Family must be deleted if the void in the family is not cutting anything

[cmroz]

Hi - I am working on a TV family that can be inset into a wall if an instance parameter is checked - see attached. To do this, I have the void (locked to a moving reference plane) that cuts the host/wall, set to move outside of the host the the parameter is checked. I've done this before to get around Revit's limitations when it comes to the visibility of voids in families. The problem is that when I uncheck this once it's loaded in the family, Revit throws up an error telling me the family isn't cutting anything and basically forces you to cancel the action or delete the family. In this case, it's by design that the void isn't cutting anything. Any ideas how to get this to work correctly (other than having two separate families)?

Note: If you're testing this, use a 6" wall. This is for a situation where I have a lot of deep walls and need to inset the TVs, trying to avoid a lot of manual manipulation of the wall types/layers/etc.

[SteveKStafford]

Make sure you used Cut Geometry on the Void and the Host wall. Revit will "remember" that the void is supposed to cut the wall when it is pulled away and cut again when it returns. It worked fine after I used Cut Geometry and reloaded it into the project.

[barthbradley]

Void Cuts Family Geometry Instance and Type Parameters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzTllh2XCI8

[cmroz]

Can you explain this in more detail? I did as you mentioned and enabled the "Cut Geometry" on the void in the family (it was my understanding that this parameter has no impact on the hosts, only other geometry in the family). In any case, it didn't work for me. When I toggle the "Inset TV" parameter on and off, Revit throws up the error and my option is to delete the family?

[cmroz]

Thanks for the info. I understand how this aspect works, but it doesn't really impact the host after it's loaded into the project (for me anyway).

[SteveKStafford]

I didn't enable Cut Geometry... I used Cut Geometry (opposite of Join Geometry), picking the host wall and void so the void "knows" it is supposed to cut the wall. When I downloaded your family it generated the warning when I toggled the option to recess the TV. When I used Cut Geometry and reloaded the family it no longer generated the warning.

[barthbradley]

Why don't you make the Void parametrically-sized? When not creating a TV-sized niche, it's creating a screw-sized hole. In other words, it's always cutting the host. 😉

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

[cmroz]

Thanks Steve, unfortunately I can't replicate your success. I redownloaded the family I uploaded and loaded it into a vanilla new project. The void was already cutting the host when I looked at the family (which is where my confusion was with your reply), so I uncut it and re-cut it. After loading the family into the project it still reassesses fine, that part always worked, but I still get the error when I unselect that option - and instead surface mount it. In your family, can you enable and disable that option with both working? If so, please upload.

@barthbradley - Ha, I currently have the void controlled by parameters, so it wouldn't be hard to do that. That will probably be the route I take - but wanted to better understand why not cutting the hose didn't work in this case. Thanks for the idea though.

[barthbradley]

What you are up against has been issue since Moses wore shorts.  It's also been a repeated request on the "Wish List" (now "Ideas"). 

[SteveKStafford]

See if this family behaves, it does for me in Revit 2024. I only used Cut Geometry on the void/host.

[barthbradley]

Looks like you detached the void in the Family (so it isn't cutting host). So, you need to manually cut the niche in the Project wall using the Cut Geometry tool and picking the Family and the wall.  Right?

...Whatever. I like it better than "Inset" TV Types personally.  😉   

[SteveKStafford]

I downloaded the file, opened it in Revit 2024, activated Cut, pick the void, pick the host. Saved the file, loaded into a project, placed on a wall, toggled between recessed or surface...no warnings. Uploaded the family to the forum.

One thing I'd have done differently. The void would be hosted on a fixed reference plane beyond the wall and then a parameter would extend the void depth so it cuts the wall.