Ideate BIMLink for Revit Occupancy Data Sample dataset

One of the most common examples, involving the need to display a calculated value within a tag, relates to Occupancy Load information that is often required to be placed on a floor plan view. This topic requires a sample dataset which Ideate BIMLink customers can request via our support staff:  Please send Ideate BIMLink Occupancy Sample dataset

Manage Calculated Values within a Revit Schedule with Ideate BIMLink

IMPORTANT:  The example below is provided exclusively for the purposes of demonstrating the workflow. The sample data provided may not reflect your local code requirements, your projects shared parameter requirements or your company standards for tags.  

Occupancy calculations are done with either Room or Area elements.  The data provided covers both conditions.  When using the Area elements, because they are Area Scheme specific, it is important to understand that the steps must be done before the Areas are placed.  

Related: Occupancy video

Step 1 - Create a Shared Parameter

Sample Dataset:  Open the Revit file, "2014 Ideate Occupancy Dataset.rvt".  This file already has a shared parameter created for the purpose of receiving the calculated values.  The shared parameter is called "OL" for occupancy load.

Your own project:  Use the Insert Views from File method to bring the Area and Room Schedule examples from the "2014 Ideate Occupancy Dataset.rvt" file into your own project.  This will automatically create the required shared parameters referenced in the steps below. This steps below will not work unless the shared parameters in the sample file are used.

Insert Views from File method to bring the Area and Room Schedule

Step 2 - Create a Link

Sample Dataset:  In “2014 Ideate Occupancy Dataset.rvt” the links required for both Room and Area elements have already been loaded, as shown in the image.

Sample Dataset

Your own project:  Open the ZIP-ed IdeateOccupancySample dataset found here: C:\Program Files\Ideate\Ideate Software 20XX\Ideate BIMLink\en-US\Samples\By Discipline\Architectural Links. Use the ‘Save link definition’ to save the "Areas-Occupancy" or "Rooms-Occupancy" links shown above, and then the Load...  to load them back into the project on of your choice. For Room elements, the Preview will have data (assuming rooms elements are present in the Revit project).  For Area elements the Preview may be empty, even if Areas are present, as new Area elements need to be made AFTER the Area Scheme has been defined, per Step 1.

Step 3 - Edit the Link

The link needs to include any parameters required in order to perform the calculation.  In the example of occupancy load this would be the Area parameter and the Occupancy Load Factor parameter, both of included in the Sample Links.  For the purposes of this exercise, it is recommended that you do not add any parameters so that Step 4 can work as expected.

Step 4 - Export to Excel

Manual Method
If you have customized the list of parameters during Step 3, you will be manually setting up and copying the formula in Step 5. Export the data to any Excel file and select the option to open the Excel file, then proceed to step 5.

Automatic Method
The sample template provided will automatically setup the occupancy formula and copy down the results in to all of your Rooms or Areas.  You can only use this method if you have not altered the list of parameters during Step 3.  Export the data by selecting a copy of the Excel template provided in the sample dataset. The sample Excel file is a macro-enabled file with a .XLSM extension, so be sure to change the File type to .xlsm.  Select the option open the Excel file.  The first time you use this file you will need to select the "Enable Editing" button.  When you do this, the macro will run and update the Excel occupancy formula.  Save the file and then proceed to Step 6.

Step 5 - Setup and Copy the Formula

After exporting the data to a regular Excel file (no macros), the last step before import would be to setup the proper formula in the shared parameter column.  There are many ways to write this formula.  In the sample template provided (.xlsm) we are using the formula:

=IF(F4="","",ROUNDUP(E4/F4,0))

This formula can be read as IF the occupancy load (Column F) is empty, then leave the cell blank, otherwise take the rounded value of the Area (Column E) and divide it by the occupancy load (Column F).

Setup and Copy the Formula

Step 6 - Import from Excel into Revit

Whether you have used the Manual or Automatic Methods described in Step 4, the last step is to import the updated Excel file into Revit via Ideate BIMLink.  Select the Import button and browse to the file.  The calculated values are now transferred into the shared parameter.  If you are using the sample Revit file, you will see the values as displayed in the Room and Area tags.  

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