• Home
  • CADnotes Store
    • AutoCAD Block Best Practices
    • Document Management with AutoCAD Sheet Set
  • Write for CADnotes
  • 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

Add Pattern to Roof

July 5, 2009 by Edwin Prakoso 7 Comments

Table of Contents

  • Understanding Pattern in Revit
      • Surface vs Cut
      • Drafting and Model Pattern
      • Using AutoCAD .pat

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 an Application Engineer in Jakarta, Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn

Filed Under: Revit Tagged With: Revit Architecture Basic

7
Leave a Reply

avatar
wpdiscuz_captcharefresh
7 Comment threads
0 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
6 Comment authors
pochAyoola LukmanAlbertoDolesEdwin Prakoso Recent comment authors
avatar
wpdiscuz_captcharefresh

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

  Subscribe  
Notify of
poch
Guest
poch

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
1 year ago
Ayoola Lukman
Guest
Ayoola Lukman

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Alberto
Guest
Alberto

Thanks for share your knowledge

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
6 years ago
Doles
Guest
Doles

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
7 years ago
Doles
Guest
Doles

Hello Brother,

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
7 years ago
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Edwin Prakoso

Hi Carlos,

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
9 years ago
Carlos Serro
Guest
Carlos Serro

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

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
9 years ago

Featured

Work Better with AutoCAD | Challenge 4 – Customization

In this 4th challenge to work better with AutoCAD, you will customize AutoCAD to allow you working faster.

Faking a Door With Material Texture

June recommendation: Lee Mac Programming

Advertisement

Get Connected


Meet the Authors

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

© 2009 – 2019 CADnotes · Feedback · Privacy Policy · Become an affiliate

wpDiscuz