Window family will not load into project.

[Anonymous]

Need advice. The attached window was created from the default default double hung window in the Revit library. The final version also includes a cast concrete keystone at the arch's peak.

It will not load into the project according to the error message that follows a long period as the software tries to do so. Additionally, I can't imagine how to set it up so it will flex appropriately. There are several of these with different dimensions needed in the project. The primary difficulty, however, is getting it to load into the project without error. It may not be possible to create it as a parametric family (certainly not at my knowledge level), but I'm interested in whether it actually could be and how that would be done.

[scott_d_davis]

no attachment...

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Here's another try.

[Anonymous]

Scott,

I sent a second note in which I checked to be sure it included the attachment. Did you receive it? Have you had a chance to review it or offer any possible solutions?

[scott_d_davis]

I've just checked it out a bit.  First, the additional Types in the family were causing it to fail in the project, because the other sizes were causing constraint errors. If I deleted all the Types but the 36" x 48" it will load into a project.

Secondly, you may want to consider not modeling every brick.  Modeling each brick individually, and then creating arrays inside the family, especially on the arch, is no easy task.  Plus, you want various sizes so now we are talking parametric arrays with formulas to increase/decrease the number of bricks depending on the size of the window.

Instead, model solid extrusions that surround the window to represent the brick, and then use model lines to represent the brick joints.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Scott. I'm not certain what "additional Types" refers to - the bricks? I'll try the solid extrusion and let you know if I was successful. Wouldn't it still be necessary to create a formula for the joint model lines so they're more or less correctly spaced?

[scott_d_davis]

"Types" refers to the fact that in the family, several "sizes" have been defined.  this may have come from the original window you used to make it.  One "type" is called 36" x 48", while there are other types such as 16" x 48".  These are just names, and don't direct control the size.  But under each type that is defined, you can change the parameters to new values.  the only one that works is 36 x 48.

If I delete all the Types from the family except for 36 x 48, then it will load into a project.  Types can be found in the Family editor by clicking on the Types button in the ribbon at the top of the Family editor window.

Yes, even if you used model lines for the joints, if you want one family to have multiple sizes, then you will need formulas to control the spacing.  In this case, for simplicity, I would say you should build one, get it to go into project (no flexing of sizes, just static), and then "saveas" into a new family for the new size.  Modify as necessary. 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thanks Again. Scott. I think this answers all my questions.