Help with setting multiple panels with different lengths

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

Can you please help me sorting out this issue, I am trying to have different sizes of panels on a frame. Currently I am aiming to have 5 panels with flexibility to adjust their lengths, numbers and the possibility of having 1 panel only (basically the number and length of each panel should be controlled by the user). I am sure I can't achieve what I want to achieve through array because I will have equal panel spacing or lengths for all the arrayed panels, which is opposite of I am aiming to have as an outcome.

Please have a look at the attachments-- bare in mind, I am using revit 2019. 

Thank you in advance.

[Ilic.Andrej]

Since you don't want panel lengths to be the same, I would suggest you create a family for each configuration and then use weak reference planes and instance params to create shape handles. User will be able to drag panel edges like they are grid lines. But you can't have it all. Decide whats more important to you. Even having 5 families would be ok if it gets the job done (5 panel, 4 panel, 3 panel...)

[Anonymous]

@dr_Grozozo thank you for your reply. I think what you suggested is good for fixed number of panels, however, I can't achieve zero extrusion with your suggestion. My biggest problem is achieving zero extrusion so I can cancel the panels that i don't need while covering the whole frame without having gaps. I tried new method of modelling the panels and leaving 20 m as buffer--so I can hide these panels there but unfortunately the reference planes were over constrained 

[Ilic.Andrej]

There is this workaround I used to deal with those "zero-extrusions". I can show you that if that's your concern.

You create fake and true length parameters and a visibility parameter then you do something I like to call "masking".

Lets call this parameter "Lock Override". It is a length param and its values are between 0.1 and 0. You use it to constrain the profile edge to the reference plane instead of just locking it to the plane.

Then you give this formula: if(Length>0,0,0.1)

Then you assign the visibility parameter to the geometry which has this formula: Length>0

So, if the user says "Length=0", the geometry will not collapse and it will be hidden.

[Anonymous]

@dr_Grozozo i tried this solution as i mentioned in my previous reply with no luck because I tied my panels to reference planes. the idea of linking the panels to the reference plane-- is to control the length of different items by the user without getting overlapped panels. I would much appreciate it if you can show me how to do it in Revit. 

[Anonymous]

@Ilic.Andrej thank you for the post, I didn't expect you will go that far and demonstrate it in video :). I will consider it as a soultion although I have to test it and see if it will work. Many thanks for taking that time and demontrating the solution 🙂

[Ilic.Andrej]

You re welcome.

Just a quick tip- this solution is kinda like some dirty work. Generally, you would avoid getting into the situation which forces you to use this. But to have "clean" families, it would be best to go with concepts that get along with those simple Revit rules... Avoiding array & Creating multiple shape handles & Having variable number of panels - in my humble opinion, its just too much ingredients in that soup. Can we just come up with a concept that is not so demanding? 🙂