Curved window families

[Anonymous]

So I saw a YouTube video of a window family that when placed on a curved wall can be adjusted to that wall's curvature. the window had an instance parameter where one can enter the desired curvature angle. Unfortunately the video showed no information on how it was actually made.

The video is below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKfD-SLZMq8

After much searching I still can't find a way to create something like it.

So if there is anyone who can make this type of family. Please share your knowledge it would be much appreciated 🙂

[ToanDN]

There is no secret.  You just need to be down with the dirty work and model the family that has their geometry constrained to curves or circles instead of planar planes.  Assign an instant length parameter to the control radius so that you can match it with the host wall radius in project.  

Easier said than done as always.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply ToanDN.

Which family type do you propose I use. The normal window one has the planar surface and am I right in assuming that I can't use that one?

[ToanDN]

You can use that but delete the cut opening and use a void to cut the wall so it can radiate ( is it a word?). Or you can start with a generic model family and change it to windows category later.

[ToanDN]

You know you can use a curtain wall to get the curved frame dialed in. Then fill in a thin wall for the curved glazing.

[Anonymous]

By radiate do you mean using the void to cut an opening in the wall for the glazing?

Also, what do you mean by your curtain wall part. In a curtain wall system aren't the "glazings" still flat?

[ToanDN]

You are correct.  Scratch the curtain wall idea.

[Anonymous]

Forgive me for swamping you with questions, but I can't seem to get how to create the curved window family. I'm trying to make it in the generic model family and am not sure what the process to making it would be like. 

Would you be able to give me a hand on this?

[ToanDN]

It is definitely not easy.  See the example file and reverse engineer it.  

[Anonymous]

Thank you for this. I was having issues with reference planes but this is very illuminating 🙂

How would one make this family adaptive to the curvature of the wall that its attached to? So that it adjusts automatically to its host.

Also, the family doesn't clip to walls like other windows do. Is there a reason for this?

[ToanDN]

There is parameters such as wall center radius and wall thickness that need to manually entered to match the actual wall.

The window is not host by the wall so the location need to be manually coordinated: center point, radius, and thickness. Look at the family instance properties you will see those.

[Anonymous]

Yes I understand that they currently need to be entered manually. 

Is there a way so that the window is able to be hosted onto a wall and for the window to automatically match the curvature of the wall?

[ToanDN]

Not easily. Either via dynamo or adaptive family, maybe.

[clarenm]

Hi @ToanDN , 

Thanks for all of the info! 

I'm pretty savvy in Revit, but can't figure out how to make a round window in a curved wall..

We have a lot of historic buildings around here, and many have curved spires with curved doors and a curved arched window above. I've got the curved window down, but what about a circular window in a curved wall? Any suggestions?

Thanks! 

-Clare 

[ToanDN]

---

@clarenm wrote:

Hi @ToanDN , 

Thanks for all of the info! 

I'm pretty savvy in Revit, but can't figure out how to make a round window in a curved wall..

We have a lot of historic buildings around here, and many have curved spires with curved doors and a curved arched window above. I've got the curved window down, but what about a circular window in a curved wall? Any suggestions?

Thanks! 

-Clare 

---

Is the round window flat or curved?  Both can be hosted by a curved wall but they must certainly be created very differently.

[Corsten.Au]

Hi..

If you can manage to create a " Curtain Wall " with inbuilt " Radius " Parameter... you can control it

once loaded in the project.

Heres an example.

1. Curved Curtain Panel.

2. And Was curious about Circular Window in Curved wall... ( that's also very much possible )

many ways to do it..

a. Circular / Curtain Panel

b. An easy way is to in-place family.. ( Void, use the edge for Frame etc )

Curved Curtain Panel with parametersUse that Parameter in the Curtain Wall in the Project... Notice the Radius changing as well as panel thickness..Curved Wall, Circular Window, Circular Glass panel and Frame following the Edge...