Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

  1. #1
    I could stop if I wanted to
    Join Date
    2009-09
    Posts
    245
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    I'm trying to make this versatile Double Hung Window Family for our office and I'm having some trouble. I've created a double hung window and I've also created generic face based model of mullion grilles in an 8-lite and a 12-lite pattern with all instance parameters. I've nested the grilles into the window family thinking I could just constrain the grilles to the edge of the glass opening and they would stretch. No. They keep breaking. I then decided to create a formula for the grille size but that doesn't work either. The problem occurs when I toggle the family type parameter from 12 to 8 or vice versa and also when I change the window size from the 48x92 to the 40x56. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    AUGI Addict MikeJarosz's Avatar
    Join Date
    2015-10
    Location
    New York NY
    Posts
    1,497
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    Pella and Marvin have rfa files available. The muntins have a yes/no parameter, so you can turn them on or off as needed.

    I'm not trying to discourage you at all. But you might want to take a look at how someone else did it.

    BTW, because it comes from the manufacturer, doesn't make it perfect. I have seen a lot of junk in manufacturer's CAD files, especially in dwg format.

  3. #3
    I could stop if I wanted to
    Join Date
    2009-09
    Posts
    245
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    I downloaded a window from Jen-Weld and I hated it. It was overly complicated, it looked terrible in plan, geometry was contrained to geometry and there were dimensions buried in sketches. I just wanted a clean simple double hung that we could use from project to project. Who makes these window families for these companies anyway? I know they have to be very specific but they look terrible.

  4. #4
    I could stop if I wanted to
    Join Date
    2009-09
    Posts
    245
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    I got it, I got it. The name of the Reference Plane in the Mullion Grill Family has to match the "Is Reference" line. So the Reference Plane named "Top" has to have the "Is Reference" "Top". I had them all as "Weak Reference". Exciting.

  5. #5
    AUGI Addict MikeJarosz's Avatar
    Join Date
    2015-10
    Location
    New York NY
    Posts
    1,497
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    If you make a reference plane a strong reference, you will be able to pick it when placing the family. This is very useful for centerlines which you often do not want to see, but need for equal equal dimensioning.

  6. #6
    Revit Forum Manager Steve_Stafford's Avatar
    Join Date
    2001-12
    Location
    Irvine, CA
    Posts
    7,567
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    The nice names like Right, Left, Top, Bottom are all Strong IsReference choices. A reference plane should be named so it is clear why it was created, to you and anyone else later. Programmers comment their code, as much to help them remember why they did what they did as well as what the code is supposed to do. Same concept for these reference planes properties.

    The names don't have to match but if the nice names do match what you think they should be, then great. If your families are meant to be interchangeable for other families, like from the stock library you should examine them to see how they are done. I've seen doors that were built opposite when compared with stock Revit doors and when users swap a stock door for theirs, the door panel flips over...ouch.

    IsReference settings break down like this:
    Not a Reference - ignored by Revit in the project environment, still useful in a family to create "the bones".
    Weak Reference - Seen in Project by dimensions, align tool, Revit favors Strong over Weak
    Strong Reference - Seen in project by dimensions, align tool and Revit sees these first.
    (the black lines you see during dimensioning or using the align tool are the weak and strong references in action)

    When Weak and Strong refernces are combined with instance parameters you see grips in the project environment. You can drag the grip to alter the family dynamically. If you use the Align tool on a weak reference the family "moves" toward the alignment edge. If you use the Align tool on a Strong reference the family "stretches" instead.

    Last, these help Revit maintain orientation and two intersecting reference planes can define the X/Y origin. One reference plane in elevation can define a vertical origin. Theoretically a reversal of Right and Left reference planes in two different families would flip their orientation if exchanged for one another. Haven't tried that in a really long time so I don't know for sure that condition still exists.

  7. #7
    All AUGI, all the time
    Join Date
    2005-12
    Posts
    566
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    Hi Steve: That really clears a lot of things for me. The grips and the weak/strong thing is brand new information. Wish the wiki help was as clear and concise.

  8. #8
    AUGI Addict
    Join Date
    2009-03
    Location
    Somerville, MA
    Posts
    1,060
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    Steve,

    Thank you for the wonderful explanation of reference planes! I could have used that years ago. I still feel like my family creation skills are hit-or-miss and I spend way too much time because of my trial-and-error methods.

    As for the window with mullions, I know you said you got it working, but did you ever try an array to control the number of mullions? I only ask because it would allow the user to choose other combos besides the 8-lite and 12-lite.

  9. #9
    Revit Forum Manager Steve_Stafford's Avatar
    Join Date
    2001-12
    Location
    Irvine, CA
    Posts
    7,567
    Login to Give a bone
    0

    Default Re: Double Hung Window Family Mullions

    Thanks, glad it helped. I wrote a blog post a long time about these concepts and I wrote another that posted this morning because of this thread.

    If you want another, perhaps counter-intuitive, approach to variable "lites" you can DOWNLOAD the 2005 Autodesk University lab I did called "Autodesk Revit Building Family Editor: From the Beginning". It's 48 pages of step by step exercises... create a host door, nested panel with "lites", nested 2D panel/swing annotation, 3D swing and 2D swing as well as optional nested frame.
    Last edited by Steve_Stafford; 2012-04-06 at 07:07 PM.

Similar Threads

  1. Double Hung Window with mullions
    By footbridge in forum Revit - Platform
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 2008-04-29, 01:50 PM
  2. Double Hung Window - Residential
    By CADMama in forum Revit Architecture - Families
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 2008-02-29, 07:41 PM
  3. Vinyl Single Hung and Double Hung Window Sections
    By BCrouse in forum ACA General
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 2006-07-14, 07:23 PM
  4. Corner Double Hung Window Family
    By residarchitect in forum Revit Architecture - Families
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 2006-02-08, 01:51 PM
  5. Double Hung Window w/ Shutters
    By BomberAIA in forum Revit Architecture - Families
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 2003-07-15, 01:03 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •