VIEW FILTERS

Filters create a selection of objects based on the value of one or more parameters those objects possess.

They are most commonly used to modify visibility graphics in a view.

For example you can use a filter to select all walls & doors that have a value in their Fire Rated parameter.

Then within a view you use that filter in Visibility/Graphics Overrides to make the cut lines of those objects red.

Or create a filter to select all view references (Call-outs, elevations, sections) that have the letters TEMP within their Family and Type parameter.

Then add this filter to the Visibility/Graphics override section of a View Template and untick it to not show what the filter has selected.

HINT: If you want to create a coloured floor plan based on a parameter, use Color Schemes instead of Filters.

Color Schemes allow you to use a Room parameter to drive colours.

CREATE A FILTER

First step is to create a filter. View tab, Graphics tile, Filters.

Name the filter with a literal description anyone unfamiliar with the project will understand.

prefix with + (plus) for filters that select to include things (e.g. contains)

prefix with - (minus) for filters that select to exclude things (e.g. does not contains)

no prefix Category only with no Filter Rules (e.g. filter named Door contains only Door category)

Select the categories the filter will apply to.

Create the filter rules.

only system or Project Parameters can be selected (see below).

ADDING PROJECT PARAMETERS

Even if families in your project have the required parameters built into them, they won't appear in the Filter rule list unless they have also been added a a Project parameter.

To add Project parameters Manage tab, Settings tile, Project Parameters.

If the parameter is a shared parameter YOU MUST SELECT IT FROM THE SHARED PARAMETER FILE.

If you type in a name that is the same as a shared parameter name there will be two parameters that are different but have the same name.

Which is really confusing and a bugger when doing schedules. If in doubt ASK before adding a Project Parameter.

GUIDELINES

Create multiple simple filters rather than single complex filters.

It is easier to follow the logic when multiple simple filters are applied to Visibility/Graphics overrides.

Simple filters can be used across a number of different views.

USE FILTERS IN VISIBILITY GRAPHICS OVERRIDES

Filters is a tab in the Visibility/Graphics Override dialog box.

You can Add, Remove and change order of Filters, as well as Edit or create new filters via the Edit/New... button.

Once added the visibility or appearance of objects found by the filter can be changed.

GUIDELINES

The order of Filters is critically important.

Filters at the top override filters lower down. Revit applies the bottom filter then works its way up the list.

Filters override any settings under the other tabs, except for visibility. If categories are made not visible elsewhere they can not be made visible via filters.

Override Graphic in View by Element will override filter settings.

FILTERS AND LINKED REVIT FILES

Linked Revit files can have filters applied to them via the Visibility/Graphics Override, Revit Links tab.

If you select By host view the linked file will display as per the filter settings in the current view, including any Filters applied.

Note that any non-system parameters in the linked filter must be added as Project Parameters in the host file.

If you select By linked view the linked file will display the same as it appears when you are in the linked file.

If you select Custom, and set View Filters: to <By host view>, objects in the linked file will appear as per the filter settings in the current view.

Note that any non-system parameters in the linked filter must be added as Project Parameters in the host file.