Revit Add-on: How to Use the Ekkodale Revit Plugin for IDS Import

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of using the Ekkodale Revit Plugin to import an Information Delivery Specification (IDS). The IDS helps you assign information requirements to specific tasks in your Revit model, allowing for better organization and management of your project.

Step 1: Establish Information Requirements and Assign Tasks

Before you dive in, take a moment to set up your Information Requirements in Plannerly. It's as easy as assigning information requirements to specific tasks within your project. This way, you'll make sure to capture and deliver all the necessary information for your project's needs and use case.

Step 2: Export an IDS file from Plannerly

1. Open the File Manager in Plannerly and export a new IDS file
2. Choose whether to show classifications and select a specific folder or tags if desired.
3. Give your IDS a name, for example, "IDS Demo."
4. Download and store the IDS file in a convenient location on your drive.

Step 3: Installing the Ekkodale Revit Plugin

1. Go to the Ekkodale website (ekkodale.com) and navigate to "Applications > Tools > Downloads."
2. Install both the guideline editor and the Ekkodale suite.
3. Make sure Revit is closed during the installation process.

Step 4: Opening the Guideline Editor and Importing IDS

1. Open the guideline editor within the Ekkodale Revit Plugin.
2. Import the IDS file you created earlier. The IDS file is an XML document.
3. Choose a parameter inside Revit to associate with the imported IDS. The recommended parameter is "Model," which is available in any Revit family.
4. Review the imported information requirements and their corresponding rules.
5. Make any necessary adjustments, such as changing parameters from instance to type parameters.
6. Save the guideline editor file.

Step 5: Opening Revit and Configuring the AIA Editor

1. Open the Revit file where you want to apply the IDS.
2. Activate the Ekkodale suite and access the AIA Editor.
3. Open the AIA Editor Settings.
4. Direct the AIA Editor to the guideline parameter file you saved earlier.
5. Locate the corresponding shared parameter file, which is automatically generated when importing the XML file.
6. Ensure that the classification property matches the one used in the guideline editor.
7. Save the settings.

Step 6: Linking Tasks to Model Elements

1. In the Editor Classifier section of the AIA Editor, you will find a list of tasks from Plannerly.
2. Right-click on the model element you want to assign a task to.
3. Choose and assign the appropriate task from the list.
4. Save your changes.

Step 7: Applying Information Requirements to Model Elements

1. Open the AIA Editor in Revit.
2. Select a model element to populate the corresponding parameters with the required information.
3. Fill in the values for each parameter based on the information requirements. For example, enter the warranty period, contact email, and system category.
4. Apply the values to all relevant parameters in the model element.
5. Save your changes.

By following these steps, you can effectively use Plannerly to export an Information Delivery Specification (IDS) and manage your project's information requirements in Revit with the Ekkodale Revit Plugin. This plugin streamlines the process of applying information requirements and ensuring the accurate and efficient delivery of project information.