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Updating Riser Diagram Graphic Family Definitions

While working on a FireBIM project, you may need to modify one of your riser diagram graphic families. There are two methods you can use:

  • Modify using Edit Family: This method is faster and easier, but the changes usually will not carry through to the base graphic families for your company.
  • Modify in the oldest supported Revit version: This method is more involved but ensures the changes will be available for other projects. The reason this method is needed is explained below.

Background: FireBIM Graphic Families & Revit Versions​

The default FireBIM graphic families were created using Revit 2022. When you first install FireBIM, a cache of graphic families for each supported Revit version can also be downloaded and installed on your machine. If you opted out of pre-caching the graphics, the first time you insert a graphic using a newer Revit version, a graphic family compatible with that Revit version will be created and cached based upon the 2022 graphic family. If a graphic family in your customization folder is modified, FireBIM will update the cached family's definition to match.

info

Cached FireBIM riser diagram graphic families are stored in C:\ProgramData\Design Master Software\FireBIM\Cache\<Revit Version>.

Because Revit does not support backward compatibility, it is strongly recommended you do not save changes to graphic families unless using the oldest available Revit version supported by your company and FireBIM (visit the FireBIM System Requirements page for a list of supported versions). If, for example, you made changes to a strobe graphic family using Revit 2025 and saved those changes to your company's customization folder, you would no longer be able to use that family in Revit 2024 or older.

Modify Graphics Using Edit Family​

Using the Revit Edit Family command, you can quickly open and edit the family, then reload it into the project. This method is recommended for one-time changes that need to be made for the current project.

The process is the same as for any other Revit family:

  1. Select the graphic in your drafting view and run the Revit Edit Family command.

  2. Make the changes to the graphic.

  3. Run the Revit Load Family command.

  4. When prompted, select .

Any instances of the graphic in your drafting view will update to reflect the changes.

warning

When you close the family, do not save.

Modify Graphics in the Oldest Supported Revit Version​

This method ensures the modified graphic family will be usable across all of the Revit versions used by your company.

First, modify the family by following these steps in the oldest supported Revit version:

  1. Open the graphic family you want to modify. To see where your graphic families are located, run the User Options command.

  2. Make your changes to the graphic family.

  3. Save your changes.

You will then need to update the graphic family definition in your current project by following these steps:

  1. Run the Revit Load Family command and load the graphic family.

  2. When prompted, select .

  3. Use the Panel Insert or Circuit Insert command to insert a panel or device that uses the graphic family.

    note

    If all of your panels and circuits have already been inserted on the riser diagram, you will need to erase one and reinsert it.

  4. Run the Update Whole Project command.

The other devices using the graphic family in your project will update to reflect the changes.