Smart Browser - Tools 4 Revit

Smart Browser
The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily
Browse and Find Revit® Families
Smart Browser
Working with Families
•
The Smart Browser is an independent family content browser where families can be
easily and quickly searched and placed into the project;
•
families are listed in a tree structure allowing the user to group them by original folders,
categories, insertion types or unit systems;
•
Allows you to overview family types and parameters containing values;
•
has ability to overview all family 2D and 3D views (using DWFX) before inserting it to the
project;
•
elements can be quickly found by family name, family type, parameter name or value;
•
has the current project family browser.
Smart Browser
Revit extension Smart Browser allows to quickly and easily browse and
find Revit® families that are stored in the user’s computer or on your
server.
Smart Browser
Browser Options
Before working with the Smart Family Browser you need to configure
the software by accessing the “Browser Options”.
Smart Browser
Browser Options
Add New Families Folder from your computer or server – locate the folder with your
Revit library files.
Start – creates an XML file which uploads families from the computer or server to the
browser. During the new XML file creation the extension opens every family from the library,
reads all its information (types, parameter names, parameter values, category, host type
etc.) and creates a picture (PNG) and 3D (DWFX) files (if selected in configuration).
Creating XML file can take a considerable amount time ( .5 hours to 24 or 36 hours), which
is dependent on the size of the library.
It is recommended that a fast computer be used to create the initial XML file. You can
batch process folders by selecting individual folders or sub-folders and then adding more
folders at a later time.
Smart Browser
Browser Options
Older file formats – because the XML file generation opens every file, this will cause Revit
to convert old families to the current version of Revit as the family is opened. This does take
time. The XML creation process does not save the families, so they will remain in the older
format. Prior to the creation of the XML database it is recommended to use the Revit update
utility to batch process the updating of all families to the current release.
Create 3D dwf - select if DWF files are necessary in the browser for 3D viewing. Please
note that this can significantly increase the time it take to create the database.
Smart Browser
Browser Options
One XML file can have
several location to different
libraries.
Browser Data Storage Location – browse the folder where XML file with the library
database is to be placed. This can be placed onto a network server for access by multiple
users. Please use UNC pathing to point to the server and folder (i.e. //server1/revit/library).
Make sure that the UNC path can be resolved via IP ping. This may require modification of
HOSTS file.
Select Existing – select existing XML file if it was created before with previous Smart
Browser versions.
Make Backup – makes backup file of the current XML file.
Delete – deletes current XML file.
Smart Browser
Browser Options – when your library is on network
If your library is used by your whole company and it is located on a
server, you don’t need to create XML files for each computer.
You have to make the first XML file with a full path to your library
though the network. Please use UNC pathing to point to the server
and folder (i.e. //server1/revit/library).
Next, it is required to change the path on every computer to point to
the XML file on the network.
Smart Browser
Browser Options
Families thumbnails and 3D DWF files location – select the folder where PNG and DWF
files is to be placed. This can be placed onto a network server for access by multiple users.
Smart Browser
New feature in v2013.4 and v2012.6:
Show if the library was modified!
Browser Options
Synchronize – updates the library if there are any changes to the families. Running this will
cause all indexed Revit family files to be checked and re-indexed into the database in the
event that they have been modified since the last synchronization.
Create 3D dwf – makes DWF files for 3D viewing if those are not created jet.
Delete Backup’s – during synchronization process deletes backup files.
Smart Browser automatically will show if
the library was modified. Now user can
know when XML file should be updated.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
Smart Family Browser – opens the external predefined family browser.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
Smart Family Browser works independently from the Revit® project.
To reduce the time it takes to load the Smart Browser, please note that it is not necessary
to close the Smart Browser dialog when the user works within his projects.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
Browser shows all family types, parameter
names, parameter groups, parameter
values, formulas, parameter types and
units when an element is selected.
File Location – shows location where the
selected family is placed.
Open Folder – opens a folder where the
selected family is placed.
Edit Family – goes to the selected family
editing mode.
Smart Browser
New feature in v2013.4 and v2012.6:
New column is added for formulas!
Smart Family Browser
If parameter values are displayed with grey
color it means that those values are type
values and will effect all the type in the
project.
If parameter values are displayed with white
color it means that those values are instance
values and will effect every instance family in
the project.
If parameter names are displayed with blue
color it means that those parameters are
shared and user will be able to use them in
schedules and tags if needed.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
Families are conveniently grouped together in a tree where the user
can filter it by configurable criterions. The criterions can be selected
with “Configure Filter” button at the top of the tree.
If “Category” and “Insert Type” are selected, elements in the tree can
be expanded and filtered under these criteria:
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
Search By - searches for families by family name, family type,
parameter name, parameter value, Price or Version.
“Search By” works on the selected group in the
family free. If “Search in all Catalogs” is selected
then the search will be made through all families that
are in the browser database.
New feature in v2013.4 and v2012.6:
Possibility to search by family version!
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
With the right click you can change presentment of families. If “Details” will be selected then
you can know Revit version when family was saved.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser – Preview 3D dwf
Preview 3D DWF – Turns on a separate DWFX dialog and shows the selected element.
Before using the browser Autodesk® Design Review software must be installed.
User can use all Autodesk Design Review features: view, mark up, print, measure in 2D and
3D drawings.
Smart Browser
Smart Family Browser
To insert the element to the project use drag-and-drop functionality. Element will be loaded
by default with the first type.
Load Type – loads
family with the
selected type only.
Load Family –
loads the family with
all it’s types.
Smart Browser
Project Family Browser
New feature in v2013.4 and v2012.6:
Possibility to see tags and other detail
families!
Project Family Browser –
opens the browser with families
from the current project.
Convenient dialog allows you to
filter/find elements and with
drag-and-drop put it to the
model.
Filter by – filters elements by
family name or family type.
Edit Family – goes to the
selected family editing mode.
Browser works like external
application, so you don’t need
to close it.
Smart Browser
Project Family Browser
Project Family Browser allows to transfer families from one project to other. Projects has to
be open in one Revit. With drag and drop you can select family from project 1 and place it to
project 2.
Smart Browser
New feature in v2013.4 and v2012.6:
Dialog with Smart Browser review!
Let us know your opinion!
After using the some time Smart Browser will show dialog where we are welcome to place
your opinion about Smart Browser. Your opinion will be sent to [email protected]
If you have downloaded Smart Browser from Autodesk Exchange Apps then the tool will
open Smart Browser in Autodesk Exchange Apps for you could leave your message about
Smart Browser. Copy of your message will be sent to [email protected]
Smart Browser
Benefits
• The SMART BROWSER Revit add-on reduces by 50% or more the amount of time spent
searching through your families allowing you to create more projects and earn more money in
less time.
• No special training necessary.
• There’s no money to invest. There are no fees for the SMART BROWSER license and no
charges for upgrades, etc., as the plugin is created, endorsed and sponsored by tools4revit©
developers.
tools4revit
TOOLS4REVIT© is developed by AGA CAD Ltd., Autodesk
Authorised Developer
AGA-CAD is the supplier of computer-aided design software and data management solution, operating since 1991.
Company’s activities consist of TOOLS4REVIT development, Revit® families creation, programming services for
working with BIM projects faster and easier. With resellers in a number of countries AGA CAD Ltd. implements BIM
solutions for architects, structural and MEP engineers, constructors and building contractors.
If you have any ideas or problems and you would like to
make your work with BIM projects faster and easier we can
design a tool or a program especially for you. Write your
ideas directly to [email protected].