My column family isn't working well when imported to a project

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have modeled a custom column family so as to insert it in a revit project. It is attached below.

The problem is that it isn't shown as it is supposed to be in revit project.

Please help 😄

[L.Maas]

What kind of problems do you experience?

Screenshot, Left is project, Right is the family (revit 2017)

[Anonymous]

@L.Maas

Hi look at what I got from the family first (right) and then the project (left)

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous

That is happening because you did not lock the extrusions in the column family...only the base is locked to the placement plane and the rest are more or less flying...Therefore when you place the column (in the project) at a different level; the base is being placed correctly at the level you need but the column and the capital are not following the base

You need to lock the extrusions to the right reference planes in the family then load it into the project

[Anonymous]

@RDAOU
Thank you for clarification 😄
So how can I lock an extrusion?

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

The way you modeled that column...It will be hard to lock everything without over constraining it. But in prenciple you can do that

1. Either by select the extrusion...>> hold the grip handles (the blue arrows) and drag it to a reference line...the paddlock should appear and you lock it
2. OR use the Align tool ... when you align them the padlock should also appear and you can lock them.

Then you will need to constrain those reference planes with parameters or locked dimensions so that they work/move with respect to one another consistantly...

...Ideally such column should be modeled using nested extrusions and revolves. Then it would work better and you ll have more control over it. But that would mean redoing/remodeling the whole thing all over (PS: and you don't really need to use the column family...I would personally model it in a generic model family then when done and if needed I would nest it into a column family...but not really required.

I'll see if I can help you out with somethng basic (if I get some spare time in the next couple of hours)...otherwise later on tonight. (won't be able to record a screencast cuz I will be doin it in bits and pieces at breaks or in between lectures 

[Anonymous]

Hii @RDAOU

I have locked all my extrusions; and my reference planes but it is always inserted in the 0 plan. I just can't insert it in other levels and when i do that it starts from the 0 level. always.

Thank you in advance 😄

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

Check the attached .rfa ...its basic and uses generic model template; didn't get to flex it much though so test it if it works for your project and check how the families are nested in with the associated parameters

Hope this helps ... (only so that you don't miss a deadline...once you get the time, do look more into families and parameters)

[Anonymous]

@RDAOU
I can't tell you how thankful am I :') :')
I just want to know how to change the value of those parameters so that it fits my existing column
Thank you in advance

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

In the project environment you can select it then click edit type...I made the following editable

1. Base Dimension width x length (assumed they are equal - if they are not then you need to associate the Width and the Length to different/independent parameters)
2. Base Height
3. Shaft diameter
4. Shaft Height

the other dimensions are driven by formulas...

Otherwise, if it is an exact as-built you want then you don't need parameters.

1. Open family in family editor and change the the formulas under type properties... to set them to compute a specific heights/dimensions instead of ratios
2. Just start a new generic family and stack the extrusions one on top of the other (like you did in your first family) and then join geometries together to make it one pieces from top to bottom

It wont be easy if you haven't went through thte basics of family creation, nesting and parameters...at least not through a couple of posts and examples here