Controlling MEP System of a face hosted family

[Anonymous]

So I have a face hosted family (duct fitting) that I'm placing with the NewFamilyInstance(Face, XYZ, XYZ, FamilySymbol) method.

It works pretty nicely, but element that it's hosting to is a duct system family (face of the bottom side), and I would like this face hosted family to obtain the same system as the duct.

The only way that I can see that I could write this to the familyinstance is to put a connector on it and connect to that with something associated with the system.

But there are no MEP connection styles in Revit right now that work for this object, nor a routing preference that matches its purpose. Face hosting handles most of it quite well. Is there any way to programmatically get this thing on the same system as the duct?

[jeremytammik]

Checking with the development team for you...

[Anonymous]

Great, thank you Jeremy

[jeremytammik · Accepted solution]

Here is what they respond, presumably no surprise to you, and hopefully still helpful:

He stated it is a duct fitting… I believe that tap fittings are the only fittings (Part Type) that can connect along the duct element, to do so, they require a connector to be connected the duct, and will inherit the system.

Why does he not want a connector on it? What is he actually trying to model? What is ‘this object’? something other than a tap?

Is he able to accomplish what he wants in the UI?

Cheers, 

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm aware that I'm flying on the outside edge of approved air space here and do not expect Autodesk to accommodate this. I can do it through the UI but only if I draw a small piece of duct off of a dummy connector, which is subpar at best. But I do generally try to achieve tasks via UI prior to automation.

The project is an array of straight duct joints, each having their own connectors, but it is actually still just one family per curve. You resize the Duct System Family and it updates the length/size of the array. So you can freely adjust your duct system without causing Revit to get upset about joints disappearing or needing to be added. The run length just generates or removes as needed. Been working at this one for awhile because even in its primitive state, it feels far superior to splitting the run ad hoc and tossing aside all of those parametric benefits of using this platform to begin with (If I wanted to stay in CAD, I would've).

I can use a tap or attaches to accessory, but I've made several topics on that subject before. Taps have inherent behaviors of their own that get frustrating sometimes, especially if there's no system family at the third (tap) connection. If that makes sense. Face hosted comes with the benefit of Revit relaxing on all the routing procedures and trying to make "sense" of what I'm doing.

Your help has been much appreciated Jeremy. I just had to be sure I wasn't throwing in the towel when there may have been an option.

[jeremytammik]

Martin Schmid himself replied to this and says:

You apparently know pretty well what we’re up to and where we’re going.

I think you are aiming for a short term benefit of trying to make design duct fabricatable, vs. adopting the already fabricatable fabrication elements.

You have Martin's contact details and are welcome to reach out to the product team directly to further discuss your needs.

Cheers,

Jeremy