Control element Parameters (size,rotation,position) in a family

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I want to create a family which contains different elements. For example, a family will contain some solid extrusions, and also some void extrusions. I want to control width, height, the rotation (in three planes) and the position of each element using parameters. After reading https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/rotation-in-any-axis/td-p/3344679, I figured out how to do it using nested families, but is it possible to control all those element parameters without nested families?

The reason why everything should be in the same family is because some of the void elements will cut the solid elements. If I use nested families I was not allowed to use cut tool between a family instance that contains a solid extrusion and a family instance that contains a void extrusion.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Short answer is: No

But i find it hard to understand how using nested problems can be an issue with the family you describe.

It *should* just be about using the proper nesting, before doing the x/y/z trick.

[Anonymous]

Thanks R.Max for the reply,

The idea is to create a family that contains a void extrusion which intersects with a solid extrusion (it means, the void extrusion will partially cut the solid). I want to control the size, rotation and position of both elements. So, I created a family for the void extrusion and another family for the solid. After that I created a parent family that contains instances of both families and also controls parameters of both instances. When I try to cut the solid with the void inside the parent family, I am not allowed to do it. I cannot use "cut geometry" tool in some special cases (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-lt/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/Revi...😞

"You typically cut geometry with voids. However, you can cut certain models (including model family instances) with solids."

I also checked face hosted family, but then the position of this kind of family depends on the surface where it is hosted.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

But you could just create one family with both the extrusion and void extrusions inside, setup any control parameters you need for that particular family and then host that family in another family in which you start the 3-dimensional control trick.

If you are familiar with object oriented programming, Revit works much the same. Oftentimes working with hosted families makes remaining in control of your final family a lot easier. 

[ToanDN]

If you want to cut a solid with a void then they need to be within one family, unless you nest in a face based void. However, depends on the complexity of the geometry, you can control everything built in one family like you asked. It's just much more complicated than using nested families.

[Anonymous]

Thanks R.Max,

I need to control rotation of each element independently. So, I have to do that 3 dimensional control trick for each element. 

Regards

[Anonymous]

How complex could it be to create a family that controls rotation, position and size of an extrusion (without nested families)? Can anyone provide a step by step tutorial?

The family could also contain other kind of geometries, like blends, revolutions, sweeps, sweep blend.

Thanks

[ToanDN]

Perhaps you should give an example or a picture of what you want to create so we have a clearer idea.

[Anonymous]

Thanks ToanD,

Find attached a extrusion family (with nested families) that controls size, position and rotations.

Just to have an idea what kind of geometries we are working on, take a look on the second RFA file: It contains 3 extrusions( 2 voids and a solid). Is it possible to control independently the size, position, rotations of each extrusion?

Currently, I created a plugin that generates the Family programmatically. The user gives the geometries and theirs parameters( sizes, position, rotations, etc) and the plugin generate a RFA file with fixed geometries. It means, when the user opens the resulting RFA file, the user cannot customize the geometries using parameters. If the user wants different variations of the same Family,  the plugin will generate a RFA file for each variation that the user wants. But is it possible to generate a single RFA file which combines void and solids, and the data of those elements could be customizable using Revit parameters? this way the user only have one RFA file and there is no need to generate a RFA file for each variation.

Regards,