offset parameter in formular

[Anonymous]

guys, how do I write a formula to use the default offset of a device, inside that family? 

For example, I wanted to say that if a box family is 10' high, I want to subtract from that offset 4 feet.

Can I create an offset parameter..but how does it know that this offset is the actual offset when we place it inside a project..?  Thanks!

[Sahay_R]

For example, I wanted to say that if a box family is 10' high, I want to subtract from that offset 4 feet.

Create a Height parameter.

Create a new parameter - call it Offset. 

For Offset - use the formula Height-4'

[Anonymous]

Thanks.  I wish we can reference the actual offset "without" having to type in the substitute for the offset. This way if the object is raised 15 feet, we don't have to try to duplicate the height parameter to match what should be automatic.

We really should have a standard system parameter that could be referenced anytime in any formulas.

[Sahay_R]

You don't have to duplicate anything. As the Height parameter changes, the Offset parameter will adjust accordingly. You'd label the dimension constraining the geometry with the Offset parameter to control the geometry.

Unless of course you and I are completely misunderstanding each other. In that case, please share the family so that I am not just guessing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I understand that the offset value will update based on the height.  I'm going to upload a picture of the properties so that you can see which offset value I'm referring to, versus the one that we create to add to the family.

As there might not currently be a way to obtain that value through an assigned parameter in the formula, I might need to just assign offset or height value to the device.

Thanks for trying though! 🙂

[Sahay_R]

Once again - share the family.

[Anonymous]

Here is the family.  I uploaded another image to help clarify what I'm trying to do.  Thanks!

[Sahay_R · Accepted solution]

A couple of solutions in order of preference - 

1) One option would be to take this family - which is a generic lighting fixture family - and nest it into a ceiling based lighting fixture family. This will then be hosted by any ceilings that you have in your model. Please see \attached file Project 6 for this.

2) The other option would be to fix the parameters based on the Offset. All that I did was set a ceiling height parameter. Please see Project 7 attached

The Offset that you are talking about is only acessible in the project environment. 

[Anonymous]

I will look at it tomorrow.  I think we can consider this resolved. Thanks again, Rina! 🙂