Enabling Content Center Families for use with Frame Generator

[Nigel.Sims]

Hi all,

We have a custom family in Content Center that was created by copying and editing an existing CC family. This newly created family is unfortunately not coming up in the Frame Generator list. Is there a way to enable this family for use with Frame Generator?

I have tried searching for an answer but most info seems asume that I am creating a shape from scratch and then publish it via the Shape Publishing tool. I'm trying to use information that already exists if possible without re-creating the same iPart tables.

Many thanks.

Nigel Sims

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Nigel.Sims

Did you author the structural shape prior to publishing to content center?   Did you copy over the existing structural category from an existing read only library into your custom read/write library?

[Nigel.Sims]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the quick reply.

A structural shape hasn't been authored. It's something that I am aware of doing primarily for Frame Generator but I didn't think I would have to do this for an already existing family in CC. 

Yes, the custom family was copied over to our own Read/Write Library. We have other custom families that are visible in Frame Generator. The person who created them generated them a few years ago and can't remember how to enable them to be usable in Frame Generator. They seemed to think it was a parameter mapping setting. I have compared the tables for families that a family that I know is available in Frame Generator and It's difficult to see a difference.

Regards

Nigel Sims

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Nigel.Sims

Even if you are using an existing structural shape you still need to confirm if the authoring is still viable.

Can you show a screen shot of your content center where this category resides.  Make sure the screen shot includes the entire view of the content center editor.

[Nigel.Sims]

Hi Mark,

I have attached a screenshot of the Content Center window with the family in question selected.

Nigel

[cbenner]

@Nigel.Sims

Frame Generator searches by Standard when you are placing a member... did you change the standard on this profile when you edited the family?  Maybe you already know this, I'm just trying to cover all bases....

[Nigel.Sims]

Hi Chris,

I thought you might be onto something then, but alas not. In Frame Generator in the standards drop-down there is an 'unnamed' section. I checked the family in question and a custom one that I know appears in Frame Generator. They standard field has been left blank on both.

Thanks

Nigel

[cbenner]

@Nigel.Sims

Ah, well.... worth a shot...  

[cbenner]

@Nigel.Sims

Are you able to "Open from Content Center" or "Place from Content Center" from this new table?

I notice in your Thickness column there are mixed units....

[Nigel.Sims]

@cbenner @Mark.Lancaster

Both,

I created a copy of the family in question using the 'Save Copy As' command and this copy is now available in Frame Generator. Could you guys offer any insight into why this would happen? 

May thanks both for your time and knowledge.

Nigel.

[cbenner]

@Nigel.Sims

What kind of changes did you make to the table itself?  I'm still thinking about the mixed units I saw in your Thickness column.  Could you post a shot of the Column Properties for that column?  Also, tell us about any other modifications you made to the structure of the family.... there has to be a clue in there somewhere.

[Nigel.Sims]

@cbenner 

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I've been on holiday. I didn't make any changes to the table myself, this was done by a colleague. I'm not entirely sure what was done/edited when the family was created. I have attached screenshots of both of the thickness column properties. 

Thanks

Nigel

[cbenner]

@Nigel.Sims

Another theory shot.  I created a test table using mixed units like I saw in yours.  It not only showed up in FG, but I was able to place members from it.  

You said you were able to get the new table to work by creating a new copy of it?  So you're able to use the family now?  Because frankly I don't know what happened.  I fear it may be one of those situations where someone would have needed to be watching over your (or your colleague's) shoulder to know at what point things went south.