The reasons and methods for adopting Inventor parameters in product definitions, including some best practices for Inventor parameters and managing dependencies.
You'll see how adopted parameters define inputs on the product form for variant generation in revit and are used in formulas and rules. Via code blocks to ensure only valid manufacturable variants are produced.
To adopt a parameter, check the box to the left of the desired parameter name in the list.
When checked, a parameter will show up in the list of adopted parameters on the right side panel in the order it was selected.
As a best practice, set all Inventor parameters that are candidates for adoption.
As key parameters before creating a product definition, utilizing the filter options to only list the parameters of interest for adoption.
The list of parameters always reflects the current filter setting, which can be all, model, user, key, or selected.
To adopt all parameters in the list according to the current filter setting. Select the box to the left of the name column header.
This sets as checked all parameters in the list and adds them to the adopted parameters list on the right side panel of the dialog box.
Adapted parameters are listed in the order they were selected for adoption.
And this order also determines the order in which the inputs will appear on the form in revit. If adopting parameters one at a time, choose them in the order desired for the form. Or use drag and drop to reorder them as desired after adoption by clicking and dragging on the dotted icon to the left a parameter name in the adopted parameters list.
As a best practice, all Inventor parameters intended for adoption should be created prior to creating a product definition.
However, parameters can be added or removed from the adopted list anytime after creating a product definition.
When adding or removing parameters from the list, be aware of the following consequences.
Adding parameters will add a corresponding input to the existing form.
Use code blocks to hide this input in the form if needed. Added parameters can be referenced with code blocks in the rules as may be required.
Removing parameters will automatically deactivate any code blocks that directly reference that parameter.
If the parameter is readopted, the referencing code blocks will automatically be reactivated.
Removing parameters will remove their corresponding input from the form.
The adopted parameters list can also be impacted if Inventor parameters are deleted or renamed after creating the product definition.
Doing so, results in their removal from the adopted parameters list, which in turn has the usual effects on code blocks and the form. As a best practice, One should create and finalize the names of all required parameters in the Inventor base model before adopting them into a product definition.
Name the Inventor parameters clearly and concisely to clarify the inputs on the form and to provide a clear correspondence between them in any related code block rules.
In summary, it is best to create clearly named key Inventor parameters.
Which can then be adopted into product definitions to populate the input form in Revit and for use with input rule generation in code blocks.
