topic Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help in Revit MEP Forum

How to build a complex parametric family, help

l_canzian — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:51:45 GMT

Hi, I am trying to create a new family with complex form. I tried to create the family in Rhino and It was easy but in Revit 2022 I am not able to generate the geometry with solid tools. I tried with the swept blend, creating a semicircle as a path and using the 2 different 2 profiles, but for the geometry of the object, the result was wrong.

Now the situation is that I have the geometry of Rhino in Revit ( with Rhino.inside ), but I can't add geometry parameter, so I created a visibility parameter for every different type (I don't have many types ).

Now I am asking if somebody knows how to make this form in Revit ( if it's possible ) and if the visibility option is suggested for my case or will create problems for the usage of the family.

thanks for the reply

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

fabiosato — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:11:26 GMT

Hello,

You may need to create a geometry and void geometry for both parts to accomplish what you want.

Keep in mind that geometry creation in Revit is very limited.

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

l_canzian — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 09:34:19 GMT

Hi, If I create a void I'll have the same problem when i create the shape.

Could creating a family pack be a solution to my problem? creating a project file where I infer all the types of family and then the customers take the necessary ones?
Otherwise I would have the proposed solution of visibility but I noticed that the geometry remains incorporated into the file also in the type catalog.
Or I don't know if it could solve my problem, creating the parametric family in grasshopper.
Thanks for any advice

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

hmunsell — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:15:23 GMT

Do you have access to Inventor? it's a parts design program, but it has a lot more functionality for making dynamic shapes. it also exports out to RFA decently.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-0A55E7A5-DDC7-4AD1-99A8-0AA1B5CF91DF

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

l_canzian — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:51:04 GMT

No, I don't have Inventor, but thanks for the suggestion. I think I will create an rvt file with all single pipe type families, like the railing, and then the client will open the file and import what he needs.

Could it work?

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

ToanDN — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:41:55 GMT

If you already have Rhino then just create several forms, import each into one family, load them in the main family and create a Label <Family Type...) parameter to select each nested family for each type from a dropdown list.

Attached is a family create in Revit that you can control the shape by parameters. It is R24, I don't have R22.

Re: How to build a complex parametric family, help

l_canzian — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 08:34:14 GMT

ok but if I export a file from rhino into revit I can't edit it as a family or am I wrong?
To create the file you shared with me did you use the adaptive generic family model? I've never used it (I'm pretty new to revit families, sorry), maybe I'll try to create the family like you did and in that case I'll import the files from rhino individually.