Thread: Can't change family origin point, family loads into project as hidden lines

I'm trying to get the top of the flex bend hose to be the insertion base point for this family (attached)


But no matter what I do, the base point will be at a 0'-0" elevation, even with the two reference planes defining the origin on the flex bend, so wtf!?!?
I did try to move all the family elements at once to the default 0,0 origin point, but it won't let me move the elements, why is that?

Also, the family even if it's shaded in the family editor won't load into the project as anything but hidden lines, what's up with that??

(I don't have 2013 installed right now, so I have to just ask questions)

Did you go into an elevation view and change the origin from the reference level to the flex bend hose point? There's a reference plane on top of the reference level that has the origin defined. Remember you need Z as well as XY.

Did you assign materials and a material parameter to your geometry?

There are no reference planes in an elevation view below the top of the hose - yet it still sees the origin as the bottom of the cylinder when placed in a project



I did paint the family as you can see with materials in the family editor, is that a problem?

I would recommend actually assigning parameters to your geometry rather than painting. If the option exists in 2013, you can actually paint with parameters, which is also a good choice to do. Painting with just materials makes it difficult to adjust your family later.

It might be better to use a height parameter to adjust everything rather than use the reference level height adjustment. Bringing in your family will start at an offset of 6' whatever to whatever it is hosted to instead of starting at 0 and flush with the surface. See attached for example.