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    #1

    Bespoke windowa

    Hello I fairly new to making objects in the Revit Family editor.
    So if anyone can explain what I am doing I would be very grateful.
    I am making a bespoke window and having quite a few problems.

    I intended the window to be truly parametric so that I could create several in my building, with different dimensions but similar geometry.
    Some I thought would be 1700 high by 2000 wide and some 700 high by 2000 wide.
    Using the window template I created a Revit family file with the following parameters.

    Glass side panel –created as instance
    Glass top panel – created as instance
    Height – came with template file
    Mullion height – created as instance with formula
    Width – came with template file

    I can insert file in architectural project. Several problems arise.
    Firstly, only parameters available, which I assume count as instance parameters are:

    Glass side panel –can be altered
    Glass top panel – can be altered
    Mullion height – created as instance with formula

    Height and width are only accessible if you click edit type. So if you change one you change them all. So am I right in thinking height and width are always fixed in most family types or is that all
    The only things that can change are things like number of window bars, an instance controlled by visibility parameters and the use of rotation parameters to control things like openable window panes?

    Height and width never change?
    And head height and sill height can be adjusted for each instance?

    Another problem is when I drop in this bespoke window, Revit temporary windows are not appearing. Which means I cannot place it with any accuracy.


    I have read that Revit sometimes turns off temp dimensions when wall structure is complicated and you have to go to green toolbar to click activate dimensions.
    Sometimes it is necessary to select several items using ctrl key before activating dimensions. Tried this approach and it did not work.

    Any idea what I am doing wrong?

    I enclose file created in Revit 2016.
    Thanks for all help received.
    Attached Files
    Tags: None
    #2
    By default in most family templates height and width are type based. You can change them, just not via the family types editor like you can for parameters you create. Select the dimension string, then check the box under the associated parameter on the modify tab - see the highlighted portion on the image.
    Window instance.PNG
    Julie Kidder
    Architect + BIM Director
    Hartman + Majewski Design Group

    Comment

      #3
      I only get vertical temporary dims when I click on window. Are you using Revit 2016 because interface seems different.
      The problem of no temporary dims in plan, whether at placement or editing stage remains.

      Comment

        #4
        When I place my window I get following error message;
        “Can’t place inserts outside of hosts. These elements won’t be copied.”
        I also get some sort of error sign, a circle with a diagonal line through it.
        I can place my window but I cannot place it, in plan, with any level off accuracy since there are no temporary dims.
        Does anyone have any idea what is going wrong?

        Comment

          #5
          I'm using 2019. I think in 2016 the instance parameter checkbox was on the bar below the ribbon, but it's been awhile since I've used that version. The method of changing was the same though - select the dimension and then look for a box to change it to an instance parameter.

          I get temporary dimensions when placing the window in a model on a wall (in plan or elevation). Where are you trying to place the window. The window is wall hosted, so it must be placed on a wall. You should only see that error if you aren't placing it on a wall. That error sign means that you can't place the window on that location - I get it when I'm not hoovering over a wall, but i don't get the error message.

          I also notice that you are directly dimensioning your extrusions in the model. Best practice is to dimension to reference lines, then attach your extrusions to the reference lines. It also saves time dimensioning/building, since you can reuse the planes. Build the reference planes (bones) and parameters (muscles) first and get that to flex correctly before you add extrusions, sweeps, etc (skins) The mullion between your upper and lower window sections doesn't extend to accommodate changes in the side panels.
          Julie Kidder
          Architect + BIM Director
          Hartman + Majewski Design Group

          Comment

            #6
            OK I am trying to create a house based on a hexagonal grid i.e. lots of 30 degree angles.
            In plan it’s quite a complicated building plan situated on a slope but surely Revit should be able to handle that?

            I attach an image.

            I have read that Revit sometimes turns off temp dimensions when wall structure is complicated and you have to go to green toolbar to click activate dimensions.
            Sometimes it is necessary to select several items using ctrl key before activating dimensions. Tried this approach and it did not work.

            In fact, Revit seems quite haphazard when it comes to assigning temporary dimensions to family elements. This is true for both orthogonal walls and walls based on the 30 degree angle. Why is this?

            If I try to move window with dimensions these seem to snap to centre point of wall, not very helpful.
            Attached Files

            Comment

              #7
              I attach a copy of the house file. If anyone can explain how to make all windows capable of generating temporary dimensions, prior to much needed precise placement then I would be very grateful.
              Attached Files

              Comment

                #8
                How did you create your walls? I think it's not giving you temp dimensions on very short walls, and you have several places where an apparently strait wall is made up of a couple of segments. Try recreating those segments with a single wall.

                For what it's worth, I never try to accurately locate inserts on placement. I get them in the right vicinity, then after they are placed I adjust the temporary dimensions so they use the references that are important for that item and adjust. The "Activate" button you are referring to would only appear after an element is placed.
                Julie Kidder
                Architect + BIM Director
                Hartman + Majewski Design Group

                Comment

                  #9
                  How did I create walls? I took an existing wall and modified it to create a 350mm thick wall, consisting of two leaves of brick, a 50mm cavity and 100mm insulation.
                  This problem seems to be worse on irregular geometry, in fact temporary dimensions not appearing on diagonal wall.

                  You say straight walls seem to be made up of segments. This is because of stepped footings ( this is a hilly site).

                  Looking through the archives at Revit forum, I found that there is general consensus of opinion that temporary dimensions often do not pop up when needed.
                  There was a very interesting conversation about this back in 2014.

                  https://www.revitforum.org/architect...-question.html

                  Some very interesting points made here; For instance, Hypnox1 thinks when snapping to a wall , Revit will attempt to snap to center, faces or core edges depending on your temporary dimension settings.
                  Can you say a bit more about this? Is the complexity issue leading to no temporary dimensions something that only occurs on walls? If I changed something under the annotation panel in visibility graphics would that help?
                  Rkitect thinks that placing a reference plane perpendicular to the plane where you want to see the temp dims should help. Creating a reference plane perpendicular to plane of dims was not so easy. I
                  had to use component model in place tool to create a box to find a suitable plane. Surely it should be possible to rotate a reference plane through 90 degrees?

                  I have not got a lot of experience in using reference planes in Revit projects only in the Family editor so if anyone could pass on any tips and tricks I would be most grateful.

                  Lastly you say you should only get elements in correct vicinity. Since I can’t get temp dimensions I must select and move. This involves a great deal of placing dims to establish exactly
                  Where something is before moving it. Surely there must be a better way
                  This is a question which probably be under General Revit issues and not Family Creation so I will cross post it there.

                  Thank you so much.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Threads aren't cross-posted here, but moderators move them if they are in the wrong spot.

                    The way the walls were created made me think they might have been created using pick lines from a cad file - I didn't look at it in 3d.

                    Do you get temporary dimensions after you place the windows? I don't think you have much control over the initial temp dimensions, but once you've placed the family you should select it and get temporary dimensions that you can adjust the references.
                    Julie Kidder
                    Architect + BIM Director
                    Hartman + Majewski Design Group

                    Comment

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