Parametric Conveyor Array - Angled for Slope

[depps]

I've been doing a lot with conveyors lately...and trying to create parametric, line-based families to make modeling large areas faster.

I successfully created a line-based roller conveyor, but it's set to go on a reference plane (i.e. a flat surface). Some of the conveyors need to be gravity-fed and must be at a slight (1-3 degree) angle. I'm trying to figure out the best way to go from 'starting height' to 'ending height' for the conveyor using either the height values or by entering a degree of slope parameter...

...here's the kicker...I also need to make the parametrically arrayed legs shorten as they hit the ground so it doesn't look ridiculous.

I was thinking about using a void along the bottom edge of the reference plane they attach to, but I also don't want to bloat the file size ridiculously.

Family is attached...any thoughts? 

[barthbradley]

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@depps wrote:

I also need to make the parametrically arrayed legs shorten as they hit the ground so it doesn't look ridiculous.

I was thinking about using a void along the bottom edge of the reference plane they attach to, but I also don't want to bloat the file size ridiculously.

Family is attached...any thoughts? 

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Making the parametrically arrayed legs shorten as they hit the ground  is the real challenge here. Can't be done in the array itself.  Yes  - that's the kicker indeed.  I've tried the a cutting void in an array before. It's problematic. 

Following... 

...QUESTION: wouldn't the legs actually all be the same length. That is: isn't it the belt that is angled in relationship to the consistent level plane of the legs? 

[depps]

No...b/c the legs are all sitting on flat ground...I probably worded that poorly.

It's the belt that is angled down and thus controlling the length of each leg arrayed along its length.

Does that make sense?

[depps]

Looking at this a different way...what if the bottom of the conveyor belt was the reference plane that angled due to a % slope...and then the legs attached to that reference plane? Would they cut as it got steeper?

I shall test...