Family Type Parameter Question

[briand]

I am trying to use family type parameters for casework doors. I can change doors (family types) and change the size of the casework and as a result the size of the doors in the cabinet family just fine - everything flexes.

When I bring the cabinet family into a project it is still OK, but in the project if I switch on of the cabinet instances from one type to another, the door (controlled by the family type parameter) does not respond to the change in size of the new type, (of the cabinet family) The door reverts back to the default size in the original door family file.

If I reload the cabinet family into the project, the doors then will change and match the cabinet family as they should, but if I try to change it in any way again the door stops working again.

Can family type parameters be used if sizes change along with the family types? From this experience it doesn't seem like they can. If they can then what am I doing wrong?

[ashwin]

If I have to guess , It sounds like you need an instance parameter!

Once in project If you change a value of "TYPE" parameter it will propagate that change to all of the members of that particular family, Including Non-Selected!

Whereas Instance will affect only that selected instance of the object.

[briand]

I don't think that is the problem. I have instance parameters for all the nested families, and those parameters are associated with or driven by type parameters in the host family. The problem is that those associations don't seem to be holding.

I have attached one of the families with this problem. I created 4 random types in the file, each a different size and each with different nested families by using family type parameters.

When I insert each type into a project, everything is fine, but if I click on Type 1, for example, and switch it to type 4 in the properties, all the nested families (doors and shelf) ignore the settings and revert back to their default size and shape in the original door and shelf family file.

I like to think I know what I am doing with families, but this just has me completely stumped. I must be overlooking something...???

[tim.77062]

I have found that sometimes you can get some odd beheavior if you accidentally load directly into the project the nested families instead of loading nested to host families then host families to project.
Just a thought.

[tim.77062]

You may have to edit the type definitions inside the projects family browser for the nested families.