When working with phased construction projects in Revit, interior designers and architects often encounter a frustrating issue: demolished ceiling elements don't display correctly on reflected ceiling plans. While the ceiling perimeter appears dashed as expected, the interior hatch patterns remain solid, creating misleading documentation.

This tutorial is part of our comprehensive Revit for Interior Designers:  Commercial Office Interiors Course - get access to complete project files and advanced techniques.
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The Problem: Inconsistent Demolished Ceiling Display in Revit

Understanding the Phasing Issue
When working with a 2x2 acoustical tile ceiling that's been assigned to the "existing" phase and marked for demolition in the "new construction" phase, you'll notice a common problem:

• The ceiling perimeter correctly displays as dashed lines
• The interior hatch patterns (representing the tiles) remain solid
• This creates confusion in construction documentation
• The reflected ceiling plan becomes misleading for contractors

Why Revit Ceilings Don't Display Demolished Patterns Correctly
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The issue occurs because Revit's phasing system only affects the element's boundary graphics, not the material's surface patterns. The acoustical tile material uses a solid hatch pattern that doesn't automatically convert to dashed when the element is demolished.
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At Revit for Interior Designers, we've encountered this problem frequently in our training classes, and the solution requires creating custom materials and hatch patterns.

The Complete Solution: Creating Custom Dashed Ceiling Materials

Step 1: Create a Custom PAT File for Dashed Patterns
Since Revit doesn't include built-in dashed ceiling patterns, you'll need to create a custom hatch pattern using a PAT file. This is a crucial step that many Revit users overlook.

Creating the PAT File:

1. Open Notepad (or any text editor)
2. Type the following code exactly as shown:

 
;%TYPE=MODEL
*24x24DEMO,24x24 Demolished Grid 0,0,0,24,24
90,0,0,24,24
 
;%TYPE=MODEL
*48x48DEMO,48x48 Demolished Grid 0,0,0,48,48
90,0,0,48,48
 
Important Notes:

• The semicolon (;) and percent sign (%) are crucial
• The numbers (24, 48) represent the ceiling tile dimensions
• You can create additional sizes by copying the pattern and changing the numbers
• Each pattern needs a unique name (24x24DEMO, 48x48DEMO)

Step 2: Save and Load Your Custom PAT File

1. Save the file with a .PAT extension (e.g., "ceiling-grid-demolished.pat")

Step 3: Duplicate Your Existing Ceiling Type

1. Select your existing acoustical tile ceiling in the reflected ceiling plan
2. Click "Edit Type" in the Properties panel
3. Duplicate the ceiling type and rename it with a clear identifier  (Example: "2x2 Acoustical Tile - Demo")
4. This creates a separate ceiling type specifically for demolished elements

Step 4: Create a New Dashed Material

1. Use Edit Type under the new ceiling's properties
2. Navigate to the "Structure" section
3. Click on the material (typically "Acoustical Ceiling Tile 24x24")
4. Open the Materials dialog by clicking the small button
5. Right-click and duplicate the existing acoustical ceiling material
6. Rename the new material with a clear identifier  (Example: "Acoustical Ceiling Tile 24x24 - Demo")

 Step 5: Save and Load Your Custom PAT File

1. Go to your custom material's Graphics tab and Surface Pattern settings
2. Click on existing Pattern
3. Click "New Fill Pattern" and select "Custom"
4. Browse to your saved PAT file and select it
5. Choose the appropriate pattern size (24x24 or 48x48)
6. Click OK to load the pattern into your material

Step 6: Apply the Dashed Material to Your Ceiling

1. With your custom material selected, you'll see the dashed pattern in the preview
2. Click OK to apply the material to your ceiling type
3. Apply the new ceiling type to your demolished ceiling elements
4. The ceiling will now display with proper dashed interior patterns

 
Understanding Revit Phasing for Interior Designers
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Phase Settings That Affect Ceiling Display

• Select ceiling to be demolished and adjust Properties
  • Phase Created = Existing
  • Demolished = New Construction
• Under the current View Properties
  • Phase Filter:  Set to "Show All"
  • Phase:  Set to "New Construction" to view the demolished elements 

 
Best Practices for Phased Ceiling Plans

1. Create separate ceiling types for each phase to maintain clarity
2. Use consistent naming conventions for demolished elements
3. Maintain a library of custom PAT files for different ceiling sizes

