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How to create Custom Fill Patterns

How to create Custom Fill Patterns

There are 2 types of Fill Patterns (often referred to as Hatch Patterns) within Revit.

  1. Drafting
    Intended for Cut Patterns and are a fixed print scale

  2. Model
    Intended for Surface Patterns and are a real world scale

Fill Patterns are created from .PAT files or using the limited built in options.

Fill Patterns

Creating a Fill Pattern using the Built-in Functionality

Revit provides some limited functionality to create Basic Fill Patterns. A basic fill pattern consists of a series of parallel or orthogonal lines; examples include Diagonal Crosshatch or Vertical Siding.

  1. Select Manage ► Settings ► Additional Settings ► Fill Patterns

  2. In the Fill Patterns dialog, under Pattern Type, select Drafting or Model.
    If you are using the Structural features of Revit, select Drafting only.

  3. Enter the Properties for your Fill Pattern adhering to the Naming rules.

    New Basic Pattern

    1. Select New Pattern

    2. Provide a Name

    3. Enter the desired Settings

    4. Select OK

More Information on Orientation in Host Layers can be found here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2022/ENU/Revit-Customize/files/GUID-02C84BD3-8CFC-40D4-8E21-A195A3C0BB2B-htm.html

 

Creating a Custom Fill Pattern Manually

When creating a Custom Fill Pattern you will make use of a .PAT file. The syntax for this file is as follows:

Units:

;%UNITS=[value]

Header:

*pattern-name, [optional description]

Type declaration:

;%TYPE=MODEL

Pattern descriptors:

angle, x-origin, y-origin, shift, spacing

Process

  1. Select Manage ► Settings ► Additional Settings ► Fill Patterns

  2. In the Fill Patterns dialog, under Pattern Type, select Drafting or Model.
    If you are using the Structural features of Revit, select Drafting only. For the example we’ll use a Model Pattern.

  3. Select the Type as Custom

  4. Browse for your .PAT file

  5. Specify the Scale of the Pattern, in this case the Scale is 1.0

  6. Enter the Name for your Fill Pattern adhering to the Naming rules.

  7. Select OK.

Sample

;%VERSION=3.0 ;%UNITS=MM *Tile Plank 250x1500,[ENTITIES] ;%TYPE=MODEL 0,0,0,0,250 90,0,0,0,1500,250,-250 90,750,250,0,1500,250,-250 90,1500,0,0,1500,250,-250

Result

New Running Bond 1500x250 Tile

Creating a Custom Fill Pattern using a Revit Addin

Let’s face it, defining complex fill patterns in code is really hard. You will be thankful to know there is an easier way.

There are a number Revit Addins available to do this, and one of them is free!

WARNING:

  • pyRevit whilst very powerful and useful, includes numerous tools which if used incorrectly can cause damage to your file. Always Save your model before running any pyRevit commands and ensure you have a working backup.

Creating a Custom PAT file using pyRevit

  1. Install pyRevit

  2. Create a Drafting View (use a Working Project),

    1. For Drafting Patterns, set the scale to 1:1

    2. For Model Patterns, use any scale you find appropriate

  3. Sketch out your repeating pattern using Detail Lines, it’s helpful to include a border of where the repeat boundary is.

    Sample Pattern

  4. Select the Pattern Lines (excluding the Boundary)

  5. Select pyRevit ► Modify ► Make Pattern

  6. Set the desired settings for the Pattern Name, Pattern Type, Scale, Units and when you’re ready choose either Export PAT File or Create Pattern.

  7. Your Fill Pattern and/or PAT file has now been created.

The Final Result

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