by Dennis Collin
Fig. Using Dynamo to tag building pads. (Well almost!)
When working in Revit best practice dictates that when annotating Revit elements in a model view, tag components should be used rather than manual text notes. The reasons for this are that text is a manual annotation whereas a tag component links to parameters within the modelling database and should that information change, all tags referencing that data will change accordingly in all Revit views. Whilst this is fine in principle, there are some objects which cannot be tagged in this way, this includes building pad objects! Building pads in many ways look like floor or foundation slabs which can be made up of different materials. Pads can also be used to cut into or build upon topographic surfaces. These elements often need to be noted either with a building plot number, comment or some other description when creating site plans.
To get around this inability to tag building pad elements and avoiding manual text notes, users can employ Dynamo scripting to compile a list of relevant data and push those notes into a text string, which can be positioned on the relevant object. Whilst technically speaking this is not a true tag object, it does provide a means of coordinating site plan drawing annotations to Revit parameters and schedules. Should information be updated, the Dynamo script can be re-run to resynchronise the text note to the current parameter value.
The Dynamo script collects all the building pad elements, it then creates a point which is used to position the text at the central position of the pad. Another set of nodes sets the parameter value to harvest and then writes that list of values out to their respective text notes.
This kind of challenge is discussed on our various Dynamo training courses. For more information visit Cadline Training, ask on our live chat or call one of our specialists on 01784 419922.