Conceptual mass

[boutheynamzoughui]

Hi, 

Could anyone explain me when we should use "conceptual mass "and when we shouldn't ? 

because personally i don't know the difference between making family on simple family template or conceptuel mass template

Best regards 

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Conceptual masses are for study building shapes and forms, especially for irregular, organic forms. From a mass you can create mass floors, walls by faces, roofs by faces, curtain systems, etc...

If you want to model families with similar fashion of a mass, try generic model adaptive template.

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

Basically there two ways to create Conceptual Mass  :

1. one way is to use Mass menu from Project interface : Massing and Site>Conceptual Mass >In-Place Mass
2. the other way is to create it as an Editable Family using Mass.rft template . This way , you can create more Family Types ( that is not allowed on In-Place Mass)

From my personal experience : 

1. 1. I use the first option especially (as ToanDN explained ) to create a volume study ,place Mass Floors and calculate Gross Areas and Volumes in the Conceptual Design Phase. Finally , I place Wall by Face, Curtain Wall Systems, Floor and Roof by Face to complete the project. Mass Floors can be placed only when in Project.
   2. • I use Mass as Editable Family especially when I need them for urban layouts because it is easy to create many instances with the Family Types created in here. These Masses are used as rough volumes with less details.
      • Another case when I 'll choose to work in Family is if there are more people involved in the Project and the volume is rather complicated. Then, a good choice will be to work the volume outside the Project to be more efficiently. Finally load the Family into the Project, place Mass Floors and continue as in 1.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

@boutheynamzoughui :  In-Place [conceptual] Massing is invaluable.  I use it often.  Not for conceptualizing, but for actualizing.  Roofs and Walls by mass face being the most common usage.  Divided Surfaces with Pattern-Based Components another common usage. 

FWIW