pat file location and ini file

[Ning Zhou]

for unknown reason, my modified pat file (under C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit Architecture 2011\Data\) doesn't work, i've already specified type of Model or Drafting for each new hatch pattern, maybe need to specify a path in ini file? or missed something else?

[Ning Zhou]

looks like new pat has to be imported one by one manually, can anyone confirm it? thanks

Edit: besides, anyone has stone pat files to share, i just need a few typical ones.

[Alfredo Medina]

I have not tried, but I think you should be able to copy paste hatch pattern code between files, to customize the default Revit .pat file. (Not tested, though).

Anyway, just in case, attached, there are some 4 stone model patterns from AutoCAD

[twiceroadsfool]

You can customize them a lot, by copying and pasting. Thats what ive always done.

Revit doesnt path to .pat files the way AutoCAD does, you load them in the Project or template by manually locating the .pat file. Once its *in* the file, its there.

[Ning Zhou]

thanks Alfredo for your pat file.

thanks Aaron for your input, i assume the new revit.pat and/or revit metric.pat should take effect when i restart revit, but it's not, so i have to manually import each new pattern, looks like that's the way Revit works.

[twiceroadsfool]

You dont have to restart Revit, just rebrowse to the file when youre in the Custom > Import dialogue box. Yeah, it doesnt remember where it is... It doesnt path at all.

[Alfredo Medina]

I see your point now. You were expecting (as I was) to see an updated drop down list of hatch patterns immediately after making changes to the .pat file. But the list updates only after importing patterns, one by one. Yup, it seems that this is the way it works.

[Dave Jones]

I see your point now. You were expecting (as I was) to see an updated drop down list of hatch patterns immediately after making changes to the .pat file. But the list updates only after importing patterns, one by one. Yup, it seems that this is the way it works.

and, one would "import patterns" by using Fill Region/Fill Patterns/New Pattern, Custom button/Import? Does it matter where you are when you do this? Does it need to be done in a template or IIRC what Aaron says is that Revit doesn't know/care where they are.

[Alfredo Medina]

It's always in the same place, in the Materials dialog box. There are several ways to get to that place, from Manage > Materials, or from any dialog box that has a 'Materials' parameter and a little button on the right. From that window, you select one of the materials, such as "Default" from the list on the left side, then duplicate it, and name it. Then, on the right side, find the (...) button next to the "Surface pattern" drop down list, next to "Surface pattern". From there, click on "Drafting" or "Model" and then "New" > custom > import > from there you can select your acad.pat file to add a pattern into Revit.

"Drafting" patterns update with the scale. Usually, textures.
"Model" patterns keep their size, regardless of the scale. Usually, materials with fixed dimensions, such as bricks.

If you choose "Drafting" but you select a "Model" pattern, or vice versa, Revit will complain.

To convert a drafting pattern into a model pattern, edit the .pat file and add " ;%TYPE=MODEL " to the hatch pattern definition, as shown in this example:

*BRICKS, Grouted bricks
;%TYPE=MODEL
0, 0,0, .25,.2, .47,-.03
0, 0,.17, .25,.2, .47,-.03
90, 0,0, .2,.25, .17,-.23
90, -.03,0, .2,.25, .17,-.23

...and, yes, if you import hatch patterns in your template file, they will be available in all your new projects. To bring patterns into existing projects, open the template file, and from the project, use Manage > Transfer Project Standards > Materials.

[Dave Jones]

"Drafting" patterns update with the scale. Usually, textures.
"Model" patterns keep their size, regardless of the scale. Usually, materials with fixed dimensions, such as bricks.

some patterns it would make sense to have both Model and Drafting. I assume that one could just copy/paste the pattern in my custom.pat file and change the heading and load the pattern?

[Alfredo Medina]

Yes, maybe you can add a prefix to the name of the pattern, to be able to tell the difference.

Drafting patterns may omit the ;%TYPE=DRAFTING line and still be recognized as such. Model patterns must have the ;%TYPE=MODEL line.

[Ning Zhou]

right, i don't think you can import single pat (file) into both Model and Drafting, even though you can have the same name, but you still have to do it separately, correct me if i'm wrong.

Alfredo, i think the best place to import new or modified pat is from Setting -> Fill Patterns, not Materials because you may accidently overwrite existing material pattern, again, correct me if i'm wrong.

[Dave Jones]

Yes, maybe you can add a prefix to the name of the pattern, to be able to tell the difference.

Drafting patterns may omit the ;%TYPE=DRAFTING line and still be recognized as such. Model patterns must have the ;%TYPE=MODEL line.

OK, so that's easy. The Acad pattern I use most is ANSI32 at a 0.5 scale. I imported ANSI32 as a Drafting pattern no problem. When I try to import the copy with ;%TYPE=MODEL I get this error. Why would the lines not be to dense in the Drafting pattern but are so in the Model pattern?

edit: oh, and it doesn't have anything to do with the Import Scale value

[Alfredo Medina]

Joe, I think there is no difference between Additional Settings > Fill patterns and Materials > Fill patterns, since from both paths we get to the same place, the Fill Patterns window, so there is no risk to override a name, since the list is the same.

I think what matters most is to create these fill patterns in your template. So the issue you were having with importing them one by one, will be partially solved. You still have to import them one by one, but at least all your custom patterns will be placed in a 'central' location, not scattered among your projects. By doing this, all your new projects will get the custom patterns, and your existing projects can get them through Transfer Project Standards.

