Grid field Generator Module

What is the Grid field Generator Module?

The grid field generator is a functionality that has recently been developed (from version 1.5.8.4 of the Innobrix Add-in) for Revit to simplify the construction of the grid field and make it more transparent. This methodology uses the Model Groups functionality within Revit. After installation, the Innobrix Add-in will automatically add a set of (instance) parameters to all ‘Model Groups’ in the entire project.

That is by no means to say that you must necessarily provide all model groups in your project with actual input of these parameters. Which model groups you need to provide with parameters strongly depends on the model (or block) you want to put in Innobrix. By seeing Model Groups as reusable pieces (whatever they actually are), you create your own ‘building kit’, as it were, which you put back together within Innobrix Studio and then present it visually to your buyer.

The buyer makes his or her composition from your created kit, after which you have the option to import these choices back into Revit.

Download here (Revit 2022) an example project of the type ‘Housing Configurator’ using the Revit Option Generator .

Model Groups – Origin

For a correct export to a grid field, it is important that each Model Group is assigned a consistent Origin point. When you create a new Model Group in Revit, the origin will default to the central midpoint of the elements within that group. That is undesirable in this case. It is necessary to accurately define the Model Group at a relatively fixed point such as a BIM zero point. Below you will find an example of what is and is not possible.

In Innobrix we often speak of a ‘new’ type when there is a distinction in width of a house. The reason for this can be attributed to the fact that many extra cells would be needed to accommodate all possible combinations of options in relation to the associated facade work on all (outer) sides of a house.

The Parameters

NOTE : the parameters are of the type ‘text’ (String), and are by definition not numerical values ​​(Integer). The reason this was chosen is because Revit does not allow a parameter to be reset to a non-existent value (Null) if a value has already been entered in that field. In the case of a textual parameter, this can be accommodated by an ’empty’ text field.

• Innobrix: Types

You can enter the name of the type of home here. This can be both letters and numbers, or a combination of them. It is possible to assign a certain cell (read: model group) to several types at the same time. For example, if the layout of the house types A and A2 is the same, you can export this cell for both types (at the same coordinates) by using the character ‘;’. So in this case: A;A2.

• Innobrix: Floor

Enter the correct floor to which the model group belongs. At the moment the (physical) limit is in principle or maximum ‘3’. This means that above a value of 3 in the ‘floor’ parameter within the Configurable-Editor of Innobrix there is no visual support (yet) for linking options. Floor ‘0’ equals the Ground Floor within Innobrix, Floor ‘1’ equals the First Floor and so on.

• Innobrix: Column

Specify here which column the model group will be located in. In general, it is useful to apply a certain structure to this. Think, for example, of 1 for all front facades, 2 for all rear facades, 3 for all hull parts, 4 for all layout variants, 5 for the extra side walls (for extensions, etc.) etc. Be consistent in doing so, and under no circumstances place rear facades in the same column as the front facades if both front facades and rear facades have possible options (and combinations of options).

In principle the rule is: combine groups where possible, but split groups where necessary.

• Innobrix: Cell

Indicate which cell within the already given column this model group will be located (0 (base) to …). Row 0 basically always concerns the base. Rows 1 to X concern possible (functional) options.

Keep overview

Although it is possible to randomly supply your model groups with coordinates, it is strongly recommended to use a revit Schedule to keep track of which model groups you have already supplied with the Innobrix parameters.

You can cleverly use the filter and sorting functionality to only display the model groups that you have (already) provided with parameters.

Please note that these parameters are present on every instance, and NOT per model group type. This means that all instances of Model Groups can be provided with the parameters independently of each other: that is also desirable since in some Model Groups certain elements from that specific instance can be excluded.

Note: Multiple groups with the same parameter values ​​when they are of the same type are NOT supported. It is therefore not possible to ‘stack’ cells.

Import from Innobrix

It is possible to reflect the (chosen) options in Innobrix back on the situation in Revit. For this it is essential to have correctly set up your Revit document via the model group-based approach in the first instance.

The principle of importing from Innobrix is ​​quite simple: you get a .JSON file in which (per construction number) a list of groups / cells is present. For example, if you have the situation in which your basic rear facade is provided with the parameters 0_2_0 (Floor, Column, Row) and the situation in Innobrix indicates that the buyer of construction number 1 has chosen the sliding rear facade that is somewhere in your Revit situation group is defined with the parameters 0_2_1 the JSON file 0_2_1 for the build number 1 will show.

It also goes wrong when you change parameters in Revit afterwards, and then DO NOT correct this within the Innobrix environment! So always try to avoid adjusting parameters afterwards!

Which is also important for the import: a certain existing situation is assumed on which choices must be reflected. Models are therefore not just built ‘out of thin air’.

Conditions

• You need Model Groups that have assigned a (own specific) project instance parameter that exactly corresponds to the completion of the ‘Build number’ field within Innobrix.
• The situation must therefore consist of instances of model groups that you used to export the property(s).
• The Model Group Origin point (just like during the export) must be consistent with the property type.
• For a good material change feedback, either:
  • The material feedback exists and is editable in a user-customizable material parameter
  • The material also available as structurial material within a Family Type

Import the JSON document

1. Click on the big ‘Import from Innobrix’ button and navigate to your JSON file that you downloaded from the Innobrix toolbar (the shopping cart icon –> Revit export).

2. Next you will be asked for a project parameter that is linked to your model groups from which the Add-in can read the construction number.

3. Finally, you will be asked to which construction number(s) you want to feed back the existing configurations.

4. The Add-in will now start the configuration process for the available build numbers.

Note: If things are configured incorrectly or do not go well, you can undo the conversion step by doing an undo action in Revit. (CTRL + Z)