Changing framing family to column family

[m.thomas]

I want to use various sized parallel flange steel as columns. All the standard pfc sections are included in the framing folder but I can only use these as joists/beams etc.

Is there any way to save this framing family out and re-save as a column family?

Thanks

[tatjana.dzambazova]

as a general tip- you can change one family to become another family category by opening that family in the family editor, go to Settings, Family Categories and Parameters and select the new category you wish it to be. I'd advise to first make a copy of the original family.
I dont believe that this will be enough in your case - but just wanted to point out the priciple of changing one objects family category.

[Steven Campbell]

Structural beams and columns are 2 very different families internally. Columns use a level to level template and beams use a special framing template that contain specific reference planes and internal stuff that make them very unique.

That said you can steal the profiles out of the PFC beam family and use them to make the columns. If you go to the project browser in the family and look under family/profiles you will find them. Right click on the profile family and go to the save command on the fly out.

I will open a request to create PFC columns.

Steven Campbell
Autodesk Revit

[m.thomas]

Thank you both for your replies.

Steven, a pfc column family would be great if it eventually gets done.
In the meantime I've done as you suggested and used the pfc profile in a structural column family, and it works great. (mind you, it took me a long time to work out how to edit a structural column family with the pfc profile to give me what I wanted......I'm new to Revit).

Thanks

Mies