Generic line based family geometry shows up in all view but floor plan

[Sahay_R]

I am creating a line based family to indicate expansion joints in walls, floors, roofs and ceilings. My suggestion for linework was overturned by the assertion that they needed something to stop Interiors from wrapping finishes across expansion joints.

My solution is a line based family that gives the width of the expansion joint component, and which is hosted to the wall / floor / roof / ceiling face. Works flawlessly in all views EXCEPT the floor plan, which gives the error message. The family does show up when the floor is cut in section, however. I did try to change the base value of VR to -6", but that did not help.

My workaround was to raise the profile of the family a notch. Not a perfect solution, but it gives the results that I need. Why does this not show up in plan? Is there a more elegant solution that I can use?

[ToanDN]

Which categories?

[Sahay_R]

Tried with both Generic Model and Specialty Equipment.

[ToanDN]

Profile?  Do you model it as an actual void sweep?  Can you share it?

[Sahay_R]

It isn't a void - but it has been set to cut with voids (which it does very nicely). It's a line based family generated with a profile.

Thank you!

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Edit: if you don't want to lower the View Depth then use this family.

Lower the View Depth a bit?  By the way, Cut with Void when loaded means nothing if there is no void in the family.

[Sahay_R]

What did you do that was different from my original family? Dying of curiosity here! What did I miss?

I did try lowering the view range, but was concerned about repercussions on the display of other objects in the plan view. Was that concern unfounded?

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

I added a vertical invisible model line so that the family can be picked up by the view range. It maybe better than lowering the view depth for multiple views.

The implications of lowering the view depth is obvious, just like what you got with this specific case.

[Sahay_R]

So invisible lines have their uses! ROFL!!

[ToanDN]

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@rsahayUZMK9 wrote:

So invisible lines have their uses! ROFL!!

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What?!?  Every kid growing up wants to be the hollow man.

[chrisplyler]

If you use something with a void, and after placement in the project you actually use the cut tool to make the void cut a floor/slab object, then the gap will show in the floor/slab. Floors and Slabs show with the normal line style up to 4' BELOW the view range's bottom. So if you have cut a gap into them (simulating a saw-cut joint or whatever) those edges will show up in floor plans.

I made a Structural Stiffener - Line Based family that includes a rectangular void sweep. The void is proud of the line a bit so that it might also cut a layer of tiles or something. It is placed in project using the Structure > Component tool, and then a manual Modify > Cut operation must be performed. It's just a face-based groove really. But I can make different widths/depths as Types, calling one 1/4" Gypsum Exp Joint, and another 3/8"x3/4" Concrete Saw Joint or whatever, and schedule them if for some godawful reason I wanted to.

But I'm not sure this serves the purpose you are after. The floor/slab, or wall or whatever, is still one object, and using the Paint tool will still paint the whole surface. The "joint" doesn't stop that material application. But it does pretty decently reflect an actual expansion joint.

[Sahay_R]

So the family that I am now testing will not stop the whole wall from getting painted? That was the purpose of this exercise.

[ToanDN]

No.  Your family will just be overlapping the floor or whatever host you place it on.  Replace the solid with a void in the family and use Cut Geometry to actually cut the host in project.

[Sahay_R]

Wouldn't that just leave a groove in the host? The objective was to create grooves that cannot be painted over with finish materials, while seeing the joint cover.

Ignore me - I added a void over the solid and did the Cut. It does whatever I wanted it to.

[chrisplyler]

Even with an actual void that physically notches the surface, no it will not stop the Paint tool. For that you have to either actually split the element, or at least use the Split Face tool on the surface to draw your separation lines.

[Sahay_R]

It actually does what I want it to - the Cut makes the family block the pattern. 

[chrisplyler]

Oh... sure... the pattern won't show where the surface of the face is blocked or cut out. That will happen whether you've got a void or not.

I thought you meant you might want it to be separate faces on either side that could accept two different paint materials.

[ToanDN]

Edit: I re-read you other reply and realized you did have a void in the family.  That's why you can cut the host with it.  Almost made me think you had some kind of special cork screw like the one you skinning the cat in the other thread.

Below is the difference between using a void and a solid.  I can Cut Geometry with the void but not with the solid.

[Sahay_R]

@ToanDN - I have BOTH!! The solid AND the void, I mean (not the skinning knife and the corkscrew). I copied the solid in the same place, converted it into a void, and got the best of both worlds....

@chrisplyler - in my last screenshot, to the left we see the family with the cut. To the right we see the family without the cut. Definitely not an unkind cut at all....