Controlling Parameters

[barrie.sharp]

Learning to build parametric shapes and I am stuck with RP's already. I'm sure the question has been asked before but finding it is another thing!

If you draw 2 reference planes and dim them with a length parameter, it will move one RP to the defined distance. How do I make the other RP move instead? The same question with an angle parameter. I want to build a parametric rafter as an excercise. I just can't get the right bits to move.

Thanks,

Barrie

[Scott Womack]

This is actually two very different questions.

If you draw 2 reference planes and dim them with a length parameter, it will move one RP to the defined distance. How do I make the other RP move instead?

If you have one of these set to be the Insertion point, you can pin it within a family, and the reference planes will try to move in reference to this pinned plane.The direction you create the dimension in can affect the movement of the reference planes. Try creating the dimension in the opposite direction (which plane you begin the dimension with).

IThe same question with an angle parameter. I want to build a parametric rafter as an excercise. I just can't get the right bits to move.

Angular dimesions will not cause a Reference Plane to rotate correctly. To do this you need a reference plane as a base line, and a Reference Line, with one end constrained so that the reference line rotates with the angular dimension/parameter.

[barrie.sharp]

Dimension order helps! I have also realised that the order you add parameters to the skeleton matters to determine priority. I have to add rafter thickness after defining the angle so that the parallel lines move together. This could be tricky to get right with a very complex skeleton. It's a shame that you can't view a list of constraints associated with an object.

Once again you have clarified the obscure!

Thank you

[ljupadhyay]

Learning to build parametric shapes and I am stuck with RP's already. I'm sure the question has been asked before but finding it is another thing!

If you draw 2 reference planes and dim them with a length parameter, it will move one RP to the defined distance. How do I make the other RP move instead? The same question with an angle parameter. I want to build a parametric rafter as an excercise. I just can't get the right bits to move.

Thanks,

Barrie

Nothing to worry. Select the one you want to shift, chang the blue highlighted dimension, and the selected plane willmove only. Try by selecting other plane & this time this one will move

[patricks]

Nothing to worry. Select the one you want to shift, chang the blue highlighted dimension, and the selected plane willmove only. Try by selecting other plane & this time this one will move

That doesn't work once the family is loaded into a project. One reference plane must be constrained by one of the methods described above, or Revit will choose to constrain one for you, and that might not be the one you want.

All families should have at least 2 pinned reference planes defining the origin of the family, which also serves as the placement point when placing an instance of the family. If you start a family with a template (and you definitely always should) then those 2 RP's will already be there. Dimension everything from these planes, or from another plane that is dimensioned off one of the origin RP's, and you can make your family behave as you want it to when you flex it.

[ljupadhyay]

Thans Patricks for clarifying
LJU