topic Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face in Revit Architecture Forum

Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

ghady_khalilQPXT6 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:34:21 GMT

Hello Revit community,

I'm currently working on a project where I need to create a window family that is based on the wall's core face rather than the finish face. I have a specific client requirement that necessitates this approach.

By default, Revit 2022.1 windows are hosted to the wall's finish face. So when modeling the family, the window is always aligned to the finish face.

However, i need to create a family that always aligns itself to the hosting wall's core, whether it has a finishing layer or not. The reason for this request is that my client plans to leave a section of the project uninsulated initially but still needs to install windows in that area. The intention is to create a reservation for future insulation and finishing work.

The windows in question are designed to be hung from the wall's structure. They won't rest on the concrete surface but will instead be supported by an L-shaped hinge that will be positioned just above the insulation when it's added in the future.

like so

I tried creating reference planes and locking them to the core face

but whenever i load it in the revit file my window floats out rather than stiking to the core

like so

I tried adding an instance parameter where i manually add the finishing thickness but it seems to push farther away the smaller the number is without resolving the issue like so

I would greatly appreciate any insights, suggestions, or guidance on how to achieve this specific hosting behavior for the window family within Revit. If there are any recommended workflows, tips, or third-party tools that can help achieve this, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

syman2000 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:43:48 GMT

Share the family

Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

ghady_khalilQPXT6 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:09:10 GMT

Here it is

Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

syman2000 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:11:30 GMT

I looked at the family. It seems your parameter is constraint to the wall reference. However this will overconstraint your parameter since the 200 dimension is flexing point.

To fix this, remove the 200 dimension and add new reference. Place the existing int parameter to reference the constrain reference to the wall with the new reference. Then add another parameter X to tie with the existing inner reference plane with new reference plane.

Once you done this correctly, try change this value to 0 and you will see the window shift correctly.

Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

ghady_khalilQPXT6 — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:44:11 GMT

Thank you so much for your help! The solution you provided works perfectly, and I've successfully implemented it across all my project windows.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you; I was quite busy with the implementation. Your assistance has been invaluable. The last thing i wanted to do was add a hidden wall behind the existing one!

Thanks again!

Re: Creating a Window Family Based on Wall's Core Face Instead of Finish Face

allan_mentzingen_cpa — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:16:21 GMT

Could you guys check if it still works once you flip the family or the wall in project environment?

I am working on a cavity sliding door and I want the cavity to be aligned with the core wall only. It works, as long as neither the wall or door family is flipped. Once you do that, the cavity misaligns. I tried everything already, even report parameters for the wall finish thickness, but it also moves once you flip the wall (77mm becomes 185mm).