Family constraint breakdown - after a non-related family is placed first

carljonesF2YEY · ‎12-09-2016

Hi All,

I have created 2 families (both with a number of nested families) for modular building steel frames, a light concept version and a detailed version containing more components. An additional family is used to create an overhang to the steel frame if this is required for a project.

When I place the first instance of the overhang steel on the concept family (hosted to a column face) everything works fine,

the concept frame can then be changed for the complex version without issue.

If however the complex frame is added prior to the first instance of the overhang steelwork, the overhang steelwork loses all constraints and seems to completely break down.

Within the family editor everything is still intact and showing correctly but it makes no difference overwriting the broken one in the project.

Has anyone come across an issue similar to this before?

Thanks

Carl

Alfredo_Medina · ‎12-09-2016

Doing that type of family with several nested families might be difficult. Shouldn't that be made with the truss family? That would give you all the constraints for free, and you just need to specify the types of structural members.

Alfredo Medina _________________________________________________________________ ______
Licensed Architect (Florida) | Freelance Instructor | Profile on Linkedin

carljonesF2YEY · ‎12-09-2016

Alfredo, thanks for the reply.

Yes, that would be the ideal scenario.... sadly Im limited to Revit LT so having to use a number of workarounds, some of which have been quite difficult to apply.

It's not ideal, but just trying to play the cards I've been dealt.

Alfredo_Medina · ‎12-09-2016

Oh, but, let me ask... Do you have a template for making a truss family? Do you have the truss tool for making trusses in the project or not?

Alfredo Medina _________________________________________________________________ ______
Licensed Architect (Florida) | Freelance Instructor | Profile on Linkedin

carljonesF2YEY · ‎12-09-2016

As far as I am aware the truss tool is only available in full version revit, is this right? I have no options under structure to create a truss!

Alfredo_Medina · ‎12-09-2016

Ah, Ok, I didn't know. Sorry about that. So, most likely, there is no template for trusses either since there is no tool for using that family. Ok. Can you post the family that you're doing? (Hopefully not in 2017 format).

Alfredo Medina _________________________________________________________________ ______
Licensed Architect (Florida) | Freelance Instructor | Profile on Linkedin

carljonesF2YEY · ‎12-09-2016

No problem, I have been spoilt with the full version myself until I switch company about 6 months ago.

I have attached the family that keeps breaking down and the 2 versions of the steel frame. Hopefully you can recreate the fault at your end. If not, thanks in advance for your effort 🙂

Alfredo_Medina · ‎12-10-2016

Good job! I can see that you have spent a lot of time doing these families. (I understand the need to do this considering that you are using LT. Otherwise, I would not be necessary).

I tested some parameters and everything seems to be OK, except by this horizontal member in the first family, that does not follow the other members when they rotate. Maybe that member can be done in the next family instead of in the first one. If you decide to keep it in the first family, I am making the following suggestion:

Alfredo Medina _________________________________________________________________ ______
Licensed Architect (Florida) | Freelance Instructor | Profile on Linkedin

carljonesF2YEY · ‎12-12-2016

Alfredo thanks for looking at this. It's a shame the initial problem didn't appear at your end.... maybe some gremlins in my machine.

Thanks for the suggestions too, I did spot the steel misalignment so thats now sorted.

I may try to rebuild the host family with the nested families again to see if that makes any difference.

Cheers