Requirement for loading families

To integrate a folder into Family Browser, it must have one or more subfolders, which then contain the individual Revit families. After the “root folder” has been loaded, the add-on is able to display the Revit families in the individual subfolders in an ordered tree structure. It is possible to create multiple subfolders .

For each Revit family, an icon (.jpg or .png file) is required to represent the RFA file. Later, this icon will be displayed in the Revit user interface. The icon must be saved under the same name as the corresponding family so that the program can assign which icon belongs to which family.

Creating the images

The image should have dimensions of 32x32 pixels and 72 DPI. Deviating dimensions lead to a loss of quality or to a reduced display. A different DPI setting can affect the size of the image.

A line weight of 1px is strongly recommended. More than 1px leads to a wider line, which can result in a blurry or fuzzy appearance because the line does not lie exactly on the individual pixel boundaries. No specific program is required.

With a click, you can easily select an icon. You can then place the associated RFA file in your project as often as you like .

It is possible to load multiple subfolders, which in turn contain multiple family files and icons. By clicking the drop-down menu, all loaded family folders appear. By selecting another family folder, you can switch between the families very quickly.

The Family Browser

After you have downloaded Family Browser, a new tab named “Family Browser” appears in the Revit user interface .

If you want to see your families, simply click “Family Browser” in the “Tools” area . If you have feedback, criticism, or requests, you can click the “Feedback” button in the “Options” area to write us an email.

Settings

To load and unload folders, you must click “Settings” under the "Options" section.

To load a new family, click the upper green Add button. This will take you to your directory. You can now select the desired folder.

After a successful load, you will see the folder name under “Main family directory:”. By loading multiple family folders, you can later use the drop-down menu to switch between folders when selecting icons. To remove a loaded family, select the corresponding family folder in the drop-down menu and click the red Remove button.

If a family has more than one type, it is marked in blue in the lower left corner. In addition, a dialog appears before placing, which enables you to choose between the types.

You can switch between the types using the drop-down menu. After you click “Confirm”, you can place the selected family with the selected types in your project.

New display mode for families

With the new version of Family Browser, it is now possible for users to use a new display mode for the icons. You can now switch between two views. The new view can display the icons as a list and additionally show the family names.

This representation improves clarity and leads to faster use of the families. Switching between the views is done via a button located in the upper right corner.

Family without an icon

Another new feature is that adding an icon is no longer mandatory when you use the list view. You can now also have only the RFA file in the family folder. Family Browser then shows only the family name in the view.

Note: This applies only to the list view, because in the row view the names are not displayed.

Marking of families with multiple types

In the view, families that have multiple family types are marked with a small blue corner . This visual marking enables the user to see at a glance whether a family has different types available for selection. This allows you to quickly determine before using a family whether alternative types exist, without having to open or inspect the family first.

This function makes work easier especially in complex projects, as it provides a better overview of the available family types and enables more efficient selection.

Search function

Another time-saving function for finding loaded families is the search function. It enables users to search quickly and efficiently for specific families and folders in the library and integrate them effortlessly into your Revit project.

Folder hierarchy

For even better structuring, all families are detected recursively in all folders of the specified main directory. This means, as shown in the program excerpt above, that it is now possible not only to place families and icons directly in subfolders, but also to create additional folders, which in turn can contain additional families and icons.

Saving the main family directories

In the “File with family paths:” area, the latest function offers the option to load a TXT file from your directories into the program. The TXT file will henceforth be used as the storage location for the loaded families . There is an option to load different TXT files, each containing different loaded families .

With this flexibility, you can select the appropriate TXT file as needed, which contains the desired main family directories. If you do not use a TXT file, the program stores the main family directories in an internal file.

Multilingual support

In the “Language:” area, you see a drop-down menu that lists all currently available languages. By clicking the button to the right of it, a language file opens, which enables you to extend the program with additional languages.

When adding a new language, you must note that each column stands for a specific language. In the first row, enter the name of the respective language. Below, add the translations, where the first two columns are already configured for English and German. Make sure that in one row the same word appears only in another language. The order of the words must not be changed.

After adding a new language, you must save and close the language file. You can then see and select the new language in the drop-down menu. A language change is applied by the program when you click “Save".

Image size

Below the “Language:” area is the “Image size:” area. This refers to the size of the family icons in the view. By moving the slider, you can adjust the icon size.

Please note that the change only takes effect in the program when you click “Save”.

Overwriting families

Do you often make changes to your families? You can now enable overwriting families in the settings dialog. After selecting an overwritten family, all already placed family instances of this family are updated in your project.

As long as Overwrite is enabled, the program checks for changes each time families are placed.