Associate Family Parameters

By associating family parameters, you can control the parameters of families nested inside host families from within a project view. You can control instance parameters or type parameters.

To associate parameters, they must be the same type. For example, associate a text parameter in the host family with a text parameter in the nested family.

Video: Associate Family Parameter to a Nested Family

You can associate a host-family parameter with more than one nested family parameter of the same type. Also, you can associate this parameter with multiple nested families.

Examples:

• In a wall-mounted shade family, the support is a nested family to make the control the geometry in the array easier. The number of required supports are arrayed based on the length of the shade when placed. The Support Length parameter defines the distance the support extends from the wall, and its value needs to be passed to the support's nested family geometry.
  

• A chest of drawers has drawers as nested family. The Width parameter of the chest family is passed to the nested drawer family, to allow it to fit correctly in the chest opening.
  

To associate family parameters

1. Create a family with instance parameters or type parameters of the available types.
2. Save the family and load it into a host family.
3. With the new family open, click Create tabModel panel (Component), and place as many instances of the loaded family as desired.
4. Click Modify tabProperties panel (Family Types).
5. In the Family Types dialog, under Parameters, click Add.
6. Follow the steps for creating a new parameter of the same type as the parameter you want to control in the nested family.
7. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
8. Select an instance of the loaded family in the host family.
9. To edit an instance property, use the Properties palette. To edit a type property, on the Properties palette, click Edit Type .

   For instance properties and type properties, the column on the right has an equal sign (=) in the column heading. Gray buttons next to certain parameters indicate that they can be associated with other parameters.

10. Click the button next to a parameter that is of the same type as the one you created in Step 6.

    For example, if you created a text parameter, you must select a text parameter here.

11. In the dialog that displays, select the parameter you created in Step 6 to associate it with the current parameter, and click OK.
    Note: When you associate 2 parameters, an equal sign appears on the button:
12. Click Apply in the Properties palette, or OK to close the Type Properties dialog.
13. Continue creating the host family, and save it.
14. Load the family into a project, and place a few instances of it.
15. Select an instance of the family.
16. Locate the type or instance property you created.

    To edit an instance property, use the Properties palette. To edit a type property, on the Properties palette, click Edit Type .

17. Specify the desired value, and click Apply in the Properties palette or OK in the Type Properties dialog.

    The nested family changes according to the value you entered.