• Home
  • Training Books
  • Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
  • About
    • Contributors
    • Feedback
    • Contact
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookie Policy

CADnotes

CAD Tutorials and Best Practices for professionals and students

  • Featured
  • AutoCAD
    • AutoLISP
  • Revit
    • Revit Architecture Basic
    • Revit MEP Basic Tutorial
  • Inventor
  • MicroStation
    • MicroStation Basic Tutorial
You are here: Home / Revit / Add Pattern to Roof

Add Pattern to Roof

July 5, 2009 by Edwin Prakoso 7 Comments

Can I add pattern to my roof in Revit Architecture?
roof pattern
Sure! Image above is actually plotted from sheet. You can apply surface pattern to your family for this purpose.

Open your roof type properties, edit the material. Duplicate any material from the list, rename it. Now we will apply pattern to this material.

Understanding Pattern in Revit

Surface vs Cut

If you have no idea what’s the difference between surface and cut pattern, lets discuss about this first. When defining your material, you should be able to set these two.
pattern
Cut pattern will only show if you cut an object in Revit, while you can see surface pattern on the object’s surface. Cut patterns are usually used to show objects materials. For example, ceiling will use surface and brick will use cut pattern.
So, we’ll use surface pattern for our roof. Click ‘…’ next to dropdown box on surface pattern area.

Drafting and Model Pattern

drafting and model pattern
Now, you should aware about drafting and model pattern in Revit. What is the difference?

  1. Drafting pattern is used to represent materials in your drawings. The scale and orientation will be fixed to your drawing sheet.
  2. Model pattern represents actual size in your model. For example, ceiling, wall, and of course roof pattern.

You can try them both on different object, try to change the drawing scale. Open the 3d view, try to rotate your model and change your drawing scale.
Use existing pattern, we will learn about using custom pattern later.
drafting vs model
The one on the left using drafting pattern at scale 1:50, and roof on the right using model. Compare to scale 1:100 below.
drafting vs model 2

Using AutoCAD .pat

Now, you should realize that Revit doesn’t have roof pattern. You can import AutoCAD .pat to add more pattern. Doesn’t have AutoCAD .pat library ? Don’t worry, you can download them here.
You can’t use AutoCAD .pat directly. You have to add a line in your .pat file. Open the pat file, you can use notepad to edit this file. Add this directly below the name.
Save your file.

;%TYPE=MODEL

model pattern
Now, back to Revit. In the fill pattern dialog box, click new. Click custom for this new pattern. Click import to define your custom pattern. Select file that you have edited.
add surface pattern
Now you should have seen the changes in the preview. Adjust the scale if necessary, especially if you are working using metric.
Click OK until all dialog boxes are closed. That’s all ;)

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn.

Filed Under: Revit Tagged With: Revit Architecture Basic

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

7 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
poch
poch
7 years ago

Which pat file is for model pattern? I am using the latest version.

0
Reply
Ayoola Lukman
Ayoola Lukman
10 years ago

Nice and wonderful job you are doing here. I give you kudos on it. Keep it up.

0
Reply
Alberto
Alberto
11 years ago

Thanks for share your knowledge

0
Reply
Doles
Doles
13 years ago

Maybe you must redownload again, maybe that's file corrupt 

0
Reply
Doles
Doles
13 years ago

Hello Brother,

This way absolutely work, i use revit architecture 2009, thank you very much

0
Reply
Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
15 years ago

Hi Carlos,

Can you send me your pat file? I will try to take a look.

0
Reply
Carlos Serro
Carlos Serro
15 years ago

Hy, Edwin

Revit says that there is a syntax error in line 3 of the coppi5 .pat file, i.e., the first line of code with the definiton of the first line family. Can you help me there?

Thanks

0
Reply
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz

Featured

Work Better with AutoCAD | challenge 7: Evaluate your progress

You have completed 6 challenges to work better with AutoCAD. Now it’s time to evaluate your progress after completing the challenges. Is there are any area that you can improve?

Recent Articles

  • Autodesk Construction Cloud Activity Log
  • Exporting AutoCAD Plant 3D Model to Navisworks
  • Autodesk Data Connector for Power BI is Now Available

Advertisement

New on CADnotes

  • Autodesk Construction Cloud Activity Log
  • Exporting AutoCAD Plant 3D Model to Navisworks
  • Autodesk Data Connector for Power BI is Now Available
  • Autodesk Forma Design Contest
  • Revit 2025: Toposolid Enhancements

Meet the Authors

avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for

Get Connected

CADnotes on FacebookCADnotes on InstagramCADnotes on TwitterCADnotes on YouTube

© 2009 – 2025 CADnotes · Feedback · Privacy Policy · Become an affiliate

wpDiscuz