Pick new host keeping exact location of hosted elements

[jvpantin2]

Hi everyone, I'm using a face -based generic model family to make openings in beams, slabs and other structural elements to solveclashes with MEP. As the structural model changed, I replaced the old group of structural elements with the new one. Now the openings formely placed doesn't cut the new elements, they figure as <not associated> in Properties palette, and loose their previous properties, i.g. schedule level, elevation, even dimensions.

Is there a way to use the "Pick new" host command keeping the exact location these families have now? 

I share a screen capture of the actual situation.

Thanks in advance,

[jordan_bullock1]

Hi @jvpantin2,

The 'Pick New Host' command in Revit can be tricky, especially when you need to maintain the exact location of hosted elements after rehosting. Here are a few steps and tips that might help you retain the positioning and properties as closely as possible:

1. Use “Pick New Host” Carefully and Re-Align if Necessary:
When you select 'Pick New Host,' Revit might shift the element slightly if the new host geometry isn’t perfectly aligned with the original. To minimize movement, try selecting the new host element closest to the original position. Once rehosted, you may need to manually adjust any slight offsets.

2. Align and Lock to Reference Points Before Rehosting:
Before using 'Pick New Host,' consider adding reference planes or points to mark the exact location of your openings in the original host. After rehosting, you can use these reference points to align the opening and lock it to the new host, helping maintain its exact position and orientation.

3. Manual Adjustments for Lost Properties:
Unfortunately, properties like schedule level, elevation, and dimensions may not carry over automatically. Once the openings are rehosted, check each opening’s properties and manually reassign any missing data.

4. For Large Changes, Consider Copying Elements to Preserve Properties:
If there are extensive changes, copying and pasting elements to the same place within the new structural model may help retain location data more consistently, though this may not work in every situation.

Important Note: It’s generally a good idea to avoid using face-based families for openings if you anticipate frequent structural changes, as they tend to lose association more easily. If feasible, you might consider switching to hosted families that are less prone to detachment.

Let me know if this helps or if there’s anything else you’d like to explore!

[jvpantin2]

Hi @jordan_bullock1 appreciate your answer, but his is a tricky situation b/c the structural team is not sharing their model via collaboration environment, so we need to bring elements to a model of our own an then reasign the holes. Also, the families need to be host-based for other reasons. We were doing it the way you said, but it will be more useful to do something less manual... Thanks for your time anyway!

[jordan_bullock1]

Hi @jvpantin2 ,

Thanks for the additional info! Given the setup where you’re not collaborating directly with the structural model, one method you could try is to Select the Elements, then go to Modify > Clipboard > Copy to Clipboard in one model, then use Paste > Align to Current View or Align to Selected Level in the new model. This can help transfer the elements more accurately, but be aware that host-based families sometimes lose their host when copied this way, so you may need to reassign the hosts after pasting.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it could reduce some of the manual work involved. Let me know if this helps or if you’d like other ideas!