Question: When selecting duct type properties, under the mechanical heading, various fitting property values are specified. How can I find out what property a given fitting belongs to, i.e. is it an elbow, a transition or cross etc.? Obviously, the type of fitting is described in the family name, but is there a more definite way of knowing what kind of fitting it is through the API?
Answer: In Revit 2009, you can use the built-in parameter FAMILY_CONTENT_PART_TYPE. You can access it through the following series of properties:
FamilyInstance > Symbol > Family > Parameter > BuiltInParameter.FAMILY_CONTENT_PART_TYPE.
This parameter stores an integer value. The values for the different types are:
kUndefinedPartType = -1, kNormal = 0, kDuctMounted = 1, kJunctionBox = 2, kAttachesTo = 3, kBreaksInto = 4, kElbow = 5, kTee = 6, kTransition = 7, kCross = 8, kCap = 9, kTapPerpendicular = 10, kTapAdjustable = 11, kOffset = 12, kUnion = 13, kPanelBoard = 14, kTransformer = 15, kSwitchBoard = 16, kOtherPanel = 17, kEquipmentSwitch = 18, kSwitch = 19, kValveBreaksInto = 20, kSpudPerpendicular = 21, kSpudAdjustable = 22, kDamper = 23, kWye = 24, kLateralTee = 25, kLateralCross = 26, kPants = 27, kMultiPort = 28, kValveNormal = 29,
Many thanks to Adam Nagy and Harry Mattison for providing this information.