Forums >> Revit Structure >> Technical Support >> 2-dimensional Array of Arrays

mccoolj

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Joined: Wed, Dec 29, 2010
58 Posts

Does anyone know if this is possible? I'm trying to make an array of boltholes in the Y direction, then array that array in the X direction to get a grid of boltholes that retains controls on the number in each direction through a parameter (i.e. X Bolt QTY=4, Y Bolt QTY = 3). I can get a grid that looks pretty good, but it seems to lose flexibility after the column of boltholes (Y direction) are made into a model group to array horizontally (X direction). Does Revit "lock down" stuff once it's inside a second layer of array like that? What's happening is that it lets me array the first array, and even change bolt quantities and sizes in each direction, but then when I try to adjust the edge distance that is constraining each end of the array in each direction, I get an error that constraints are not satisfied. I do need the array to be be constrained on each end to keep it centered on the plate and at the correct location. It works fine if I just have a 1-dimensional array constrained to my edge distances, but not once I array it the other direction. After trying several other options, I did the bolthole void extrusion as a seperate family that then loaded into this plate family. That helped with the arraying, but now I'm at a loss as to whether this is even possible in Revit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jason

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TKennedy

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Joined: Wed, Oct 7, 2009
654 Posts

I got it to work by nesting a family. Family 1, array in the X direction. There are two parameters, X number and X length. Nest that into Family 2 which has four parameters, X number, X length, Y number and Y length. X number and X length in Family 1 are controlled by their corresponding parameters in Family 2. When you change X number in Family 2 it will change the values in Family 1.

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mccoolj

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Joined: Wed, Dec 29, 2010
58 Posts

Was able to get back on this today. I tried doing that, and it kind of worked today, but I can still only change the number of array elements in 1 direction and not the other. The nested array controls come through ok when I link the parameters to the host family, but I get an error saying that it can't cut an instance of the first family from it's host when I try to increase the array numbergoing transverse to the nested array. Did you have to group stuff in a particular way and/or order anywhere in the steps you listed? That seems to be having a significant effect on what my options are at different stages, and I have to admit, grouping and nesting are starting to remind me of that Inception movie....

Jason

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revitaggie

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Joined: Fri, Aug 27, 2010
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Revit is throwing you that error because one or both of your arrays are going beyond the edge of your host face. You probably just set your array to next instead of last on accident.

For what it's worth, I assume you are creating a base plate family. I think you would be better off not going the nested family route and just doing 4 arrays (1 on each side). Then control them in opposing pairs.

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mccoolj

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Joined: Wed, Dec 29, 2010
58 Posts

Thank you! That had been driving me nuts. Sure enough, the horizontal array had the "append to end" box checked on the options bar. Works great now. I like the idea of the simple array along each side, although I'll probably just go with what I have on this one since it's working and I need to move on to some schedule generation now. The Revit fun never stops ;-)

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