Create a Standard Wall Connector Family

Learn how to model a standard connection family for solid walls.

The geometry for standard wall connections is arbitrary, however, they must comply with several guidelines. This example is a metric family, but you can create Imperial versions similarly.

• In the Front Elevation, geometry must be sketched below the horizontal reference level and centered in relation to the vertical reference plane.
• When viewed from the top, geometry must be sketched to the right of the horizontal reference plane.
• A shared parameter, Instance Height, must be created to represent the height of the connection geometry in instances.
• In the Properties Palette, under Other, Cut with Voids When Loaded must be selected.

1. Create a new family using a Metric Generic Model face based.rft template.
2. In the Properties Palette, under Other, select Cut with Voids When Loaded.
3. Open the Front Elevation view.
   
4. Click Create tab Forms panel (Extrusion).
Note: The Create tab can only be accessed when working in the Family Editor.
5. Click Modify | Create Extrusion panel Draw panel (Line).
6. Sketch the geometry for the standard wall connection below the horizontal reference level. The top horizontal edge of the trapezoid must be two lines joined at the vertical reference plane and sketched on the horizontal reference plane.
   
7. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
8. Add the following type properties with appropriate values in the Family Types dialog.
   • Depth
   • Width Inside
   • Width Outside
9. Add the following type properties with appropriate formulas.
   • Width Inside Half: Width Inside / 2
   • Width Outside Half: Width Outside / 2
10. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
11. Click Annotate tab Dimension panel (Aligned).
12. Place dimensions for the 5 type parameters.
13. Select and specify the correct label for each dimension.
    
    
    
14. Click Modify | Create Void Extrusion tab Mode panel (Finish).
15. Open the Ref. Level Floor Plan view.
16. Select the extrusion and using the shape handle, drag the top edge above the horizontal reference plane to about twice its height.
17. Drag the bottom edge to snap to the horizontal reference plane and then lock it.
    
    
    
18. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
19. Create a shared parameter named Instance Height and assign an appropriate value to it.
20. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
21. Click Annotate tab Dimension panel (Aligned).
22. Place a dimension for the height of the connection geometry.
23. Select the dimension and label it as Instance Height.
    
    
    
24. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
25. Create family types for the standard wall connection.
26. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
27. Save the family.

    The standard wall connection family is ready to save and load into your project.