1. Configure Thumbnail Preview Settings
Before uploading families, you’ll want to set your preferred preview style so that the thumbnail images render the way you expect.
Select the dropdown arrow on the top right corner of the page and click the gear icon to open the Settings page:
On the left sidebar, open the Uploads tab and select Thumbnail Previews.
These settings control what each family’s thumbnail image looks like when it appears in Pirros.
Thumbnail Options You Can Customize
Visual Style
Choose how the family is visually represented:
Detail Level
Select how detailed the geometry should appear:
3D View / Angle
Select the viewpoint that will be used for all generated thumbnails:
Custom Appearance By Revit Family Category
In addition to setting global thumbnail preferences, the Custom Appearance by Revit Family Category section allows you to configure thumbnail previews for individual categories. This means you can assign different 3D view angles, visual styles, or detail levels to specific categories, useful if certain families (e.g., casework, doors, or furniture) need a different visual representation than your default settings.
Important Notes
These settings only apply to families uploaded after the change is made.
Previously uploaded families will not update automatically, you would need to re-upload them if you want the new preview style applied to them.
You can update these settings at any time as your team refines your preferred preview style.
2. Uploading Families (RFA Files)
Once your thumbnail settings are in place, you can begin uploading your RFA families.
Navigate to the Families page and select + New Family in the top-right corner.
Locate the folders containing the RFA files you want to upload.
If a family has a corresponding .txt type catalog, be sure to select both files together when uploading so they remain linked.
Drag and drop the entire folder or individual family RFA's into the drop zone on the left side of the upload screen
Alternatively, you can also click on Select Directory to chose the folders in your server
As Pirros scans the information submitted, you’ll see the families populate on the right side.
3. Assign Families Before Upload
Before uploading families you'll want to organize families into a specific destination, such as a Typical library or a Project folder:
Click the checkmark at the top-left of the list to select all families and click Assign Project.
Choose the location where you’d like these families to live, and click Save
Finish Uploading
Once everything is set:
Click Upload at the bottom.
Family uploads typically finish faster than details due to smaller file sizes.
You're Ready to Go!
Your RFA files will now appear in the Families module using the thumbnail settings you configured. You can adjust those settings anytime and re-upload families if you'd like to refresh their thumbnails with a new style.