3D Cable Line

[agreven]

I'm trying to generate a cable supported canopy structure. For the cables, I'm fine with lines at this point. I'm trying to pick points on the end of my simple tube structure, and then tie it back to a point on an exterior column cover. Of course, the cables aren't in any plane relative to the exterior skin. Is there an easy way to do this? If reference planes are the answer - how do I define a plane based on an element?

thanks in advance.

[JamesVan]

In my opinion, the best way to do this is to use a void blend as a guide for the cables. In the attached file, I created a void on top of the simple extruded canopy, then used each angled side as the work plane for the model lines. (Remember to use the PICK [arrow] option instead of DRAW [pencil] when creating the model lines on the void)

You can then quickly generate sweeps along the same edges of the blend using 'Pick Path' when you're ready to model the cables.

[agreven]

Thanks - that's what I need.

Not too experienced with creating families though ( in-place that is ) . I've only modified existing ones to suit my needs. Is there a way to do a void blend, that isn't part of a family ( or do I just need to learn how to do a in-place family?)? I've already created the canopy structure in revit and just want to add cables to it.

Thanks again!

[Scott D Davis]

How did you build the canopy structures? In Place family, or an RFA? If as as RFA, then build the cables there, too, using the void blend trick.

If as an in-place, then edit the in-place, and add the cables via void blend.

[agreven]

Not as a family ( again - not too up on the in-place family trick) - just tube steel, mullions, sloped glazing...pieces, really

[mmodernc]

Is there a comprehensive tips and tricks using Revit modelling tools (voids, solids-extrusions,blends,sweeps,revolves etc.) anywhere. There seems to be a lot more to it than is obvious.
How would you handle these cables if they were catenary as in a suspension bridge?
I suppose a search could be made on this forum but it would be good to have something as a resource especially for newbies, prospectives with doubts and users with particular problems that might save them time working things out.
Maybe I have missed something.
BTW the prerecorded distance learning seminars are terrific. Can they be updated to all cover Revit 7.0?

[PeterJ]

Is there a comprehensive tips and tricks using Revit modelling tools (voids, solids-extrusions,blends,sweeps,revolves etc.) anywhere. There seems to be a lot more to it than is obvious.

You're using it right now......


There isn't a single point of reference for all the tricks and some of them, tips from Autodesk's Phil Reade for example, are pushing the limits further than the technical writers at Autodesk probably wish to take things. The concepts are not too complex though and are well enough explained in the help files and other resources, it's just a question of looking out for those tips that really enable you to lever the basic concepts into something more that isn't well addressed.

[studioCJF]

Something similar was discussed in the "Family Forum" a couple of weeks back... I think this can be done with a sweep along a reference line that is controlled in two planes. But I think it's only possible in V7.0?

Heres a link... (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=14004)http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=14004 ...to that post.

Scott, you were part of that discussion also... This is similar right?

Clark
(http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=14004)

[Steve_Stafford]

...How would you handle these cables if they were catenary as in a suspension bridge?...Did this last night, if you create and name a reference plane in plan view that represents the center line of the catenary cable, you can sketch a model line or lines to represent the elevation of the cable. Then you can use the model lines as the "pick" basis for an in-place family sweep. The vertical lines are just model lines similar to what James Vandezandt did, but without a void, sketched in elevation using the named reference plane.

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Clark,

I posed the question in the thread you noted but I really like James's solution. It's far more elegant and easier to wrap your head around. There are so many ways to get things done in Revit that it really becomes a matter of what tools you are familiar with and how creative you can be.

[studioCJF]

There are so many ways to get things done in Revit that it really becomes a matter of what tools you are familiar with and how creative you can be.
How true!

James' solution is very simple... I am always trying to model in the "Positive/Solid" and often don't think of the "Negative/Void" solutions... specially the kind James does here where the Negative/Void is never seen.

Clark