Sloped column end piece rotation works in family but not loaded into model

[adamcowan636]

Hi, 

I have sloped columns all over my model (a family I created myself). I want simple pin connections on the top and bottom ends of my column, so I created a generic model family with instance parameters that I then associate to the column family when they are placed in there. This works well in the family, flexing through every configuration... until loaded into the model. In the model, all the end caps are off-axis to the column, like there is a rounding error in the angle. Eventually, I will model a hole and pin, plus use the same generic model on the top and bottom to fix the column to the floor/ceiling or other columns. But there's not much point yet when it doesn't match rotation.

I am an architecture student - these just need to look correct in 3D views for my renders, and all orthographic views. 

 

Any help is much appreciated!

p.s. I suspect that the placed column is not updating its slope parameter when I increase/decrease its height - it is just using the one calculated in the family with the default dimensions, not the instance's actual dimensions. 

 

[barthbradley]

Try the attached RFA.  A different approach making the pin Work Plane-Based.  

NOTE: Pin rotation is NOT parametrically-driven in the Parent/Host Family. 

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

You should open this one instead....

[ToanDN]

Why don't you model it as a normal structural framing family and tilt it in the project instead of this complexity.

[adamcowan636]

This seems to achieve what I needed, excellent! My understanding is that you went into the pin connection family and then ticket work plane based in properties? Then in the column family you aligned and locked the connection's planes to the column's references? Brilliant 🙂 I had no idea about this setting, that's why I ended up setting the angle the way I did. Thanks for your quick help, and lessons for next time! @barthbradley 

[adamcowan636]

Aside from the issue I had (now resolved), this seems to be working in every other aspect for me. If I understood your solution i'd be open to trying it next time, though! @ToanDN 

[adamcowan636]

Trying to replicate your solution @barthbradley and just getting 'cannot rotate element into this position' when I try and align my updated connections to the column. Is there an easy fix to that? Something I missed?