Forums >> General Discussion >> Revit Project Management >> upgrading issues regarding families and filtering

jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
160 Posts

Is there any where that Autodesk posts a list of all the families that have been updated or newly added since the last version?

I have cases where I change the standard family, like duct and pipe fittings, by adding types to them so that I can filter by them.  I havent found any other way to do it.  It works, but theres an issue when upgrading releases.

The issue is every new release comes with the same or similar families, and if any have been added or revised, I would want to use those rather than the ones from the previous release.  A good example of that was with 2010 had a real low end elbow, and the 2011 have a more realistic elbow.  In this particular case, I would need to make changes to the new elbow rather than use the older one.

If I didnt need to add family types, then it would be a moot point.  Any help in either case would be appreciated.

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
13079 Posts

Managing your families takes some work and there doesn't seem to be any easy way.  We actually keep two levels of families in each category.  The first level is our preferred level and so the user gets here first.  We keep our own families or any edited stock families in this folder.  The next folder level in has the stock family.

You do have to run the upgrade utility on your folder so that all your families update.  We maintain a library for each issue.  Currently we still have libraries back to 2008 but I expect to clear that out soon.

NOTE:  Even though you upgrade your templates with each release, the families in the template will be pathed to their original library location so be aware of that.  If you alter a family by editing from the template, you should save it into your new library location.

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jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
160 Posts

Thats exactly what I am finding out.  ALSO, when new items get introduced, like oval duct, or cable trays, what to do then?  It seems you really cant, or shouldn't, use a template from an older version to a newer version, because it wont include any of the newer families.  Do you update your templates then?  How to update the template so that it has the most up to date standards from revit, and your custom stuff.  Also, how to update the pathing issue?

I keep seperate catalog files as well, but it is getting to be an issue with each yearly release.  What do you do when you modify the standards, do you remodify the newer version?

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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Yes, you need to update your template with each issue.  What you choose to add or drop is up to you and obviously, it can't be AND SHOULD NOT BE automatic.  BTW .... your template does not and should not contain everything!  Basic families only.  BUT it should have all lineweights/types- materials - patterns - schedules - legends - sheets - view templates set up.  This is where the template is important.

You never need to update the pathing as long as the correct family is in the template and it matches what is in your library.  As I said, don't edit from the template and just hit save because it will go to the wrong place.

Your last question doesn't make sense.  If we are working in both 2011 and 2012 and we want to improve our standard, we improve 2011 and then save an updated 2012 as well.  We always work in the lowest version we are currently using in current projects (Doesn't include projects issued.).  We only maintain older versions so long.

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jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
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Is there anything in writing done by Autodesk on how to convert a template from an older version?

What do you do about all the families in the template being not only from the previous version, but also are attached to the previous version catalog file.  How do you upgrade the families in the template so they refernce the current catalog file?

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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To upgrade a template:

1. Start a new project in your new release using your old template
2. Everything in the project is automatically upgraded
3. PATHS ARE NOT CHANGED!!!
4. Save the project as a new template in your new location

DONE.

No need to set the families paths as long as you pay attendtion and only save edited families to the library you are in.

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