Create a 3 Loop Connector Family

Learn how to model a multiple loop connector family for solid walls.

You create 2 families for loop connectors: the single loop family and a family that uses multiple instances of the loop geometry. This example is a metric family, but you can create Imperial versions similarly.

1. Create a new family using the Metric Generic Model face based.rft template.
2. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
3. Create a shared parameter named Instance Height and assign an appropriate value to it.
4. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
5. Create a new reference plane parallel to the existing horizontal Center (Front/Back) reference plane.
   
6. Click Annotate tab Dimension panel (Aligned).
7. Place a dimension between the new reference plane and the Center (Front/Back) reference plane.
8. Select the dimension and label it as Instance Height.
   
9. Click Modify tab Family Editor panel (Load into Project) and load a single loop family.
10. Click Create tab Model panel (Component).
Note: The Create tab can only be accessed when working in the Family Editor.
11. Place three loop instances as shown on the vertical reference plane.
    
12. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
13. Add the following type properties with formula values in the Family Types dialog.
    • Position top Loop: InstanceHeight - 200 mm
    • Position center Loop: InstanceHeight / 2
14. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
15. Click Annotate tab Dimension panel (Aligned).
16. Place dimensions for the top and center loops as shown. Select each dimension and label it appropriately.
    
17. Select the center loop.
18. On the Properties palette, under Graphics, click the Associate Family Parameter button for the Visible parameter.
19. On the Associate Family Parameter dialog, click New Parameter.
20. Create a new instance parameter named Center Loop Visible and group it under Other.
21. Click OK twice to close both dialogs.
22. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
23. Enter the formula Instance Height > 1000 for the new Center Loop Visible parameter. This formula displays the center loop only when the Instance Height of the family is greater than 1 meter. Otherwise, only the top and bottom loops are visible.
24. Click OK.
25. Select all 3 loops.
26. On the Properties palette, under Graphics, click the Associate Family Parameter button for the Length Outside parameter.
27. On the Associate Family Parameter dialog, click New Parameter.
28. Add the shared parameter named LengthOutside and group it under Dimensions.
29. Click OK twice to close both dialogs.
30. Click Create tab Properties panel (Family Types).
31. Create family types for the loop connectors.
32. Click OK to close the Family Types dialog.
33. Save the family.

    The loop connector family is ready to save and load into your project.