how to make a cove fixture visible from below

how to make a cove fixture visible from below

kgatzke
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Message 1 of 4

how to make a cove fixture visible from below

kgatzke
Collaborator
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I have a cove light fixture that has a symbolic hidden outline for the ceiling plan view but when I put it above a cove the hidden lines disappear.  They can only be seen if the fixture is at or below the height of the ceiling forming the base of the cove.

 

I tried creating a plane in the fixture 3" below the reference plane and setting the working plane of the hidden lines.

 

I tried modifying the fixture so that the reference plane was at floor level.

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Message 2 of 4

Anonymous
Not applicable

The light fixture is a solid and does not cut the ceiling, The symbolic lines will only show up if the light fitting is embed in the ceiling using a void otherwise the line work is hidden by the ceiling.

Alternatively if you want to keep the fitting as solid, add a parameter to create an offset for the solid rather than changing the base offset. then, when you adjust the depth of the light fixture using the parameter the line work will remain visible.

 

Hope this helps

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Message 3 of 4

kgatzke
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Collaborator

Having the fixture cut the ceiling with a void seems to entirely defeat the purpose of symbolic lines unless I've completely misunderstood their use.  I mean, if you're cutting the ceiling - which totally does not represent the nature of a cove fixture - the fixture will be directly visible so what do you need symbolic lines for?

 

I didn't create this fixture family so I'm guessing they made it solid because of the variety of ways in which it might be installed (cove tray, wall above cove, standoffs from wall, pendant, etc.) and sure, each of those should get it's own family for proper hosting but that's not what the consultant did.

 

I tried your suggestion.  The base of the fixture is at the ceiling level so the detail component should be visible but it's not.  I set its working plane to the reference plane. The body of the fixture now moves up and down on the Height Above Ceiling parameter and still the hidden lines are not visible unless an extrusion that's hidden in view is at or below the reference level!

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Message 4 of 4

ToanDN
Consultant
Consultant
Accepted solution

The lighting fixture must have a model element exposed under the ceiling in order for its detail lines to appear.  I added a vertical model line about 3" down and that should work when your fixture is less than 3" above the ceiling.  You can make it longer or shorter to fit your design. Obviously, do not make to too long or it will show up in the floor plans as well.

 

Capture.PNG

 

P/S: this trick is older than Jesus riding a dinosaur.

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