January 19, 2016

Did You Know That You Can Add Equality Formula’s To A String Of Dimensions?


Hi folks IX  here.  One of the Senior Application Specialist here at Ideate, Inc. 

NEW TO REVIT 2016!!!  Well okay how about NEW to Revit 2013.  Did you know that you have the ability to add equality formula’s to a dimension string giving you the ability to take your dimension to the next level? 

To add an equality formula to a dimension string you’ll first have to setup the equality formula in the dimension family and assign the instance of the dimension string to display the equality formula.  It’s very straightforward.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
  
Let’s start off with the equality formula options.  You have the ability to report back 4 separate parameters within a formula.  Length of Segment, Number of Segments, Number of Witness Lines, & Total Length.  Users also have the ability to set spaces, a prefix, as well as a suffix.

Equality Formula (Dimension Parameters)

• Length of Segment = Reports the equality length
• Number of Segments = Reports the number of dimension in a string
• Number of Witness Lines = Reports the number of dimension witness lines in a string
• Total Length = Reports the total length of the dimension string
 
 
Once you have setup your equality formula you’ll need to assign the dimension string to report the display of the formula.  Each dimension string has the ability to report the string in 3 separate ways Value, Equality Text or Equality Formula.
  
Equality Display:

• Value = Reports the dimension value regardless if equality is on
• Equality Text = Reports the Equality Text parameter set in the dimension family found in the “Other” group parameter category area
• Equality Formula = Reports the Equality Formula parameter set in the dimension family found in the “Other” group parameter category area
 


 
 
Putting it all together…  All you need to do is create a dimension family that has a Dimension Equality Formula setup to your desired look and a dimension string instance parameter reporting the Equality Formula set in the dimension family.
 
 
Enjoy this Dimensioning String Equality Formula workflow tips and tricks.  Look for my next month’s BLOG where I’ll be covering adding tolerances to a dimension string.
 
Cheers
IX
 
Thank you for reading. For more information on AutoCAD and other Autodesk products, and information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com.
 


 
 
AEC Senior Application Specialist

Eugene A. O’Day, IX, with more than 25 years of architectural and mechanical experience, offers a trained focus on all things Revit and BIM. Teaching is a passion of his. Eugene has been an instructor in undergraduate degree programs, has traveled worldwide teaching Autodesk solutions to major corporations, has taught at accredited ATCs throughout the Northwestern region, and is a frequent and popular instructor, speaker, and presenter for AUGI® CAD Camps, Revit – and related product user groups. He has also been a trusted public school district advisor on new drafting instructor hires. At Ideate, Eugene provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and AutoCAD. Eugene is also a Revit Architecture Autodesk Certified Professional.