How to modify parametrically the geometry inside a group or matrix in a family?

[amorap]

Hello all from Spain.

I'm creating a family for an steel reinforcement in a column.

The idea is quite simple: 4 L steel sections, one in each corner, and steel plates welded with a given spacing in vertical.

 I have used extrusions to create the steel plates at the bottom level. I've created reference planes to constrain this extrusions. These reference planes are driven by only two parameters (the two support dimensions in plan view). I flex the family, changing this values and everything works OK: the four L area each one in it proper psoition and the steel plates in the base level too.

Then, I generate a vertical array in order to copy the four steel plates at the base level. All the plates become transformed to groups by the array,

But then they does not response anymore to the parameters. When I try to modify again the basic parameters, geometry inside the matrix groups does not follow the constrains defined for the first four steel plates at the bottom level.

Any idea about how can be resolved this issue?

I've tried this, nothing has worked.

- Place the constrains inside the sketch of every steel plate.
- Create an external family to the 4 steel plates, nest it inside the major one, and control it with shared parameters.

I think that after including something inside a group, it is impossible to control its geometry with parameters.

Thanks in advance!.

[ToanDN]

Maybe use type parameters.

[amorap]

Thanks ToanDN, I've tried it with all kind of parameters, local, shared, type and instance parameters, with the same bad results.

I'm suspecting that I have to include some reference plane inside the matrix. I going to explore this.

Regards.

[Kimtaurus]

Cold you maybe share your family?

Both versoins: with extrusions and loaded family.

[amorap]

Here they are. Revit 2018 format.

Both families have 4 steel angles

Empresillado A.rfa has a nested family containing the four steel plates.
Empresillado B.rfa has an extrusion (only for one steel plate)

Thanks.

[barthbradley]

Hello From America.

I think you are talking about an issue I've had in the past.

If it is the same, you will have luck if you make nested family face-based, and then place it on a Ref. Line inside host. Constrain/lock array to both ends of RL, with append to end unchecked. RL length driven by parameter, which is the number in array multiplied by spacing between each component in the array.

I hope this is understandable. I will try to show you later with an RVT when I get the time. 

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

@amorap

Try this one.  I create a new nested family under Structural Stiffeners instead of Structural Columns category and the array flexes properly.

[amorap]

Thanks!!!

It was driving me crazy.

Regards.

[adsidui]

Thanks !!!

I am working with ToanDN´s family adding parameters. This is the result.