BIM Software Tip: Creating Conditional Geometry in Custom Families
Solution:
To control the visibility of objects within a custom family, you first need to create the objects you want to manage. Follow the steps below:
1. In the Family Editor, create the object you want to control.
2. Name and save the family. For example, name it Support.
3. Open the main family you are working on. In this example, the main family is named Shelf.
4. From the File menu, select Load from Library > Load Family. Then browse to and load the family you created in step 2.
5. Go to the Design Bar, under the Basic tab, select Components.
6. In the Options Bar, use the Type Selector drop-down menu to choose the Support family.
7. Place the Support family correctly within the Shelf family.
To create custom parameters that control element visibility, follow these instructions:
1. In the Family Editor, click on Family Types in the center panel.
2. In the Family Types dialog box, click the Add button below the Parameters section.
3. In the Parameter Properties dialog, select Family Parameter under the Parameter Type options.
4. Enter Support as the Name of the parameter.
5. From the Group parameter under drop-down, select Public. Then set the Type of Parameter to Yes/No, and choose Other for the Parameter Grouping.
6. Choose the Instance option.
7. Click OK to close the dialog boxes.
8. Select the Support family component, right-click, and choose Element Properties.
9. In the Element Properties dialog, find the Visible parameter field and associate it with the family parameter you just created.
10. In the Associate Family Parameter dialog, select the Support parameter.
11. Click OK to confirm and close all dialog boxes.
You have now set up conditional geometry. When the Shelf family is loaded into a project, the visibility of the Support family will be controlled by your custom parameter.
You can create multiple conditional parameters as needed and link them with formulas for more complex family behaviors.
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