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LoadFamily Method (String, Family)

Loads an entire family and all its types/symbols into the document and provides a reference to the loaded family.

Namespace: Autodesk.Revit.DB
Assembly: RevitAPI (in RevitAPI.dll) Version: 16.0.0.0 (16.0.0.0)

Syntax

C# 
public bool LoadFamily(
	string filename,
	out Family family
)
Visual Basic 
Public Function LoadFamily ( _
	filename As String, _
	<OutAttribute> ByRef family As Family _
) As Boolean
Visual C++ 
public:
bool LoadFamily(
	String^ filename, 
	[OutAttribute] Family^% family
)

Parameters

filename
Type: System String
The fully qualified filename of the Family file, usually ending in .rfa.
family
Type: Autodesk.Revit.DB Family %
A reference to the family that was loaded if successful, otherwise a null reference ( Nothing in Visual Basic) .

Return Value

True if the entire family was loaded successfully into the project, otherwise False.

Remarks

Loading an entire family may take a considerable amount of time and memory. It is recommended that you use one of the LoadFamilySymbol() methods and only load those symbols that you need.

Examples

Copy C# 
// Get the Revit library path as defined via the Options dialog - File Locations tab - Places button
string libraryPath = "";
application.Application.GetLibraryPaths().TryGetValue("Imperial Library", out libraryPath);

if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(libraryPath))
{
    libraryPath = "c:\\";   // If not have, use a default path.
}

// Allow the user to select a family file.
OpenFileDialog openFileDialog1 = new OpenFileDialog();
openFileDialog1.InitialDirectory = libraryPath;
openFileDialog1.Filter = "Family Files (*.rfa)|*.rfa";

// Load the family file using LoadFamily method and then give information.
if (DialogResult.OK == openFileDialog1.ShowDialog())
{
    Autodesk.Revit.DB.Family family = null;
    if (document.LoadFamily(openFileDialog1.FileName, out family))
    {
        String name = family.Name;
        TaskDialog.Show("Revit","Family file has been loaded. Its name is " + name);
    }
    else
    {
        TaskDialog.Show("Revit","Can't load the family file.");
    }
}
Copy VB.NET 
' Get the Revit library path as defined via the Options dialog - File Locations tab - Places button
Dim libraryPath As String = ""
application.Application.GetLibraryPaths().TryGetValue("Imperial Library", libraryPath)

If [String].IsNullOrEmpty(libraryPath) Then
    ' If not have, use a default path.
    libraryPath = "c:\"
End If

' Allow the user to select a family file.
Dim openFileDialog1 As New OpenFileDialog()
openFileDialog1.InitialDirectory = libraryPath
openFileDialog1.Filter = "Family Files (*.rfa)|*.rfa"

' Load the family file using LoadFamily method and then give information.
If DialogResult.OK = openFileDialog1.ShowDialog() Then
    Dim family As Autodesk.Revit.DB.Family = Nothing
    If document.LoadFamily(openFileDialog1.FileName, family) Then
        Dim name As [String] = family.Name
        TaskDialog.Show("Revit", "Family file has been loaded. Its name is " & name)
    Else
        TaskDialog.Show("Revit", "Can't load the family file.")
    End If
End If

Exceptions

Exception Condition
Autodesk.Revit.Exceptions ArgumentException Thrown when filename is a null reference ( Nothing in Visual Basic) or empty.

See Also