In this session, we are going to add TaskID as a shared project parameter to Revit model elements before we export the model elements to Navisworks for 4D simulation. The reason for doing this is to make the process of linking together tasks and model elements easier in Navisworks for 4D simulation. First we need to know that Revit stores the definition of shared parameters in a separate text file. The benefit of doing so is when we want to add the same parameter definitions into other Revit families or projects, we can just load the text file. Since we don’t have existing definition for the parameter in this case, let us create the definition of a shared parameter. Under the “Manage” tab, go to the “Setting” panel, and click on the “Shared Parameters” icon. Because we do not have a shared parameter file yet, we need to create one first in the “Edit Shared Parameters” dialog. Click on the “Create” button. In the pop-up window, we choose a file folder to save the file and input the file name. Click on “Save” to save the shared parameter file. In the “Edit Shared Parameters” dialog, note that every parameter belongs to a parameter group, so we need to create a parameter group first. In the “Group” box, select “New.” We name the group according to its use, so we input “4D” and click on “OK.” The name “4D” now automatically appears in the “Parameter group” drop-down list. Let us add a new parameter definition in the “Parameters” group box. Click “New” to add the definition of a shared parameter. In the “Parameter Properties” dialog, we name this parameter “TaskID.” Choose “Common” for “Discipline” and select “Text” in the “Type of Parameter” drop-down list. Click on “OK” to finish adding the definition. In the “Edit Shared Parameters” dialog, click on “OK” to save the parameter definition into the shared parameter file. Next, let us add the shared parameter “TaskID” to the project. Under the “Manage” tab, on the “Setting” panel, click “Project Parameters.” In the “Project Parameters” dialog, click “Add.” In the “Parameter Properties” dialog, select “Shared parameter” under the “Parameter Type” and click “Select.” In the “Shared Parameters” dialog, select the “TaskID” parameter from the “4D” parameter group, and click “OK.” In the “Categories” box, select the categories to which we want to apply this parameter. Because we plan to apply 4D simulation to entire floor elements, we check them all first. But there are some invisible categories, like zones, rooms, and views. We should uncheck them. In the “Parameter Data” box, select “Instance.” For “Group parameter under,” select the heading item “Construction” under which the parameter should reside in the “Properties” palette and click “OK.” In the “Project Parameters” dialog, click “OK” to complete setting up the parameters. Let us select a model element to see if we successfully added the shared project parameter. In the “Properties” palette, under the heading of “Construction,” we can see the parameter “TaskID” is successfully added. Before we input taskIDs into model elements, let us examine the work schedule first. You can download the work schedule we prepared on the course website. In this work schedule, each task is given a unique TaskID. We need to find the model elements in Revit related to each task and enter the taskID into their properties. For example, let us set the TaskIDs for all the columns on 3F. We should find all tasks related to the columns and highlight their TaskIDs. The tasks are the following, we are picking on the screen. We then select all the columns on 3F and input all the highlighted TaskIDs into the columns’ parameter at the same time. First, select all the elements on 3F. Under the “Modify | Multi-Select” tab, click “Filter.” In the pop-up dialog, click “Check None” first to uncheck all. Then we select “Structural Columns.” Click on “OK,” and now only columns have been selected. With the columns selected, go to the “Properties” palette. Under “Construction,” input TaskIDs in the TaskID field. We can separate these numbers by comma or space. In this session, we have simplified the work schedule to ease the TaskIDs input task so that we can focus mainly on the process of making a 4D simulation. All the tasks are only related to the construction or destruction of structural elements, including beams, columns, floors, walls, and stairs. In other words, we only need to specify the TaskIDs to structural elements. Now, please follow the same procedure to finish assigning TaskIDs to the remaining model elements on 3F.
