DirectShape Limitations

[marcelo_quevedo]

Hello,

We found some limitations using the DirectShape elements.

1. The “Cut Geometry” command is not available for DirectShape elements.
2. The solid subtraction using a face-based void family is not available for DirectShape elements.

Due to those limitations, we create parts of our DirectShapes. Using the DirectShape parts is possible to use the “Cut Geometry” command. However, we found another limitation that only DirectShape parts have.

• The DirectShape parts don’t accept face-based families.

I have attached a video that explains the issue, also a rvt project that contains the next elements. 

1. A DirectShape element called “hsbcad Sheet”. Also, we created parts from this DirectShape element.
2. Family1. It is a face-base void family that allows solid subtraction from a host.
3. Family2. It is a generic model family that allows solid subtraction using the “cut geometry” command.

We use the rvt project to create the video.

Please let me know if we are missing some setting during the DirectShape creation that generates these limitations. We have a lot of face-based and not-face-based families that subtract solids from their host elements. If you have any directions related to the issues, I will be very grateful.

Thanks in advance!

Marcelo

[TripleM-Dev.net]

Hi Marcelo,

Directshape object are meant to behave like this "ReadOnly/LightWeight" objects.

If you want to (user)edit generated objects create a in-place family from the addin.

I don't know if the FaceBased/Voids also will be created from the addin, if so, then obtain the Solid of the Directshape by means of GetInstanceGeometry and then manipulate that solid and recreate/replace the directshape instance with the new one.

- Michel

[TripleM-Dev.net]

Also see the RevitApi documentation:

DirectShape Class 

From the documentation:
Remarks
DirectShape is not a replacement for "real" Wall, Roof, Window, etc. It would typically be used where there is not enough information to create, e.g., a Wall, or full functionality of a Wall object is not needed. Some category-specific functionality may be available. If you need to modify a shape held by a DirectShape object, use Revit Geometry API, and then store the modified shape back to the DirectShape object.

[marcelo_quevedo]

Hello Michel,

Thanks a lot for your help,

The Revit API doesn't allow to create in-place families. It would be great to have it available in the API. 

We have designed many families that subtract the solids from structural framing, structural columns, walls, parts, (native Revit elements), etc. Our families are used by our plugin to automate the user workflow. We would like to have the same behavior in the DirectShape elements as the other native Revit elements.

However, according to your explanation, we could imitate the behavior in the DirectShape elements by editing/manipulating the DirectShape solid instance. for that, we could also use an Updater (DMU) that could react each time that a face-based family is attached to the DirectShape element.

Marcelo

[jeremytammik]

Hi Marcelo,

I just now noticed this thread. Any idea why it was not escalated to DAS? Was that your intention? 

Cheers,

Jeremy

[marcelo_quevedo]

Hello Jeremy,

My intension was to report to you Autodesk Guys the issues related to DirectShape and DirectShape Parts. Specially DirectShape parts that don’t accept face-based families. What should I do to escalate the case?

Thanks,

Marcelo

[dan94kra]

Has there been any updates on this issue? It's a critical feature for many users

[jeremy_tammik]

I have not seen any updates on this. The best way to ensure that it moves forward is to raise a wishlist item in the Revit Idea Station.

Whenever you require new or enhanced Revit product or Revit API functionality, the Revit Idea Station is the place to go.

Please search there for a corresponding wish list entry for the suggested functionality and add your comments to it, or create a new one, if none already exists:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/idb-p/302

Tag it as an API wish:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/idb-p/302/tab/most-recent/label-name/api

Ensuring that a wish gets as many votes as possible helps underline its importance to you and the rest of the developer community.

The Revit Idea Station is currently one of the main driving input forces for Revit API enhancements.

The Revit development team look there. Your comment here in the discussion forum might be overlooked.

Thank you!