A few years back I posted a description of how to create a complex custom hatch pattern for Revit – that example was for repeating octagons. Since then I have often needed to quickly create much simpler patterns such as stretcher bond elevation views for bricks, blocks and tiles. The Octagon pattern was quite complex and it still takes a while to get your head around the logic – so here is a much easier to follow set of examples:
Pattern Definition Format
The pattern file is a text file, saved with a ‘.pat’ extension.
Definition of units (important for metric):
;%UNITS=MM
Each pattern definition has an * prefixed header : a title and description separated by a comma
*Stretcher 400×200, 400mm x 200mm stretcher bond
Drafting or Model definition:
;%TYPE=MODEL
Each line repeat (in the pattern) is described in one row of text, with comma delimited format. eg:
0, 1200, 1000, 0, 1000, 400, -1500
- Angle = angle of…