Rotation of item when aligning to a face vs reference plane?

[ejowalter]

Question about how the align function in Revit works compared to Fusion 360.

In Fusion 360 I can align to a plane and a face equally and the software will rotate my part so that the face contacts properly.

In Revit, it seems to attempt to perform the alignment but the part doesn't actually rotate to align the face as intended if the place being aligned to is angled and the part is not. It solely moves the part on a vertical or horizontal axis.

In the above case, it simply aligns to the edge of the part to the closest endpoint of the reference plane without rotating the part.

I have tried detaching the part from its plane prior to alignment without luck and I know that I could simply draw the part directly on a workplane.

I am just wondering if there is any functionality that I could use to get me closer to how Fusion 360 handles alignment?

[ennujozlagam]

is the object you want to rotate is a family? if yes you need to edit the family and untick always vertical in the properties?

[RDAOU]

@ejowalter 

In fusion, you can have the elements are more or less floating in space. Their centroid is all the reference they need. Hence, you can align them that simply.

In Revit components differ based on the Type of Family (Hosted vs Non-Hosted) and Family Category

1. Certain Families which are Line Based (ie: defined two points for start/end placement) ... Such as
   • Pipes 
   • Ducts
2. Components which are Hosted. These reside strictly in their Hosts ex:
   • Windows
   • Doors
   • Wall/Floor/Ceiling Based families
3. Components which are NOT Line Based are either Work Plane (A reference plane, reference line or level datum) or Face Based (Face of any other Object/Geometry)

The first (Line based components) can be aligned to any direction similar to Fusion. The last two type of components cannot be align as you described. To align these you need to

• Either align their Host, Work Plane or Face
• OR redefine their Work Plane
• OR change their Host (rehost)

Note: The Always Vertical Option is irrelevant. This Options toggles the Normal of the component between Global and Host

 

[ejowalter]

Forgive my ignorance, but when dealing with attic bracing like below that is using dimensional lumber what category would that fall into?

[RDAOU]

@ejowalter 

Depends on how you model it and what you intend to do with it...so I would say, it can fall under any of the following categories

1. Structural Framing
2. Curtain Mullions
3. Generic Adaptive Components
4. Pattern Based Generic Models
5. Generic Model
6. Piping
7. ...etc

There are no limitations to which category or type of family you use. The naming convention of those categories is not important. It is the behavior of each what matters

When the replies answer your query, kindly do accept as solution 🙂 You can always start new posts from new questions

[ejowalter]

Using I was using the dimensional lumber as structural framing, that would that be considered a line-based component correct?

If it is a line-based component why does it present an issue when I try to align the particular face of dimensional lumber to a specific face of another?

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@RDAOU wrote:

....When the replies answer your query, kindly do accept as solution 🙂 You can always start new posts from new questions

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I certainly will.

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@ejowalter 

No...and to align them to surfaces you need to either Edit Workplane or use 3D Snapping