Cut a Nested Family (used to create an array) with a Void

[ndjabiras]

I apologize if this topic has been been addressed before, or if there's a definitive answer on the subject BUT....

I'm creating a custom "Vented wood slat" family that has curved edges and will be many different sizes throughout the project. I would like to use a nested "slat" family, and then array it according to the size that will be eventually used. However, because of the curved edges on all four sides, I was thinking i would have a void, to cut that nested family, around the corners. Can I do this?

I'm attaching a photo of what i'm trying to achieve.

Thank you in advance!!!

[jmk]

Are you arraying the curved edge slat family multiple times, or are you arraying the ridges to make the curved slat to get different sizes? Does the radius/size of the curved area vary?

The first should be doable by arraying the element with the void (may need to do it in a second family). For the latter I don't think voids will cut an array, and if they do I suspect it would be unstable when the dimensions change. I'd try using 3 families - slat, nested into slat_array, nested into Vented Slat where it is cut by the void.

[ndjabiras]

I haven't tried nesting it a third time. I tried just nesting the single slat, array it, and then have a void cut the curved edges.

[jmk]

Hmm - looks like you need a face based void family to cut loaded families. You will need the third family, since trying to cut the array in the family where it is arrayed gets the "changes to groups are only allowed in group edit mode error" So you'll need 4 families.

slat>slat_array>Vented Slat
face_void>Vented Slat

Edit: here's a draft family (2017)

[ndjabiras]

i think this is EXACTLY what i needed. Can't thank you enough!!!!!! I've been racking my brain all day.

[jmk]

You're welcome! It was an interesting puzzle because I was sure I'd seen it done before.