Revit RFA - Show/Hide nested family question

[roger.hick]

Hello - I am building a parametric family for an office desk system.  

The family has types defined by their dimension (i.e. 1600 x 800 desk or 1800 x 800 desk and so on).

Each desk size has an option to have a cable tray fitted - but the cable trays cannot be parametric due to the manufacturer's design, the trays are in two sizes with different cut-outs and no common features for a parametric work-around (a 1600 desk will have 1 long tray and 1 short tray - an 1800 desk with have 2 long trays and so on).

I have built nested families for each cable tray combination and I can control the cable tray visibility by yes/no parameters but it is possible to select the wrong tray option for a desk size.  

Is it possible to make a parameter so that a tray family can only be available for its correct type?

Many thanks

[Sahay_R]

Create Types, with the correct Tray showing. No going wrong there!

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

@roger.hick

Aside from using visibility parameters to turn on/off certain keyboards for certain desk sizes, you can use Family Type parameters.  See attached.  Hit back if you need explanations.

[barthbradley]

Why not add a conditional formula to the visibility parameter? Something along the lines of: if(desk=1600,1<2,1>2).

Also, I don’t see why your cable tray design cannot be parameterized. I looks doable from your screenshot. If you want to post the two cable tray families, I can show you. 

[Anonymous]

Building on @barthbradley, you can tie visibility of each nested family to a Yes/No parameter based on desk length. That way the appropriately sized cable tray will automatically show depending on desk length.

I personally prefer using a Family Type parameter as @ToanDN mentioned, but then you still have to assign each family per type because you can't mix parameter types within a formula.

[roger.hick]

Thanks all - I appreciate the help.

barthbradley - The trays are actually different.  I think your solution is easiest for me to work with.  If I am honest I don't know much about logical arguments in formulas - what does the 1<2/1>2 do? 

ToanDN - In you example do you set the label in the cable tray family at family level of add a label to the nested family at the desk family level?

[barthbradley]

1<2 will force a check

1>2 will force an uncheck

See this link for additional info on formulas:

https://www.revitforum.org/tutorials-tips-tricks/1046-revit-formulas-everyday-usage.html 

[roger.hick]

Thank you - 

[ToanDN]

The labels are created under the desk family. Simply select tray 1 and add label from the option 3, then create kb1 label. Repeat for kb2. In fact, you only need a label for the tray that changes, so, only need kb2.

[ToanDN]

@Anonymous

if(desk=1600,1<2,1>2)

You no longer need if, 1<2, 1>2. Formula: (desk = 1600) will yield the same result.

[roger.hick]

Thanks all - problem solved