Assigning Materials to Imported SAT Files in a Family

[Anonymous]

I'm using Revit 2018 and I'm having trouble assigning materials to an imported SAT file using object styles. The imported SAT file is not considered a specific layer and when I try to change the material it doesn't transfer over to the project.

[jamie_owens_Luminuat · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

When importing a SAT file into your Revit Family, you have the ability to assign it a Revit Category (See image below w/ Red Box).

This allows you to then go under the Object Styles and assign a material to that related category, in this case Generic Models.  This approach does not allow for you to create sub categories and assign the SAT file to that subcategory but at least gives you the basic level of assign materials and controlling visibility of the object.  Here is a before and after of using the material assign through object styles.

As you mentioned, you are unable to assign the SAT import to a subcategory and thus can only assign it to the global setting of the category.  Meaning that you can assign the material to the main category and affect the imported object but not specific elements or subcategories.

I have also included a Screencast below going through the process (there is no audio and shows it in a project but is the same process for a family).

Let me know if this helps. Thank You!

[ToanDN]

@Anonymous

If you want all the SAT files having the same material then do what @jamie_owens_Luminuat has suggested.  But if you need them to have different materials then you need to open them in AutoCAD, add Layers and assign to each geometry, save as DWGs, and link or import in Revit.  Then you can assign different materials to different Layers under Object Styles > Imported Objects > expand the Layer tree. 

[Anonymous]

Okay, but if you have multiple materials in one .sat family, how is that achievable without bringing it into CAD? Why can't the layers created in Rhino cross over into imported object styles? It was like this for Revit 2016.

[Anonymous]

It's just one material that I'm trying to change. The whole .sat is one material but it's quite difficult to manage it within revit. The pattern and orientation does not transfer over from .rfa to .rvt when importing the .sat.

[jamie_owens_Luminuat]

Hello @Anonymous

If you're original file is originating from Rhino, then in Revit 2017 and 2018, .3dm files can be imported in and there is no need to take it to a .SAT file.  If you set the materials within Rhino for the various objects you want, then those materials will come through associated to the objects within Revit Families and Projects as Revit Materials.  Within the material editor in Revit, these materials can be adjusted as needed.

While this does not bring in the various layers that are defined in Rhino, you at least have the ability to manipulate the materials as needed.  No you can not change what material is assigned to the object within Revit from the Rhino import, but this gets you a little closer when working with non-native Revit files.

Please let me know if this solution is helpful.

Thank you,

Jamie

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply. I did a test and your method works as well. The only issue I have with importing .3dm files is that sometimes the entire geometry from Rhino doesn't fully import. Some surfaces are missing. (For example we have a complicated staircase modeled in Rhino) but when imported as a .3dm to Revit, some railings are missing. This could be human error while modelling in Rhino but the file is pretty clean. But if I import as a .sat, the entire geometry comes through, no faults.

[Anonymous]

Hi, for any reason assigning a material within the object styles doesn't work in my revit 2018.2 D/A/CH.Maybe so could shed some light on that.

However I exported my sat file from a Fusion360 Model and it comes with Materials assigned. Those Materials are not transferred into Revit correctly an get weird names but I can change the assigned Materials to those I like.

Find it here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/getting-started/caas/screencast/Main/Details/5dfaa...

Hope this helps

Cheers, Emanuel

[Anonymous]

What if I don't have any Generic Model option? A Mass option instead. I have got .dwg with 3D solid and have saved as .sat. This solid comes from Dynamo in Revit, where Dynamo basis on model made in Revit 2018. It's house with dome. I want to assign some parameters like material to my panel and as a family put in again into the Revit project. Help me please.

[Anonymous]

Hey, try these steps below. I find this way works for me.

