Help creating an awning louvered window sash.

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

I'm currently working on creating a parametric louvered awning window. I have my window family mostly complete, I'm only missing the sash. I have the sash created on a generic model template with some dimension parameters and an angle parameter.  Now the sash works perfectly but I still need the louver blades with their respective count parameter but I haven't been able to effectively constrain it in position on the sash. Every time I change the sash angle, the louver blade won't follow to the same place. This would be my only problem, as soon as I get this to work I'll be able to finish with an array parameter and then nest this family to my window family. 

[barthbradley]

Post your Revit File.  

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Thanks in advance.

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Thanks in advance!

[barthbradley]

The blade Family needs to be a Work Plane-Based Family so that it can be hosted to the moveable angled Reference Line/Work Plane in the Parent Family.  Model blade in Generic Model.rft and check "Work Plane-Based" and uncheck "Always Vertical" in the blade Properties and then reload and host it to the angled Ref. Line Work Plane.  Verify that "Reference Line" is listed as "Host" under the Instance Properties of the blade Family in the Parent Family.  

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Thanks for the response Barth. It truly helps me out. But why is "Host" greyed out on the family instance parameter of the louver blade family?

Also when I try to align and lock the blade to the angled Ref Line, an error will pop out saying "The Dimension would overconstrain the Sketch."

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Can't seem to host the blade family on the parent family's reference line. Either it only hosts to Ref. Level, or an error would pop out saying the previous error a i said.

[barthbradley]

Read my previous post.

Model the blade in Generic Model Family Template, check "Work Plane-Based" and uncheck "Always Vertical" in the Properties Panel and then load this blade Family into Parent and place it on (e.g. host it to) the Ref. Line Work Plane.  

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

I already did...

I even posted the family file again for you to see

[barthbradley]

Ah! Didn't see your attached rfa.  

I don't have any issues hosting the LOUVER BLADE 2 to the Reference Line.  

Make the Reference Line the Current Work Plane of the View and then place a louver blade instance.  Know how? 

Help | Work Planes | Autodesk

[barthbradley]

You know, I think you may be building this family all wrong. It looks like the Louvers and the Frame are to all rotate together as a unit.  If this is the case, then the Louvers and the Frame ought to be modeled together in the same Family and then this Louver/Panel Assembly Family nested into another Family and hosted to a parametrically-angled Reference Line.   

See the attached "Door_Bi-Fold_2 Panel_Louvered.rfa".  This Family is representative of what I'm suggesting. 

Open it and drill down to the "DOOR Panel.rfa" that is nested 3-deep. 

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Thank you Bradley, making the reference line the Current Work Plane worked like a charm.

But now I'm facing two new issues.

1. The blade is effectively constrained to the reference line so when I change the Angle parameter the blade position follows. Just as I wanted. The problem is that the blade remains at a 0 degrees angle from the reference line. I need the blade (and its future array) to be set to a desired angle. That said, I'm looking into the possibility in making the blade remain at a 0 degrees angle from the ground, not its reference line.
2. My second problem is that the array group I'm making for the blade count is not constraining to the reference line, or I do not know exactly how to achieve it.

I've seen the family you sent, I wouldn't know if that should be the way I should take. I'd gladly follow any advice you have. I actually have a Window family all set up just waiting for the louvered sash to be nested upon it. I'l attach it as well in case you want to check it out. If you do, then I'll expect your recommendation on how should I proceed.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

Nest Louver Family ("A") into another Family ("B") and host it to a Reference Line that has a parametrically-controlled angle.  Associate "A" INSTANCE parameters to "B" INSTANCE Parameters.

Nest Family "B" (Louver) into another Family ("C") that contains the frame. Place one instance of Family "B" and associate "B" Parameters to "C" INSTANCE Parameters.  Parametrically Array the Louver ("B") Family.  Check "Work Planed-Based" and uncheck "Always Vertical". 

Nest "C" Family (Panel with Louvers) into another Family ("D") and host it to a Reference Line that has a parametrically-controlled angle.  Associate "C" Family Parameters to "D" Family Parameters.  

That's it.  Pretty much the same process I used to build that Louvered Bi-Fold Door Family I posted above but with one more level of nesting.  

[barthbradley]

FWIW, here's the process I described above in practice. 

The attached RVT contains a bi-fold door family that has both the angle of bi-fold door panels and the angle of louvers within those door panels parametrically and independently controlled. 

The Family is built by nesting 1.) Louver Blade.rfa into Door Louver Assembly.rfa, 2.) Door Louver Assembly.rfa into Door Panel.rfa, 3.) Door Panel.rfa into Bi-Fold.rfa, 4.) Bi-Fold.rfa into Door_Bi-Fold_2 Panel_Louvered-Adjustable.rfa.  

[v_angelovaL89TQ]

Sorry for taking so long to reply Bradley. I've gotten to a point of my family that I'm able to continue my project.

With your help everything went right. I applied your instructions and everything worked! The only issue I have is that im unable to use the "Height" parameter because everytime I change it, the louvered sash moves on its X axis. I've tried to constrain it on both Y and X axis with no success.

What I did in the end, in order to continue my project (which I don't have the time to perfect the family), was to simply create different families with the desired "Heights".

I'll attach my family just for you to see it in case you want to.

Anyways, I'm very grateful for your help and I believe I'll accept your aid as a solution.