ideas for how to create a recessed multi-head slot fixture

[JustinBrown8567]

Howdy,

I'm looking for ideas about how to build a parametric family for a recessed multi-head slot fixture, like this:

I'd want to be able to specify the housing length, width, and depth along with the diameter, quantity, and spacing of the light fixtures.

At the moment, I'm at a loss.

Has anyone built something like this?

Is this a job for Dynamo to help fill in the fixtures after the housing dimensions have been specified?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Justin

[ToanDN]

- create a housing family with parametric dimensions

- create a fixture head family

- nest the fixture head family in the housing family, constrain

- array the nested fixture head in the housing and assign a parameter to the Array that is driven by the length of the housing

See attached 2019 file.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

Use this family as I have revised the array formula.

[JustinBrown8567]

whoa, thanks for the super speedy reply!

This looks fantastic, I haven't yet been able to figure out the array function.

Let me give this a whirl and get back to you

[JustinBrown8567]

this works a treat, thanks!

[JustinBrown8567]

hey there, I'm back!

I am having trouble constraining my array to the distance between the (2) setback reference planes. 

When I change the length of my fixture, the reference planes move correctly but the array does not.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

[ToanDN]

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@JustinBrown8567 wrote:

hey there, I'm back!

I am having trouble constraining my array to the distance between the (2) setback reference planes. 

When I change the length of my fixture, the reference planes move correctly but the array does not.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

---

You need to lock the first and the last instances to the setback ref planes.

[JustinBrown8567]

also, can you explain your estimated spacing parameter? Editing that value doesn't seem to work the way I'd expect it to.

thank you!

[ToanDN]

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@JustinBrown8567 wrote:

also, can you explain your estimated spacing parameter? Editing that value doesn't seem to work the way I'd expect it to.

thank you!

---

The estimated spacing parameter is for you to enter based on you spacing intent.   Either that or you can enter a quantity for the array.  I prefer to use the spacing parameter because I don't need to do math to get how many lights I need, and spacing is generally use by this type of fixture to get the required lumens.

It should the way it is intended to work.  If it doesn't, share you progress family and we shall see.

Between the setback and the spacing, one must be flexible.  If you want fixed spacing then the setback need to flex.  if you want it that way then let me know.

[JustinBrown8567]

thanks, just figured that out!

[JustinBrown8567]

you are correct, the parameter does work and you do say estimated! 

However, most of the time these types of fixtures have a fixed on-center spacing so I'm curious as to how that formula would differ from the one where the setback flexes

[ToanDN]

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@JustinBrown8567 wrote:

you are correct, the parameter does work and you do say estimated! 

However, most of the time these types of fixtures have a fixed on-center spacing so I'm curious as to how that formula would differ from the one where the setback flexes

---

The family would need to be revised to flex the setback and set the spacing to an absolute value.  I will try to post it later.

See attached.

[JustinBrown8567]

thanks, I've been trying to figure it out as well!

[JustinBrown8567]

no luck so far, I can't figure out how to get the setback dimension to flex or how to generate the fixture head spacing parameter

[ToanDN]

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@JustinBrown8567 wrote:

no luck so far, I can't figure out how to get the setback dimension to flex or how to generate the fixture head spacing parameter

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Did you open the file above?

[JustinBrown8567]

oops, missed that post. Sorry, am checking it out now, thanks

[JustinBrown8567]

initially, it seems to work

but if I try to change the spacing to a larger dimension, I get an error

not sure what I did wrong

[ToanDN]

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@JustinBrown8567 wrote:

initially, it seems to work

but if I try to change the spacing to a larger dimension, I get an error

not sure what I did wrong

---

Share you family here.  I don't have such issue with the family I posted.  here is the revised family with a modifier that let you add one more light manually to optimize teh length.

[JustinBrown8567]

I can't figure out how you're creating/constraining the "spacing" ref plane and then constraining the array to it.

I keep getting an overconstrained error between "spacing" and "array length"

I suspect I'm not building in the right order

[ToanDN]

Again, share you family.  It's hard to guess based on a screenshot.