How do I rotate a family instance around any direction.

[Anonymous]

There are several threads similar to my question here, however, after reading those threads, I am still not able to get it working.

I have a family composed of a combination of multiple Solid/Void Blend/Extrusion. When the family instance is created in a project, I was only able to rotate around axis Z. When I tried to rotate around axis y and x, revit failed with the error message that "Revit can't rotate element into this position".

Can someone tell me what is the rule governing the rotation here, i.e., how to tell a rotation is valid or not, and how to get the rotation around any direction working?

Thank you very much!

[BEE_Design]

Hi xiaochuwang,

I think its to do with the reference planes of the top of my head. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You can rotate on the reference plane, but can't rotate the reference plane in some cases.

Good Luck!

SY

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

AYou can do it using

A. a new Work Planes with slopes:

1. click on the structural foundation object > Edit Family - opens Family Editor > then from Properties >Family Category and Parameters >Family Parameters> check Work Plane-Based and uncheck Allways Vertical -OK , Load into the Project- override the existing
2. in Project , create a slope Reference Plane ,name it
3. Work Plane >Set >Work Plane -Specify a new Work Plane -Name -choose the sloped Reference Plane made in step 2
4. from Structure > Foundation >Isolated ( the Family created by you) - choose Placement > Place on Work Plane  -check again Placement Plane to be the named sloped one (step 2)-place the family

B. create a Mass element and place the Family on Face.

A.

B. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/0ee36cde-06fe-4353-baf0-12ff0c068ff3

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much, Constantin! It works!

From some articles on the internet, someone suggested that it will also work by introducing a parameter (rotation angle) to the family and using some reference line (http://planta1.com/blog/rotating-a-revit-model-family-in-3-different-axes-by-reference-lines/). I am new to Revit and I do not know how to implement it. Do you think if that is possible or not? And can you show me the steps. (I only need one non-z axis, instead of three axes in the article)

Thank you again for your help!

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

the link indicated by you is an interesting study on using Nested Families made by Alfredo Medina .....if you want to limit your rotation only to vertical plane , then you have to use only Family 1 and Family 3 ( Family 1 nested into Family 3) from his example...

[Alfredo_Medina]

As Constantin said, at the following link, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IWum86W-zo

...there's a video I made some time ago, about rotations. The video has 2 parts. The first part of the video is about rotations with a reference line; this method can be used in any kind of template. At time 9:23 starts the second part of the video, which talks about rotations with a reference point, which can be used in adaptive templates.

Another option for quick rotations, not parametric, in families or in projects, is to create a group of the elements, and then rotate the group. 

I hope it helps.

[Anonymous]

Check "Work Plane Based", uncheck "Always Vertical".  Thank you!!!  You saved so much frustration for me!  Now I can create more families without creating various orientations of the same object.

[RemcoLigthart]

hello Alfredo,

can you send me the video, i cant find it anymore on youtube.

Cheers, Remco

[Anonymous]

Hi!

Is there any chance of doing this within the family and thus creating vertical and horizontal types?

[Anonymous]

VIDEO UNAVAIABLE

[n.fard18ex]

Hi, I did what you wrote, but still can't rotate the family vertically. 

[ToanDN]

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@n.fard18ex wrote:

Hi, I did what you wrote, but still can't rotate the family vertically. 

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Model your family using Mechanical Equipment or Duct/Pipe Fitting template, uncheck Work Plane box, check Always Vertical box, then you can rotate it however you want in projects.

[n.fard18ex]

Hi ToanDN

Thanks for your reply, it works.

[ppatle]

Thanks.

[randeepVYY65]

Hi, Video is not available anymore, Can you please provide the link again. Thanks