A line-based detail component allows you to select a start and end point for a linear based detail element.
This video demonstrates the following:
You can use line-based detail components as an alternative to repeating details when detailing your models.
For example, the siding in this detail is created using a repeating detail, but the wood flooring is added as a line-based detail component. You can see they both take a single detail component and repeat it over a distance defined with 2 clicks.
Repeating details are system families, and cannot be stored in an external library, but they can be transferred from one project to another using transfer project standards. Keynotes cannot be added to repeating details.
A line-based detail component can be stored in an external library and loaded into a project like any other family as needed. Keynotes can be added to Line-based detail components.
To create a line-based detail component, create a new family using the line-based detail component template. In this example, we are creating a flooring detail, so we will load a wood floor detail family and then array it.
An array value of 2 is initially created. The array is then selected and changed to a label on the Options Bar. Name the label parameter and set it to an instance parameter. This connects the parameter to the value for the array.
In the Family Types dialog, a formula that divides the Length parameter by the actual length of the wooden plank detail is applied . This formula creates the array value that will allow the planks to fill the entire length between the clicked points of the detail component.
Additional geometry is added to the family, in this case, a thicker line that represents the underlayment used. The ends of the line are locked to the reference planes so the line will always be the same length as the detail.
Now the component is loaded into the project and used.
When detailing, consider using repeating details or line-based detail component families, depending on your needs in the project.