I wanted to make sure to drive home that nested families are the best, IMHO, when arraying in a family, so I am hoping you will review the first paragraph of that blog if you need to know more about this.
This array this time is going to look at an array going from the start to the second of the array and let the overall Width be based on the number of items requested and the distance given between the items.
The family set up will define the Width and it will define the width of the array.
The nested family will need to be aligned to the first and last reference planes defining the Width and the horizontal reference plane the array will run along. It does not matter if the first of the array is aligned before or after the array is set. It can be done after the array is set up.
Now to do the array select the nested object and choose the Array tool. Stop at the bar, the Options bar that is. I am doing a Linear array, with a random number, for now, and opting to go to the Last location.
Next, I will pick two points to start and stop the array. I choose to do this at an angle.
Doing this at an angle forces me to set the start and end of the array by aligning the first and the last items to the reference planes. If you do not align AND lock the first and the second item in this case to the reference planes you run the risk of the array running amuck.
Once the array is aligned, I select one of the arrayed objects to have it show me the number of the array. Then I can select the number to add an Array Num parameter to the array to add flexibility of changing how many items are included at any given time. In this example the Array Num has already been defined so it is a selectable parameter. This one was also preset to 3.
Next time I will look at doing an array where the distance for each item controls the array. Keep watching for that soon.
Donnia Tabor-Hanson aka CADMama
Revit Family Counselor
Twitter @DonniaTH
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