Array with adjustable independent spacing

[eric.brownHXDYJ]

I want to create an arrayed family that after I assign the number of components in the array, I can adjust the spacing independently.  For example, lets say I assign the array with three components.  "A" is 1' from "B" and "B" is 1' from "C".  But I want the distance between A and B to be 8", and I want the distance between B and C to be 14".

If this is possible, I want to place those components on a reference plane and assign dimensions to them to adjust that spacing with grips.

Eventually, I want the array to have around 2 components that can independently be adjusted left or right to hit points in a line. 

[rcrdzmmrmnn]

This is not an API question. But I will try to help you.
I don't think this is doable using arrays because I believe arrays must have the same distance between all of its members. What you can do is create a family with multiple reference lines. Then lock each one of your components on its assigned line. Create instance parameters for each dimension in the family. This way you will get the grips. Make similar step for your 2 "side" components. Create visibility parameters to control which components you want to be visible.

[rcrdzmmrmnn]

Something like this?

Untitled video.mp4

Video Player is loading.

Play Video

Play

Mute

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 0:26

Loaded: 37.00%

0:00

Stream Type LIVE

Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE

Remaining Time -0:26

1x

Playback Rate

Chapters

• Chapters

Descriptions

• descriptions off, selected

Captions

• captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
• captions off, selected

Audio Track

• en (Main), selected

Picture-in-PictureFullscreen

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

Text

ColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-Transparent

Background

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparent

Window

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque

Font Size

50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%

Text Edge Style

NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadow

Font Family

Proportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall Caps

Reset restore all settings to the default valuesDone

Close Modal Dialog

End of dialog window.

Close Modal Dialog

This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

[eric.brownHXDYJ]

Thanks.  I thought of this but I couldn't quite get it to work how I wanted.

I see that you have a generic model with some squares that are adjustable with grips.  I'm guessing those squares are attached to reference planes that you are using to adjust with grips.  I'm not seeing a parameter to adjust the number of squares though, so I'm guessing it isn't an array.

I built something like this, and I added visibility parameters to adjust the number of components.  In your example I would name your three squares "square 1" "square 2" and "square 3".  Then I used formulas that basically say "if number of squares<2, turn off square 2 and square 3.  "if number of squares<3, turn off square 3.  The problem I ran into though, is it still keeps the reference planes that are associated with length parameters, and therefore the grips still show up.

If I tell it to only have two squares, I want only two grips or else things get messed up when trying to adjust things.

With an array, I can tell it I want three squares, but if I move the last one 5' right away from the first one, the middle one will be 2.5' (right in the middle) away from the other two.  I want to be able to adjust those spaces to whatever I want but somehow keep the array functionality.

[eric.brownHXDYJ]

Sorry, I didn't see your explanation above the video.  Also, I didn't know where to post this question.  Is there a better place to post it?

[rcrdzmmrmnn]

Oh I see, the only thing I could think of is to set all reference lines to the same position , to "hide" the additional grips since you cannot hide or set the Reference to No Reference in a parameter. But this way you would need to constrain the dimension to a formula and thus, all grips would disappear no matter what.. So, I am out of ideas, maybe you have a better chance in the architecture forum

[eric.brownHXDYJ]

Thanks for the input though.  I'll mess around with it and see if I can figure anything out.  I had this cool idea to create this tool that would really help us with something, but now my enthusiasm is lacking.

[Sleepingfish_Kuo]

Where would you want to use it?