You can filter links in Revit using View Filters based on parameters within the linked model. Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Accessing the Filters Dialog:
- Go to the View tab.
- In the Graphics panel, click Filters. This opens the Filters dialog box.
2. Creating a New Filter:
- In the Filters dialog box, click the New button (the icon usually looks like a blank sheet of paper or a "+").
3. Naming the Filter:
- Enter a descriptive name for your filter. This will help you identify it later.
4. Selecting Categories:
- In the Categories section of the Filters dialog, choose the categories of elements from the linked file that you want to filter. This is crucial. You are filtering elements within the linked file, not the link itself. For example, if you want to filter walls in the linked model, select "Walls." You can select multiple categories.
5. Defining Filter Rules:
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In the Filter Rules section, define the criteria for filtering the elements. This is where you specify which parameters and values to use. This requires knowing the parameters available within the linked Revit model and the values assigned to them.
- Parameter: Choose the parameter you want to filter by (e.g., "Fire Rating," "Level," "Department"). You are pulling these parameters from the linked file, for the categories you specified in the previous step.
- Operator: Select the operator (e.g., "equals," "does not equal," "contains," "greater than").
- Value: Enter the value you want to filter for (e.g., "2 Hour," "Level 1," "MEP").
Example:
Let's say you want to highlight all fire-rated walls with a "2 Hour" rating in a linked architectural model:
- Name: "2 Hour Fire Walls - Architectural Link"
- Categories: Walls
- Filter Rules:
- Parameter: Fire Rating
- Operator: equals
- Value: 2 Hour
6. Applying the Filter to a View:
- In the Filters dialog, click OK to save your filter.
- Now, access the Visibility/Graphics Overrides for the view you want to apply the filter to (either by typing "VG" or through the View tab).
- Go to the Filters tab in the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog.
- Click Add.
- Select the filter you just created.
- In the Visibility/Graphics Overrides dialog, you can now control the visibility, linework, patterns, and transparency of the elements that match the filter criteria. For instance, you can override the color of the "2 Hour Fire Walls" to be bright red.
- Click OK to apply the filter and changes to the view.
Important Considerations:
- Understanding Parameters: The success of filtering links depends on knowing the parameters and their values within the linked model. You might need to coordinate with the team responsible for the linked model to get this information.
- Performance: Complex filters with many rules can impact Revit's performance. Try to keep your filters as simple and efficient as possible.
- Linked Model Updates: If the linked model is updated and the parameter values change, your filters will automatically reflect those changes.
In summary, filtering links involves creating a View Filter based on element categories and parameter values found within the linked Revit model, then applying that filter to a specific view to control the visibility and graphics of those elements.
