the properties of a predefined family category to the component you are creating. The tool is only available within the Family Editor.
Family parameters define behaviors or Identity Data that apply across all types in that family. Different categories have different family parameters based on how
Revit expects the component to be used. Some common examples of family parameters that control how the family behaves include:
- Host: Displays the host for a host-based family, such as Wall. This setting is based on the template from which the family was created.
- Work Plane-Based: When selected, the family is hosted by the active work plane. You can make any non-hosted family a work plane-based family.
- Enable Cutting in Views: When selected, the family geometry will be displayed as cut when the cut plane of the view intersects the geometry. If not selected family geometry is displayed as projected in views no matter the position of the cut plane of the view.
- Always vertical: When selected, the family always appears vertical at 90 degrees, even if it is on a sloping host, such as a floor.
- Cut with Voids When Loaded: When selected, voids created in the family will cut through solids. The following categories can be cut by voids: ceilings, floors, generic models, roofs, structural columns, structural foundations, structural framing, and walls.
- Part Type: The Part Type provides additional classification for a family category and determines the family behavior in the model. For example, Elbow is a part type for the Pipe Fittings family category.
- Round Connector Dimension: Defines whether the size of the connector is determined by the radius or the diameter.
- Maintain Annotation Orientation: For face hosted-based, and for work plane-based families with Always Vertical disabled, nested annotation family placed horizontally in the family definition will be oriented in horizontal position in the model, rendering it visible in plan and ceiling views.
- Shared: This parameter is only relevant when the family is nested into another family and loaded into a project. If the nested family is shared, you can select, tag, and schedule the nested family separately from the host family. If the nested family is not shared, then components created by the host family and nested family act as a single unit.
- Identify Data parameters include Omniclass Number and Omniclass Title which are based on the Omniclass Table 23 product classification.
To specify family parameters:
- In the Family Editor, click Create tab (or Modify tab)
Properties panel
(Family Category and Parameters).
- From the dialog, select a family category whose properties you want to import into the current family.
- Specify the family parameters.
Note: Family parameter options vary depending on family category.
- Click OK.