How to make a Simple Frame

[sbrown]

I'm in the Conceptual Mass envirionment and I've got my form, now I want to make Ribs at different places along the shape. I can easily make them but since they aren't a panel family, they turn off when the mass is turned off. How can I create a sweep that follows the path that I'm using and doesn't become just another mass element. I know I can make a generic model family, but there has to be some way to build it in relastion to the ribs revit creates automatically.

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Adaptive components should work. Assuming you want the frames to align with one of the mass grids just set the grid to show nodes and you can snap the adaptive component to them.

[sbrown]

I can't figure out how to create the curves in the adaptive component tool. How many points would I need?

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Scott,
Basically you'll need an adaptive point for every intersection or control point you want to snap to in the mass family. It looks like your mass form has a few paths (your horizontal divisions) controlling the form.
In the family editor, adaptive component template place the points on the workplane in the adaptive component family > select them all > set them all to adaptive > create a curve through points.
Once you have the curve there you can select one of the workplanes in one of the points that is perpendicular to the curve path. Draw your profile on that workplane and create your form as a sweep.

Check out Zach Krons post on his Buildz blog that has a video showing just this workflow
http://buildz.blogspot.com/2010/04/adaptive-components-frame.html

[sbrown]

Thanks, I was missing the "curve" thru points. The whole conceptual editor and adaptive points is taking me longer to get the hang of then all of the rest of revit combined. I'm concerned that maybe one or two out of 100 Architects will be able to use these tools. They are so awesome and powerful, but very picky.