I know this is probably simple and I'm sure I knew it at some point but, how do I change the default family and part when I am trying to place ductwork or piping? For example, I am trying to place some dust collection ductwork but everytime I start a new duct it reverts back to Duct; Supply-New. I know it automatically changes to the family/part you are connecting to but what if you are starting a new run and are not connecting to anything?
John K.
Hi John,
Workspace, Configuration, Building Mechanical, then scroll thru the various part/family defaults. I believe I just deleted the entry to do it, -but saved the entry in a notepad file. (I'm assuming it hasn't changed between ss4 and ss5).
Jeff
John,
HVAC_FAMILY_DUCT_DEFAULT is the name of the configuration variable that sets the default Family/Part when selecting the duct tools or duct fitting tools. You can set this to just the Family name [ = Duct ] or the Family/Part name [ Duct::Supply-New ] If you set it to just the Family, then it will default to the first part alphabetically the first time you activate a duct or duct fitting tool, but should stay on the active Family/Part as you switch between different duct/duct fitting tools as long as the active Family matches the configuration variable.
I have not tried undefining the variable as Jeff D. did, but it sounds like it is working for him. If you wanted to do this, you could just add "%undef HVAC_FAMILY_DUCT_DEFAULT" to one of your configuration files.
-Travis
Answer Verified By: jkknighton
I forgot to mention that the other configuration variables that are similar to this are on page 38 of the Mechanical module of the BIM Manager Workshop documentation that you got from the workshop.
Thank you Travis and Jeff.