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Opening Parameters

The opening families come with a range of parameters that are automatically set when running ConVoid. However, certain parameters should not be edited manually. Please check the edit permissions.

Shared Parameters

All shared parameters used by ConVoid families can be found in the ConVoid Shared Parameter File, which is included in the family library.

Shared Parameter File

info

Some parameters, such as Room and Grid, are not loaded by default. You must add them yourself from the Shared Parameter File, either as project parameters or directly inside the family. See Location Parameters below.

Void-ID (Mark)

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Mark

The Void-ID is based on the Revit Mark parameter and serves as the unique identifier for each opening. If no custom value is set, ConVoid automatically generates a six-digit ID derived from a short version of the IfcGuid.

You can freely change the Void-ID to match your own naming convention (e.g. BW-P-00-001, L01-001, etc.). ConVoid only provides the auto-generated placeholder if no other value has been assigned.

Important

To ensure a consistent Void-ID between models, use the Parameter Transfer feature to transfer the Mark value from the reference elements to the ConVoid openings.


Dimension Parameters

Total Dimensions

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Total Diameter | Total Width | Total Height | Total Length | Total Depth

These parameters show the total dimensions of the opening. The total dimension is calculated by adding the reference element dimensions and the oversize values. For example, the total width equals the sum of Oversize Left + Width + Oversize Right.

Total Dimension Properties
Properties
Total Dimension Parameters
Parameters

Dimensions

Edit permissions: (don't modify when auto-placed)

Parameters: Diameter | Width | Height | Length | Depth

These parameters represent the actual dimensions of the reference element (e.g. a duct or pipe). They should not be modified on auto-placed openings, because any manual changes will be reset to match the reference element size during the next ConVoid run.

Dimensions are reset on the next run

If you need the opening to be larger than the reference element, do not edit the Dimension parameters directly. Use the Oversize parameters instead — these survive subsequent ConVoid runs. See Oversize Dimensions below.

Dimension Properties
Properties
Dimension Parameters
Parameters

Oversize Dimensions

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Oversize Left | Oversize Right | Oversize Back | Oversize Front | Oversize Bottom | Oversize Top

Use these parameters to increase or decrease the opening's dimensions without triggering a reset on the next ConVoid run. The oversize settings defined in your ConVoid filter may produce slightly larger dimensions if values are rounded up.

Oversize is the safe way to resize

When you need an opening larger than the reference element, for example to accommodate fire damper clearances, always adjust the Oversize parameters rather than the Dimension parameters. You can also use the Dimension Void feature to apply oversize values in bulk.

Oversize Properties
Properties
Oversize Parameters
Parameters

Rotation

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Rotation X Axis | Rotation Y Axis | Rotation Z Axis

These parameters add a slope to the opening. You can combine multiple rotations. If you do not want ConVoid to generate sloped openings, disable this option in Advanced Settings.

Rotation Properties
Properties
Rotation Parameters
Parameters

Level and Elevation Parameters

Level Parameters

Edit permissions: (use ConVoid features)

Parameters: Base Level | Top Level

Each opening is constrained between two levels, which are used to calculate the distance to the lower slab surface (SSL) and the upper slab surface (BB/S).

Use the Level/Elevation feature instead

Do not adjust Base Level or Top Level through the Revit Property Window, as the opening's location may shift unpredictably. Use the Level/Elevation feature in ConVoid for reliable results.

Level Properties
Properties
Level Parameters
Parameters

Offset to Base Level

Edit permissions: (don't edit when auto-placed)

Parameters: Offset Void - Base Level

The offset is measured from the Base Level to the center of the opening. On auto-placed openings this parameter should not be manually adjusted. For manually placed openings, use the Level/Elevation feature to set the elevation.

Do not add "Offset Void - Base Level" as a project parameter on vertical openings

Adding this shared parameter as a project parameter to vertical openings creates a conflict with the internal calculation and causes incorrect vertical positioning. If you experience unexpected offsets on vertical openings, check whether this project parameter exists and delete it.

Offset Properties
Properties
Offset Parameters
Parameters

Distance to Level

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Distance Void Lower Edge to Base Level | Distance Void Axis to Base Level | Distance Void Axis to Top Level | Distance Void Upper Edge to Top Level

These read-only parameters indicate the distance between the opening edges/axis and the Base and Top Levels. They are commonly used to display the distance to slab surfaces in a Smart Tag.

