093 Grid Alignment By Parameter

Overview

Grid Alignment By Parameter copies the 2D grid extent layout (bubble positions, hidden ends, and alignment overrides) from a single template floor plan view to any number of target views. Add a text parameter to your views, set it to reference the template view, and run the tool — each target view's grids are reset and then aligned to match the template in a single pass. A task that could take days on large projects with hundreds of views runs in seconds.

Table of Contents

• Key Features
• Requirements
• Running the Tool
• Tips and Best Practices
• Common Use Cases
• Troubleshooting

Key Features

• Works with floor plan views only — view type is filtered to floor plans
• Two parameter dropdowns: one for filtering/searching target views, one for reading the source view reference
• Source view reference format: ViewType: ViewName (e.g. Floor Plan: Level 1)
• For each target view: grids are reset first (clearing any 2D overrides), then aligned to match the template
• Select Selected / Select All / Select None buttons for the target view list
• Progress bar with Cancel button
• Completion message: "X views updated. Y views failed."
• Transaction: "Update View Regions"

Requirements

• Must be run in a project document (not a Family document)
• A text parameter (project or shared) must be added to Views before running
• That parameter must contain a value in the format ViewType: ViewName pointing to the template view
• The source template view must exist and have the desired grid layout already configured
• A valid Kiwi Codes Bonus Tools licence must be active

Running the Tool

Setup — Configure the template view and parameter

Before using this tool, set up your template view and add a parameter to target views.

1. Create a Project Parameter (or Shared Parameter) of type Text, bound to the Views category.

2. Designate one floor plan view as the grid template — adjust grid bubbles, hide/show grid ends, and align grid extents exactly as required for your drawing standard.

3. On each target view, open its properties and set the parameter to the template view in ViewType: ViewName format:

   Floor Plan: Level 1
   

   Where:

   • Floor Plan — the exact View Type name
   • : — separator (colon + space)
   • Level 1 — the exact name of the template view

Launch

Find Grid Alignment By Parameter on the Bonus Tools Ribbon or use 115 Search Tools.

Step 1 — Configure the search

Select the View Type from the dropdown to filter the list to floor plan views. Select a search by Parameter to define which parameter to filter on and enter a keyword if needed to narrow the results.

Step 2 — Select target views

The view list populates with matching views. Select the views to update — use the Select All / Select None / Select Selected buttons for fast selection.

Step 3 — Select the source-reference parameter

In the second parameter dropdown, select the parameter that holds the ViewType: ViewName source reference.

Step 4 — Execute

Click OK. For each selected target view, the tool:

1. Reads the source-reference parameter value
2. Parses ViewType: ViewName to locate the template view
3. Calls Reset Grids on the target view (clears all 2D grid overrides)
4. Calls Align Grid to copy the 2D extents from the template view to the target view

When complete: "X views updated. Y views failed."

Tips and Best Practices

• Set up the template view with all grid variations before running. The tool copies the state of grids at the moment of execution — if the template view changes later, re-run to propagate updates.
• Only visible grids in the target view are aligned. Grids that are not visible in a target view's crop region are not affected.
• Grids are reset before aligning. The Reset step clears any manual 2D overrides on the target view before copying the template layout — this ensures the result is a clean match.
• Use a dedicated parameter name. A name like "Grid Template View" or "Grid Alignment Source" makes the purpose clear when browsing view properties.
• One template can drive all levels. Set the same Floor Plan: Level 1 reference on every level's floor plan to maintain consistent grid appearance project-wide.

Common Use Cases

Standardising grid bubble visibility across all floor plans — Adjust grid bubble positions on a Level 1 floor plan to the project standard. Run Grid Alignment By Parameter with all floor plans referencing that view to apply the same layout instantly.

Propagating grid updates after design changes — When a grid is extended or a bubble is moved on the template view, re-run the tool to update all referencing views in one step.

Consistent grid appearance on coordination sets — Ensure that architectural, structural, and MEP floor plans all show grids in the same positions by pointing all discipline views at the same template.

Setting up a new project — When grid lines are first added and adjusted, immediately propagate the initial layout to all floor plans rather than adjusting each view manually.

Troubleshooting

"X views updated. Y views failed." with failures Check the parameter value format on the failed views — it must be exactly ViewType: ViewName. The ViewType (e.g. Floor Plan) and view name must match precisely, including capitalisation and spacing.

"Operation Failed." An unexpected error occurred during the grid reset or alignment. Check the Output log for details. Possible causes include a worksharing conflict or a view that does not support 2D grid overrides.

No views appear in the list Verify the View Type selection matches views in the project. Confirm that the selected search parameter is attached to the views and contains data.

Grids are reset but not aligned to the template The template view name in the parameter does not match any view in the project, or the referenced view contains no grid overrides. Verify the parameter value and check that the template view has 2D grid adjustments set.

Some grids are not aligned in the target view Grids that fall outside the crop region of the target view cannot have 2D extents set. Ensure the target view's crop region encompasses the same grids as the template view.