We often create families that have arched components where the arch height is parametric/variable. This is great for arched windows, doors, openings, etc that need variability based on the design.
We control the arch height using reference planes that the arc line is locked to and a linear dimension. Problem is that it is impossible to set an arch height of 0". Doing this breaks the arc because it would then not have a radius.
So this means that if I am creating a door family and I want the option to make it an arched door or a flat top door, I currently have three options:
- created two separate door families (one arched and one not) - this puts a greater burden on our BIM management process because when we push updates, we have to update twice as many families.
- create two separate nested families (arched and not) within the door family that are swapped via a family type parameter - this puts a similar burden on our BIM management as the above and also slows revit down as it processes changes to the family.
- create two separate components within the door family (arched and not) and toggle their visibility depending on which one is needed - almost works, but complicates the family unnecessarily and doesn't work at all for wall openings/voids since their visibility can't be controlled.
It would be so much easier to do this if Revit was smart enough to allow me to draw and arc and set it's height to 0".
