Category Parameters

Category Parameters are used to organize your Rhino geometry without changing the layers where that geometry is contained. Category Parameters are composed of subcategories. For example, they can be used to classify geometries according to the program of the project, the phase when that part of the building is going to be executed or the building cost. This is the only parameter that can let you visualize the different values assigned to Rhino geometry based on the colors chosen when the parameter is created. No other parameter incorporates this property.

To create any new parameter go to the Create Parameter panel and then click on New. The new window will ask you first for a name for a parameter, in this case "Program". Then choose the Category type. Now click on Add and start creating the different departments inside the Program, like Retail, Offices and Housing. For this you need to introduce the name of each "category" and select a color. This is the color that you will see when you use the command Color by Category. Once you are done click on Save. If you click on Close your Category parameter will not be created.

To assign now the parameter to an object go to the Parameters panel and after selecting the objects to which you want to assign the parameter click on Assign and select the parameter (Program in this case). Once selected the parameter is selected, click on Save. If you click on Close instead, the operation will be cancelled.

Now to assign a value to the Category Parameter of any object just select that geometry and in the Parameters panel double click on the corresponding cell, where it says <no value>, to set its value. You will then be directed to a panel where you can select any of the Subcategories that you have created inside that parameter. Click on Done to save the changes. If you click on Close, the process will be cancelled. To visualize the different colors associated to these categories, you will need to use the command Color by Category.

To delete any of the subcategories in any category parameter go to the Create Parameter panel and double click on the parameter. Then select the category that you want to remove and click on Delete. Click on Done after to save the changes.