Revit Schematic Keynotes Explained (Well, Bootlegged and Used)

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Jay B Zallan2010

C h a p t e r : P r o j e c t e x a m p l e :

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Custom Keynote Database(s)

In order to annotate objects in Revit and have a list of those annotations be 'sheet specific' wecan use the Keynoting tool. Keynotes are the only schedules or legends (at this time at least) thatwill report only those objects that are in views placed onto each individual sheet -automatically.The overall workflow is to use a custom keynote database and either modify the standard one or create a custom one that would be independent of the CSI formatted one. When the actual,specified assemblies, etc. are chosen; then simply either reassign the new keynote value or linkup to another keynote database and choose the newly specified key value.The example below is of a custom keynote database, used for project specific (schematic)notations.

.TXT file

Image 1

Project example:

Image 2The example in Image 2 above illustrates how sub-groupings can be utilized to get logicalordering to the keynotes, such as Demo, RCP, etc; this assists in placing the appropriate type of note to the appropriate objects, in the appropriate view, without having to sift through ungroupedlinear lists.Note that the text fields must be comprised of a singleline in the keynote text file itself but once the KeynoteLegend is placed onto a sheet (or sheets) the textwrapping will become a function of the Revit Legendsize on sheets. See Image 3 (left).

REVITWHITEPAPER

Jay B Zallan2010

C h a p t e r : S t e p s t o t a k e f o r s e t t i n g u p a C u s t o m K e y n o t e D a t a b a s e

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Steps to take for setting up a Custom Keynote Database

1) Copy the standard Autodesk Keynote Database file (Perhaps from: C:\Documents andSettings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\RAC 2011\ImperialLibrary\RevitKeynotes_Imperial_2004.txt)… to a project folder. Note: your locations mayvary; especially if you don’t use RAC 2011!!! Remember to rename the new text file to besomething logical & project specific.2) Edit the new text file according to any sub-groupings, numbering and elementdescriptions desired. TAB separate each item, per Image 1 & 2 above… usually we useWindows Notepad to edit these.

No formatting other than “TAB separated” will work (for now?).

3) On the Annotation Ribbon click into the Tag down arrow, per Image 4 below.Image 44) Click "Keynote Settings" and browse to the project specific .txt file, per Images 5 & 6.Image 5Image 6

REVITWHITEPAPER

Jay B Zallan2010

C h a p t e r : S t e p s t o t a k e f o r s e t t i n g u p a C u s t o m K e y n o t e D a t a b a s e

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Excerpts from Revit Help Menu:

“Keynotes:

Keynotes are defined in a tab-delimited text file. The first portion of the text file is reserved for major headings/categories (the parent values). The remainder of the file is for sub-headings/categories (the child values). A tab-delimited file requires the use of the TAB key tocreate spaces between data entries.Changes made to the keynote table are not available in the current project session of RevitArchitecture. Changes are available when the project is closed and reopened.You can use Microsoft® Excel or a similar spreadsheet application to manage the data, thenexport it to a tab-delimited file format.

Types of Keynotes:Element

A keynote can be applied to an entire element, such as a wall, detail component, or door.

Material

A keynote can be assigned to a material that has been painted on a surface, and to materialsassigned to the component layers of an element. Keynotes are not supported for the insulationdrafting tool or the detail components line and filled region.

User

This option provides a way to use commonly used notes or phrases to address documentationissues. These additional user notes must be added to the provided keynote text files or includedin one that you create.

Do not apply "User" keynotes for Elements or Materials, only implement User keynotes for generic, repetitive notes.”

Format the text file per the example in Image 7 below,

Refer to

Revit's Help menu for moreinformation; simply search "Keynote"… That is if they fix the RAC 2011 Help system!!!

Image 7Image 8 below, shows an example of a Keynoted View placed on a Sheet that has a KeynoteLegend placed on it.