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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
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
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
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Now go back you your previously selected family
PD_GENc_Rotation_Y and load it to PD_GENc_Rotation_YZOnce 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
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
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Now go back you your previously selected family
PD_GENc_Rotation_YZ and load it to PD_GENc_Rotation_XYZcreate 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
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
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.
Why 'site'
If you change an element from a generic model to a site category, its phase-created property will default to "Existing". This means that when you place the family in your project, Revit assumes it's already there (existing) unless you specify otherwise.
Since the primary purpose of "Family Rotation" is geometric control (rotation), you do not need to schedule or tag it.
If you change the family to the "Site" category, it will be scheduled in a "Site Components Schedule" separate from your 'Generic' type. This is because each category has its own set of visibility controls. By changing the family's category, its appearance will now be controlled by the Object Style of its new category.
The rotational parameter in "Family Rotation" will control the orientation of the socket as intended, and this behaviour is independent of the family's category.
The main effects of these changes would relate to visibility control, scheduling, tagging, and phasing.
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