Adjust Layout by Searching for other Elements

Details can be inserted not only by using Layout and Array axis rules, but also a smarter way: insert Elements if certain conditions are met. For example, at beam intersections, proximity to other elements, etc.

NOTE: Adjust Layout by Searching for other Elements is available for all compatible categories except Curtain Panels and Line-based Generic Model. Also, it can be used only when inserting Point-based families.

Searching Rule Class

Top & Bottom Virtual Intersection - virtual intersection means that elements do not actually intersect but they would if extended. So, you have to use Min and Max distances to search for possible virtual intersection with selected Category elements and Types.

Left & Right Virtual Intersection - same as above, but searching direction is different.

T & B Connections - search in the top and bottom directions for other Point-based Families. Searching limit is defined by Min and Max Distances.

L & R Connections - search in the left and right directions for other Point-based Families. Searching limit is defined by Min and Max Distances.

Start & End Connections - search in the start and end directions for other Point-based Families. Searching limit is defined by Min and Max Distances.

Left & Right Real Intersection - search for the end points of line based families, coming into the Host Face.

Wall Joins - search for different intersection of Walls. Available if Category of Configuration is Wall. Possible options via Wall Joins:

End Connection - Places elements at the end connection of the wall that is connected to another wall (both start and end if the wall is connected from both sides).
End Connection End - Places elements at the end connection of the wall only on the End side.
End Connection Start - Places elements at the end connection of the wall only on the Start side.
Free - Places elements at the Free End and Free Start connection of the wall.
L Butt Connection - Places elements on the butted wall in an L connection.
L Connection - Places elements at the L connection (used for the long wall, not for the butted wall).
T Butt Connection - Places elements at the T connection on the butted wall in both End and Start side.
T Butt Connection End - Places elements at the T connection on the butted wall only on the End side.
T Butt Connection Start - Places elements at the T connection on the butted wall only on the Start side.
T Connection - Places elements on the wall in a T connection.
X Connection - Places elements at the X connection (when the wall has two connected walls at the same point from both sides).

Part Joints - search for different intersection of Parts. Available if Category of Configuration is Wall.

Structural Framing Joins - search for different intersections of Structural Framing elements. Available if Category of Configuration is Structural Framing. It gives you identical options as in Wall Joins.

End Connection - Places elements at the end connection of the Structural Framing element that is connected to another Str. Framing element (both start and end if the Str. Framing Element is connected from both sides).
End Connection End - Places elements at the end connection of the Str. Framing element only on the End side.

End Connection Start - Places elements at the end connection of the Str. Framing element only on the Start side.

Free - Places elements at the Free End and Free Start connection of the Str. Framing element.

L Butt Connection - Places elements on the butted Str. Framing element in an L connection. (In this case, it is the Edge Stud that is butted in the L connection with the Bottom Plate and Top Plate)

L Connection - Places elements at the L connection (used for the long Str. Framing element, not for the butted Str. Framing element. In this case it is Bottom plate and Top Plate that are in L connection with the Edge Studs).

T Butt Connection - Places elements at the T connection on the butted Str. Framing element in both End and Start side. (In the picture below you can see that the Studs are butted Str. Framing Elements in T connection with Top and Bottom plates).

T Butt Connection End - Places elements at the T connection on the butted Str. Framing element only on the End side.

T Butt Connection Start - Places elements at the T connection on the butted Str. Framing element only on the Start side.

T Connection - Places elements on the wall in a T connection. In this case Top and Bottom Plates are in the L connection with the Studs. (Studs being butted in this case)

X Connection - Places elements at the X connection (when the Str. Framing element has two connected Str. Framing elements at the same point from both sides).

Column & Structural Joints - search different types of connections between columns and beams. Available if Category of Configuration is Column.

Floor Perimeter - search for Structural Framing elements parallel to side faces of the Floor around its perimeter.

Top & Bottom element Faces - search Host elements faces. Allows you to check if there is enough space for the detail and maybe it should not be inserted if there is a cut. Limits of solid and cuts may be defined.

Search in Project - some 'Searching Rule Class' options have the option to search in Current or Linked Project. Select one of the options in the drop-down.

Searching Category - some 'Searching Rule Class' options have the option to search for different Category elements.

If a Category is selected, you can search for a particular Family and its Types:

Select particular Family and Type from Browser or from drop-down menu.

Use all Types - tick ON if you want to apply this rule to all Types of selected Family.

Additional Filter - filter selected Types by selected filtering rule.

Searching Rule Name - specify searching direction or type of element joints. Available options depend on what you select in Searching Rule Class. If Searching Rule Class was Wall joins, you will be able to select of a list of options, that are explained in the image below:

Cut Type

To use this function, you have to have a Void inside the Family and Cut with Voids When Loaded should be checked

Cut Connected Element - will cut element that you were searching for.

Cut Detail - will cut your inserted Family with connected Family

Cut Connected Element Host - use, for example, when you want to insert your family based on the location of another nearby family and cut its host at the same time. In the picture below, a corbel is placed on the Wall at the location of the plate, which is hosted on a Double Tee slab. So, DT is cut.

Cut Everything with Detail - will cut all intersecting elements

Cut Host and Connected Element with Nested Detail Solids - will cut Host and Connected element with solid details

Cut all Except Host and Connected Element - will cut all intersecting elements except Host and Connected Element