Nested families with void form extrusion unable to work with instance height parameter

[kenny_meyerB724U]

Hello All,

I am working with nested families to build parametric shelving.  The uprights for the shelving fixtures have fixed openings for the shelves to hang in that are at a set spacing.  I built the uprights for the tallest instance and used a void extrusion to pattern the cutouts through the uprights.  When I load the upright into the fixture family and tie it to a parameter to control fixture height It cannot resolve the void extrusion, and I have to allow it to delete the extrusion to continue.

Wondering if someone can walk me through how to set up a void extrusion in the upright family that will work with the height parameter in the fixture family model to allow for adjustability and also keep the voids spaced correctly on the upright.

Appreciate any help you can provide.  I am still learning, and this is an opportunity for me to learn something new that will be very useful in the future.

Thanks,

[RDAOU]

@kenny_meyerB724U 

If you add some graphics to the post, images or even better the family, you would have better chances of having this resolved 10 times faster.

Easier to start from something rather than nothing to recreate an example or a screen capture which you could follow

[kenny_meyerB724U]

Hello,

I edited the post to include pictures of what I am seeing and a copy of the upright family and the gondola frame family that includes the two nested uprights I am having issues with.  I have been teaching myself on Revit and this seemed like a great opportunity to reach out to the community to get help learning something new that will be useful to me going forward.

Thank you for the suggestion.

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@kenny_meyerB724U 

You have modeled these as a single void extrusion, which will break when the channel is too short or when the void falls outside the channel. In short, you should model it as follows:

• The voids should be modeled as a void extrusion (one slot) in a face-based generic model.
• When creating the void, use the Cut function to ensure it cuts the host.
• Load it into the Upright → Once you place the first instance, it will cut the channel.
• Constrain/lock it to reference planes at the bottom/start.
• Array it upward.
  • Lock/constrain the first and last instances.
  • Select the Array string and uncheck the box to append to the end (new slots should be generated in the middle).
  • Label the Array (associate it with a parameter) so you can control it with a formula relative to the height of the channel.
• Nest the channel it into the Gondola frame, lock it, and associate the height parameter with that of the frame.

I do not mean to discourage you but I think this will be a very poor performing family (to heavy for the model)...for the Gondola, do not use voids to perforate it...simply use a material with cutouts

[kenny_meyerB724U]

I will look at that and see if I can make a cutout that would give me a similar solution without needing to use voids.  This would likely be a much better option to get the peg board for the backer also.

Thanks,

[RDAOU]

@kenny_meyerB724U 

Take a look at this post...it might give you some ideas (several links in it too which will take you to similar topics

Re: Perforated Metallic Panel - Autodesk Community