1. In Rhino, select geometry and export it as a .SAT (ACIS) File
2. Open AutoCAD
3. On the Ribbon, Insert > Import (Drop Down Arrow) > Import the .SAT file (The Insert command may be different depending on the version of AutoCAD)
4. When geometry is imported, Create Layers
5. Once Layers are created, start assigning the geometry to the corresponding layers.
6. Save as a .dwg
7. Open Revit
8. Create a new “Generic Model Family,” or find a family template that suits the geometry
9. On the Ribbon, Insert > Import CAD > Insert the .dwg file
10. To assign Materials, type “VV” or “VG” to Open Visibility Graphics Diaglog > Object Styles >Imported Objects tab > Assign Materials

[Anonymous]

revit 2016 and down,... it was possible to Import the .SAT file into the family editor, then SCALE it, EXPLODE it, ASSIGN material parameter to Geometry, and ASSIGN the geometry to a SUB-CATEGORY.

(you could still use voids to further cut the shape)

revit 2017 and up,....  Once you import the .SAT into the family editor, it is converted,  (NO SCALING,  NO MATERIAL PARAMETER, NO SUB-CATEGORY)

(and voids won't cut the geometry)

Previously, I could model a bath,.. export to .SAT, open family editor, import .SAT, copy 3 times, and scale them (Small , Medium, Large)… then explode, apply material parameter,.. and assign Plumbing_Bath subcategory. (and use voids to cut the geometry)

if I had to do this process now,.... NO Subcategory,..... NO Material Parameter,.... No Scaling...…. (yeah I can use the paint tool,... and paint on a material parameter)….. but what is faster?.... selecting geometry and assigning 1 parameter,... or using the paint tool,... and painting 50 or more surfaces at a time?

[p.alvarez.rio]

I totally agree with you, the change in version 2017 and up affected my workflow significantly.

I just wrote a small plugin that brings back that functionality into Revit 2019 (I could probably create a 17 and 18 version as well), maybe it is useful for someone else.

Find a description and link to the files here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qq7b5DVhY4

[ARW-Rihards.Paulins]

Hi @jamie_owens_Luminuat ,

Thenk you for this tip, it is very helpful.

However, when I import the 3DM file into Revit, the materials assigned in Rhino do not show up in the Material Browser as they do in the images that you attached. What could be the issue behind that?

[Anonymous]

revit 2016  has the functionality, revit 2017 and up,.... not

[Anonymous]

---

@p.alvarez.rio wrote:

I totally agree with you, the change in version 2017 and up affected my workflow significantly.

I just wrote a small plugin that brings back that functionality into Revit 2019 (I could probably create a 17 and 18 version as well), maybe it is useful for someone else.

Find a description and link to the files here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qq7b5DVhY4

---

I would appreciate a 2018 version of this plugin

Thanks in advance

[p.alvarez.rio]

Hi Eric,

I compiled it for Revit 2018, you can get the new link with the files in the description of the youtube video. I didn't have much time to test it so it would be good if you can give it a try and let me know if everything works fine.

Regards,

Pablo

[Anonymous]

Hi Pablo,

How do I install this?`

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\2018

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit\Macros\2018

Ive copied both files ImportSATasFF18.dll & ImportSATasFF18.addin to both folders above but I'm getting nothing.

Thanks again

[Anonymous]

Addin works awesome, only comment/wish would be the ability to scale the object on import, otherwise it's  perfect

[p.alvarez.rio]

Hi Eric,

Copying both files in "C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\2018" should be enough ("C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\2018" should also work), did you get a warning message asking you whether or not you wanted to load the plugin the first time? Also notice that the plugin works for importing geometry into a family template, you won't be able to run the plugin in a project file.

If still not working maybe windows blocked the .rar file? Right click on the .rar before unzipping and check if there is an "unblock" check box:

I am totally guessing here but I had similar problems before with plugins for other software.

I tried the 2018 version of the plugin in a different computer yesterday and it worked just fine, so I am quite confident the problem is not the plugin itself.

Cheers!

[Anonymous]

I do what you suggested, but it comes into revit as a 2D part. Any suggestions?