rotate the 'light source' in xy plane in a lighting fixture family

[dtiemeyer]

I know that the 'light source' is hosted on a reference plane, and it can be 'tilted' (ie, rotated in the xz or yz plane), but I want to rotate it in the xy plane, and it is resisting any attempts to be linked to an 'angle' parameter, it breaks constraints when I attempt to rotate by the parameter value after aligning it to a Ref Line or Ref Plane.  

The reason for doing this is that some IES files are designed differently than others, and the width and length seem inconsistent across manufacturers.

[fabiosato]

Hello dtiemeyer,

You can link dimension to the light source object, don´t use reference plans.

The equality dimensions refers to the reference planes crossing points, press TAB until a small square box appears.

If you create an angle parameter in the front view it can change angle in xz axis. It is possible to insert only one rotation angle, so if you rotate in xy you can´t have it in xz for example, to get two axis I use spot light source type, and control its angle.

[kschicker]

I was not able to get this to work in the x,y direction.  Was anyone else?

[kschicker]

I am unable to get this to work as well.  I cannot select the Intersection of two Reference Planes.  can you provide some clarification?  I am in R18 and R19.  Thanks.

[s.borello]

Have you tried reference lines instead of ref planes to achieve your angle parameter? 

[fabiosato]

Hello,

To select the intersection, place the mouse pointer over it and press <TAB> until a small square appears in the crossing point.

[kschicker]

I cant answer for the OP, but for me this does not work.  I tried this first actually, but since the Light Source isnt a Face Host-able component, this doesnt work.  You cant constrain it enough for it to not move around during rotation, and if you try to, if becomes Over-constrained.  Thanks for the help.

[kschicker]

Thanks for the help Fabiosato.  I think I figured out why this wont work.  To do your method of constraining the edges of the Light Source to the intersection of the Ref Planes, the Light Source must be a Linear Light Source.  It cannot be an actual Photometric file, or a rectangular Light Source with Length and Width dimensions.  After switching to a Linear Light Source, I was able to place the Dimension/Constrain the Light Source, just like you showed, however, when I change the Light Source to a Photometric file, I get a Dimension Invalid Error. 

Same thing for a Rectangular Light Source. 

Do you guys have any other ideas or thoughts?  Thanks in advance.

[RobDraw]

Just trying to get my head around this. Do you really need to rotate the light source or a part of the fixture that contains the light source? What exactly are you trying to achieve by doing this?

[ToanDN]

Nest the light source family in your light fixture family then you can rotate it however you want with an angle parameter.  

[dtiemeyer]

@ToanDN  could you please post a family where you have an IES file that can rotate with an angle parameter?  That would be much appreciated!

[kschicker]

Thanks for the Reply Rob.  

I am attempting to make a fully Parametric Family that can be flexed from the project environment.  I want to be able to select the IES file, and then rotate the IES file's Light Source (as needed, because the rotation angle changes from manufacturer to manufacturer).  I tried going the Nested Family route, but to be able to select an IES file from the project environment, I must have a Light Source turned on in the Host Family.  Then I have two Light sources, when I only really need one.  If I could select the Light Source in the Nested Family from the Project environment without having a Light Source in the Host Family, this would be a non-issue. 

I hope this helps, if you need any more information, let me know.  Thanks for the assistance on this.

[ToanDN]

Sure thing.

[dtiemeyer]

@ToanDN 

in the scenario of this family you posted, is there any way to adjust the IES file from within the Project Environment?

[baho-97]

I have been struggling with this problem for a very long time, I organized the rotation using formulas using sin and cos, binding it to the reference planes, and the rotation of the ies file itself through the parameter.

 

 

I attach the family. It seems to have solved this problem, as it seemed to me, but it turned out that some ies files are incorrectly substituted, across, incorrectly positioned. And if we rotate the light source, it will be impossible to rotate it in the required plane. My opinion is that developers should add a tilt angle in 2 planes.

PS is difficult to explain through a translator, study my family and it will become clear that I almost solved the problem, but not completely.

 

[baho-97]

Thank you, you have solved my question! This is how it should work!