To create an Area Tag family in Revit, you start by using the Generic Annotation family template and then change its category to "Area Tags".
Creating custom tags in Revit allows you to display specific information about elements like areas in your project in a clear and standardized way. For Area tags, the key is to use the correct family template and assign the appropriate category.
Steps to Create an Area Tag Family
Based on common practice and the provided reference, the process is straightforward:
- Start a New Family: Begin by creating a new family file.
- Select the Template: Choose the Generic Annotation family template. This template is a good starting point for most annotation symbols and tags that need to display text or simple graphics and scale correctly on sheets.
- Change the Family Category: Once the family is open in the editor, navigate to the Family Category and Parameters settings.
- Set Category: Change the category from "Generic Annotations" to "Area Tags" (or the specific category relevant to your tagging needs, as the reference suggests, but "Area Tags" is standard for Area plans).
- Define Tag Graphics and Labels: Within the family environment, use the available tools to draw any necessary graphics (like a circle or box) and, most importantly, add Label elements. These labels pull information directly from the Area elements in your project (like Area, Area Number, Name, etc.).
- Load into Project: Save the family file and load it into your Revit project.
As the reference indicates: "If you need to create an area tag i would create a new family from the "generic Annotation" family and change the family category to "area" or whatever you need. It will automatically change avaliable parameters per that category."
Changing the family category is crucial because it automatically makes the appropriate parameters available for you to include in your labels. For example, setting the category to "Area Tags" ensures you can easily add labels that display the Area Name, Number, or Calculated Area value.
Why Use the Generic Annotation Template?
The Generic Annotation template is designed for 2D annotation elements that appear the same size relative to the paper on a sheet, regardless of the view's scale. This is exactly how tags should behave, making it the ideal template for creating tags like Area Tags.
Key Elements in an Area Tag Family
When designing your Area Tag family, you will typically include:
- Labels: These are the core of the tag, pulling data like Area Number, Name, and Area value from the Area object.
- Lines/Graphics: Optional lines or shapes to frame the text or serve as a leader attachment point.
By following these steps, starting with the Generic Annotation template and correctly setting the family category, you can create custom Area Tags that meet your project's specific requirements and display the necessary information accurately.
