The View Name Definition part of the Edit Rules dialog is where the name for the newly created views is defined. Use the “Add a Part” section to mix and match any or all of these parts to make your own custom Rule:
The constant is a rule part that provides a way to add text or number values that are intended to be the same for all new view names. A common example of a constant is to use “Working” or “Demo” as a prefix/suffix to the view name. Constants are also very useful in adding a space or dash between two properties.
For example, in the DUPLICATE — Working sample rule, the constant is used to add the prefix “Working -” to all selected views. Double-clicking on the part labeled “Prefix” will open the “Set Constant Value”, as shown, and let you adjust the settings. Related settings: Prompt for value and Name.
The Value field is the default value that will display in the main dialog box when this Rule is used. In the example shown above, the value is “Working -”, meaning that all selected views will be named using first the “Working -” text.
The value of the Constant can be altered within the main dialog if the “Prompt for value” checkbox is selected. For example, if “Working-” is specified in the Rule, and the “Prompt for value” checkbox is not selected, this text will always be used. If the checkbox is checked then the person using the rule will be able to change the text on the view preview dialog.
TIP: The value can also be deleted, making the Constant optional to the end user.
The Name of the Constant only applies if the “Prompt for value” checkbox is selected. The value of the Name field is displayed as the label on the main dialog.
The Increment is a Rule part that is used to increase a number or letter value with each subsequent element. Use the Increment button under “Add a Part” to add an Increment to a new Rule. Each Rule is allowed only one Increment part.
The settings for Increment parts, as shown in the dialog below are: Increment Name, Starting Value, Increment Size, Increment Per, and Leave Singles Blank.
In the example shown above, which comes from the Rooms-Increment rule, the increment is named “Increment”. The name is used internally within this dialog only for identification purposes.
The “Starting Value” is the default text value (for the increment portion of the rule) that will appear in the main dialog when the rule is used.
The default value is ‘1’ and should be left as-is unless there is a desire to increment view names with odd or even number values, in which case it can be set to ‘2’.
The “Increment Per” option is available as a way to force a re-set of the Increment value based on the Room, Space, Level, Family, or Type property. In the example shown above, the value of the view name increment will reset to -A whenever the View Type changes.
This option only applies when the “Increment Per” choice is set to something other than “None”. When checked, this option allows elements that only have one instance per the “Increment Per” setting, to ignore the Increment. If you are numbering Air Terminals per Space and the first space has only one Air Terminal it will be numbered without the increment (e.g. 101). If the next Space has three Air Terminals they will be numbered with the increment (e.g. 102-A, 102-B, 102-C).
The Field is a Rule part that is used to reference a property of the element. For example, the rule shown in the image below uses the View Name parameter from the original view (and a couple of constants) to create the new view name.
The Default part has the unique behavior of being able to programmatically reference the original view name while accounting for differences related to the level name or scope box. This part is useful for both the "Plans to Levels" and "Apply Dependents" methods.
When the Default part is used with the "Apply Dependents" method, the view name for the new dependent is automated by taking the name of the selected parent plus any other text from the selected dependent.
Example:
Selected Dependent = Level 02 Ceiling Plan - Building 1
Selected Parent = Level 03 Ceiling Plan
New view name = Level 03 Ceiling Plan - Building 1
The Default part is used within the sample rule called "DEPENDENTS"
When the Default part is used with the "Plans to Levels" method, the view name for the new plan view is automated by taking the name of the original view, but then substituting the newly selected Level name where applicable.
Example:
Original Views
Selected Level = Level 02
New Views
The Default part is used within the sample rule called "LEVELS"