Yesterday, Steve Stafford posted a blog about Room Name Alternates. You can find it here...
In short, the post was about using Room Name parameter for abbreviations for when a name was too long to properly place in a Room (for instance: Toilet ladies, which almost never fits in the room. Abbreviated to T or TL in Plan Views). Problem with this is: it's not very useful in Schedules.
Steve's solution was to use an extra Shared Parameter for that. Create the parameter and modify your room tag to be able to choose between both.
I would like to add another (and imho much easier to use option): Key Schedules... With this one you can't change between abbreviation and full name in the room tags, but it has some other advantages that outweigh this.
Go to View > Schedules > Schedules/Quantities.
Select the Room Category and set to Schedule Keys.
Create a Key name (for instance Room Name)
Now add rows as needed and simply type in the name you wish.
In the tags use the abbreviated room name. Use the Key Schedule to add a full name to the schedules.
This has some benefits to Shared Parameters:
1. You only need to type it once. Put it in your template and you're done. Shared Parameters need to be defined on a project base.
2. You can add extra functionality. Lot's of Building Code rules are based on room useage. Using Key Schedules you can tie these to the Room Name. For instance Occupancy Load, Fire Load, Ventilation Requirements, Lighting Requirements, and so on...
In short, the post was about using Room Name parameter for abbreviations for when a name was too long to properly place in a Room (for instance: Toilet ladies, which almost never fits in the room. Abbreviated to T or TL in Plan Views). Problem with this is: it's not very useful in Schedules.
Steve's solution was to use an extra Shared Parameter for that. Create the parameter and modify your room tag to be able to choose between both.
I would like to add another (and imho much easier to use option): Key Schedules... With this one you can't change between abbreviation and full name in the room tags, but it has some other advantages that outweigh this.
Go to View > Schedules > Schedules/Quantities.
Select the Room Category and set to Schedule Keys.
Create a Key name (for instance Room Name)
Now add rows as needed and simply type in the name you wish.
In the tags use the abbreviated room name. Use the Key Schedule to add a full name to the schedules.
This has some benefits to Shared Parameters:
1. You only need to type it once. Put it in your template and you're done. Shared Parameters need to be defined on a project base.
2. You can add extra functionality. Lot's of Building Code rules are based on room useage. Using Key Schedules you can tie these to the Room Name. For instance Occupancy Load, Fire Load, Ventilation Requirements, Lighting Requirements, and so on...
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