Length parameter does not change symbol length

[revitese]

I am creating a very basic hose bibb family. The only thing my firm needs from this family is an annotation with a length that can be modified.

I have built the annotation family with Length as an instance parameter. This symbol family is loaded into my hose bibb family, with Length being controlled by an Annotation Length parameter. This is also an instance parameter that has been created in the main family.

When I have placed the family into a project and tried to modify Annotation Length, there is no effect on the length of the annotation. Am I doing something wrong here? Is it possible to make changes to the dimensions of a symbolic family loaded into a model family when those changes are coming from the project level?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CoreyDaun]

In the hose bibb Family, you have to link the Parameter value of the nested Family to the Length Parameter in the host Family. Select the instance of the nested Family, and you will see the controlling Length Parameter in either Properties (if it's an Instance Parameter) or under Type Properties (if it's a Type Parameter). As long as that Parameter in the nested Family is not directly controlled by a formula, you will also see a tiny gray button to the right side of said Parameter. Click on that and from the following dialog, select the appropriate Parameter to establish the link. Now, the value inputted into the Project will subsequently control the nested Annotation's Length Parameter.

[revitese]

I have linked the two parameters as you've said here. It still won't work for me. I've attached the symbol and the fixture family here.

The way I've set it up, I'm pretty sure that the changes made in the project will transfer through the model family to the symbol.

[revitese]

Just to see what would happen, I put the symbol directly into a project and tried to change the length. No change. I think something might be wrong with the way I've set up the Length parameter and dimension in the family.

[CoreyDaun · Accepted solution]

I opened the "PF - Symbol - HB.rfa" Family and tried to change the value of the "Length" Parameter, but it resulted it a "Constraints are not satisfied" error. This is why the value is not carrying through in the Project environment; because the constraints are being broken in the nested Family.

Now, to address this issue, first delete the "Cross Constraint" dimensional constraint. I am not sure why, but Revit doesn't like this setup. Next, edit your Group and draw a short Reference Line across the center, then Finish the Group. Create a new dimensional constraint between this Reference Line and the Reference Plane, and then link that to the "Length" Parameter. The duplicate dimensions won't have any ill effects.

[revitese]

That did it! Thank you!