Problem:

 

I want to add a new Family and Part due to some project specific requirements. How can I do that?

 

Solution:

 

The configuration variables TFDIR_PART and TFDIR_CPART show the location of part libraries and compound part libraries respectively.

 

Part libraries can be located at the Dataset level, WorkSpace level or WorkSet level. If you want to create custom Family and Part, then those can be located at any of these three levels.

 

The custom Family and Part can be created inside an existing XML file, or a new XML file can be created. If other users need to access the design file, they must also have the XML file containing the custom Family and Part on their systems so that they can access the same.

 

To create a custom Family and Part, please follow the steps below.

 

1. Open the Family/Part Editor from File > Dataset Tools > Family/Part Editor. You can also use the search bar option.

 

2. Select the level on which you want to create the Family and Part. For example, the following image shows that the WorkSet level has been selected as the location for creating the new XML file containing the custom Family and Part.

 

3. Now, right-click in the blank space on the right side and select New.

 

4. Then give a suitable name to the XML file and click OK.

 

Thus, a new XML file is created.

 

5. Now, expand the hierarchy on the left side by clicking on the plus sign and click on the XML file name. Thereafter, right-click in the blank space on the right side and select New.

 

6. The "New Family" dialog box opens for storing a new Family inside the XML file. Give a suitable name and description and click OK.

 

A new Family is created inside the XML file.

 

7. To create a Part under this new Family, click on the Family name on the left side. Then right-click in the blank space on the right side and select New.

 

8. The "New Part" dialog box opens where you can give a suitable name and description to the new Part as well as assigning attributes as per your requirements. Then click OK.

 

A new Part associated with the new Family is created.

 

9. Click on the Commit Changes button to save the changes. Then close the Family/Part Editor.

 

Now, this new XML file can be found using File Explorer in the location in which it was created.

 

Custom Family and Part is now ready to be used as per the requirements.

 

Note: If the XML file already exists and a new Family and Part is to be create inside that, the above description should be followed beginning from step 5. If the desired Family exists inside the XML file, and only a new Part is to be created under that Family, the above description should be followed beginning from step 7.

 

See Also:

 

To apply the custom Part to any element, refer to the following KB article.

 

OpenBuildings - How do I change the part assigned to an existing element? (service-now.com)