Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Drafting patterns represent printed dimensions (such as parallel vertical
lines that are a set distance apart). Drafting patterns will be the same
regardless of view scale, whereas Model patterns are affected by the scale
of a view and look more realistic in perspective (camera) 3D views. The
Drafting pattern types should be used when creating filled regions for
symbols.
To create a filled region within an annotation family, click the Filled Region
button located on the Detail panel of the Create tab. Filled regions cannot
be created in component families. When you click the Filled Region button,
a contextual tab appears, containing the Draw panel. Unlike with hatch
patterns in other software, Revit needs us to define the boundary of regions.
This might seem like more work, but it does allow for more control over the
appearance of each boundary segment; it is quite powerful. The same tools
discussed earlier can be used to define the boundary of the region. The type
of line used for the region boundary can be chosen from the drop-down on
the Subcategory panel. You can use invisible lines for the region boundary
in order to avoid duplication of linework. The boundary lines of a region can
eliminate the need for some lines as well since there is no point in drawing
detail lines in the same place as the boundary of a region.
Figure18.3
showstwosymbolswithfilledregions.Theboundarylinesofthe
symbol on the left are thicker than the linework of the symbol, causing the
region to appear to be too large. The region on the right has invisible lines
for its boundary, so only the pattern is displayed.
Figure 18.3
Filled region boundaries in a symbol
Building a Symbol Library
As with most CAD systems, it is helpful to have a library of symbols that
are used repeatedly on projects and in details, diagrams, and families. You
can create a library of Revit symbols that matches your CAD library and
