I need to build a Multi-Ply LVL family that schedules as such

[Anonymous]

I have been building my multi-ply LVLs by placing a single LVL and then copy/pasting it until I have the desired ply. This works for now and will schedule the exact amount of beams that I will end up shipping out once the project is complete.

However, in the essence of streamlining my work flow, I would like to create a few different families that I can just pop into place when I have multi-ply beams show up in prints. My previous attempts at this have all lead to just a single LVL being scheduled, as opposed to the exact number of LVLs in need, i.e. I placed a 3-Ply LVL family that I've created but only 1 LVL is scheduled.

How can I create a family that recognizes each ply of the LVL as a single LVL and schedules them as such?

[barthbradley]

Parts. 

MTO. 

...too cryptic?

You ask "How can I create a family that recognizes each ply of the LVL as a single LVL and schedules them as such?" 

To me, this is all about schedule settings (e.g. filters, sorting, grouping, etc.). If the "Plys" are separate families in the Project, then it seems to me, that scheduling them in a particular way should be fairly easy to do.  Where did you hit a snag?     

[ToanDN]

I am on board with @barthbradley.  This can be taken care of via a schedule:

- Let's just say the width of a LVL layer is 1" for instance

- Create new types, for example:  3xLVL beam = 3" wide, 6xLVL = 6"

- Add a number Calculated value to the schedule, name it Number of Layer, formula = Width / 1"

- Set the filed it to Calculate Total then you will have the total count of Layers

[Anonymous]

Right now the Plys are separate, because I put a single LVL in and then copy it over a bunch of times to get the multi-ply beams that I need.

When I try to create a family with multiple beams in it, it will only show up as a single LVL in my schedule.

[cbcarch]

Maybe this is getting too complex?

Try:

-Open the OOTB LVL Laminated Veneer Lumber family, which is a "single-ply" LVL.

-Save-as, then mirror or copy the single ply beam, and name the Type LVL-2 Ply, (or whatever name your standards require.)

-Repeat this process to add 3-Ply, 4-Ply, 5-Ply, 6-Ply LVL Types as needed.

-Load the families into your Project. 

-Create a Framing Plan, and Tag the LVLs.

-Create Framing Schedule, with Fields for Type Mark, Family & Type, etc. to show LVL-2 Ply, LVL-3 Ply, etc.

[barthbradley]

@Anonymous: I think I get where the "snag" occurred for you before. When you nested the LVLs, you didn't make them "Shared Families"; hence the reason the host alone was showing up in your schedule. Make the nested LVL families "Shared" and they all will show up in the Project/Schedule.  

[ToanDN]

@barthbradley 

Not sure if it is fixed in the new version but shared/nested structural families tend to reset to default size when loaded in a project.

[barthbradley]

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@ToanDN wrote:

@barthbradley 

Not sure if it is fixed in the new version but shared/nested structural families tend to reset to default size when loaded in a project.

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Okay, scratch that idea. Still, I don't see the confusion with scheduling (e.g. Parts or MTO)...but I do like @cbcarch's Framing Schedule approach.  

[Anonymous]

@cbcarch's idea to create a framing plan is going to be too time intensive for what I am hoping to accomplish with this.

I am in the process of building a template for our "I-Joist Layout Guy" in Revit. He is still using software that runs on Windows XP and we have been trying to get him to join the new millennium for a while now. I need this to be as simple and "plug-and-play" as possible. He just needs to be able to select the family that the print calls for and input it, and Revit does the rest.

I'm sorry if I'm being difficult with you guys. This is frustrating me to no end. All I need, is to find a way for Revit to draw in 1-ply (which it does fine), 2-ply, 3-ply, and 4-ply LVLs, while also giving me a "count" for each LVL in the project. Like I said, I can manually draw in each LVL and get my count just fine, but when I get to a house or building with 20+ multi-ply LVLs that is going to become very time consuming.

Here are some pictures of what I am working with.

This is what I have been trying to work with. Beams 1 and 2 (moving form top to bottom) are a single LVL that I copied and pasted next to itself. (see next picture) the 3rd beam is just a single LVL. The 4th beam (Second single ply) is from a multi-ply family that came with a plug in called VisionRez. As are the next 3 sets of LVLs.This is the top 2 beams in the first picture. As you can see, I copied the original LVL and slid it next to itself. This isn't what I want.This is what the multi-ply family looks likeThis is also the multi-ply familyAnd finally, this is what the properties look like for that multi-ply family.

[ToanDN]

@Anonymous

If you are not fancy messing with the families then look at my approach.  Everything is taken care of by a simple formula in the schedule.

[Anonymous]

@ToanDN, I'm not fancy with anything when it comes to Revit. I've tried to create a calculated parameter but there is no field for width and it won't recognize it if I manually type it in.

[Anonymous]

@ToanDN, sorry, the picture accompanying your last post didn't load until after I posted my reply. I'll give that a try and let you know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

@ToanDN, no "b" value in my project either. =/

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

That is because the default 'b' and 'd' in the family are not shared parameters.  I am uploading a screencast showing the steps.  It's quite simple actually.  It should be up in a few minutes.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/5f27d002-0a84-4080-860b-1850e6ca7734

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much, all of you, for taking to time to help me with this today.

[moeda1998]

Thanks for this great Video. It was super helpful. I'm wondering if I can ask for some help on getting this solution to work correctly for me? 

I'm on 2024 Revit LT. I can't get the shared parameters function to open as when I edit the "parameter properties" it shows my modified LVL family as a "built-in parameter"

Is this a limited functionality of revit LT? or is there another avenue I can chase this rabbit?

Thanks, this is my first post asking a question. fingers crossed.