Vary Quantity of Connectors in Parametric Family

[arkelec]

I think I already know the answer to this, but is it possible to vary the number of connectors depending upon the length of a family item?

What I want to do is have a set length for 2 connectors (300mm), 3 connectors (450mm) etc all the way up to 6 connectors (850mm) - as per the attached image.

If not, is the only way to solve this to create a separate item for each configuration?

[dzanta]

you can accomplish this several ways:

1.  Create each connector/geometry as a separate family and nest inside a main body host family (line based family)...as you create the "line," the number of connectors/geometry increases.

2.  Create multiple family types within the 1 family.  Each Family Type will be a separate size with the number of connectors you want.

3.  Create the family with an if/then condition that allows for number of connectors based on length

hope this helps.

[arkelec]

Thanks Dzan.  

This item will ideally snap onto the any/all sides of an electrical distribution panel.  I'm not sure if that is possible (certainly, the present item won't do that but that might be my lack of understanding of family template types - I used Generic Model).

The point of mentioning the above is that I really want to be able to select the number of connectors, then place the item as a solid onto the relevant face of the distribution panel.

Reading back over your replies, am I right assuming that the 3 suggestions are separate solutions?  Number 3 seems the best as I've already created the geometry.  I've added some additional parameters for the 5 options (2, 3 4,5 & 6 connectors) & also added a "variable length" parameter to correspond with the initial selection.

I've further added a "number of connectors" parameter with an "if" statement to change the quantity depending upon the "variable length" parameter.

Again, assuming I have done this right, how do I associate the "number of connectors" parameter with the actual connectors? 

[dzanta]

i have a better understanding now of what you are trying to accomplish

i suggest the following:

1.  if you are placing the connectors on a distribution panel and the number of connectors is dependent upon the length of the distribution panel, is the determination based upon what the end user calculates in his head or is it directly dependent on the length of the distribution panel.  If the latter, use a line based family with nested components.  If the former, create a connector family with multiple family types which are pre-define the quantity.

2.  the connector family would most likely be face based so you can attach it to any side of a 3d object

3.   if i have time today or tomorrow, i will try to build if for you

[arkelec]

Thanks again Dzan, that's a very kind offer.

On your first point, the former.  I may well add additional parameters to allow up to 8 (1200mm long).

So this means I would need 7 different family files which are loaded into a host family?  

I need to read up on nested family files & to understand what geometry to create in what file, what parameters to add & how to link them.

Would you advise using the Generic Model Face Based for future similar efforts?

[dzanta]

You only need to load the nested family into the host family once.

you will create the geometry to accommodate 1 connector accounting for size (length, width, height, thickness, etc.)....save this as a family type within the Family Editor window.

you then do this again for another family type for 2 connectors...again accounting for size based on 2 connectors..save this as the second family type within the Family Editor window.

rinse and repeat for 3 or 4 or 5 etc. connectors...

using generic model revit family template file is fine for your tasks...it allows for freedom and flexibility....don't forget to assign a category to the family if you want to schedule the data out as something other than generic model (i.e. electrical equipment)

See screencast....and revit family file i built for you....

[arkelec]

Thanks for that Dzan.

I had a look at your files, created a new host family & nested connector but have hit a few problems.

Firstly, am I right in thinking that a nested connector (as in conduit connector) will not transfer properly to a host family?  I found this thread which echoes the fact that I could not connect a conduit when I imported the host family file into a project (neither yours nor mine). 

Is there a way to add the conduit connectors in the host family but control their visibility?  The physical representation is controlled by selecting the number of connectors but the active connection property is still present.  The attached image illustrates - the red X indicates a connector in the host that I deleted for reference.  The connectors for 6 & 7 are present, even though the parametric selection negates them.

Also, I'm having trouble in placing the connector panel on a distribution board.  The attached screen grab shows a plan view.  At the distribution board towards the bottom of the image (1), I was able to snap the centre of the connector panel to the centre of the rear top edge of the distribution board .

For distribution board (2), I could only snap to the same edge.  Because of the handing of the board, this edge in actually the front.  In this instance, the depth of the board is less than that of the connector panel so it actually overhangs into the wall.  Is the only way to resolve this to place the item as best I can, then use "align"?

Thanks again for helping with this, you've really helped me out.

[fabiosato]

Hello,

The placement will depend on the user, but surface connector for conduit may be simpler.

[dzanta]

Hi....see below:

Is there a way to add the conduit connectors in the host family but control their visibility?

Answer:  Yes...just place the connectors in the host family and do not nest...

As for the placement of the panels, I would double check your reference planes that define the sides and center of the panel.  Ensure they are set to strong reference and that the face of the geometry is aligned/locked to their respective reference planes.

The align command works wonders....

[Anonymous]

Easiest way to do this: create an array of connectors with number of connectors driven by the user defined length of the item. Caveat - arrays must have a minimum of two components, so you won't be able to have a single connector type. Once the array is built and associated with the length parameter you can create types within the family so the everyday users don't need to edit the family within the project environment.

[arkelec]

Dzan,  I've already placed the connectors in the host, but they are ALL available for connection, irrespective of which module is selected.  Very confusing if the 3-connector is selected & 8 connection points are available onto which you can connect.

bsammis, connectors cannot be used in an array.  I can place a connector onto an item in an array, but it (they) are deleted when switching back from a lower item count.

So, it seems that the only solution is to have a separate item for each configuration within the family.  How should that work?

Does the host file have the first configuration "live" with the others nested?

[dzanta]

So looking at this situation again...this is what I have deduced:

1.  connectors cannot be arrayed (because they cannot be grouped)

2.  connectors cannot have a visibility yes/no parameter assigned to them

3.  connectors can be nested in a family if associated to a geometry to allow for yes/no parameter...however connectors are present regardless of how many family types you create or array number

4.  connector is basically parametric information within the database of the family.  It cannot be "turned on/off."

5.  If the family is designed to have 1 connector, then that BIM data is present in the family.  

6.  If the family is designed to have 2 connectors, then that BIM data is present in the family.

7.  If I "turn off" one of the connectors in the family, the BIM data of that connector still resides in the family

8.  having a family that has multiple connectors that can be turned on/off is not typical

9.  build a family with 1 connector...done.  build another family with 2 connectors...done....etc.  Use accordingly

hope this helps.