# Getting Started

Smart Browser BIM Manager view in Revit toolbar:

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2FDVvfnYNne0314SaQwEDY%2F0.jpeg?alt=media)

List of Smart Browser functions:

* Smart Family Browser
* Project Browser
* Modify Families
* Run Modifications
* Update Families in Project
* Upgrade Families / Upgrade Projects
* Subcategory Location / Add Subcategories
* Add Shared parameters
* Transfer Family Units

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2FrzsxnPUQ9Kkg4xmnFQ9y%2F1.jpeg?alt=media)

The primary function is the **"Smart Family Browser"**. With it, you can:

* Create your own or load an already existing family library
* Search and place families into a project easily and quickly.
* Group families by tag, original folder, category, host, version, or unit system (families are listed in a tree structure).
* Overview of family types and parameters containing values.
* See all family 2D and 3D views (using DWFX) before inserting them into a project.

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2F2Vhi69DLDyo3sSv9Swlf%2F2.jpeg?alt=media)

And with the created library, you can do even more by utilizing other commands:

* Modify hundreds of selected families: add new parameters (including shared), copy parameters from one family to another, rename parameters, delete parameters, change values, add new types, delete types, rename types, and more.
* Find differences between project families and families in the library.

You will see a list of your libraries in the main Smart Family Browser window. Double-click on a library to open it.

{% hint style="info" %}
*The list will be empty when opened for the first time. Proceed to the* [*'Library Creation'*](https://docs.besmart.software/design-data-management-and-exchange/smart-browser/library-creation) *post.*
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
*When operating with multiple libraries, use 'Quick Search' to find a specific one.*
{% endhint %}

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2Fki3Tj7XBv7kAIe9aZ8Kg%2F3.jpeg?alt=media)

When the library is opened, you will see all the families associated with it, and some new functions will become available. **To use any family in the project, simply drag and drop it into the project space, and the selected family type will be loaded.**

Here is a legend to help you understand the buttons and fields in the Smart Family Browser window.

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2FFvhENUaiUnMFoEQFLUXj%2F4.jpeg?alt=media)

1. **Browser Options**
2. **Back.** Click to return to the library list view.
3. **Quick search.** Search families by part of their name or parameter names present in the family.
4. **Search.** Expanded search. Search families by specific criteria.
5. **Browser Organization.** Select parameters and their order for viewing families in the library.
6. **Library Tree.** Select which group of families you want to view.

Once a family is selected in the library:

1. **Family Type.** View Types present in the family.
2. **Parameters.** View all the familyʼs parameters and their values.
3. **Open Family.** Opens the selected family in Revit.
4. **Load Type.** Load the selected Type into the project.
5. **Select Types to Load.** Select multiple Types to load into the project.
6. **Load Selected Families.** Load multiple selected families into the project.
7. **Open Autodesk Design Review.** Opens the familyʼs 3D DWF file if it was created during library creation.

More information on these functions can be found in the 'Using Library' article.

Right-click anywhere in the library space to view the additional menu:

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2FonmhJebLjR1SFMSTh7MX%2F5.jpeg?alt=media)

**View.** Change how the families are represented: List, Thumbnails, Medium Thumbnails.

**Open Family.** Opens the selected Family.

**Modify Families.** Select single or multiple families to create a modification task for those.

**Add Families to be Modified.** Select single or multiple families, and add those to an already existing modification task file.

![](https://239424168-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqtUsszuAWXIZhQhrvjnb%2Fuploads%2F3Nvsd7E5MJ65hyQSZGwn%2F6.png?alt=media)