Void visibility as a parameter?

[jameswest77]

In a complex parametric family, I'd like to have a parameter to control whether a void is "visible" and cuts an object, or is "invisible" and doesn't cut. Normal objects have the ability to have their visibility turned on and off as a type or instance parameter, but it doesn't appear that voids do.

I've seen some people establish parameters to move voids out of the way to effectively turn them off, but this seems like a brutish way of solving the problem.

Thanks,
James

[patricks]

I would do it like in the attached family. I used a "Not Cut" yes/no parameter, a Cut Depth "input" parameter (doesn't directly control the model), and another parameter called "d" which actually controls the void cut depth based on an If statement, referencing the first 2 parameters.

[jameswest77]

I would do it like in the attached family. I used a "Not Cut" yes/no parameter, a Cut Depth "input" parameter (doesn't directly control the model), and another parameter called "d" which actually controls the void cut depth based on an If statement, referencing the first 2 parameters.

i just looked at your file and I'm not sure what the "Not Cut" parameter is attached to. I see it works, but I'm not sure how...

Thanks!

[Dimitri Harvalias]

I've seen some people establish parameters to move voids out of the way to effectively turn them off, but this seems like a brutish way of solving the problem.

It might seem brutish but that's the only way to do it. Think of it this way, you can't hide something that is nothing

The Not Cut parameter in Patricks example actually defines the depth of the void (parameter d) so it either cuts or doesn't cut the host.

[jameswest77]

ah, i see, you're controlling the void visibility by adjusting it's dimensions. Neat trick, similar to moving it out of the way, but still a more complicated solution that just turning the void on or off.

If this can't be done, I wonder why such functionality doesn't exist?

And yes, I can imagine turning off a void, because it's a real object, regardless of whether it's visible or not. I can select it, it's a real thing.

[Limbatus]

I have done this by creating a plug extrusion for my "Not Visible" Condition. the plug can go on an on/off parameter no problem. I made a series of SubZ fridges with a window/solid door this way.

[patricks]

Yes the Not Cut check box really just gives the user a quick way to change the void to cutting or not cutting the object, instead of having to change the cut depth to 0 manually.

[sbrown]

The other way to do this is to place a dimension to the void, that is something like void location. and then a formula that says if void = x then offset = x Basically move the void in and out of the object you are cutting.

[jpolding]

Thank you Patricks. Although I would like a visibility parameter for voids your solution worked like a charm.

[russell.eckstein]

In 2012 there is an option to select the extrusion boundary whilst editing the extrusion and selecting visibility along with parameters. However, it does not work the way I want, or it is over my head.