View Filter Manager

Introduction

Autodesk® Revit® is widely used by architects and engineers for building information modeling (BIM) projects. While Revit offers a robust set of tools, managing filters and view templates can be time-consuming and tedious. This is where the View Filter Manager plugin comes in, providing an efficient solution to streamline the process and enhance productivity. In this review, we will explore the features and benefits of this plugin, and how it can revolutionize filter and view template management in Revit projects.

Streamlining Filter Organization and Management

One of the key features of the View Filter Manager plugin is its ability to easily reorganize filters in every view and view template throughout an entire project. The order of filters in a view is crucial, and this plugin eliminates the need for manually moving filters up or down in each view. With just a few simple clicks, users can quickly rearrange filters to ensure consistency and organization across the project.

The plugin offers various options for copying filters, including filters only, filters and their overrides, and overrides only. This flexibility allows users to choose the most suitable method for their specific project requirements. Additionally, the ability to delete filters in a project or in all views and view templates provides a convenient way to remove unnecessary filters and maintain a clean and optimized project environment.

Another remarkable feature is the capability to copy view filter overrides between filters within the same view or view template. Users have the freedom to select which override(s) should be copied, and whether filters that are not present in the destination view should be copied or not. This ensures that only the desired overrides are transferred, preventing the addition of new filters unnecessarily.

The View Filter Manager plugin also automatically preserves the position of filters after they are copied, saving time and reducing the chance of user errors. Moreover, users can choose from multiple options for repositioning copied view filters, including alphabetizing them. There is even a feature to temporarily reposition view filters before copying, allowing for different filter positioning in the destination view without altering the source view's Visibility/Graphics settings.

For further convenience, the plugin enables users to save a list of view filters in a particular order for future use. This feature is particularly useful when working on multiple projects with similar filter setups, as it allows for consistent standards and efficiency. The ability to import a list of view filters to copy, as well as exporting filters' data to a file that can be opened in Excel, enhances collaboration and data management.

Enhancing Project Standards and Efficiency

The View Filter Manager plugin offers additional features that contribute to improved project standards and efficiency. Users can easily find categories that view filters are not assigned to, generating a report that highlights the gaps. This helps ensure that all relevant categories are covered, preventing any oversights in the filtering process.

The plugin also provides a comprehensive window where users can review filters, their categories, and the views and view templates to which they are assigned. This consolidated view simplifies the filtering management process and facilitates quick identification of any discrepancies or inconsistencies.

For those looking to optimize project parameters, the plugin offers the ability to find categories that project parameters are not assigned to. This feature ensures that all necessary categories are covered, minimizing any potential errors or omissions.

When it comes to views and view templates, the plugin allows users to delete unnecessary views and view templates, reducing clutter and improving project organization. The ability to delete or transfer selected elements between multiple projects, such as filters and view templates, further streamlines workflow and saves valuable time.

Another notable feature is the support for BIM360 projects offered by the View Filter Manager ML (sold separately). This extended version enhances project standard management by providing modeless dialogs, allowing users to interact with the Revit interface while the plugin's dialogs are displayed. Additionally, the toolset for transferring filters and view templates to multiple projects offers new options that greatly expedite the process, ensuring project standards alignment across different projects.

Conclusion

The View Filter Manager plugin is a powerful tool that significantly simplifies filter and view template management in Revit projects. Its wide range of features, such as reorganizing filters, copying view filter overrides, deleting filters, and transferring elements between projects, greatly enhance efficiency and productivity. The plugin's ability to find categories that filters and project parameters are not assigned to ensures comprehensive coverage and minimizes errors.

With the View Filter Manager plugin, Revit users can save valuable time and effort, allowing them to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of their projects. Whether working on small or large-scale projects, this plugin revolutionizes filter and view template management, making it an essential tool for any Revit user.