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    Revit Guides

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    ELI5

    Introduction Video

    You can either follow the instructions below or watch the step-by-step instructions on my YouTube channel by following this link: https://youtu.be/Ma-ydZyqQdQ

    Discover how to create tiltable geometry placeholders for face-based families in Revit, enabling full 3D rotation in any direction.

    This is a family agnostic tool- that works with all face-based families

    Rotation axis parameters

    Axis angles used are based on Euler Angle names adapted to match Revit environment.

    Rotations in Three-Dimensions

    Yaw (rotation)

    A yaw rotation is a movement around the yaw axis of a rigid body that changes the direction it is pointing, to the left or right of its direction of motion.

    Location of Revit Templates:

    PD_GENc_Rotation_Y

    To rotate a family in three different planes (X, Y, and Z), you need to control each rotation action separately. To do this, you must nest each rotation parameter within the next family, creating at least three levels of nesting. Each level has a host 3D object that is responsible for driving/enabling the rotation. To make this work, each family must be face-based. By using a face-based family as a host and rotating it, your object will move along with it, as it is attached to its face.

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    We used three levels of nesting,

    Create a generic model (face-based) named PD_GENc_Rotation_Y

    create PD_DIM_Rotate_Y (shared) instance type parameters:

    Discipline: Common | Type: Angle | Group parameter under: Dimensions

    In Elevations/Front, create a reference line and lock one end to both X & Y reference lines – lock the end point of the line

    In Elevations/Front, create a Sweep and Pick Path – the newly created reference line. Once Path is picked, accept the selection by clicking the green tick.

    Then still in Modify | Sweep select Load Profile

    Navigate to the profile file of your choice – I am using the PD_Profile_PDio10mm.rfa

    PD_Profile_PDio10mm

    now select the reference line used as a profile and add the Angular dimension

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    it may be easier to temporarily hide the Sweep so you can see the reference line better

    Now associate the new dimension with PD_DIM_Rotate_Y parameter

     

    That’s all you created the first nested family needed to create the rotation base, save it but do not close just yet

    PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ

    Create a new generic model (face-based) named PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ

    create PD_DIM_Rotate_Y and PD_DIM_Rotate_Z (shared) instance type parameters:

    Discipline: Common | Type: Angle | Group parameter under: Dimensions

    add rotation parameters Y & Z
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    Now go back you your previously selected family PD_GENc_Rotation_Y and load it to PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ

    Once loaded go to Ref.Level Floor Plan, and manually rotate it so its easier to add dimension

    add the Angular dimension and associate the new dimension with PD_DIM_Rotate_Z parameter

    Rotation Z axis

    Now select the nested family and associate PD_DIM_Rotate_Y parameters with the PD_DIM_Rotate_Z parameters

    That’s all you create the second nested family needed to create the rotation base; save it but do not close it just yet

    PD_GENc_Rotation_XYZ

    Create a new generic model (face-based) named PD_GENc_Rotation_XYZ

    💡
    Now go back you your previously selected family PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ and load it to PD_GENc_Rotation_XYZ

    create PD_DIM_Rotate_X PD_DIM_Rotate_Y and PD_DIM_Rotate_Z (shared) instance type parameters:

    Discipline: Common | Type: Angle | Group parameter under: Dimensions

     

    Here you need to create a void sweep object. This will become host to your PD_DIM_Rotate_YZ, and it will allow you to rotate the void third X direction.

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    It will be easier if you temporarily hide the nested PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ

     

    Repeat the steps from PD_GENc_Rotation_Y and create the sweep, but this time it is going to be Sweep Void

    First, go to the left elevation and create a Reference line.

     

    Now go to Create > Void Forms > Void Sweep > Pick Path > Pick 3D Edges > Pick your reference line

    create void sweep

    Now associate the end of the reference plane with X and Y reference lines; best to hide Ref. Level and the Void Sweep so it’s easier to select

     

    In the left elevation, add the angled dimension and assign to PD_GENc_Rotation_X.

     

    The sweep is used to control the X angle of the PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ, which is hosted on the void face.

     

    Now, unhide all, select your PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ family and Pick New Host; best to do this in 3D; select the TOP Face of the void

     
    PD_Tiltable Family Host

    Now select the nested family and associate the parameters

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    Note: the X parameter PD_GENc_Rotation_X is going to be associated at the next level when the PD_GENc_Rotation_XYZ family is loaded to your target family to be used as rotating host.

    Last step

    Last step, Now change the family type to Site, this way you can ensure its hidden and does not mix with any other family types

    This is it, you created a geometry placeholder which you can load to a non-hosted model and then use it to host other face based families to rotate them any direction.

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