by Dennis Collin
This blog post is similar to the post Revit, Railing & Fence Post Count Script - here, we are describing a simpler but less accurate method of getting the requested results.
One of Revit’s strengths is its approach to data driven design and the automated creation of schedules, which ensure consistency when issuing construction documentation.
Fig 1. Revit needs a custom parameter to store the number of posts for railings.
Whilst Railing and Fence families can be scheduled per instance and certain parameters like manufacturer, length and family description and comments can be scheduled, Revit currently lacks a native ability to count what many to consider a vital part of any railing or system family. Namely the thing that holds it up or posts!
Fig 2. Additional Project parameters can be added to provide some flexibility to this workaround solution.
A quick method to calculate the number of posts is to create a formula to calculate them. This can be achieved by taking the railing length and dividing it by a post spacing value and outputting an integer value which can then be scheduled.
This solution will usually provide a correct answer, but for some systems a correction may need to be applied to derive an actual value where a bespoke end offset needs to be considered.
Fig 3. Using Revit’s roundup function ensures an integer value is obtained for whole post numbers.
For flexibility to use on different railing or fence systems, the post spacing value and correction value can be set as instance-based parameters.
Fig 4. The railing schedule with post count!
A better solution therefore would be to derive a method of counting the post component themselves. Using a suitable Dynamo script or 3rd party solution, however for most simple examples this quick workaround might provide an acceptable result.
This solution is certainly better than manual counting and then entering the information on a spreadsheet!
Advanced scheduling, parameters and Revit work-around solutions are some of the topics covered on our follow-on Revit training courses. Visit the Arkance UK site to get an overview of the courses on offer and talk to one of the team for dates and availability or if you have more bespoke requirements, just ask, we are here to help!