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autoLink

Placing and Customizing autoLink Symbols

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

autoLink allows you to place a generic annotation family with a single command. This symbol and any other symbols to be used with autoLink can be customized as desired.

Video Example Placing autoLinks

autoLink buttonTo get started with autoLink you must first make sure that you adjust the autoLink settings to point to the element category and parameter name. By default, autoLink is set to point to a generic annotation with a parameter 'autoLink'.

An easy way to place autoLink symbols for the first time is to use the 'Place autoLink' button on the workFlow panel. This command will load the autoLink generic annotation symbol from the location specified in autoLink settings (if necessary) and will allow you to place autoLinks with a single click.

Once an autoLink has been placed, simply select it and edit the reference text just like you would with a Revit text field. autoLink will search for any viewport changes and update your autoLink reference to maintain an accurate link.

Note that you can add extra text to the parameter (For example: Sim. or O.H.) and the program will search for the link with the patterns defined in settings and ignore the rest of the text.  This also allows you greater flexibility to add descriptor text before and after the reference (i.e. Bike Rack).

Updating autoLinks

updateautoLinks can be updated instantly if desired, or an any of several model events as shown in settings.

However if you do not wish to have autoLink update automatically you can turn this ability off and update manually simply by pressing the 'Update autoLinks' button on the ribbon.

Customizing autoLink Symbols

It is very simple to create or edit an autoLink symbol.  To modify a family component, use the following steps:

  1. Create a text parameter that autoLink will use to track viewport changes; this parameter must be created as an instance parameter.
  2. If desired, create parameters for any parameter tags you would like to use.
  3. Adjust the autoLink settings to reference the above parameter and set any parameter tag values to match the parameter names.
  4. Now you can simply save the family as a new family component and load it into your project.  The only limitation to creating your own family component is that parameters must be instance or project parameters, not type parameters.

You can find several free examples of annotation families that you can use with autoLink here. You are welcome to use these families or cutomize them for your own purposes.

 

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