These parameters only support positive values

The standard Distance to Level parameters do not support negative values. If an opening is located below the Base Level, the values will not be displayed correctly. Use the Advanced Elevation Parameters below for openings that require signed (positive/negative) elevation values.

Distance Properties
Properties
Distance Parameters
Parameters

Advanced Elevation Parameters (with negative values)

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters relative to the Base Level: Elevation Base Level - Axis of Void | Elevation Base Level - Upper Edge of Void | Elevation Base Level - Lower Edge of Void

Parameters relative to the Top Level: Elevation Top Level - Axis of Void | Elevation Top Level - Upper Edge of Void | Elevation Top Level - Lower Edge of Void

ConVoid provides extended elevation parameters that support signed values (positive and negative) relative to a reference level. These are especially useful for tagging openings that are located below the Base Level, where the standard Distance to Level parameters cannot display the correct value.

These parameters must be manually added from the ConVoid Shared Parameter File, either as project parameters (Category: Generic Models) or directly inside the family. Add the same parameters to your tag family to display them in Smart Tags.

Triggering the initial calculation

After adding the advanced elevation parameters, the values may appear empty. To trigger the calculation, modify any parameter on the openings (e.g. a comment). This forces ConVoid to recalculate and populate the elevation values, including negative values for openings below the reference level. This only needs to be done once.

Correct level assignment

Make sure that the openings have the correct Base Level and Top Level assigned. Use the Level/Elevation feature to change the level reference without shifting the opening's position.

Elevation, Project Base Point

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Elevation Project - Lower Edge of Void | Elevation Project - Axis of Void | Elevation Project - Upper Edge of Void

Displays the elevation of the opening relative to the Project Base Point. Commonly used to show elevation values in a Smart Tag.

Project Elevation Properties
Properties
Project Elevation Parameters
Parameters

Elevation, Shared Coordinates

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Elevation Shared - Lower Edge of Void | Elevation Shared - Axis of Void | Elevation Shared - Upper Edge of Void

Displays the Z-coordinate of the opening relative to the Shared Coordinates. Also commonly used in Smart Tags for elevation display.

Shared Elevation Properties
Properties
Shared Elevation Parameters
Parameters

Quantity Parameters

Material of Host

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Material of Host

Displays the materials of the host elements. This parameter is automatically populated and updated when creating, adopting, or updating openings.

Material of Host Properties
Properties
Material of Host Parameters
Parameters

Perimeter

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Perimeter

A read-only parameter indicating the perimeter of the opening.

Perimeter Properties
Properties
Perimeter Parameters
Parameters

Lateral Surface Area

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Lateral Surface Area

A read-only parameter indicating the lateral surface area of the opening.

Lateral Surface Area Properties
Properties
Lateral Surface Area Parameters
Parameters

Sealing Volume

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Sealing Volume

Represents the volume needed to seal the opening.

Sealing Volume Properties
Properties
Sealing Volume Parameters
Parameters

Occupancy %

Edit permissions: (read-only)

Parameters: Occupancy %

Indicates the occupancy ratio of an opening, calculated from its size relative to the reference element dimensions.

Occupancy Properties
Properties
Occupancy Parameters
Parameters

Visibility Parameters

Symbol Parameters

Edit permissions: (edit manually)

Parameters: Symbol Top and Bottom | Symbol Back and Front | Symbol Right and Left

These parameters control which symbol is displayed for the opening in a given view direction.

Symbol Properties
Properties
Symbol Parameters
Parameters

Display Symbol

Edit permissions: (edit manually)

Parameters: Display Symbol over entire Level

When enabled, the symbol is displayed between the Base and Top Levels. When disabled, it is visible only below the opening.

Display Symbol Properties
Properties
Display Symbol Parameters
Parameters

Placeholder

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Placeholder

Enabling this parameter hides all symbols in plans, elevations, and other views. It is commonly used to visually hide an opening and is set automatically when you join openings.

Hiding joined openings

When you join two openings, the subordinate opening is automatically marked as a Placeholder. It remains in the model but its symbols are hidden. You can also hide placeholders in the ConVoid Manager by toggling the Placeholders view, or filter them using the subcategory CC Clash Zone under Generic Models.

