That Pesky Associate Global Parameters Button

I have noticed in my classes a button causing a bit of trouble lately. A recent post in the Autodesk Revit Forum prompted me to write this post. 

What am I talking about? The associate global parameters (AGP) button that now appears next to many instance and type parameters in Revit. AGP is a nice feature, introduced in the Revit 2016 Release 2 update, they allow us to associate parameters in the project environment, allowing us to make global parametric changes. You can see this knowledge network article here to learn more. 

Where I see it causing problems for users is when trying to change the material of objects. You can't actually see the material browser button until you click in the cell. So naturally, users click on what they can see, which now happens to be the AGP button. 

When you click this button, the AGP dialog box opens and users are left scratching their heads. (I have even seen some students attempt to search for the material in this dialog).

What you really need to be looking for are those 3 little dots next to the material name. As I mentioned before, you can't actually see this button until you click in the material cell. If you know where it is, you can actually just click in this spot, the button shows and opens the material browser. 

I have never understood why this button is hidden. There should be a permanent 'pencil' (Autodesk symbol for editing) next to the material parameter that is visible and clear for users to click on. Something like this...

I am off to the Revit Ideas forum... 

Learning Dynamo - Online Handouts & Video Courses

There are plenty of places to start learning Dynamo. Early last year I posted about the Dynamo training course I completed at Lynda.com by Ian Siegel and just last month spoke of 'Dynamo thoughts' by Bill Devevc & Ian Siegel on YouTube. 

Well, if you are starting off 2017 keen on learning Dynamo, there are a few more places you can visit. 
Paul F. Aubin created a great handout for his Autodesk University 2016 presentation. 'Code Blocks Not Required - Dynamo for the Rest of Us'. It's aimed at beginners and starts with a break down of the interface and the basics of nodes & wires. The online class at Autodesk University can be seen here along with class materials to go with the handout.

Late last year new video courses became available at 'Pluralsight' an online training platform. Some regular contributors at the DynamoBIM forum at the Revit Forum have published some videos for beginners to intermediates. 

• Introduction to Dynamo for Daily Use Within Revit (Beginner) by John Pierson 
• Visual Programming Introduction with Dynamo & Revit (Intermediate) by Kevin Griendling 
• Exploring Dynamo Geometry (Intermediate) by Sol Amour 

I haven't had a chance to go through all of these yet, but the support these guys provide on the forums is really good, so I have no doubt the videos will be helpful for beginners & intermediates. 

The Dynamo Primer introduction at DynamoBIM.org is also a good place to start. You will find more resources here too. 

Forums
I regularly visit the DynamoBIM.org forum & Revit Forum where everyone is always keen to help you solve any problems you may be having with your graphs!