General Purpose Queries

This section includes some common examples of how to use Ideate Query for Revit.  

Documentation Examples:

Model Element Examples:

Documentation Examples

Sheets - Browse by Revision

If your project uses the Revisions on Sheet option to manage Revisions/Issuances then you can use Ideate Query to browse sheets based on these values:

  1. Start on the Navigate tab and select all Sheets.
  2. Next, select the Ideate Query button.
  3. If more than one category is displayed be sure to only select Sheets.
  4. Type "seq" into the Search box. Ideate Query will filter the properties and only display those that relate to the for all revision 'sequences'.
  5. Select a revision sequence as shown to see the list of sheets for which that revision is true.

Dimension - Finding Overrides

Revit allows a text override for dimension strings so that instead of listing the dimension length of "600 mm" it is possible to say "+/- 600 mm" or "ALIGN". Used improperly however, this feature could lead to falsifying important dimensional data. Ideate Query can be used to review single-segment dimension strings to find those that have been overridden and then to assess whether or not the overridden values are appropriate.

To find single segment dimensions that have been overridden:

  1. Start on the Explore tab and set the Display to Entire Project.
  2. Set the Filter to <Ideate Audit> and then select all Dimensions.
  3. Next, select the Ideate Query button.
  4. If more than one category is displayed be sure to only select Dimensions.
  5. Type "over" into the Search box. Ideate Query will filter the properties and only display those that contain the word "over".
  6. Select the Instance property called "Value Override"
  7. All possible values will display on the right-hand side. The <Not Applicable> value indicates the dimension is a multi-segment and therefore the value cannot be reported. The <Blank> value means that there is no override.
  8. Refine your current selection by selecting one or more of the checkboxes, then use the Select button to return to Ideate Explorer.
  9. From within the Ideate Explorer results window, double-click a dimension instance to open a view where that instance can be seen and further edited.

Scope Boxes - Auditing

The proper use of Scope Boxes can greatly contribute to view management by enforcing duplicate cropped view areas and by controlling which data elements are visible across such views where the scope box has been assigned.  Use Ideate Query to review View elements and their Scope Box assignments.

General Purpose Queries to Using Ideate Query for Revit

  1. Start on the Navigate tab and select the Views for which you would like to review the scope box assignment. This may be Plan, Structural plan or even Section views.  
  2. Next, select the Ideate Query button.
  3. If more than one category is displayed be sure to only select Scope Box.
  4. Type "scope" into the Search box.  
  5. Select the Instance property called 'Scope Box'
  6. All possible values will display on the right-hand side. The <Not Applicable> value indicates a View where Scope Box is not valid, such as a Drafting View.
  7. Refine your current selection by selecting one or more of the checkboxes as shown above, then use the Select button to return to Ideate Explorer.
  8. Use the Properties palette within Revit to set the Scope Box for all or some of the Views selected within Ideate Explorer.

Text - Search by formatting, such as bold, italic, or underline

  1. Start on the Explore Tab
  2. If more than one category is displayed be sure to only select Text Notes.
  3. Next, select the Ideate Query button.
  4. Type "format" into the Search box.  Ideate Query will find the property named “Is Formatted”
  5. Select “TRUE” to create a current selection of all text in the project that has formatting.
  6. Choose “Select” in the Query Dialog to review all text in the Explorer results tree.
  7. From within the Ideate Explorer results window, double-click a text instance to open a view where that instance can be seen and further edited.

Model Element Examples

Grids - Review coordinate data

Ideate Query can provide feedback on XYZ coordinate location data, making it possible to find duplicates or to check the alignment of elements. As an example, you can find grid elements are not in alignment by following these steps:

  1. Start on the Explore tab and set the Display to Entire Project.
  2. Set the Filter to <Ideate Audit> and then select all Grids.
  3. Next, select the Ideate Query button.
  4. If more than one category is displayed be sure to only select Grids.
  5. Type "ang" into the Search box.  Ideate Query will filter the properties and only display those that contain the word "ang".
  6. Select the Instance property called "Line XY Angle"
  7. All possible values will display on the right-hand side.
  8. Refine your current selection by selecting one or more of the checkboxes, then use the Select button to return to Ideate Explorer.
  9. From within the Ideate Explorer results window, double-click a grid instance to open a view where that instance can be seen and modified accordingly.

General Purpose Queries to Using Ideate Query

Multi-Category - Finding In-Place Families

In-place families are ideal for creating project-specific modeled elements that are not repeated elsewhere within the project or within other projects.  For model elements that need to be repeated, a custom family should be made instead as it allows for greater control and reduced file overhead.  As a model manager you can review the usage of in-place families by following these steps:

  1. Start on the Explore tab and set the Filter to <Model>.
  2. Next, select all elements by picking the Category checkbox at the top.
  3. Select the Ideate Query button.
  4. Type "place" into the Search box.  Ideate Query will filter the properties and only display those that contain the word "place".
  5. Select the Instance property called "Is In-Place"
  6. All possible values will display on the right-hand side. The <Not Applicable> refers to model elements that do not support in-place creation such as HVAC Zones or Areas.
  7. Elements with "TRUE" values were created as in-place families. Select this checkbox then use the Select button to return to Ideate Explorer.
  8. From within the Ideate Explorer results window, double-click an one of the family instances to open a view where that instance can be seen. In many cases the action item here is to talk to staff about whether this element should have been created as an in-place family OR as a custom family.

General Purpose Queries to Using Ideate Query

Select or Remove by Group

Elements that exist as part of a Revit group will require special attention in the model. For example, when editing the workset property for a large selection of Revit elements, you may find that the property is disabled from the Properties palette. This is often because of element nesting or grouping. In these cases you will want to remove the nested or grouped elements from the selection before the workset can be changed. The steps below can be used to remove any elements that are part of a group.

  1. Start on the Explore tab and select categories and individual elements, some of which may be part of a group.*
  2. Select the Ideate Query button.
  3. Type "group" into the Search box.  Ideate Query will filter the properties and only display those that contain the word "group".
  4. Select the Model Group Instance property called "Name"
  5. All possible values will display on the right-hand side. The <Not Applicable> refers to model elements that are not included in a group. Select the checkbox next to these elements, then use the Select button to return to Ideate Explorer. Your original selection has now been refined to elements that are not included in Groups.
  6. From within the Revit properties palette you will be able to edit the workset property now that the selection does not contain group-based elements.

*Changing the workset property is also prohibited when elements are nested and/or hosted, so for best results you should start with a selection list that is all from one data category, such as Doors or Fixtures.

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