Parametric Array Moving with Reference Plane

[Anonymous]

I am trying to make the jib of a crane move with a reference plane. However, when the plane moves, only the first item in the array stays constrained to the plane. The rest slowly step up until the final item in the array is at the original plane position. See picture. 

[barthbradley]

Ref. Plane??? Use a Ref. Line. Also, nest the "jib" component into the crane family.  Be sure to check "Work Plane Based" and uncheck "Always Vertical" in "jib" Family.  

P.S.  Google "Revit Parametric Crane Family".  I'm sure you can find one or two on-line that you can download and examine to see how to build one of your own. 

[Anonymous]

The jib family is already nested. And I checked the work plane based box and unchecked the always vertical box. Reloaded the family, but it still skews the array.

Edit: The crane family I am in is currently one from RevitCity, but when changing tower sections it adds them to the bottom rather than the top. 

[barthbradley]

I'd have to see the Family.  Post it here. Or provide Link to it. 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Solved it. Just made 2 initial instances in the array and gave them each an identical reference constraint. Now when I add more it works. 

[barthbradley]

Huh???

[Anonymous]

I had to make separate reference planes for the 1st and 2nd elements in the jib array.

[barthbradley]

I'm still not understanding the "Ref. Plane" thing.  The "jib" family should be hosted to a Ref. LINE -- not PLANE.  But yah, whatever.  Look us up again when it breaks.  

[ToanDN]

I imagine it could be done more easily as a truss family.

p/s: also I like your username

[barthbradley]

I think it could be done more easily by constructing a parametric Ref. Line skeleton first.   But hey, to each their own.