Monday, August 18, 2008

Upgrading Families in Revit

Although it is not necessary to upgrade all families before using them in a new version, it may be desirable to upgrade your family files (especially your larger ones) to avoid upgrade delays when you add families to projects.

The utility is located on the installation dvd for Revit. You will need to look in the Install Tools and Utilities area and then utilities from the left hand margin be directed to the utilities on the dvd. Files are designed to first find any existing family that you have, then upgrade them to the current release.

1. Copy the files into a directory common to your family files
2. Double click on the Batch Family File Generator (upgrade_rfa.bat). After a moment a file named famlist.txt will be created.
3. Drag and drop the Family File Upgrade Utility (upgrade_rfa.txt) onto the Revit Icon (or shortcut). Revit will now start, open and save all of the family files found in the family.txt file.

NOTE: Be sure that the file identified in the "family.txt" files should be upgraded before running the "upgrade_rfa.txt" utility. It is advisable to review the files found in the "family_rfa.txt" before proceeding. Once a file is upgraded it cannot be brought back to the previous release.

NOTE: Also note that family files marked as "read only" cannot be upgraded and will cause the upgrade_rfa.txt file to "run out of sequence" and the process will be stopped.

DO NOT modify these downloads to upgrade project files ! ! !

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