Aligning 3D Text to another 3D Text in Revit Family

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

Hi,

I am trying to create a Revit Family of a parking board hanged under ceiling. The information placed on its surface consists of two texts in different languages - a regular one and bold one - in one line with right aligning. The spacing between the two should have a constant dimension regardless of the text content (and so its width).

I created reference planes to which the texts are aligned and put a dimension between them. However, it does not work, as I am loosing constraints while changing text content.

Can anyone of you spot what is wrong?

[ToanDN]

Create each model text in a separate family, nest them in you sign family so that you can constrain them using their ref planes. Associate the model text parameter between the nested families and the host family.

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

Thanks for reply.

I tried nesting separate 3D Text family. I created additional reference planes in it to allow aligning in the main family. However, it ends up snaping the reference plane to the original place, where it was drawn. 

3D text family I try to nest (reference plane for aligning is marked with red)

Board family with the nested 3D text family (the reference plane marked red is seen stuck in original spot)

[ToanDN]

I see what you mean now.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Can you use a font that supports both languages and enter both messages in one model text?

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

The thing is that each text should be written with different font (= different 3d text type), according to the visual information system. That is why I need two model texts.

I came back to the first model posted here. I removed the reference planes and dimension between two texts and aligned them together - works fine. To create the space between them I simply enter additional SPACE from keyboard (not exactly what I wished for).

However, Revit does not let me change the width of the board without ruining the constraints. Seems like the internal reference planes of the 3d text are overriding all others. They do not work as the rest of Revit geometry. It might be an issue for Autodesk to fix.

[RDAOU]

@jakub.kowalskiDMFFT 

You are not expecting the reference planes (marked in red) to react to the text to shrink and expand based on the length of the word you typed? or are you? ...if you are that wont work

Try the following instead

1. Place the English Model text on the right side of the Center (L/R) and set its horizontal Alignment Left 
2. Leave the Polish Model text on the left side of the Center (L/R) Aligned right Right
3. Load into the Board family
4. Align and lock the English to the 1st Ref Plane of the first Text Margin
5. Align and lock the Polish text to the  2nd Ref Plane of the 1st Text Margin
6. Control offset of the English text (subsequently the Polish) using a parameter

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

@RDAOUthanks for reply and time spent on this.
Unfortunately, that method does not provide aligning English text to the right of the board.

"You are not expecting the reference planes (marked in red) to react to the text to shrink and expand based on the length of the word you typed? or are you? ...if you are that wont work"

Actually I am 🙂

I attach an image of how it is supposed to work:

With your help I managed to get a fully working family, but it is up to user where to place the text (depends on Front English Width instance parameter).

[RDAOU]

@jakub.kowalskiDMFFT 

By software code it is possible but Revit as is today does not offer the option to determine the length of the text string/word typed...hence, such ref planes will not adapt/react to maintain the offset between the end of the word typed and the edge of the signboard.

The simplest option is to constrain the Margin in between the 2 words and use a parameter to manually control the offset from the edge

I am not at a workstation atm but it might be possible to achieve what you want with using 1 instance (with both English and polish together) in lieu of 1 for English and another for Polish

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

 I will try doing it the way you propose. Meanwhile I moved further with the model.
I added two 3D text models to main family and associated their text parameters with English Front and Back content. I placed them somewhere near the board, unchecked visibility and snaped dimensions to their width. I also placed these parameters on the board to control the distance of first Text Margin reference plane. In family it works fine, althoug looks disgusting. 😉 Unfortunately, as both of the dimensions are driven by instance parameters, they stop working in Revit project.

[RDAOU]

@jakub.kowalskiDMFFT 

This is too much over a signboard with model text ... at least one of all the replies should by now solve your issue. Here is another (both english and polish aligned Right to the left of the Center L/R plane + 2 Reference lines one locked to English and the other @ the text margin distance)

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

@RDAOU 

Could you post your family model in here? This does not seem to work in my rvt project.

[ToanDN]

See attached Revit 2022 file.  Sorry I don't use 2021.  Screenshots and screencast in project environment.

[jakub.kowalskiDMFFT]

@ToanDN 

Glad to see you managed to create this family. Unfortunately, as I am using 2021 RVT version, I won't be able to open the attached file. Could you explain what kind of constraints have been used?

I either get a familly with adjustable text or adjustable width. Not both working together.

[ToanDN]

Add the model text directly in the sign family and constrain one to the other.