topic Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate in Revit MEP Forum

Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

rbouldenGYPT2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:46:29 GMT

Im trying to create a resizable trench drain and using an array of small extrusions on top to create the facade of a grate for appearance. Using the array tool I can control the spacing and am able to make it so length wise I have the appropriate number of "grates" no matter how I change the length of the trench drain. However, im unable to control the width dimensions of the grate. it seems those constraints of the Grate matching the width of the trench drain itself is removed when using the array tool. Is there any work around? As you can see in the picture as I modify Trench width, the grate sizes remains the same.

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

Scott_D_ — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:01:18 GMT

How are you driving the width of the grates?

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

iainsavage — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:13:27 GMT

Instead of extrusions you could use sweeps and tie the length of the sweep path to two reference planes placed either side of the centre plane.

Dimension from one plane to the centre plane then to the other plane. Set the two dimensions to EQ.

Dimension between the two outer planes and label the dimension then use a formula to relate that parameter to the parameter which drives the overall width of the trench.

Usually for parametric arrays the array is created in a separate family and nested into the host family - the array in the nested family has to have an array count of at least 2.

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

ToanDN — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:36:34 GMT

This is over modeling. Use a material with a model surface pattern and a steel grate texture.

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

iainsavage — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:51:09 GMT

Nested family (sweep):

Sweep constraints:

Parameter mapping:

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

rbouldenGYPT2 — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:25:01 GMT

every time I try to put a material finish over mechanical equipment it always just shows on Revit as a grey color. what is the fix for that?

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

rbouldenGYPT2 — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:26:51 GMT

*Plumbing fixtures not Mechanical equipment

Re: Resizable trench drain using an Array as the grate

curtisridenour — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:49:50 GMT

I agree with @ToanDN. I would suggest a material with a Model Pattern to take the pace of the Grate. It may look odd when you zoom out, but it should print to scale.

Arrays are extremely file size intensive. Try to avoid them when possible in Revit.

See attached for a .rvt Ball Mat Floor system family built in a similar fashion.