If you want to be able to filter elements in a link, the parameter you want to filter by must also exist in the host model.

Example:

You have a linked MEP model and you want to be able to adjust the visibility of specific elements that contain a shared parameter with, in this case, and instance parameter with specific values.

This will require that the same shared parameter (same guid) exists in your project.  Creating a new parameter in your model, even if named the same, will not work.  If you don’t have their shared parameter file you will need to export the parameter from the MEP file.

Exporting the Shared Parameter from the Link

In order to get the same shared parameter into your model I recommend you export it from the linked model.

1. Open the linked model detached, or if this is a 360 project download a copy of the model to do the export from.
2. Go to the Manage tab, Project Parameters and select the parameter you need to export.
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3. Select Modify
4. Select Export to save it to your shared parameter file.  It will save it to a parameter group named “Exported Parameters”
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If the export option is greyed out, create a new Shared Parameter file, then repeat the process above.

Loading the Shared Parameter into Your Model

If you had to create a new shared parameter file for the export, you will need to change to that one to add the parameter.

1. Go to the Manage tab, Project Parameters
2. Select Add then select Shared Parameters, then select the parameter you exported
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3. Select the Category it is tied to then OK.
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4. OK out of the project parameters dialog

Creating the Filter

On the View tab, Graphics panel, select Filters, then select the outlined icon below to add a new filter, select the category, give the filter a name then specify the filter rules as shown below…this requires that you know what the value is set to for that parameter in the MEP file.

Applying the Filter to a View

Now that the filter is created you can add it to the view to control the visibility or the graphics.

In the screen shot below I added the filter so I could turn off those elements in my view.  You will notice that you also have the ability to change the graphics if that is your preference.

Notes

Once you OK out of the Visibility Graphics dialog for the view, you should see the filtered items disappear if you toggled the Visibility off.  If they don’t disappear, then you will need to make sure that the filter rule matches the parameter value in the link. 

Some items you can tab to select them in your model, but some you may need to go back to the link to check the information, or you can create a schedule as noted below. 

Schedule the Category to View the Parameter Values

Alternately, you can create a schedule for that category, check to include elements in links then add the parameter and filter by the parameter to show the items with values to see what the Filter Rule should say.

About the Author

Sr. Technical Support Specialist, Building<br><br>Sherry is a certified Autodesk Building Solutions Technical Support Specialist at IMAGINiT. She has been a speaker at several AUGI Cad Camps and a co-speaker at Autodesk University. She is also a certified expert in Revit Architecture. She has 30 plus years of experience in the Architectural field and supports all the Autodesk Building Solutions software. She began her career with us as an Application Engineer conducting training, product demonstrations, and implementation services. She now focuses her knowledge and dedication to the National Solution Center here at IMAGINiT.

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