 
Advanced Tips for Revit Ceiling Customization

Creating Multiple Ceiling Sizes

To accommodate different ceiling grid sizes in your project:

1. Modify the PAT file to include additional patterns
2. Copy the existing code block and change the dimensions
3. Ensure each pattern has a unique name
4. Load all patterns into your project as needed  

Managing Custom Materials Across Projects     

• Save custom materials to your project template
• Export materials to share with team members
• Use Transfer Project Standards to move materials between projects

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Common Troubleshooting Issues

Pattern Not Displaying Correctly 

• Verify the PAT file syntax is exact
• Check that the material is properly assigned to the ceiling type
• Ensure the phase settings are configured correctly
• Confirm the view's phase filter is set to "Show All"

Pattern Scale Issues

• Adjust the pattern scale in the material definition
• Modify the numbers in the PAT file for different tile sizes
• Test the pattern at different zoom levels

Why This Solution Works

This method addresses the core issue by creating materials that inherently display as dashed, rather than relying on Revit's phasing system to modify solid patterns. The custom PAT file generates true dashed hatch patterns that accurately represent demolished ceiling elements.

Conclusion

Creating proper dashed ceiling patterns for demolished elements in Revit requires a combination of custom materials, ceiling types, and hatch patterns. While this process may seem complex initially, it ensures your construction documents accurately communicate design intent.

I would like to acknowledge Doug Bowers and his article on this topic.
 
Want to master more advanced Revit techniques for interior design? These methods are part of comprehensive training programs that cover everything from basic modeling to complex design scenarios.

Creating stunning glass walls in Revit using the curtain wall system can elevate your interior design projects, but many designers struggle with its complex workflow. This step-by-step tutorial covers three methods for creating professional glass wall installations in Revit, from simple office entrances to challenging corner configurations.

Whether you're designing modern office spaces, commercial interiors, or residential projects, mastering Revit's curtain wall system is essential for creating realistic glass partitions and walls.

What You'll Learn About Revit Glass WallsIn this comprehensive Revit tutorial, you'll discover:

•       to set up curtain wall systems for glass partitions
•       real-world applications for office and commercial spaces
•       instructions for creating corner glass walls
•       techniques for door installation in curtain walls
•       methods for seamless glass wall connections
•       mistakes to avoid when working with Revit curtain walls

This tutorial is part of our comprehensive Revit for Interior Designers course - get access to complete project files and advanced techniques.

Understanding Revit's Curtain Wall System for Glass Walls
Before diving into specific applications, it's important to understand that curtain walls in Revit operate differently from standard walls. Unlike regular walls where you simply drag a door onto the surface, curtain walls require a more structured approach involving panels, mullions, and grid lines.

The curtain wall system allows you to create walls of multiple materials - in our case, primarily glass - with precise control over mullion placement and panel configurations. However, this flexibility comes with specific rules and limitations that we'll address throughout this guide.

Method 1: Creating Glass Office Entrances with Curtain Walls

Setting Up the Basic Curtain Wall StructureOur first example demonstrates creating a glass wall entrance for an office space. This involves replacing a section of a standard 4⅞-inch gypsum board wall with a curtain wall system.

Essential Revit Curtain Wall Configuration Settings:
Use Properties / Edit Type under Curtain Wall 1 in Type Selector to customize its settings including:

• Enable "Automatically Embed" to cut holes in existing walls automatically
• Use "Glaze Curtain Wall Panel" for glass surfaces
• Set border and vertical grid lines to "Continuous" for vertical mullion emphasis

 
Step-by-Step Revit Glass Wall Implementation

1. Wall Placement: Navigate to Architecture > Wall and select the curtain wall system. Snap to the center of the existing wall and drag to create your glass wall section.
2. Reference Plane Setup: Use reference planes to mark where mullions will be placed. Focus on intermediate mullions rather than end conditions, as these determine your panel divisions.
3. Height Adjustment: Modify the curtain wall height to match adjacent walls (typically 8'2" for our office example).
4. Adding Mullions: Use the Mullion command with "All Grid Lines" to place mullions throughout the system.  I am using a custom 2x4 mullions in this design.
5. Grid Line Creation: Add vertical grid lines where you need panel divisions, particularly where doors will be installed.

