Cutting voids through a glass railing

[Sahay_R]

This is what I have - 

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The glass panel was created as a Rail, using a long skinny Rail profile with Glass material assigned to it.

Now I understand that this may be overkill, but is there any way to create a Void in a baluster family (just a void) that can be placed as a baluster to cut grooves out of the glass? 

Thank you!

[Avaris.]

I assume you do have also curved parts? Otherwise just modelling it as panels would be the solution?

Unfortunately, as far as I do know, Revit doesn't support voids in balusters. But would this be sufficient?

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[ToanDN]

Create a baluster type with a ghost material then use filter to turn them off from the views.

Scratch that,  the rail will go through anyway.  If you only need to see a line between panels then create a skinny type baluster.  if you want true gaps then you baluster panels for the glass and space them to leave the gaps.

[Sahay_R]

@ToanDN @Avaris. - tried panels, was hit by the infamous Truncated pattern, that left me with huge gaps at the ends that were too small for my panels.

I did try to create a baluster with model lines - no go.  Also a baluster with a fully transparent material - Revit just stuck out its tongue and went NYAAH-NYAAH at me.

[ToanDN]

It doesn't matter how you create the baluster family, rails will go through them in the railing.  Just create the baluster the same size as the thickness of the glass panel x the width of the gap (e.g. 1/2" x 1"), same glass material or Air material.  That you can see the edges of the gap at least. 

If you want true gaps, use Curtain Walls or Adaptive family with divided surface.

[Avaris.]

It can be done (you can even choose any type of void you want), but it involves some cheating and dynamo. Wouldn't recommend it, but just to show:

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[cbcarch]

-Another workaround is to use (2) railings--

(1) for the base and top rail

(2) for just the glass. 

Make several glass rails and leave a small space between them.

You have to manage (2) railings, but it works.

-You could also use a thin glass wall in a similar way.

[ToanDN]

Using a thin glass wall is a good idea if especially if the railing is curved. Then use reveals to make the gaps.

[Avaris.]

That is exactly what I did. I used a wall sweep on top of the thin glass wall. Then used a wall based void to cut.

You can automate it in dynamo by driving the wall and voids by curve.

[Corsten.Au]

Hello 

Railings are good in most of the cases..

but in this you may look into creating  a custom " Curtain Wall " and make it behave like a " Railing "

Easy to change heights, add balustrade ( mullions ), change any profile, 

change material, panel, edit panel profile, edit entire railing profile...

Another advantage is it can be a room bounding, helps calculating Balcony areas

else its a double work of placing railing and room bounding lines...

Curtain wall instead of railing

[Avaris.]

Clever @Corsten.Au, it will solve the truncated pattern issue, the only disadvantage would be the fluidity of curves.

[drosenthalUQMVQ]

We should all vote for this Allow Voids within Balusters to Cut Railings - Autodesk Community