topic Re: Lock these knobs in Revit Architecture Forum

Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Thu, 01 May 2025 19:01:14 GMT

I modified a revitcity book cabinet.

The shelf width flex ok, yet the knobs can't be locked to ref planes.

Can someone explain ? Family attached.

Re: Lock these knobs

Basam.Yousif — Fri, 02 May 2025 01:34:43 GMT

You need a horizontal dim. snap to the center line of the knob. I set the dim to EQ but you can set to a param.

Before and After

Re: Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Fri, 02 May 2025 01:42:19 GMT

I don't have problem with the knobs on center. The ones with "frame Wd" parametric dimension can't be locked when the shelve width is flexed.

Re: Lock these knobs

Basam.Yousif — Fri, 02 May 2025 03:00:31 GMT

Can you post a screenshot?

Re: Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Fri, 02 May 2025 11:31:32 GMT

Here

Re: Lock these knobs

Basam.Yousif — Fri, 02 May 2025 17:55:43 GMT

I think I got it.

- The knobs are locked by a dimension directly instead of a ref planes. The only objects driven by dimensions and parameters should be a ref plane, which in turn moves objects.

- I would rather use full-word naming of parameters than the abbreviated format

- Use the 'Reveal Constraints' command (bottom of screen) to view all controls

- Flex the family and let things break, then align and lock to the right ref planes

- I changed the values in the family type for flex testing. See it attached here

Re: Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:28:21 GMT

I did not have "invisible dimension". They are tied to short reference planes that were either on top or below the model (for graphics clarity, Check it).

Can you flex-free the shelf width again after what you said without breaking the knob ties ? I don't have R23 to tell.

Re: Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:28:28 GMT

What bothers me is the reference planes flex ok as you change the shelf width but the knobs refuse to move with it and force the break.

See photo.

Anyone ?

Re: Lock these knobs

RDAOU — Mon, 05 May 2025 12:45:03 GMT

@yes_and_no

You need to fix the noob Family (See GIF and/or instructions below

Edit the Handle/Knob family
Create two (non reference) planes to define the handle/knob's width
Edit the extrusion >> select the profile >> Associate it with the left/right reference plane
Finish sketch and stretch/lock the planes created in step 2
Open Front view >> tab select the reference plane and set it to Center Elevation
Reload into cabinet (when prompted remove constraints and dimensions
Align and lock the knob to the vertical plane
Place a horizontal reference plane and lock the knob to that too instead of using dimensions
Flex the width and now the knob should work as expected

Re: Lock these knobs

Basam.Yousif — Mon, 05 May 2025 17:11:28 GMT

The ref plane the dimension is moving is a different one than the ref plane the knob is locked to. Flex the family and break the current lock, then lock to the correct one.

Re: Lock these knobs

yes_and_no — Mon, 05 May 2025 18:38:08 GMT

I got them locked finally, as you demonstrated, but with many trials.

I wonder what is the lesson learn here. Was it because the knob family involved circle extrusions (I broke them into two semicircles) ? Surely not because of the reference planes alone in the knob family (bec I have to do many trials as per your ex).