Smart Tags Configurations
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Smart Tags Configurations are instructions that specify what to tag in a view or for selected elements. Users can create different configurations for various tasks and reuse them as needed.
Smart Tags works on both active and linked model elements, but tagging linked elements must be enabled first. You can read more about it .
This page will guide you through all the settings available in the configuration window.
At the top of the configuration window, you’ll find a dropdown with all available configurations. The selected configuration is the one currently being modified. To save any changes you’ve made, click Save. Clicking the three dots button expands a menu where you can create a new configuration or duplicate, rename, or delete the active one
The Save button, located at the bottom right, saves your changes and closes the configuration window. The Close button closes the window without saving any changes.
Clicking Apply with no elements selected in a view will run the active configuration for the entire view. If elements are selected, the active configuration will be applied only to those. While still in the configuration window, you can modify the configuration settings and click Apply again to update the tags with the latest settings.
On the left side of the configuration window, you'll find a list of Revit categories for tagging.
If you're creating a configuration, this is a good place to start.
If your configuration appears in the list, drag it to the top to make it easily accessible the next time you open the configuration.
All the settings on the right side of the categories list can be configured for each category individually (including multiple custom rules for each category based on element properties). These settings will be covered in later paragraphs.
The list of categories includes commonly used Architectural, Structural, and MEP categories. If the category you want to tag isn't listed, there are three multi-categories that cover all other loadable families: Point-Based Elements, Face-Based Elements, and Line-Based Elements.
Choose a multi-category depending on the type of family you want to tag.
Point Based Elements refer to what some might call regular Revit families. These are simple families that require just one click to be placed (hence point-based) and are the most common in most projects.
Line Based Elements are families created using the 'line-based' family template. These families require two clicks to be placed—one for the start and another for the end (hence line-based).
Face Based Elements are for families that can attach (be hosted) to the faces of other elements. These families are created using templates that are 'based' on something else:
Point-based families can also be made to behave more like face-based families by enabling Work Plane-Based in the Family Editor. If this option is enabled, you'll need to use the Face Based Elements multi-category.
After selecting a multi-category, locate the Tag Category drop-down in the Common Settings. Choose the category you want to work with from the list—this rule will now work specifically with that category.
If at least one rule in a given category is active, the category name will be displayed in green
For each category, you can set up to 15 tagging Rules. To add a Rule, click the + button—it will duplicate the active rule. The — button will delete the active rule. You can also rename rules by double-clicking on their names, making it easier to organize and track their purpose.
For each Rule, you can define individual tagging preferences and set filters (using Common Settings) to specify what should be tagged, rather than tagging all instances of a category.
Here are a few use cases for Rules:
Using different tags (or tag positions) based on element properties.
Placing multiple tags for each filtered element.
Tagging different categories when using multi-categories.
Using filters in the Common Settings tab, you can filter elements based on any parameter—built-in, project, family, or even non-shared family parameters. You will see parameters for the Category you are in, sourced from elements in your model and linked models (if enabled).
Every Rule has a Common Settings tab. Alongside it, there are additional tabs where you can define specific tagging rules.
Categories that are typically point-based elements (such as Plumbing Fixtures, Columns, Pipe Accessories, Air Terminals, and Duct/Pipe/Conduit/Cable Tray Fittings) have only one tab—Elements In View.
The Point Based Elements multi-category also has only the Elements In View tab. Similarly, Doors and Windows—despite being limited to specific host categories—also have just this one tab.
For all these point-based categories, this tab is used to define tagging preferences. Using this tab, all instances of the corresponding category will be tagged in a view—unless filters are applied in the Common Settings.
Categories that are always (such as Walls, Pipes, Ducts, Conduits, and Cable Trays) or typically (e.g., Structural Framing) line-based have additional tabs alongside Common Settings:
Horizontal Elements
Diagonal Elements
Vertical Elements
Element Sections
Diagonal Elements.
These tabs function as additional filters.
In short, each tab filters elements based on their orientation within the current view. The filtering is always relative to the view you are in.
For example, in this view of a framed wall, studs (highlighted in purple) are tagged through the Vertical Elements tab because their orientation in this view is vertical. Similarly, bottom and top plates, nogging, and the door header (highlighted in red) are horizontal elements in this view and are tagged using the Horizontal Elements tab.
All tagging tabs have the same settings, with a few exceptions.
First, select the Tag Type [1] to use. The dropdown list will display all available Tag Types for the selected category (e.g., Columns Tags) that are loaded in the project. Multi-Category Tags are also available.
You can choose the Tag Orientation [2] to be Horizontal or Vertical. If your tag family has Rotate with component enabled, this option will be inactive.
You can also choose where the tag should be placed. Start by setting the Horizontal Position [3] to Left, Right, or Center, and the Vertical Position [5] to Top, Bottom, or Center.
If adjustments are needed, use the Horizontal Offset [4] to fine-tune the placement. Positive values move the tags further to the right, while negative values move them to the left. Similarly, use the Vertical Offset [6] to adjust positioning—positive values move the tags up, and negative values move them down.
To add leader lines, enable the Create Leader [9] checkbox. You can also select the Leader [10], choosing between Attached or Free.
For loadable families, there’s also Element Face Offset [7], which moves tags in the direction of the front face of the family. This is useful when different instances require tags in different positions depending on how elements are rotated in a view.
In the example below, all exterior doors and windows have two tags each, and all tags are placed on the outside of the building. Interior doors are also tagged, with all tags positioned on the door swing side. This is achieved by utilizing Element Face Offset.
Smart Tags executes tagging starting from the category at the top and processes all its rules from left to right before moving to the next category, continuing in the same manner.
If Avoid Tag Overlap [10] is enabled, Smart Tags will adjust tag positions to prevent overlapping with previously placed tags. You can specify whether tags can be moved horizontally, vertically, or both
To learn more about these tabs in detail, refer to this page:
In different views or from different perspectives, you might need to use different tabs for Smart Tags configurations. For example, in the plan view, only the cross-sections of these vertical studs will be visible. In this case, the Element Sections tab should be used. It's always relative to the view you are in, not the element's position in the 3D view. Refer to this for more examples and an in-depth explanation.
