Revit Complex Family Modelling

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Firstly apologies if this is a basic question, I'm trying to pick Revit up as I go along...

Simply put, I'd like a Container family that can be loaded into a project, preferably face-based, that can be cut by other face based families. I like face based, seems like the easiest way to work Revit...

So far I've discovered that I can model anything in-place in a project and it will cut using my face-based family, great. However, I don't really want to be modelling the container in place, a separate family is much easier to keep re-using in future projects. Plus I'd rather model the individual parts separately.

Following that then, I started modelling a container (I've attached a WIP Revit 2019). However, when it's loaded into a project the face-based families won't cut it like they do with the in-place models. I'm obviously going about this wrong.

Question is, can it be done? If so, would someone please explain the best way to approach this? I'm thinking I'm missing a Revit principle somewhere that restricts this sort of modelling.

Thanks in advance,

Jake

[Avaris.]

I looked at your model and couldn't find a void. Cut with voids when loaded was checked.

When you want to cut your host. Model a void, and cut the host already in de family.

[Anonymous]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for taking the time to help out.

I've just tried the tip suggested in that post and it now works! Previously I haven't cut the host element in the face based family and simply manually made the cut in the project, ie by loading the family > click cut command > click element to cut > click void within family. With the actual face element cut within in the face-based void family, it's automatic as well, so that's great. Not sure how I missed that...

Another question then, would it be possible to cut more than just the host nested family within the main family? When I cut with a face-based 'void' family, it doesn't matter if I am in project or family editor, it will only cut the host, where the host is effectively the nested family of which the face I've hosted to belongs to (if that makes any sense at all). Is it possible to cut anything in the voids path? Ideally I'd like to add the void family and then choose which nested families require cutting, whether they're the host or not.

I've attached a file so you can see exactly what I'm talking about. There are two separate 'void' families hosted on my main family as examples.

Thanks,

Jake 

[Avaris.]

Unfortunately, not automatically.

In that case, I would model a (non-host)generic family with a void, check Cut with Void when loaded. After that in the project environment, you have to manually subtract it from objects you want to cut.

[Anonymous]

Hi Marc,

Thanks again for the help, I've got another question if you have the time.

That method does indeed cut more than one of the nested components at once. However, I'm unable to select which of the nested components to be cut. Do you know if there is a method that would allow me to insert a void into the project that will cut select nested families within another family?

Thanks again,

Jake 

[Avaris. · Accepted solution]

If you want to do that, make the nested components in your family shared. Checkmark is under 'cut with voids when loaded'.

[Anonymous]

Hi Marc,

If I check shared and cut with voids in the nested families, I'm unable to cut them at all in the project environment. 

Am I possibly missing something?

Thanks,

Jake 

[Avaris.]

Cut with voids when loaded is not necessary for your nested components and host family. But I guess it needs to be one of the following categories: ceiling, floor, roof, wall, structural framing, structural column, structural framing or a generic model. Otherwise, post your model and I will take a look at it.

[Anonymous]

I've got them all as Generic Components at the moment. 

Example project attached. 

If you can have a look and see if you can get the void family to cut the nested families individually that would be great.

Thanks,

Jake 

[Anonymous]

Marc,

Please ignore that last post. You are correct, if it is Shared, I am able to select the individual models!

Problem solved, thanks a lot.

Jake