User Commands

In this article

• Enable User Commands
• Configuring Each Command

User Commands allow you to communicate your firm's standards and best practices to your Revit users on a Revit command-by-command basis. For each User Command, a Protection Mode can be set with a custom Command Message to help inform end users in real-time of best practices and potential risks associated with certain Revit commands.

Enable User Commands

To start using Guardian’s User Commands, they need to be added to the list of active commands under the User Commands tab within Project Configurations. When Guardian is first activated for a firm, all available User Commands are listed and set to Monitor mode. As new User Commands are made available with future releases of Guardian, they can be found under the Add New button. Any User Command that is chosen not to be protected can be deleted from the list and will be found under the same Add New button.

The Company Administrator can set the baseline User Commands settings at the company level to be adopted by all project models once registered. As each project and project model has a unique set of needs and users of varying skill sets, these User Commands can be customized by the Project Administrator on a model-by-model basis.

Configuring Each Command

Under the User Commands tab in the Project Configuration, commands are organized into six categories that relate to their Revit function: Collaborate, Command, Insert, Location, Manage, and Settings.

User Commands displayed in blue indicate that the project-level setting differs from those set at the company level. Commands marked with an * have partial protection due to API limitations.

Mode

To configure each command, the appropriate protection mode can be set within the configuration dialog.

• ‍Monitor: While not interfering with the end user’s workflow, the executed command is registered with Guardian’s Project Central™ and Guardian Backstage™. The Monitor mode helps BIM Managers and Digital Design Leaders gain insights into how their users are interacting with that specific command, providing guidance if it may require a higher level of protection. ‍
• Guide: As the Revit end user goes to execute the Revit command, a customized Command Message is displayed, communicating the firm’s best practices and standards associated with the command. The user can proceed with the command once the message is read and, if required to do so, enter a comment explaining the need to execute the command.‍
• Prevent: Again, a customized Command Message is displayed, but the user is prevented from executing the Revit command unless the Project Configuration specific password or a one-time password is entered.

As with Monitor mode, when User Commands set to Guide and Prevent are executed, they are also registered with Project Central and Guardian Backstage, providing valuable insights into how users are utilizing the command.

Pro Tip: For new accounts, set all User Command protection levels to a minimum of Monitor so Guardian Backstage™ collects the usage data of all the available User Commands.

Require Comment

For the specific User Command, the Require Comment can be selected to require the user to enter a comment in order to proceed with the command. This is to help provide a dialog between the Revit user and the BIM Manager. By deselecting the button, the comment box within the Command Message will read “Comment (Optional)”.

Command Frequency

For commands set to Guide or Prevent, a command frequency can be set. The command frequency is a feature that ensures users are being notified of the firm’s best practices and standards in just the right amount. The command frequency can be set as follows:

• ‍Every time: The end user will get the Command Message each and every time they execute the Revit Command. Please note, itis recommended to set the command frequency to Every time for all User Commands set to the Prevent Protection Mode. Otherwise, a backdoor around the Prevent protection is provided.‍
• Once per session: The end user will get the Command Message only the first time they execute the Revit command for that Revit session. Each subsequent time the Revit command is executed, the Command Message will be suppressed but registered with Project Central and Guardian Backstage. ‍
• Every 3 days and 7 days: The Command Message will be suppressed for the time selected, but the command will be registered with Project Central and Guardian Backstage.

User Can Edit

User Can Edit provides the ability for the Revit end user to self-select the frequency.

Allow ‘Never’

Allow ‘Never’ enables the end user to opt to never receive the Command Message for that Revit command across all of their projects. If the end user selects a frequency misaligned to their Revit capabilities, the User Overrides feature can be used to reset the command frequency for that user and command.

Send Email

Send Email can be selected for the Project and Company Administrators to receive an email once the command is executed.

Message

A custom Command Message can be created, communicating to the Revit end user why the specific deletion is not a best practice and communicating who’s responsible for managing those elements or settings within the model.

Pro Tip: Humor isa great way to encourage buy-in and best practices. Consider inserting a clever meme or funny image into the Command Message.