Auto nested family selection for lintel types ?

[Anonymous]

In a window family, is it possible to call for a nested element to be determined automatically, and for that family to be schedulable ?

In my case, I have a window type, that is arrayed so that it can adapt to suit openings that can vary considerably in size.

I would like the lintel selection to be determined automatically by the size of the opening - selecting a specific lintel type from within a common type based on the overall span. The lintel in question will vary in it's specification, it is not merely a size.

ie. Windows

<1200mm - use Lintel Type A1 (100mm deep)

1200mm - 1800 use lintel Type A2 (215mm deep)

1800 - 2400mm use lintel Type A3

2400 - 3600mm use lintel Type A4

>3600mm use lintel Type B1 (different construction type altogether)

Ideally these should then be identified in the window schedule - identifying lintel type and length (length = window opening +150mm bearing at each end).

It may be quite a bit of work in getting this systme working, but we have a scheme with 250+ windows, and a further 3-4 buildings that will be using the exact same types - running to 1000+ windows in total. So to get this working would be a great time-saver.

Thanks

Martin

[Alfredo_Medina]

Yes, it's possible. You need to create several family type parameters, and control them by formulas, using IF statements. The nested family should be shared, and their lengths should be shared instance parameters.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks Alfredo, I've done something similar with instances and shared the parameters to allow them to be determined in the host family.

Can you call a completely different family in to switch the lintels ?

We will need probably 3 distinct lintel types:

A concrete lintel (with varying heights => a few different instances)

A steel prefabricated lintel (again a couple of instances)

A steel beam / prefabricated composite.

Each will have a few instances to control the variations - and each type will be used within a certain range of opening sizes.

Thanks

Martin

[Alfredo_Medina]

Yes, as I said, it is possible with family type parameters.