Rotating Nested Revit Families (Parametric)


Video 1: Instructional Video on Creating Parametric Rotation of a Nested Family

Have you ever wondered how you could rotate just one specific part of a family? A simple example would be rotating the horn speaker's mounting bracket. Just having one parametric family helps with the simple adjustment of rotating the mount without creating a whole new family for every possible angle.

Also the usage of one family (i.e. one Horn Speaker) instead of separating them into variants (i.e. Horn Speaker - 90°, Horn Speaker - 45°) will make quantifying easier at a later stage. Refer to the Video 1 above for a demonstration or continue reading below for the step-by-step guides.

 

GIF 1: Setting Up Family Category and Parameters

Firstly, keep the 'host' family open in the same window when creating a new family. In this case, the horn speaker's body is the host family while the mounting bracket is the 'nested' family.

  • Create the new family with a 'Metric Generic Model' template or any preferred category.
  • Click on the 'Family Category and Parameters' icon and ensure that the 'Work Plane-Based' parameter is ticked and the 'Always Vertical' parameter is unticked
    (refer to GIF 1).

 

GIF 2: Using the Sweep Form Function to Create the Mounting Bracket

  • To create the mounting bracket, use the 'Sweep' form. Refer to Video 1 above if you require a reference in creating your lines and shapes for the 'Sketch Path' and 'Edit Profile' functions.
  • Add circular 'Extrusion' forms on the sides to act as its bolts and other details as needed.

 

GIF 3: Loading and Placing the Mounting Bracket Family into the Horn Speaker Host Family

  • After you're done, use either the 'Load into Project' or 'Load into Project and Close' function to place it into the 'host' family. *Tip: Use 'Load into Project' as it keeps the nested family file open for any further edits.
  • Place the mounting bracket family on the 'Ref. Level' view.

 

GIF 4: Creating Reference Lines, and Aligning and Constraining Them to Reference Planes

  • Open the view that is perpendicular to the direction of rotation. The direction in this case is up/down along the Front/Back plane. Thus, the view we can use is the 'Left' or 'Right' view.
  • Create the 'Reference Line' at an angle from the intersection of the two 'Reference Planes'. This makes it easier for our next steps to constrain and placing a dimension label to the 'Reference Line'.
  • Use the 'Align' (AL) tool to align the end point of the 'Reference Line' to each 'Reference Planes'.
  • When the unlocked padlock symbol appears, click on it to constrain the 'Reference Line' to the 'Reference Planes'.

 

GIF 5: Creating an Angular Dimension Label and Assigning a Parameter

  • Use the 'Dimension' (DI) tool and select the 'Angular' mode to place a dimension label between the 'Reference Line' and 'Reference Plane'.
  • Select the label to create and associate a parameter to it. In the Parameter Properties window, name the parameter 'Mount Angle' and ensure that 'Instance' is selected.
  • Amend the value to 90° so that it is parallel to the 'Ref. Level' view. If it isn't parallel, it might not be visible in the 'Ref. Level' view for the next step.

 

GIF 6: Selecting the Nested Family and Editing its Work Plane

  • In the 'Ref. Level' view, click on the mounting bracket family and click on the 'Edit Work Plane' function.
  • In the Work Plane window, select the 'Pick a Plane' radio button. Select the 'Reference Line'.

 

GIF 7: Testing Out the Mount Angle Parameter

The rotation of the mounting bracket is now parametric!

Do you have any to share or anything you may need solving? Leave a comment below or join our community! 

If you are an experienced BIM Modeler looking to upgrade your skills by learning Revit Family Creation, create an account to get updates on a full course coming soon! Otherwise, get a free download or request for objects.

Back to blog

Leave a comment