Forums >> Revit Building >> Technical Support >> Downlight with hidden light source

SteveB

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Joined: Sat, Oct 25, 2003
411 Posts

I can't figure out why Autodesk/Revit supplies light fixtures with the light source hidden inside of them in such a way as to cast no light in renderings.  Its been like this for many releases and is still in r14. Maybe the family is supposed to cut through a ceiling, but if a floor deck is right above it, it gets blocked, don't know.   Attached is my recessed light with the light source moved outside that does cast light in renderings. 

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
13079 Posts

You don't ever have to put the light source below the fixture if the fixture is built correctly. 

1. The first thing to watch out for is if the light is recessed, then something has to cut a hole in the host.  And if there isn't room above the ceiling for your light before it gets into the floor above .... then how are they supposed to put that light in, in the field?  Use a different light or lower the ceiling!
2. Second, you have to pay attention to your materials.  If there is a material "hiding" the light source, then that material has to have a level of translucency.  << If that material already exists in the project and is opaque, then how will the light work?  This is where most beginners have a problem.  THE PROJECT RULES!  Once a material is loaded, it makes no difference how the material is set in the family.

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oaklandboi5

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Joined: Tue, Apr 14, 2009
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@steveB can you save down that fixture to 2013? I'm having the same issues

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SteveB

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Joined: Sat, Oct 25, 2003
411 Posts

I cant find an option to save an r14 family as r13.  Maybe you know how, Ill send it.    You can just edit the light family: select it in the project and click "edit family", go to an elevation view, unlock the plane that the light source is on and lock it at 1" below the ceiling reference plane. pretty quick. 

I have a feeling the problem is that the recessed light is inserted into a ceiling, but I am inserting into a cosntruction where the bottom of the floor deck is equal to the ceiling height (example: a 2x12 floor with drywall as ceiling as bottom layer.)   I think it is the solid of floor that is obscuring light source:  the light can only cut through the ceiling.   In that case, a suspended ceiling at 6" below would work becuase the light family can "cut" the ceiling only.   Haven't tested that.   It is a nuicance to have to create both floors (which have a layer of drywall that is the ceiling) then add ceiling at that same plane.   You can't add a ceiling based light fixture to a floor family.  I suppose you could create a floor based light but then it would want to reference from the top surface.

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teafoe5

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Joined: Fri, Nov 12, 2010
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@oaklandboi5 - Revit is not backwards compatable so you cannot save 2014 down to 2013

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mansell5

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Joined: Sun, Jun 14, 2009
68 Posts

steve b, why not put in your floor as sheet or board thickness and model your floor joists as a beam system. 

maybe that would help.

cheers geoff

p.s. nice body of work on your website.

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SteveB

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Joined: Sat, Oct 25, 2003
411 Posts

mansell 5:  intersting idea.  a little more work, but we always end up manually co-ordinating lighting designs with the framing plan.   Downside is you end up with 3 systems:  a thin floor, a beam system, and a ceiling.  Maybe not so bad: not that many floors, after all and one could cut and paste the boundary.    I think I may give that a try.  

Thanks for the comliment on the work.  I date back to Autocad reliease 1, so by now I should have something to show for it! 

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