Family Origin

[dzatto]

Okay, this is driving me nuts. I created a simple downspout family with an overflow scupper that cuts the wall. I want to define the origin where the scupper is. I added a reference plane, named it, defined it as the origin.

Every time I insert it, the curser is about 10' above the origin. I have no clue why. The reason the origin is at the scupper is because some of the locations where the downspout will be are on an elevated wall. The wall starts 12 A.F.F. (there are overhead doors and columns below). When I set the origin as the ref. level, it works on all walls except the elevated wall, since I can't get it on the correct plane otherwise.

Can someone take a look at this family and tell me what I've messed up in it? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Alfredo Medina]

I inserted this family in a project, on a wall, and it came at the correct height. I also tested it on a wall that was elevated some feet above the ref. level, and still the downspout family was placed using the high origin plane that you established in the family file. So I didn´t see any problem.

[Ben-May]

I think you will find the difference is between placing in 3D and placing in plan view. In 3D it is putting the cursor at an offset from the defined origin point. In plan view it works fine. I would think the family my work better if the reference level in the family template is kept as the origin point. And everything is modelled in the family below that point

[dzatto]

Well that's no help Alfredo! Geeze, you're slipping, dude.

Sounds like I have bigger problems then. I even deleted the family from my project and reloaded it. I also created a dummy project. It still did the same thing. The downspout is about 8-10' below where the insertion point is for some reason.

I guess I'll just rebuild it from scratch. Thanks for looking at it Alf.

[dzatto]

I think you will find the difference is between placing in 3D and placing in plan view. In 3D it is putting the cursor at an offset from the defined origin point. In plan view it works fine. I would think the family my work better if the reference level in the family template is kept as the origin point. And everything is modelled in the family below that point

You are correct Ben. I was inserting it in a 3D view. And I did notice that I got it to work in plan view on walls that were on level 1. When I tried to insert it or even copy it to the wall that is "floating", it gave me errors that the family wasn't cutting anything. The only thing that cuts is the scupper, and it was on the new wall so I don't know why I'm getting errors.

Now that I think about it, when I got the errors, it would highlight the downspout and the column wall below the raised wall. So the error is correct I guess since the scupper is not cutting the column wall. How do I get it to recognize the raised wall?

Ahh, just reread your post. Model everthing below that point. Never thought of that. I'll try it tomorrow. :beer:

[Ben-May]

Also, just check the instance properties before placing, because you have modelled the item above the reference level it is presetting the offset for the family at a weird offset, if you set that back to zero before placing it will help as well, but it still wont solve the placement in 3D

[dzatto]

I changed the origin to the ref level and it's still doing the same thing. This shouldn't be this difficult!! lol I just need to get it to work on a wall that is elevated off of the level I'm placing it on, but it won't work no matter what I do.

[mdradvies]

Could you place the updated family?

[dzatto]

Could you place the updated family?

In the project? Yes, but it acted the exact same way as the first family. I may just have to start from scratch and try it again.

[kowen1208]

I've been having this same issue with several wall-hosted families in 2013. The insertion point seems consistent regardless of which wall I place it on or which view I place it from; geometry is modeled above the reference level and insertion point is above the geometry. Like dzatto, I've tried creating a ref plane for the z origin. Has anyone figured this out?