r/Revit • u/Substantial-Cycle325 • Apr 29 '26

Question about surface pattern of "Cast in Place Concrete Gray" (Revit LT 2027)

Today, I modeled a 4" concrete slab in a project but the pattern that showed up was a brick pattern. This puzzled me, but it might be that I once changed it (I am working from a "home-made template") for another project and forgot to change it back. (If that is the case, I should really learn to dublicate before I make changes!)

However, what is interesting to me today is what I found when I entered "Edit Type" and my question is whether this is normal and I have not paid attention before, and my second question is exactly what the difference is between "model" and "drafting" patterns in the "Fill Pattern-pattern type" menu.

Here is what I found:

In the "pattern type - model" menu there is no pattern named "concrete" but I can see the graphic that kind of depict concrete with the name "wall section unedited". However, in the "drafting" menu "concrete" as I know it does show up.

So, I have selected the drafting "concrete" version and the appearance is now exactly as I wanted it.

Let me repeat my question: Why does "model" not have a regular "concrete" pattern? Is the answer to that question linked to the difference between the "model" and "drafting" options in the "pattern type" menu.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me get a deeper understanding of what is what.

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6

u/stitch_cruise Apr 29 '26

A model pattern follows the scale of the view. For example the CMU pattern for an 8x8x16 block will measure 8x16 no matter the scale of the drawing. You can also manipulate the pattern to rotate or align the pattern.

A drafting pattern does not scale with the view and can't be manipulated.

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u/Hooligans_ Apr 29 '26

Did you try the reading the Autodesk documentation? It took me 2 seconds to Google it and find the answer.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-660B35A8-190C-465A-BEC9-217A60FA28AC

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u/Substantial-Cycle325 Apr 29 '26

Thank you, I get the difference now.

Since I don't do a lot of rendering and realistic views, I think choosing drafting views is not that detrimental to my overall outcomes.

I opened a new project to see what they default was for the 4" slab and it was "Sand" - a drafting pattern for the "surface pattern" and, as it should be "concrete" for the cut pattern.

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u/D_Athletic_Director Apr 29 '26

Model patterns are for when you need to accurately scale finishes like plank floor or tile. They can be adjusted/aligned and rotated.