[twiceroadsfool]

You have to be careful with that (switching a heading from Drafting to model). If you do it, what is ".25" in a Drafting pattern means a quarter inch on a sheet. Switching that to model, will mean a quarter inch in the model, which will turn your drawing to mud.

We have an Excel workbook we use to scale things up or down though. That way, we can have a 12"x12" tile pattern (Model) with varying densities of "sand hatch" behind it, for finish plans. It works great.

A simple Multiplier, followed by a Concatenate command to reinsert all the commas, and youre off. :)

[Alfredo Medina]

Why would the lines not be too dense in the Drafting pattern but are so in the Model pattern?

Maybe because Drafting scales and Model doesn't. Tip: whenever you see an 'X' in the preview, the scale is no good. Try importing the ANSI32 model version with a value of 10, or so.

Who said Revit was easy? :)

[Dave Jones]

Maybe because Drafting scales and Model doesn't. Tip: whenever you see an 'X' in the preview, the scale is no good. Try importing the ANSI32 model version with a value of 10, or so.

Who said Revit was easy? :)

larger scale worked. Revit is not easy and my biggest problem is getting past 20 years of AutoCAD use and letting Revit manipulate my senses. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but it's still going to be a long journey

[Scott Womack]

larger scale worked. Revit is not easy and my biggest problem is getting past 20 years of AutoCAD use and letting Revit manipulate my senses. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but it's still going to be a long journey

Quite True! It actually gets more difficult if you have to go back and forth between projects.
I was considered a power user in AutoCAD (18+ years) before starting on Revit. Now I have difficulty plotting out of AutoCAD. 6 years of just Revit will do that to you.

After awhile, you begin to learn what Revit is looking for, etc. I Strongly, strongly urge Revit Users to go to Autodesk University. This is one location where hands on training, discussion with others using the program, and other disciplines using the program have proven to be far more valuable than the cost of the conference itself.

[Dave Jones]

Quite True! It actually gets more difficult if you have to go back and forth between projects.
I was considered a power user in AutoCAD (18+ years) before starting on Revit. Now I have difficulty plotting out of AutoCAD. 6 years of just Revit will do that to you.

After awhile, you begin to learn what Revit is looking for, etc. I Strongly, strongly urge Revit Users to go to Autodesk University. This is one location where hands on training, discussion with others using the program, and other disciplines using the program have proven to be far more valuable than the cost of the conference itself.

As a matter of fact I'll be attending AU this year, my first visit since the original in '92 (IIRC) in SF.

Unfortunately, being a specialty detailer (curtain wall) I will probably always have to produce output for some customers from Acad. For now only on larger projects for larger customers will there be enough $ to warrant the time and effort required do drawings with Revit. I know that over time that the time and effort factor between Acad and Revit will be reduced, maybe to the point of it not mattering anymore but for now projects take longer for me to do in Revit. That said, both I and my customers see the great value of a Revit model. Correctly and accurately produced it will save many more $ than it costs in the long run.

[Alfredo Medina]

I Strongly, strongly urge Revit Users to go to Autodesk University. This is one location where hands on training, discussion with others using the program, and other disciplines using the program have proven to be far more valuable than the cost of the conference itself.


As a matter of fact I'll be attending AU this year, my first visit since the original in '92 (IIRC) in SF. .

Dave and Scott, I look forward to meeting you guys personally in Las Vegas this year. First beers are on me. One of my proposals was accepted. My proposals in English did not make it in the final selection, though, only one in Spanish for AU Virtual. So you'll have to brush up your Spanish to attend my class. :)

This is the most important word: Cerveza = Beer. :)

[twiceroadsfool]

Ill see you guys there. :)

[Alfredo Medina]

Ill see you guys there. :)

One more 'cerveza' for Aaron, please! :)

[Dave Jones]

Dave and Scott, I am looking forward to meeting you guys personally in Las Vegas this year. First beers are on me. One of my proposals was accepted. My proposals in English did not make in the final selection, though, only one in Spanish for AU Virtual. So you'll have to brush up your Spanish to attend my class. :)

This is the most important word: Cerveza = Beer. :)

I'll be there a week early. Can I start a tab on your room #? :p

[Dave Jones]

Ill see you guys there. :)

I look forward to meeting you and discussing all things Revit over a beer that Alf has purchased for us ;)

[Scott Womack]

Dave and Scott, I am looking forward to meeting you guys personally in Las Vegas this year. First beers are on me. One of my proposals was accepted. My proposals in English did not make in the final selection, though, only one in Spanish for AU Virtual. So you'll have to brush up your Spanish to attend my class. :)

This is the most important word: Cerveza = Beer. :)

I'll be there.

My Spanish is, after 24 years of non-use is non-existent now. Cerveza is one word that I did not forget.

See you in Las Vegas!

[Scott D Davis]

This is the most important word: Cerveza = Beer. :)

In high school in San Diego, we learned "Puedes comprarme cerveza, por favor?" (Can you buy me beer, please?) lol See all of you in Vegas!

[Dave Jones]

In high school in San Diego, we learned "Puedes comprarme cerveza, por favor?" (Can you buy me beer, please?) lol See all of you in Vegas!

heh, I took 3 years of Spanish in high school to learn how to say "no habla español". To much cerveza I guess :p