Revit component families: ‘Cut with void when loaded’ a crucial parameter!

I am sure you must be thinking, what is this ‘cut with void When Loaded’ parameter? So for your clarification, let me tell you that it is one of the most important parameter that is used by BIM modelers or technicians while they create custom components in Revit. When it comes to creating custom components in Revit they are developed by optimizing Revit’s Family Editor. Family template files which are Model-based have the luxury of containing ‘Cut with Void When Loaded’ parameter. In other words families created with void in the Family Editor of Revit, contain this parameter.

‘Cut with Void When Loaded’ parameter is used by Revit users for cutting solid architectural and structural  elements such as floors, ceilings, roofs, Generic Models and structural columns etc. in the project environment.  

 Let me just give you an example how this parameter functions in Revit.

What actually happens is that, there should be solid architectural or structural elements in the project environment in Revit, which should be cut by a family that contains void and ‘cut with void when loaded’ parameter. That means we require a family that contains a void and an architectural or structural element. So for that lets create a floor by using Project Environment of Revit. We will see if this floor that we are creating in the Project Environment will actually be cut down by a family that contains void after optimizing Cut with Void When Loaded parameter or not.

So once we are done with our floor, let us now go to the Family Editor in Revit and create a most simple family. For creating the family I am using ‘Metric Generic Model’ template. This family must contain a void. For making the family simple, let accommodated it with only a solid extrusion and a void extrusion. Remember this void should be able to cut the floor when it is loaded in the Project Environment. Save the family when it is fully developed in Revit Family Editor. After that, please check carefully ‘Cut with Void When Loaded’ parameter in properties panel.

The next step would be to select ‘Cut geometry’ tool and that should be followed by selecting ‘floor.’ The last step would be to select the family that we have just created.  And you will notice the family containing the void is successfully able to cut the floor.