Family Type Parameter - Sloping Column - Sweep Profile

[G_J]

Hi everyone.

We have all used sloping columns from time to time, most likely an in-place family, or a beam alligned to a reference plane.

I am trying to create a sloping column family with the various column sizes "built in"

I started out by using the Structural column template, then used a solid sweep locked to a reference line. I loaded in a U.B profile for the sweep. That was the easy part.

After reading "Mastering Revit Structure" it appears a user can add a "Family Type Parameter" to the family that is set to "grab from the profiles category" to enable a user to switch the profile whilst in the project environment. However, the book doesn't go into this detail.

I have loaded the profiles into the family, and can create a "profile family type parameter," the problem is linking the two together.... I can change the column profile within the family editor but not within the project environment.

Can anybody help??

I know the Authors of the book Mastering Revit Structure are active users of the AUGI forums - Thomas S. Weir, Jamie D. Richardson, Eric Wing and David J. Harrington so maybe one of you guys could help??


Thanks in advance.


Glenn

[balazs.trojak]

Glenn,

The new version will have slanted columns. You can check it out here. (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=11268974) JP sends his regards from sunny Leeds ;-)

Balazs

[G_J]

Who would of thought. Of all the people in the world to reply to my post, my old mate JP replies from back in Leeds.....

If they have sloping columns in the new version then happy days, providing you can select the column size from the catalogue file.

[benmay]

The type catalog just needs to have the exact same name as the Family it is referencing to

You also need to be very particular with the spelling and CAPS within the type catalog, so if you have just copied and already existing catalog you can just save as the new family name in the same directory and it will pick up the type catalog for you

Hope that helps

[G_J]

It isn't a type catelogue issue, there is an alternative way to do it, and that is what I am trying to find out.

Thanks.

[AdamCP]

It doesn't seem possible to link a sweeps profile to a parameter. You can link the offset, angle and whether it's flipped and others, but not the profile itself. Normally you would select the sweep in the family, go to its Element Properties and select the grey box on the right of the parameter you wished to link to your created one. There's no box next to Profile.

The out-of-the-box steel beams have two profiles loaded in and switched by visibility states (for medium and fine details levels). If it was possible to change profiles of a sweep using a parameter, you'd think they'd have used that instead of loading/constraining two separate sweeps (and then the 3D view saved with the beam wouldn't look arse because it had two similar sweeps in the same spot).

[G_J]

Thanks, I have been in direct contact with Eric Wing (one of the Authors of Mastering Revit Structure 2009, and also a big player in AUGI.) He assures me it can be done (as stated in the book) but I am yet to get a further response.

By all accounts RST 2010 will have sloping columns so this is a problem that will soon become redundant.

Saying that I am still keen to find out how to do this, so if anyone knows how.....


Regards

Glenn

[m20roxxers]

Sweep profiles can easily be linked to parameters.
Obviously you need to have the profile with parameters in the first place.
The only difference i one loaded into the sweep, you need to associate the parameters by right clicking on the profile family in the project browers and going to properties.
From here you can click on the associate parameters button to link them across.

Hope that helps

[G_J]

Thanks, I will give that a try!

[jrichardson]

Glenn,

I feel bad about this since I wrote that sentence that you are reading. I have been trying everything to make it work and it just does not want to.I can't find the needle in the hay stack that will make it work. It looks like it works with other nested families but not profiles. I must have got carried away with my words. I will be sending it into support to see what they say.

As already said above, what you can do is, create the same parameters that are in the profile in your sloped family. Then select the profile and map the parameters back to the ones in your family. This should allow you to at least swap out sizes from the same profile. You could introduce a type catalog to populate the sizes.

I know this is not what you were ultimately looking for, but at least you have an answer from the person who said it.

I will keep digging. I will have to go back to a previous version and give it a shot.

jamie

[G_J]

Thanks for your reply Jamie, let me know if support get back to you.

Cheers.

[jrichardson]

I just recieved a repsonse back form support an this is what they say. I encourage anyone who would like to see this to file a support request and ask for it.

“Unfortunately this workflow is not currently possible - but there is an existing request with development to be able to swap out sweep profiles. I will be more than happy to add you firm to the list of users requesting the functionality.

In the meantime, another alternative could be using Visibility parameters to toggle the sweep type displays on and off. You would need to create separate sweep instances in the family, and then you could control which displayed using Visibility parameters.

I am sorry that the workflow you are looking for is not currently possible. Please let me know if this helps in the meantime. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an update to the case.”


thanks,
jamie

[G_J]

Thanks for that Jamie.

[tknapp]

I am having a similar issue. I am trying to create a parametric downspout family. Which utilizes a sweep with which I want to associate a parameter that defines the sweep profile (round or rectangular). I sure thought this was possible, but apparently not. Any help would be greatly apprecated!

I guess this needs to go on a wishlist!

[walter.198428]

I would like to add the same functionality to my column, window trim, and door trim families in Revit Architecture. The ability to access a profile nested in a family would open up numerous opportunities fro more flexibel families.

AutoDesk, please add this wishlist capability!

WK

[kieran.grayken988098]

there is an existing request with development to be able to swap out sweep profiles. I will be more than happy to add you firm to the list of users requesting the functionality.


Jamie,

what do you mean by this? really appreciate a bit of help here.

cheers mate,
kieran

[kieran.grayken988098]

m20roxxers,
i was trying that but it doesnt seem to work. not only that, it seems to be going down the wrong road. surely i need to find some way of linking the SWEEP in my family to the PROFILE PARAMETER in my family types

i realise these posts wer from a long time ago, but if you (or anyone) has learnt anything since then, please feel free to give us a shout about it!

thanks,
kieran

[dmahan]

try this, after to have inserted profile in your family. go down to families and pick the profile type properties, at the right side of value box, you will see a little button, if you pick this the associate family parameter box will appear.
pick this and you can set profile parameter to a family parameter. Finding this little button to pick is the key. the profile parameter should turn grey (halftone) to show that it is controlled by the family parameter now..