Selection Master

finishFloors

Video Example = Click the icon for a Video Example (requires internet connection)

finishFloors allows the user to quickly and easily create floor objects representing the floor finish of a room. The floor finish can be determined manually or can be automatically generated based on the finish code in the floor finish parameter of the room.

finishFloors Prerequisites

Prior to activating finishFloors there are several things that should be considered:

Video Example Finish Code Mapping

finishFloors is designed to be able to work off of a 'Finish Code Map' which allows mapping of the codes in the floor finish parameter of a room to specific floor types. While it is not required, it is recommended that an office standard map be set up and deployed to each computer as the default code map prior to using finishFloors.

finishFloors stores the finish code map on a per project basis so that project custom types do not interfere with office standards and so the project can be moved or sent to different offices and retain the integrity of the mapping system.

When the finishFloors command is loaded the map from the project will be read. If no map is found in the project, the default map will be read. It is recommended that this map be customized by a BIM manager or office standards manager to contain office standard mappings. The default map is saved at the path:

C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Roaming\Revolution Design\Workflow\finishFloors\CodeMap.xml

The default code map can be edited in two ways as follows:

  1. With the office standard template open (or a project that contains standard floor types) open finishFloors settings and go to the 'Finish Code Map' tab to access the map editing interface (pictured below). Enter the values and mappings desired and use the 'Set as Default' button.
    finishFloors Map Edit Dialog
  2. Directly open and edit the XML. Note that this is only recommended for those familiar with XML as incorrect XML markup could cause failure of the code map.

Once the office standard code map is created it can be deployed to all machines in the office by placing it in the above folder.

Video Example finishFloors Settings

finishFloors Settings

There are three primary settings areas for finishFloors:

  1. General
    • Offset floors from level - This setting determines if floors will be offset from their level by their thickness. This should be checked if levels are set at the top of the structural floor (therefore the bottom of the finish). This should be unchecked if levels are set to the top of the finish.
  2. Floor by Click
    • Use Finish Code Map - This setting allows the Floors by Click function to use the stored finish code mapping (explained below) to determine the correct floor type for each room.
    • Set Finish Parameter on Creation - This settings allows the room floor finish parameter to be set automatically based on the finish code map when a floor is created. This allows the alternate workflow of adding floors with the 'Floors by Click' function and having the schedule filled out automatically.
    • Type not Found - If the floor type listed in a room is blank or is not found in the project this setting tells the Floors by Click function how to respond. Options are to give a prompt allowing the user to select the desired floor type or to simply place the default type.
    • Default Floor Type - This is the default floor type that will be placed if the 'Type not Found' setting is set to 'place default type'.
  3. Door Threshold Settings
    • Allow Thresholds - finishFloors can create thresholds at doors, but this may not be desired for doors that have a sill height. If this box is unchecked, doors with any sill height other than 0 will not create thresholds; if it is checked then any doors with a sill height BELOW the specified value will create thresholds but those with sill heights equal to or above this value will not.
    • Threshold Setting - There are three possibilities for how finishFloors handles door thresholds. First, thresholds can be ignored; second, the floor finish can be extended to the face of the door frame; and third, the finish can be extended to the center of the frame.
    • Frame Thickness Parameter Names- In order to use the 'Face of Frame' option for thresholds, finishFloors needs to know the frame depth, which is read from a parameter in the door family. This parameter can be anything, but in order to work properly, it must accurately report the depth of the frame. Because different offices may have different content and standards this is a list of possible parameters; simply list all parameter names in use for frame thickness in order of preference.

Creating Floors

finishFloors ButtonOnce you have set the prerequisites, there are two options for actually creating floors; 'Floors by Click' and 'Manage Finish Floors'. Both of these commands are located on the workFlow panel in the same drop down button.

 

 

 

Video Example Bulk Floor Creation

Clicking the 'Manage Finish Floors' option will bring up the main dialog:

finishFloors Interface

This dialog contains the following four primary sections:

  1. Floor Types - This section is primarily for working with rooms without a finish code but can be used for manual overrides of finish codes as well. Use the drop down list to select a floor type and use the buttons below to set either all or only the selected rooms in the 'Room Settings' section to that type.
  2. Finish Code Mapping - This section displays code mappings in the currently loaded code map. If not map has been loaded it will display the default mapping. To edit mappings bring up the settings dialog and follow the procedures outlined above.
  3. Room Settings - The section determines the final result of what floors will be created and/or what parameters will be updated. Note that the parameters that are to be updated will be shown in yellow. The list contains several columns as follows:
    • Update - If checked, this room will be updated to match the interface settings. If a new finish code has been set the finish parameter of the room will be set, if a new floor type has been set a floor will be created or updated. If this box is unchecked no modifications will be made to the existing floor or room.
    • Level, Room #, Room Name - These columns give relevant information to determine what room is in question.
    • Current Code - This is the value of the 'Floor Finish' parameter of the room which is used for finish code mapping (see above).
    • Current Floor Type - This column shows the finish floors currently associated with this room (if any). Only floors created with the finishFloors addin or associated after creation with the 'Associate Finish Floors' command are recognized.
    • New Code - This field allows entry of a new finish code. All codes from the code map are available as a drop down, or a new code can be added. Selecting or typing a new finish code will automatically update the floor type to match if the code exists in the finish code map.
    • New Floor Type - This is the floor type to be created in the room. Selecting a new floor type will automatically fill in the corresponding code in the 'New Code' column if a code is found in the finish code map.
  4. Replace Floors check box - If this is checked, all floors currently associated with a room designated to receive a new floor will be deleted and replaced by the new floor. If unchecked, a second floor will be added in addition to the existing floor.

Video Example Floors by Click

The 'Floors by Click' option is designed to work similar to the ceiling command in Revit. This command will allow you to select rooms individually and create finish floors in those rooms with a single click. The type of floor created will be based on the options in the settings dialog.

If the floor finish for the room is blank or is not found in the code map, finishFloors will follow the 'Blank or Not Found' setting. If this setting is set to 'prompt' or 'default' and the setting 'Set Finish Parameter on Creation' is checked finishFloors will attempt to find the floor type selected in the code map and if it exists the room floor finish parameter will be filled in automatically with the correct code.

This command will remain active until you hit 'escape' to cancel it so you may continue clicking each room desired until you have created as many floors as you would like.

Video Example Updating Finish Floors

finishFloors update buttonDesigns are always changing and floors that have been created may become out of date. Floors can be updated quickly using the update commands on the workFlow panel.

In order to update existing floors select the floor or floors that need to be updated and select the command. The following items will be updated for the selected floors:

Existing floors may also be associated with rooms so that finishFloors can recognize and update the association in the future. This is useful if you have a project where a floor was created prior to your use of finishFloors and needs to be associated to it's proper room.

Lastly, floors created with finishFloors can be dissociated from their associated room using the 'Dissociate Floor' command. This may be useful if you would like to create an initial floor quickly and easily but would like to make modification to it manually and do not want it re-updated to the room boundary (therefore losing your manual edits).

 

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