Detail Family - Trying to cut arrayed lines at angle

[Mike_Sanderson]

I am trying to make a plywood detail component with an adjustable angle to show a cut at the end. The length, width and angle all work fine but I am struggling to figure out the lines showing the plywood layers.

Originally the family did not have an adjustable angle. So the plywood layers are a nested family that arrays at 3mm spacing, which works fine.

If I want to add the angle, an array is not the right answer because they are all the same length.

I have tried a masking region over the cut part but when the family width is made wider any new array items are on top of the masking region.

My only other thought is to have detail lines with visibility parameters that turn on with the relevant width.

Thoughts?

[jay_colc]

Does exploding/ungrouping the Array allow such edits?

[Alfredo_Medina]

The lines representing the plywood layers should be a filled region with horizontal lines. Then you don't have to cut anything, nor make arrays.

[Mike_Sanderson]

@Alfredo_Medina yes I have tried this. However, it will only work as a drafting filled region, so it scales, I was trying to keep a consistent 3mm spacing regardless of scale. A model filled region will not let you go this small.

[Mike_Sanderson]

Once you ungroup you can no longer array, so that will not work sorry.

[Mike_Sanderson]

@Alfredo_Medina now the next issue. When using a filled region. Horizontal lines in this case. They do not orientate with the element. I have played with the orientation, but no change. The lines are horizontal relative to the page.

[Alfredo_Medina]

You can do a pattern that follows the orientation if the pattern is model. I made a test, and the lines are always parallel to the direction. But 3 mm spacing is not even possible. I get an error saying that the pattern would be too dense. 

But, definitely, doing an array of lines is "overkill" for this purpose. Just a simple filled region would do the job. 

Plus, a detail component for plywood already exists in the library. The pattern is not parallel lines but another pattern that has become standard for plywood. I think you're spending time in something that already exists.

[barthbradley]

I can get it to work using a solid white filled region (in lieu of Masking Region) and by nesting in a detail line to use in the array.  The nested line's length is associated to the "l" parameter.  

[Mike_Sanderson]

That looks exactly what I want to achieve. Can you share the family file with me?

[barthbradley]

Hope you're using 2024. 

[ToanDN]

Can you use a model pattern instead?

[Mike_Sanderson]

@ToanDN The minimum line spacing Revit will allow for a model pattern is 13mm. I want 3mm.

I have used detail lines with a visibility parameter on every 2nd line and a formula so when the width becomes small it turns of half the lines. 

[barthbradley]

.

[Mike_Sanderson]

@barthbradley Ah yes, I have looked at your family, this is exactly how I had it working. However I wanted to avoid using filled regions because it has an issue when you have a mitre corner. I have a solution that is near enough to what I want. I have used detail lines with a visibility parameter on every 2nd line and a formula so when the width becomes small it turns of half the lines. 

[Mike_Sanderson]

@barthbradley Really? I have tried in 2021, as that is what we are still using in the office. I also just tried in 2024, but it is still not working for me. I also tried making a new pattern with 3mm spacing in Pyrevit Pattern Maker and that won't do it either. The smallest spacing I can make is 13mm.

Anyway, thanks for your help. My solution is good enough for me.

[barthbradley]

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@Mike_Sanderson wrote:

@barthbradley Really?

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No. It was a messy brain fart. I'm okay though. 

BTW: I bumped the post if you didn't notice.