Placeholder Properties
Properties
Placeholder Parameters
Parameters

Offset Symbol

Edit permissions: (edit manually)

Parameters: Offset Base Symbol | Offset Top Symbol

These parameters let you modify the viewing range of the opening symbol, i.e. how far above or below the opening's position the symbol extends in plan views.

Default value changed in some projects

In certain Revit projects, the default value for Offset Top Symbol may have been set to -1 m deep in the project database, causing symbols to become invisible. If openings appear in the model but not in plan views, check this parameter and reset it to 0 m. You may also need to reload the family with the corrected formula.

Offset Symbol Properties
Properties
Offset Symbol Parameters
Parameters

Level, Cut Plane

Edit permissions: (edit manually)

Parameters: 🔵 Cut Plane Floor Plan - Base Level | 🔴 Cut Plane Ceiling Plan - Top Level | 🟡 Cut Plane Floor Plan - Top Level

Vertical openings include three symbol regions that correspond to different cut plane areas. This allows different symbols to be shown in floor plans versus ceiling plans.

The vertical opening must be constrained to two different levels. Make sure to verify your cut plane offset and enter the corresponding values into these parameters.

Cut Plane Properties
Properties
Cut Plane Diagram
Cut Plane Diagram

Control Parameter

Exclude from ConVoid

Edit permissions: (edit manually)

Parameters: Exclude from conVoid

This parameter has multiple uses. Enabling it on an opening prevents any automatic changes during subsequent ConVoid runs. Enabling it on a host or reference element prevents ConVoid from creating an opening based on that element.

Exclude vs. Pin

If you want to freeze an opening so that ConVoid does not update it, use Exclude from ConVoid rather than Revit's Pin function. Pinning an element does not prevent ConVoid from modifying its parameters; only the Exclude parameter reliably blocks automatic changes.

Exclude does not block the approval process

Enabling Exclude from ConVoid only prevents the update process from modifying the opening. It does not interfere with the coordination and approval workflow.

Exclude Properties
Properties
Exclude Parameters
Parameters

Location Parameters

Room

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Room I: Name, Number, Level | Room II: Name, Number, Level

These parameters must be manually added to the ConVoid families, either as project parameters or directly inside the Family Editor. You can find them in the Shared Parameter File. Once added, ConVoid automatically populates the room values when placing or updating openings.

ConVoid also supports rooms in a linked model. The parameter transfer is triggered when modifying openings.

Room values remain empty?

If room parameters stay empty after running ConVoid, populate them with arbitrary text (e.g. a placeholder value). This triggers the parameter transfer process and ConVoid will then overwrite the placeholder with the correct room data.

Room Properties
Properties
Room Parameters
Parameters

Grid

Edit permissions: (edit manually or use ConVoid feature)

Parameters: Grid Location

Like the Room parameter, this must be manually added from the Shared Parameter File. Once present, ConVoid automatically populates the grid location when placing or modifying openings. Grids in linked models are also supported.

Grid values remain empty?

The same workaround applies: populate the grid parameter with arbitrary text to trigger the parameter transfer, and ConVoid will fill in the correct value.

Grid Properties
Properties
Grid Parameters
Parameters

Coordination Parameters

All coordination parameters are automatically set by ConVoid. They should not be edited manually.

Discipline

ConVoid sets this parameter according to the discipline selected in your profile.

Changelog

Records all changes that occurred when an opening was automatically updated. This provides a transparent audit trail of modifications.

Drawn by

Set automatically to the name configured in your profile.

Drawn Date

Filled automatically with the current date when the opening is created.

Drawn Status

Indicates the current status of an opening: Created, Updated, Changed, Manually Placed, or Deleted.

If the status reads "Deleted", you must manually verify whether the opening should be removed from the project. ConVoid never deletes elements automatically.

Cannot change Drawn Status on manually placed openings

The Drawn Status of a manually placed opening cannot be changed after placement. This is by design.

Approved by | Rejected by | Pending by

These parameters track which disciplines have approved, rejected, or are still pending review for the opening. They support the Coordination and Approval workflow.

Reference Elements

Lists all element IDs of the reference elements used to create the opening.

Host Elements

Lists all element IDs of the host elements associated with the opening.

MatchKey

Displays the IfcGuid of the reference element. This is used for cross-model coordination and IFC-based workflows.