Creating Windows

[mjohns18]

I am searching for the best method to create a window in a gymnasium. This window will be approximately 100’-0” long by 8’-0” high and will turn the corner on the adjacent wall. My first guess is to make a void extrusion in the wall then make a mass inside the void and apply a curtain wall to the mass. My next thought was to create the window in place. My third option was to create a window family with this type of window because it is something we use often, my only fear with that is control over the mullions. Any ideas?

Thank you,


Michael

[bleonard]

First, I would suggest constructing the window as a window family. Secondly, I would construct the family much in the way that the actual window would be constructed - in peices. The problem you'd run into with a 100' window is that it might want to move out of the host and give you an error.

As far as turning the corner, make sure the opening of the window on the corner end version of your window extends a little further than the actual window corner mullion. This will remove the wall peices in the corner. You can then just line up the corner peices to one another and there will be no wall in between the seperate families.

Also - when making windows that turn corners, placement location within the wall becomes critical. I would suggest making a window family that has the location of the mullion within the wall adjustable. This will help you get clean dimensions one you place the corner versions of the window.

I would stay away from "in place" families because it will bite you in the but should you choose to make a window schedule using legend components. Your "in place families" will be un-usable there.

In general, just consider how you'd like to communicate the window in the end, consider how the window will be constructed, and that will dictate how your family should be constructed.

Good luck!

[dfriesen]

My first guess is to make a void extrusion in the wall then make a mass inside the void and apply a curtain wall to the mass.
Skip the void and mass, and just create a curtainwall, making sure that the curtainwall type is set to Automatically Embed (if you place a wall that is not set to embed, you can use Cut Geometry to tidy up, selecting the curtainwall and then the wall). You can either set it to put in grids at a regular spacing, or just add the grids manually if they're not a regular rhythm.

You do need a little clean-up at the corner - I just use Edit Profile.

That's my 2¢, for what it's worth.

[Andre Carvalho]

My first guess is to make a void extrusion in the wall then make a mass inside the void and apply a curtain wall to the mass.

You don't have to do that. If you look your wall types, some of them are Curtain walls.
So, first create your gymnasium walls using the walls you want. Then select the wall "Curtain Wall", go to its properties and edit it, selecting the option "Automatically embed". This will make the curtain wall be embedded into your gymnasium wall exactly like a window when drawing it. Last step is to draw the curtain wall over your gymnasium walls. You will be able to select the curtain walls and change height, etc... You can also add grid lines, mullions, etc...

EDIT: You were faster than me, Daniel... :-)

Andre Carvalho

[mjohns18]

thank you I'm doing this as we speak.

[patricks]

I see that automatically embedded curtain walls turning a corner still have not been fixed in 2009. It still leaves a small piece of the main wall at the corner. The small piece can be reduced in size by changing the wall join to miter, but it's still there.