Revit Window Families & Extrusion Issues

[Anonymous]

Hi there I'm wondering if someone can help me with some issues I've been having with a window families and extrusions.  

I've made some changes to one of the in-built autodesk window families in order to suit a job I've been working on. 

I thought i was careful not to mess with any of the important constraints, however when i loaded my edited family back into the project and altered the "frame off from external leaf" dimension I'm getting issues with constraints not being satisfied and the geometry of some of the window extrusions is going pear shaped.  Hoping someone can help before i pull the last few strands of hair i have left out of my head.  For reference I have attached the original revit window family before i made any changes "Sgl Casement - Top Hung" and then my edited family "KCE_Sgl_Casement_Top-Hung New"

Thanks in advance to any kind soles out there. 

Regards

Thomas

[L.Maas]

flex, flex....flex. You will have to change the variables and see what happens.

For example inside the family I changed the width of the wall and the family starts to break.

So this tells you there is a an issue with the family which does not work when the wall become below a certain width (around 280 mm).

When the constraints break yo will see that the sweep starts to deform.

This means it is not constrained enough (for thinner walls). So you have to add additional constraints or  you could make use of a profile family.

You can fix this and then check if there are additional issues

[Anonymous]

Thanks I can try some variable changes and see what the issues are. 

[barthbradley]

I took a quick gander at your family, and one strong recommendation I can make, is to always constrain element linework and geometry to Ref. Planes -- not to other geometry.  

[barthbradley]

...let me add: the sweeps are presenting the real problem here. Hard to figure out what you swept (e.g. what's hosting sweep path).  My recommendation would be to path a sweep along a model line -- not other geometry in your family. Draw a model line on it's own Ref. Plane and pick that model line for your sweep path.  Similar concept to nesting a family.  Your want to make "individual components" in the family and then assemble them together.  

[Sahay_R]

Just looking at that Sweep profile was enough to scare me off looking at the family. Suggestions for windows - 

1) Keep profiles simple. As close to a box as possible, No one will be able to see those lovely little grooves

2) Avoid Sweeps unless you really really understand how to control them. They are a pain to control. Preferred option - extrusions.

And if you have been inspired by families from window manufacturers, just leave the inspiration there and avoid bringing it into the family. As long as the family that you create looks kinda sorta like the window you desire, you should be fine.