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Smart Browser Pro The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily Browse, Find and Modify Revit® Families
Smart Browser Pro
The Fastest Way to Quickly & Easily
Browse, Find and Modify Revit® Families
Smart Browser Pro 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;
• Allows to modify hundreds selected families: add new parameters (including shared);
copy parameters from one family to other; rename parameters; delete parameters; change
values; add new types; delete types; rename types.
• 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 Pro
Smart Browser PRO - powerful BIM solution for Revit families search & management that includes powerful parameter (incl. shared) adding and editing.
Smart Browser Pro Browser Options
Before working with the Smart Family Browser you need configure
the software by accessing the “Browser Options”.
Smart Browser Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Browser Options
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.
One XML file can have
several location to different
libraries.
Smart Browser Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Browser Options
All Family Libraries – tab where users can create/delete/update XML files with library
databases.
Company Library – select which XML file is your company XML file with library database.
Then user can decide what library to use in Smart Family Browser – current library or
company library.
Smart Browser Pro Smart Family Browser
Smart Family Browser – opens the external predefined family
browser.
Smart Browser Pro Smart Family Browser
Smart Family Browser works independently from the Revit® project.
To reduce the time it takes to load the Smart Browser Pro, please note that it is not
necessary to close the Smart Browser dialog when the user works within his projects.
Smart Browser Pro Smart Family Browser
Browser shows all family types, parameter
names, parameter groups, parameters
values, parameter values 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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro Smart Family Browser
Search By - searches for families by family name, family type, parameter name or value.
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.
Smart Browser Pro 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 Pro 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.
Modify Families - extremely
powerful functionality that allows to
change/add/delete parameters or
types for selected families.
Modify Families can be founded with
the right click for selected families
and at the bottom of the dialog. Then
it will work for all families in the list.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
First modification make has to be added:
Then it’s needed to write a name of person who
is trying to modify the library. Short description
and notes can be written with information about
the changes that will be made:
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
Dialog for modification:
Cost,
Description,
Manufacture
and Type
Comments
parameters
will be
loaded by
default.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
Selected elements are conveniently grouped
together in a tree where the user can filter it by
any configurable criterions. The criterions can
be selected with “Configure Grouping”.
Elements list with it’s parameters. Configurable
criterions are displayed like yellow columns
(“Category”, “Family”, “Type”). Parameters
(“Cost”, “Description” etc.) can be selected with
“Select Parameters”.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
If “Category”, “Family” and “Type” are selected in “Configure
Grouping” then elements will be expanded and filtered
under these criterions.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families
Parameters can be selected
with “Select Parameters”.
At the left side there are all
available parameters from
selected families.
At the right side – all your
selected parameters that you
are wiling to modify.
Adding new or removing parameters are available with the commands “Add” and
“Remove”.
The order of parameters can be changed with “Move Up” and “Move Down”.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – right click functions
With right click functions you will be
able to modify selected values or
parameters.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Change Value
Change Value – changes
values of selected
parameters.
Changed values will be
displayed with the green
color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Copy Value
Copy Value – makes a copy of selected
values from one parameter to other.
Changed values will be displayed with the
green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Rename Family Name
Rename Family Name – will rename selected family.
Changed names will be displayed with the green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Delete Family
Delete Family – deletes selected family file from library.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add New Type
Add New Type – adds new type to selected family.
Created new types will be displayed with the green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Rename Type Name
Rename Type Name – renames selected type names.
Renamed types will be displayed with the
green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Delete Type
Delete Type – deletes selected types.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Shared Parameter
Add Shared Parameter – adds shared parameters for selected families.
Find and open txt shared parameter file:
Select parameters that will be added:
In this dialog it is possible to choose if parameter will be instance or type (Is
Instance) and to change parameter group (Parameter Group).
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Shared Parameter
Two shared parameters will be added to selected families:
Cells of new shared parameter will be displayed with the green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Shared Parameter
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Selected Parameter
Add Selected Parameter – adds selected parameters with the same properties to selected
families.
Cells of new parameter will be displayed
with the green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Family Parameter
Add Family Parameter – adds new or existing parameters to selected families.
Cells of new parameter will be
displayed with the green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Add Family Parameter
Select Item – possibility to choose if New or Existing parameter
will be created;
Parameter Name – add new parameter name or select existing
one;
Parameter Group – select parameter group. If existing
parameter is selected then the group will exactly the same like in
existing parameter. It can be changed if needed;
Parameter Type – select the type of parameter. If existing
parameter is selected then the type will exactly the same like in
existing parameter. It can be changed if needed;
Is Instance – select if parameter has to be instance.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Rename Parameter
Rename Parameter – renames parameter name for selected families.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Delete Parameter
Delete Parameter – deletes parameters for selected families.
Cells of deleted parameters will be
displayed with the red color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Modify Parameter
Modify Parameter – modifies parameter settings for selected families.
Cells of modified parameter
will be displayed with the
green color.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Select Column
Select Column – selects all rows in the column for later modification.
Smart Browser Pro Modify Families – Filter by Selected Data
Filter by Selected Data – filters elements according to the selected values.
Smart Browser Pro Run Saved Modifications
Run Saved Modification – runs the process of modifications
that were selected before.
Select modification according to the name:
After pressing OK the tool will open every family and will do all
modifications that were predefined before: After modifications you
can go to Smart Family
Browser and all families
will be updated. You
don’t need to do any
synchronization.
Smart Browser Pro Resave Families to current Revit version
Resave Families to current Revit
version – resaved families to the
current Revit version from selected
catalogue and deletes backup files if
needed.
Smart Browser Pro Project Family Browser
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 Pro 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.
Copyright © 2012 AGA CAD Ltd.
TOOLS4REVIT© is developed by AGA CAD Ltd., Autodesk Authorized Developer
to
ols4
revit
AGA CAD is a supplier of computer-aided design software and data management solution, operating since 1991. Company’s activities consist of TOOLS4REVIT development, creation of Revit® families, 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 as well.
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].
