Adjustable Custom Family Files

[tmad101185]

A lot of the default family files are adjustable in length & width & such when brought into a project. I assume there is a way to add variables or something to a family file? I am trying to make a joist beam that can be adjusted in length in my project. The joists are 2"x12" timber but they have a 45 degree cutup at the end that they attach to another timber beam. Here is a picture of what the joist looks like. I was the end not shown to be adjustable. Thank you!

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9421/dsc00777ts9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NKramer]

Yes this is possible. You would have to work out a series of voids and parameters if you want to be able to use the same family or both cut and uncut members, otherwise its just a matter of drawing and constraining the void properly. I guess you could actually do this in the model, but if this is a typical condition you may want to edit the family.

I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for, but I did something similar to get the attached tube steel family to miter. You could take this same principle (and most of the formulas) to create your notch.

HTH

Nick

[tmad101185]

Hm...I'm not really very familiar with sweeps & voids & all of that stuff. Is there like some tutorial around that goes over that stuff for custom family files? I usually just stick with solid form extrusions & void extrusions

[tmad101185]

Hey, nevermind I got it figured out! That's for the help!