Installing Doors in Revit Curtain Walls
The door installation process differs significantly from standard wall doors:

1. Family Loading: Load curtain wall door families using Insert / Load Autodesk Family and choose the Doors folder
2. Panel Selection: Use the Tab key to highlight the specific panel where the door will be installed, then click to select
3. Unpin the Panel: Remove the pin constraint that enforces the glass panel rule
4. Panel Replacement: Select the appropriate curtain wall door from the walls menu to replace the glass panel

Pro Tip: The door will fill the entire panel width, so plan your grid lines accordingly for proper door sizing.

Want to learn more advanced door techniques? Check out our complete Revit for Interior Designers course for detailed family creation and customization methods.

Case Study 2: Corner Glass Wall Configuration

The Challenge of Corner Conditions
Corner glass walls present unique challenges in Revit, requiring careful planning to achieve clean intersections without visible mullions at the corner joint.

Implementation Strategy

1. Dual Wall Creation: Create two separate curtain walls that meet at the corner, ensuring glass orientation favors the exterior on both walls.
2. Height Standardization: Set both walls to the same height (8'2") to maintain consistency in our design.
3. Corner Trimming: Use the Trim command to cut the corner intersection properly. This may create small wall slivers that need additional attention.
4. Profile Editing: When corner conditions create unwanted wall extensions to the floor, use "Edit Profile" to manually define the wall's shape in elevation view.

Advanced Corner Techniques
For seamless corner glass connections:

1. Mullion Removal: Delete corner mullions from both curtain walls
2. Panel Modification: Select and Unpin corner panels and use "Edit in Place" to extend panels to meet at the corner
3. Constraint Removal: Accept the breaking of parametric rules to achieve the desired visual result

Important Note: Using "Edit in Place" makes the curtain wall system non-parametric, meaning you cannot easily modify mullion spacing or panel configurations afterward.

Case Study 3: Half-Height Glass Wall with Cutouts

Complex Configuration Requirements
The most challenging scenario involves creating a half-height glass wall (3'6") with corner conditions in a wall cutout. This requires combining multiple techniques and careful attention to base offsets.

Implementation Process

1. Base Offset Configuration: Set both curtain walls to a 3'6" base offset to create the half-height condition.
2. Wall Profile Editing: Use "Edit Profile" to create accurate wall shapes that account for the sill condition and eliminate unwanted wall extensions.
3. Grid Line Precision: Use reference planes to capture exact joint locations from CAD drawings or design specifications.
4. Mullion Management: Add mullions to all grid lines, then selectively remove corner mullions to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Final Assembly Considerations
The final step involves the same "Edit in Place" technique used in the corner example, but with additional complexity due to the half-height condition and sill requirements. Plan this step carefully, as it will lock your design and prevent further parametric modifications.

Best Practices and Important Warnings

Design Sequence

1. Plan First: Complete all grid line and mullion planning before making any permanent modifications
2. Test Proportions: Ensure door and panel sizes work with your design before finalizing
3. Save "Edit in Place" for Last: Only use this technique when you're completely satisfied with your layout

Technical Limitations

• Non-Reversible Changes: "Edit in Place" modifications cannot be easily undone
• Mullion Dependencies: Mullions require grid lines; you cannot add mullions without corresponding grid lines
• Panel Constraints: Curtain wall doors must replace entire panels, not portions of panels

Best Practices and Important Warnings

• Use consistent glass orientation (interior vs. exterior facing) throughout your project
• Create custom mullion profiles for unique designs per project
• Document your reference plane locations for future modifications
• Consider creating multiple curtain wall types for different applications

Conclusion

Mastering Revit's curtain wall system for glass wall creation requires understanding its unique workflow and limitations. While the system offers powerful capabilities for creating sophisticated glass wall designs, it demands careful planning and accepts certain compromises in parametric flexibility.

The three case studies covered here represent the most common scenarios you'll encounter in interior design projects. By following these methodologies and respecting the system's constraints, you can create professional-quality glass wall installations that enhance your Revit models and presentation materials.

Remember that these techniques are part of a broader workflow that includes proper family management, material assignment, and rendering considerations. For more advanced techniques and complete project workflows, consider exploring comprehensive Revit training resources that cover the full scope of interior design applications.
 
Want to master more advanced Revit techniques for interior design? These methods are part of comprehensive training programs that cover everything from basic modeling to complex design scenarios.
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