Generic Model pattern will not align in project

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have created a Generic Model Splash back see below, when i bring this model into a project. the pattern is not able to be aligned to the flooring. what have i done wrong here?

Thank you 

[barthbradley]

How is the pattern made? 

[ToanDN]

You cannot align a model pattern of a loadable family in the project environment.

[barthbradley]

is it a Model Pattern? I'm seeing edges. Looks like individual panels -- possibly arrayed.  Maybe a Line-Based Family?  

[Anonymous]

It's is an extrusion 10mm thick with a 600x600mm pattern.

Usually i do this as a 10mm wall face and dont have this issue just wanted to have something abit more solid then a wall finish all the time. 

Below you can see the bath tiles and shower tiles dont line up and wont allow me to align them. 

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

You have to create them as thin walls or wall sweeps in the project then you will be able to manipulate the model pattern alignment.

[barthbradley]

...or @Anonymous, if you want to do it as a loadable family, model the full bathtub surround in the family. You could even parameterize it to meet different bathtub sizes and backsplash heights.

[Anonymous]

I like this idea,

only issue is then in a situation like shown, i wouldn't be able to then align the bath tiles with the shower tiles. Pedantic i know but some clients will request things like this.

[Alfredo_Medina]

Yes, you can align the lines of the tiles on the floor with the lines of the tiles on the wall. For the floor, use a floor element with model hatch pattern (not a pattern-based family!), and for the tiles on the wall, use a thin wall type with a model hatch pattern. Then, align the tiles.

[FAIR59]

the alignment can be realised by an offset parameter in the family.

In the family:

• make a reference plane (horizontal).
• give the plane a name.
• give the distance to the Ref.Level a labeled dimension.
• set the workplane of the extrusion to the reference plane.
• align the surface pattern to the reference plane.
• constrain the pattern to the reference plane using a locked dimension.

[barthbradley]

@FAIR59: Interesting approach, but I can't seem to get it to work. Want to post your family? 

[FAIR59]

enjoy

[ToanDN]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I like this idea,

only issue is then in a situation like shown, i wouldn't be able to then align the bath tiles with the shower tiles. Pedantic i know but some clients will request things like this.

---

Think about it this way:  if your buy prefab units with tile built-in then the pattern should be in the family; if you build them on site then the pattern should be in project to fit various conditions.

[barthbradley]

Oh, I see what you're doing now, @FAIR59. Basically, you are changing the Extrusion Start in a round about way.  Clever.  

@Anonymous: I think you ought to look at @FAIR59's family.  It's pretty much spot on to what you were asking about.   

[Alfredo_Medina]

But what is the purpose or advantage in spending time making a family with a grid pattern instead of simply using a floor or wall with a model surface pattern? 

[barthbradley]

---

@Alfredo_Medina wrote:

But what is the purpose or advantage in spending time making a family with a grid pattern instead of simply using a floor or wall with a model surface pattern?

Dunno, @Alfredo_Medina.  I'm not advocating the approach and don't use it.  We use walls and floors.  But still, I found @FAIR59's approach a clever and applicable workaround.  I'm glad I learned about.  Maybe I'll find a use for it. Maybe I won't.  Always fun learning new stuff though.  

[Alfredo_Medina]

It´s like making a parametric detail item family with rows and columns, to produce a schedule, instead of using the built-in schedule feature.

[barthbradley]

oh, I don't know that I would go that far, @Alfredo_Medina. It's just a little trick.  Whether or not it rises to the level of being a useful trick, is probably slim.  But, for the moment, it's interesting.  

[Anonymous]

I still think your right, wall and floors are the best way to answer my question. I have been doing my splashbacks this way.

I tried to duplicate the outcome using a family. I like the idea of using families for things, i just think they are a more solid approach then using walls and having to constantly disallow join for the main stud framing. Also when you have parts of a wall with full high tiles then a 100mm skirting tile then another tile maybe at a second height again. can get fiddly with walls. 

[jcunill6Q5R9]

great @FAIR59 !!

let's try the next level: can you do it in both directions (X, Y)?

by the way, I have a problem about it.  I need to make a hole in that surface, but then the offset parameter stops working (I don't know why)