Getting Started With Families, Views, Sheets, and Classifications
Use this page as a practical starting point for understanding what each workspace is for, when to use preview-first workflows, and how to get productive faster inside the add-in.
Fast Start
- Open the workspace that matches the job you want to complete.
- Refresh the current project inventory before larger edits.
- Review preview rows before applying changes back to the model.
- Save reusable rules when you want the same setup again later.
Before You Start
- Install the correct TiMBIM Manage build for the Revit version you are using.
- Open Revit and confirm the TiMBIM ribbon is visible.
- Start in the workspace that best matches the immediate task instead of trying to set up everything at once.
- Refresh inventory if families, views, sheets, legends, title blocks, or classifications changed since the window was opened.
Choose The Right Workspace
Families
Use Families when the work is about family cleanup, family and type renaming, system family types, or material management inside the active project.
Views
Use Views for level-based setup, dependent views, rename operations, and view removal planning.
Sheets
Use Sheets when you want to generate new sheets from views, manage existing sheets, or control placement and frame behavior with sheet size profiles.
Classifications
Use Classifications when the goal is to define systems, apply values in bulk, or validate readiness before IFC export.
Preview-First Workflow
- Open the workspace and load or refresh the current project inventory.
- Select the rows, families, views, or source items that belong in the change set.
- Build a preview where the workspace supports it.
- Review blocked rows, warnings, naming results, or ready states before continuing.
- Apply the change only after the preview looks right.
Families
Use Families when the work is about family cleanup, governed renaming, direct family and type management, system family types, or material management inside the active project.
- Manager is the place for direct family, type, and material work
- Fast rename is intended for checked rows and supports transform-based expressions
- System family types can be reviewed and managed, while system families themselves stay protected
- Cleanup stays available from inside the Families workspace instead of living as a separate ribbon button
Views
Use Views for level-based setup, dependent views, rename operations, and view removal planning. The workspace is designed to help users move from setup logic to preview to write-back in a more controlled way.
- Batch Setup is for new views from levels
- Dependent Setup is for creating scoped dependent views from existing sources
- Rename can use either templates with tokens or direct transforms
- Remove helps filter views before delete actions are reviewed
Sheets
Use Sheets when you want to generate new sheets from views, manage existing sheets, or control placement and frame behavior with sheet size profiles.
- Sheet Creation is best for turning prepared views into structured sheet output
- Sheet Management is for editing existing sheet data directly in a grid
- Sheet Sizes control frame fit and placement behavior for views, legends, and title blocks
- Preview rows help confirm sheet results before creation
Classifications
Use Classifications when the goal is to define systems, apply values in bulk, and validate readiness before IFC export or delivery milestones.
- Define the system first before spending time on chapter rules
- Rules can be used to decide which elements belong under each code
- Management views make it easier to review and adjust values in bulk
- Validation helps catch gaps before export workflows depend on the data
Workspace Notes
Families
- Manager is the place for direct family, type, and material work.
- Fast rename is intended for checked rows and supports transform-based expressions.
- System family types can be reviewed and managed, while system families themselves stay protected.
Views
- Batch Setup is for new views from levels.
- Dependent Setup is for creating scoped dependent views from existing sources.
- Rename can use either templates with tokens or direct transforms.
Sheets
- Sheet Creation is best for turning prepared views into structured sheet output.
- Sheet Management is for editing existing sheet data directly in a grid.
- Sheet Sizes control frame fit and placement behavior for views, legends, and title blocks.
Classifications
- Define the system first before spending time on chapter rules.
- Use management views to review and adjust results before relying on export output.
- Run validation when classification quality matters to delivery or IFC handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use rules for every workflow?
No. Some tasks are better handled directly in a grid, while others benefit from reusable rules. TiMBIM Manage supports both approaches so users can choose the level of structure that matches the task.
When should I refresh inventory?
Refresh after loading or changing families, views, legends, title blocks, revisions, or classification content that the current window depends on.
Where can I find licensing information?
Open the About entry in the TiMBIM ribbon. It combines general product information, licensing status, and quick help in one place.