# Families

In Rhino, use the [panel](https://wiki.mksdtech.com/beam/using-rhino-beam#panel) or create blocks to create families in the current Rhino document.

Families group the geometry imported into different [loadable families](https://wiki.mksdtech.com/beam/beam-for-revit/beam/loadable-families) or [system families](https://wiki.mksdtech.com/beam/beam-for-revit/beam/system-components) in a Revit project or Ifc file.

## Creating a new family

In Rhino, families can be created [manually ](#using-the-panel)or with Rhino [blocks](#using-blocks).

### Using the panel

* Select any number of Rhino objects and type a name in the *Family* field on the panel.
* A new family is created in the document and includes the selected geometry.
* At any time, you can add more objects to an existing family by typing its name in the *Family* field of the selected objects.
* To remove an object from a family, simply clear the *Family* field of that object.

### Using blocks

* Create a Rhino block and give it the family name.
* A new family is created in the document and includes the objects in the block.
* At any time, you can add more objects to an existing family by adding them to the block.
* To remove an object from a family, remove it from the block.

## Family category

Families can be assigned to different available categories.\
Use the [panel](https://wiki.mksdtech.com/beam/using-rhino-beam#panel) to change a family category.<br>

![](https://1008084047-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M20iL6J8Vf1nWgor7JL%2Fuploads%2FUxhYyFSLzHxsoo45fOjq%2Fpanel_categories.png?alt=media\&token=171a8528-299b-4350-a2f7-8b788bbcf94c)

## Accessing families in the document

To quickly view and select any family in the document, use [F](#accessing-families-in-the-document) on the panel.\
Select one or more families from the list, then press Select to highlight all objects assigned to that family.

![](https://1008084047-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M20iL6J8Vf1nWgor7JL%2Fuploads%2F76jaPixJyoB5qon8UDjb%2FWiki_Families.png?alt=media\&token=87d9c828-6418-4c85-a6b7-0615e0e58528)

## Transfer Rhino layers and properties

The [T](#transfer-rhino-layers-and-properties) tool can automatically generate families and subcategories from Rhino layers.\
For best results, set up a clean and consistent layer structure before using this workflow.

![](https://1008084047-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M20iL6J8Vf1nWgor7JL%2Fuploads%2FijQZIzh29RETO1br7qEQ%2FWiki_Transfer.png?alt=media\&token=8fe39104-6b6d-40da-9e89-6baff24c9932)