📁Data Model - Category
In this video, we explore the Category table — a compact but essential part of the BIM data model. Learn how to use Category Tag and Name Full to cleanly sort and filter your data, identify duplicates across disciplines, and make more readable reports.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro – The Category table in the VIM model
00:12 Table overview – ~900 rows, but narrow
00:24 Built-in categories (OST naming)
00:39 Counting categories per material
01:02 Category keys and how to use them
01:14 Understanding the Category Tag (VIM-created logic)
01:28 Physical vs annotation/concept categories
02:02 Filtering by category type
02:35 Practical use: focus on physical/topography
03:04 Discipline column – multi-discipline elements
03:33 Category presence across multiple models
04:09 Comparing similar categories across files
04:32 Revit naming: Name vs Parent Name
04:55 Why Name Full is the better column
05:13 Railing and stair components example
05:43 The value of concatenated naming for sorting
06:26 The issue with orphans (non-parented categories)
06:58 Sorting cleanly with Name Full
07:15 Don't use raw name or parent name for lists
07:32 Category Type – analytical vs model
07:55 Safe to ignore or hide this column
08:02 Summary – Use Category Tag and Name Full
📌 What You’ll Learn
✅ How to filter physical vs conceptual BIM data
✅ Why Name Full helps with sorted reports
✅ When to ignore discipline or analytical columns
✅ How to build practical filters that reflect your real Revit project structure
💡 Pro Tip: If your Revit categories are messy, this table can help untangle them with cleaner naming and smart filters like Category Tag. Use it early in your report building to avoid clutter later on.
🔗 More documentation: https://docs.vimaec.com
💬 Questions in the comments? I’ve got you.
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