# FamilyInstance.ByPoint operation failed. Without a valid reference level

**URL:** <https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629>\
**Category:** Revit\
**Created:** [January 5, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629 "2017-01-05T00:52:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![roberto.cognoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@roberto.cognoli](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/roberto.cognoli)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629/1 "2017-01-05T00:52:41Z")

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Hi, i’m new and it’s only my first week with dynamo and only few month with revit.  
I try to find the solution in similar topics but i can’t solve this problem.  
What i’m doing wrong ?  
Thank you very much!!!

 ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/8/b/8b847e10debe95aafd26d8abb08703acacb41bd8.jpg) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/f/8/f8dd40dda0b4107cbd74cfbef39b463cbf407326.jpg)

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**Author:** ![Scott\_Crichton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/scott_crichton/32/8876_2.png) [@Scott\_Crichton](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/Scott_Crichton)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629/2 "2017-01-05T06:01:58Z")

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It looks like your family is Level based. Instead of using the FamilyInstance.ByPoint node, use the FamilyInstance.ByPointAndLevel node, and add the Levels node to specify the placement level. That should solve your problem. If that doesn’t work also just check to make sure the family doesn’t require a host surface like a floor, wall or ceiling.

 ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/c/b/cb665f97c565299f296c6a241705cd8459126b43.png)

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**Author:** ![roberto.cognoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@roberto.cognoli](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/roberto.cognoli)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629/3 "2017-01-05T11:00:04Z")

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It seems to work! i tried with another family, i will check with the others.  
Thank you very much!

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**Author:** ![RubenVivancos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/rubenvivancos/32/185795_2.png) [@RubenVivancos](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/RubenVivancos)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2021, 9:48am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/familyinstance-bypoint-operation-failed-without-a-valid-reference-level/8629/4 "2021-04-07T09:48:52Z")

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> [@Scott\_Crichton](#):
>
> your family is Level based

how is possible to know if the family is level plane based before trying to create it, to avoid the warning?