After you create a component family, define the family origin and pin (lock) it in place. Later, when you create an element with the finished family, the family origin specifies the element insertion point.
The intersection of 2 reference planes in a view defines the origin of a family. You can control which reference planes define the origin by selecting them and changing their properties. Many family templates create families with predefined origins, but you may need to set the origin of some families. For example, an accessible toilet family that creates toilet elements must always be placed a certain distance from an adjacent wall to meet code. Therefore, the family origin would need to be located at the specified distance from the wall.
Note: It is a best practice to keep the intersection of the 2 reference planes used to define the origin of the family at the internal 0,0 coordinate point of the family.
To define the family origin in a new family
- In the Family Editor, verify whether an origin has been defined for the family by selecting the reference planes and checking the Defines Origin property on the Properties palette.
If Defines Origin is selected for 2 intersecting reference planes, the origin is defined for the family, and you can skip the remaining steps.
- Click Create tab
Datum panel
(Reference Plane).
- Sketch the reference plane.
- Select the reference plane.
- On the Properties palette, under Other, select Defines Origin, and click Apply.
To define the family origin in an existing family
- Create or open a family.
- In a plan view, while pressing Ctrl, select both reference planes.
- Click Modify | Reference Planes tabModify panel
(Pin).
- With the reference planes still selected, on the Properties palette, select Defines Origin.
The intersection of the reference planes now defines the origin/insertion point of the family. By pinning the planes, you ensure that you do not accidentally move them, which would change the family insertion point.