Customize Power BI with Your BIM Parameters: Measures, Power Query & 3D Color-Coding
Sam walks through turning your own project parameters into clear, actionable visuals.
⏱️ Chapter markers
00:00 – Why customize: use your parameters for actionable insights
00:18 – Duplicate Explorer & quick cleanup
00:30 – Matrix drill up/down tips (use edge arrows)
00:40 – Category Tag explained (everything vs. physical only)
00:58 – Page filter → Physical elements only
01:19 – Trim the Category Tag from the matrix
01:32 – Selecting elements shows parameters (context panel)
01:51 – Delete parameter tables; note low data quality (many empties)
02:22 – New helper table: Element Measure Info (pre-promoted fields)
02:43 – Add Volume, Length, Area (pick correct unit variants)
03:12 – Rename columns + apply conditional formatting (blues, no blanks)
04:32 – Measures folder: display vs. imperial vs. metric templates
05:45 – Create a new measure (e.g., Volume) and place in Values
07:02 – Organize measures into display folders (Model view)
07:40 – Power Query approach (Transform Data): reference Element Parameters
08:45 – Filter to Physical; optionally limit categories
09:37 – Keep 3 columns (Element, Descriptor, Value w/ correct units)
10:16 – Advanced filter: pick specific parameter names (use OR)
11:57 – Pivot Descriptor → columns (Don’t aggregate)
12:30 – Set data types (text vs. number) + save, close & apply
13:41 – Connect new table to Element on Element Key (both directions)
14:27 – Use promoted params in the matrix (Area, Length, Mark, System)
16:36 – Interpreting blanks vs. nulls (not applicable vs. empty)
16:46 – Color by Length in the 3D viewer (Interpolate mode)
18:53 – Longest elements overall (remove grouping; sort by length)
20:01 – Add a System slicer and explore
📚 Learning points
1️⃣ Three paths: use helper fields, build measures, or promote via Power Query.
2️⃣ Units matter: choose imperial/metric variants so numbers color-code and aggregate correctly.
3️⃣ Model join: connect your promoted table to Element Key; then hide helpers to reduce clutter.
4️⃣ Expressive visuals: conditional formatting + 3D interpolated coloring + slicers = instant insight.
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