Opinion: Swapping out family components inside a complex family, e.g. a wood panel for a steel one by setting up family type parameters, has been a long-standing practice; all that's happening here is to add some parameter and formula jiu-jitsu to tie a nested family type to some other dependency, in this case the width parameter. Overall, however, I think such practice contributes to "hero family" syndrome, where you try to solve all the world's problems by creating the One True Door Family, filling it with unnecessary bloat in the name of flexibility in the process. The best families are those that are purpose-built; in this case, where you create a specific door family based on its purpose which largely sets its construction, including what materials make up the panel, frame, etc. Doors are especially tricky because you now need to create additional parameters to sync up the Door Types and Frame Types to account for the documentation requirements in the schedule. And that goes for most real-world manufactured families, e.g., light fixtures with different housing and lens materials (which are often included as part of the model number). In other words, if I need a door with a wood frame, I'll simply make a wood frame door family. If I need to change it to a metal frame door, it's a simple family / type swap. And I will save having a ton of nested components and unnecessarily complex parameters and formulas that will likely break as more options are piled on and need ongoing maintenance.
You are right that maybe the example in the video isn't a great idea for most door families. The goal is to showcase that the parameter and nested families can be used for formula wizardry if users need it. I agree with the general idea of avoiding "super-families".
I use 3 profiles to have a linear family door jamb generating 6 door frame types having general wood and steel materials. I wish your suggestion is applicable
Nick. Question on formulas. Currently have an Issued Index schedule using a sheet instance parameter to denote if it has been reprinted/issued. However like to involve the revision parameter also. Current schedule uses Y/N type parameter and font substitutions. Any suggestions?
I tried to apply the same priciples in array group but it is showing Reference Planes are overconstrained please explain how we can overcome this problem.
@@bimpure gladly it's rarely used by me until now, because i make the team separate families by materials. after finding out how heavy my door families have become, Family Management is hard
@@EvlixManiac You could try using nested shared families for panels and frames, and putting all the options on the project instead of in the families. Not that I want to sound salesy, but we cover doors & window families quite in depth in the heroic families course... and door collection coming May 27th :)
Bummer. I was hoping this would be a novel new trick that populates the material parameter directly. Oh well, let’s hope Revit release 3000 allows it someday. Good effort though, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
This is amazing Nick! Thanks for continuing to educate even those of us with over 10 years of Revit use.
An interesting approach Nic, thanks
Opinion: Swapping out family components inside a complex family, e.g. a wood panel for a steel one by setting up family type parameters, has been a long-standing practice; all that's happening here is to add some parameter and formula jiu-jitsu to tie a nested family type to some other dependency, in this case the width parameter. Overall, however, I think such practice contributes to "hero family" syndrome, where you try to solve all the world's problems by creating the One True Door Family, filling it with unnecessary bloat in the name of flexibility in the process.
The best families are those that are purpose-built; in this case, where you create a specific door family based on its purpose which largely sets its construction, including what materials make up the panel, frame, etc. Doors are especially tricky because you now need to create additional parameters to sync up the Door Types and Frame Types to account for the documentation requirements in the schedule. And that goes for most real-world manufactured families, e.g., light fixtures with different housing and lens materials (which are often included as part of the model number).
In other words, if I need a door with a wood frame, I'll simply make a wood frame door family. If I need to change it to a metal frame door, it's a simple family / type swap. And I will save having a ton of nested components and unnecessarily complex parameters and formulas that will likely break as more options are piled on and need ongoing maintenance.
You are right that maybe the example in the video isn't a great idea for most door families. The goal is to showcase that the parameter and nested families can be used for formula wizardry if users need it. I agree with the general idea of avoiding "super-families".
I use 3 profiles to have a linear family door jamb generating 6 door frame types having general wood and steel materials. I wish your suggestion is applicable
Nick. Question on formulas.
Currently have an Issued Index schedule using a sheet instance parameter to denote if it has been reprinted/issued.
However like to involve the revision parameter also.
Current schedule uses Y/N type parameter and font substitutions.
Any suggestions?
I tried to apply the same priciples in array group but it is showing Reference Planes are overconstrained please explain how we can overcome this problem.
Nice ❤
Wow
Sadly this is not a trick 😞
It still is a lot of work than a simple formula.
Yeah, it's a bit of work.. but a simple formula won't work for material parameters.
@@bimpure gladly it's rarely used by me until now, because i make the team separate families by materials. after finding out how heavy my door families have become, Family Management is hard
@@EvlixManiac You could try using nested shared families for panels and frames, and putting all the options on the project instead of in the families. Not that I want to sound salesy, but we cover doors & window families quite in depth in the heroic families course... and door collection coming May 27th :)
@@bimpure looking forward to it.
Bummer. I was hoping this would be a novel new trick that populates the material parameter directly. Oh well, let’s hope Revit release 3000 allows it someday. Good effort though, thanks for sharing your knowledge.