Creating a ring shaped light fixture family

[Sahay_R]

I am trying to create a ring shaped ceiling hung light fixture. The ring is 10' in diameter, and has a cross section of 2"x6". It is required to range in diameter from 2'-0" to 25'-0". 

Modeling the ring is not the problem. The real challenge is setting parameters to control the diameter. I have tried to constrain it at the quadrants by vertical and horizontal reference planes, I have tried to apply radial parameters - to no avail. What am I missing?

[barthbradley]

sounds like you're on the right track. It would be easier to advise you if we could to see the family. Do you want to upload it?  

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

See the attached.  I only took it far as modeling the shape but not the light source.

[Sahay_R]

Thank you. I also discovered that the only way to apply radial parameters to circular geometry is in the sketch mode.

[Sahay_R]

@ToanDN I am attempting to set up an angular parameter (or two) that will allow our designers to place the ring at different angles. I am attempting to do this in the family that you had created, also in the family that I had created - to no avail. I do know that reference lines rotate as opposed to reference planes, and have succeeded in applying a rotation parameter to the reference line, but cannot lock the geometry to the reference line. I have attached the other family that I have created as well.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

Note changes to original family in attached...

[Sahay_R]

OMG @barthbradley. You are my new hero. Was it that simple? How did you connect the ring to the reference line?

[barthbradley]

You need two families to do what you want to do. Note that the nested family is "WORKPLANE BASED" and "ALWAYS VERTICAL" is UNCHECKED. This family is placed on the Ref. Line in new family using "PLACE ON WORKPLANE" (NOT "Place on Face"). The Ref. Line is the Work Plane. Notice it's listed as the family's host under its Properties.

http://planta1.com/blog/rotating-a-revit-model-family-in-3-different-axes-by-reference-lines/

[Sahay_R]

Again - thank you!

[Alfredo_Medina]

Just a suggestion. It would be good to add images to the question. Not everybody can open a family file, but by looking at the images, other users can contribute with ideas.

Out of curiosity, why do you say that only way to apply radial parameters to a circular geometry is in the sketch? Again, it would be good to have pictures of the solution as well.