Fixed parameter by Type for nested family

[mgilliver]

Hi All

I'm sure that this has been answered before OR I'm just going the wrong way with the idea.

The question is in two parts,

1. I have a range of say 3 items for which I have created a family for each of them. I've then created a new floor based generic family and loaded each of these families in. Using family parameter/label, I can then select each of the 3 items from the family types window. All good so far...but. I then create 3 types. I want Type 1 to ONLY be allowed to show Family1, Type 2 - Family 2 etc. I see that as I change the Type name, I can choose a different Family from the label I created while in the family editor. Great. BUT, when I then load this into a model, if I choose 'edit family' I can override this parameter to any of the other families. I tried using the formula, but that seems to lock the family for ALL types. Should I be able to link/lock the family selection to the Type? 

The only other answer I can see is to have completely separate families for each of these 'similar' items. Note that the items are not parametric in terms of dimensions, they only come in 3 different fixed 'models'.

2. Additional Parameters for the above. Very similar to the above, I want a parameter/value associated which each type that cannot be changed. I've created an integer TYPE parameter. Lets same Type 1-Family1 has Integer 2. Ie this model has 2 whatevers. Type 2-Family2 has Integer 4, ie this model has 4 whatevers etc. Again, I can set the Value field and click through the types in the family creation, but when I load to a project, anyone can edit this. They could theoretically set Type2-Family2 to an integer of 16. Oh, and I need to be able to report/schedule on the integer.

I know I'm missing something basic....please point me in the right direction.

[PavelAnd]

Hi @mgilliver. If I understand correctly ... Below is an example of the implementation of this task, and in the attachment there are that families (R2019).



I recommend adding a visibility parameter to the nested family so that the geometry is exactly hidden.

[mgilliver]

Hi Pavel

Thanks for this. It does solve it, however I was trying to do it without using visibility parameters as I might have another family to create with up to 10 variations, so managing the settings and items in view will get very complicated. I was taking the approach of labels/family types after reading another post recommending that for anything more  than 2 options, you should avoid using the visibility option.

The if(AND) part of your solution solves both parts of my question, but not in a way that works with labels/nested families.

[mgilliver]

I realised the problem was more at the root of the family in that I was nesting multiple components that really should have been parameter driven to avoid a massive family size. after a lot of reading my family went from 15MB (I know!) to 1.2MB and didn't need visibility parameters. 

A type catalogue was the easiest solution or I may change to lookup tables at some point.

[mgilliver]

Ok - I still need help after finding my own post after all this time.

I have an item with 3 types. It is only available in 3 different geometries. I create each type and amend the dimensions for each. When I load it into a project and look at the type properties, I am able to manually amend them. So i can create an item that simply doesn't exist. How do I prevent that?