1. I was wondering if there was a way to get the Place Object tool to place Shared Cells instead of Graphic / Normal ones.
For example, a lot of interior fit out items like lockers, sanitary fittings, end devices, light fittings etc do not really need to flex or be parametrically linked to their attached metadata but can add quickly to file size.
2. What is the recommended workflow to replace the Graphic Cells with Shared Cells?
No, all DataGroup based tools only use Normal cells since each placed instance must be unique. This applies to objects such as those you mentioned that may not be parametric, but whose property values are (or can be) for each instance, and need to be reported via schedules.
Hi Steve,
Not sure if we are talking past each other.
1. Place 2 No. Cells as Shared. I used the door handle HD1FL that comes with the UK dataset.
2. Use Attach Instance Data tool to attach a Catalog Item to both Shared Cells.
3. Amend the Fire Rating property using the Modify Properties tool. Give one Shared Cell door handle 'FD20' and the other 'FD60S'.
4. Select both. Go to the Schedules tool and use 'Show Only Selection Set'... and both Shared Cells are reporting the different Fire Ratings properly.
So, it would seem that you can have a Shared Cell that is unique for the geometry, but non-unique 'instance' data for each individual Shared Cell object.
If this is the case, then I think that it would be a great help if the Place Object tool could offer this up as an option during placement.
It would also be great if the Replace Cell tool could support a retroactive conversion either way.
Ah... good point. Perhaps I was thinking more of the traditional object types like doors, windows, etc., that consist of parametric cells.
On that note, I was able to find Enhancement 378724: "User requests the ability to place user-defined types as shared cells". I think this matches up with your example of adding DG instance data to existing (non-parametric) cells. If you can file an SR support can link it to that enhancement to increase the SR count.