Using Reference Planes and Reference Lines Together, Parameters Won't Function

[MorgDaddy01]

Please see the attached family.  This family was created using a generic family template from Revit 2022.  Geometry doesn't exist in the family yet, as I'm having trouble stretching/flexing the reference planes and reference lines with the parameters I've created.

I can successfully modify the 'Leg 1' dimension (locked to RP 'LEG 1' and the intersection of RP 'WEB' and a reference line) by moving the 'LEG 1' RP manually, but when I try to use the 'Leg 1' length parameter I've created, I get this error message:

The same is true for the 'Leg 2' dimension; manually moving the 'LEG 2' RP works, using the 'Leg 2' parameter doesn't:

I'm using reference lines for the parts of this family that will need to rotate to satisfy the required geometry - I plan to add angular constraints and parameters once I can get the RPs and RLs to cooperate.  See this snippet of an ACAD drawing of one of the family types to-be:

Reference lines have continued to be the bane of my Revit existence.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[barthbradley]

I don't understand. What are you trying to do here? What are the Ref. Line Work Planes for?  They going to host something? Give as the big picture, and we'll tell you how to get there. 

...maybe the better approach would be a Adaptive Family.   If it's a Sweep, then 2 Adaptive Points - one for the beginning of the Sweep and the other for the end of the Sweep.  You can easily make the Sweep geometry parametric.  

[MorgDaddy01]

I am trying to create a family, per the ACAD snippet example in my initial post, and I'm having trouble with the parameters that control the dimensions between reference planes and reference lines (Are they more commonly referred to as "Ref. Line Work Planes"?).  I have placed reference lines in lieu of reference planes for portions of the family that must rotate - it is my understanding reference lines should be used instead of RPs for rotating geometry.  As for whether the RLs will host anything, I'm a bit confused by the question.  I plan to create geometry within the confines of the RPs and RLs once they are functional.  If that's what you mean, then I plan to host geometry on all the RPs and RLs visible in the 'Left' elevation view, aside from the default RP aligned with the Reference Level.  Thanks again.

[barthbradley]

What you are doing doesn't require all that. Just create that shape as a parametric PROFILE (Generic) and use that Profile for any geometry you want to create in Revit. 

...use the Profile for Columns, Structural Framing, Pipes, Ducts, Railing, Casework, so on and so forth.  Anything. Don't worry about "rotation" inside the Profile Family. It's not relevant.  

...TIP: make the Parameters - that drive the sizing - TYPE Parameters (as opposed to INSTANCE). Then create different named Family Types that are sized differently.   

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/Revit-C...

[MorgDaddy01]

I'm unfamiliar with profiles; are you saying I should use an alternate family template?  If I create a profile, will I have the ability to rotate the 'web' and 'Leg 2' per the ACAD snippet in my initial post?  Will I still need to use RPs and RLs to create the profile?

[barthbradley]

Did you see the information I linked you to above?  That explains what I'm talking about.  

[MorgDaddy01]

Thanks, I see it now.  For some reason I can't see the entirety of your posts on initial viewing, was the same with your last one...

[ToanDN]

Are the 91 degree and 89 degree angles fixed or do you want to be able to change them in the project?

[MorgDaddy01]

After researching profiles via the provided link, it seems this won't be a viable solution for me.  The family I'm creating will be comprised of family types that are each a specific length, contain a number of specific bolt holes (voids), and have a specific part number.

[MorgDaddy01]

No, those two angles are not fixed, and will vary from type to type, as will the web, leg 1, and leg 2.

[ToanDN]

If they are per type then it is easy, just create a profile for each type per @barthbradley .  You can create one profile family with multiple types, or multiple profile families if you don't want to deal with constraints and stuff.  

Other things like holes, bolt and whatnots, can be add to the model component family.  They has nothing to do with the profile family, which is only for defining the shape of the component.

[MorgDaddy01]

Perhaps this will provide some illumination; please see the attached ACAD model.  Here's a snippet:

I need to create approximately 550 specific variations of this component.  The web and leg lengths, void quantity and locations, angles of the web and leg 2, length of the component, and part number will all vary from type to type.

What is a "model component family"?  I didn't see anything about that via the profiles link @barthbradley provided.

[MorgDaddy01]

With your mention of "model component family", it seems you're suggesting a nested family.  Is that accurate?  Again, I'm unfamiliar with profiles.  Please excuse my incompetence.

[ToanDN]

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@MorgDaddy01 wrote:

With your mention of "model component family", it seems you're suggesting a nested family.  Is that accurate?  Again, I'm unfamiliar with profiles.  Please excuse my incompetence.

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You can open a Revit out-of-the-box Structural Framing family and see how it was created as a Sweep based on a 2D Profile family.