Different Material on Structural Element

[Anonymous]

As the title suggests, is there anyway to apply different materials on a structural element? Split face doesn't work , also applying a separate external layer(separate wall method for finish) has it's issues like wrapping on inserts. Working on two separate files then linking also has it's issues like beam and wall interference. I think for it's next iteration, revit should seriously consider adding layers to structural members, this would easily solve everything. Anyway's is there any tips or work around for this issue?

[barthbradley]

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@Anonymous wrote:

As the title suggests, is there anyway to apply different materials on a structural element? 

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Sure.  What kind of material do you want to apply to what kind of structural element?  Give us some specifics and we'll give you some tips on how to accomplish.  

[Anonymous]

We design RC structures and we only use 1 file for arch and struct, that means we model everything in one project and we follow this simple principle of "model it as you would build it in real life". We have exceptions for structural members because it's very time consuming applying an external layer(separate wall method) for the finish so we just use the modify paint tool and paint the structural faces one by one. However, in my recent project I have this rc beam that's supposed to have two different paint colors on the same face but the problem is, revit doesn't allow splitting faces of stuctural members. Walls and floors have this "parts" feature so it's just easy applying different materials but sadly it's not the case for structural members .

[barthbradley]

I'm not getting how modeling a single finish layer over beams is such a hassle --- especially when the Structural and Architectural reside in the same project.  Based on what you've said, it sounds like that would be preferable over "faking" the finish layer with paint.  It certainly would be a better BIM approach. 

Have you considered modeling the finish layer -- or even "painting" it on -- in the beam families themselves?  Both approaches could be fully parametric, and you can Split Beams where finish transitions occur in the Project.  

[Anonymous]

Yes, painting faces seems like "faking" it since there would be no actual plaster and paint layer on the structural members and correct me if i'm wrong, I think painted surfaces using the painting tool doesn't appear on material takeoffs or schedules. Making a separate wall for finish is very tedious especially for the underside(soffit) of slabs and beams. It works well if applied vertically but isn't very efficient time wise when used for soffits. I haven't actually tried creating a structural element family with a parametric finish layer (like those with walls and floors), but this seems like a viable option.

[barthbradley]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I think painted surfaces using the painting tool doesn't appear on material takeoffs or schedules. 

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Huh? Painted surfaces do report in schedules. If they didn't, what would be the purpose of painting them?  Aesthetics? 

[Anonymous]

That's good then. So this is the issue, I want the beam to be the same color as the wall but only until the red line. One solution I could think of is modeling a component then joining.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

The way I see the construction is that the finish layers of the walls extend upwards to cover the beams -- in which case, you'd unlock the wall finish layers at the top, and then enter a top extension distance equal to the height of the beams. That make sense to you?   

Explanation here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/EN...

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Kind of. I kind of posted the wrong image. Kindly see the new one. The generic model is a "drop wall" I made to terminate the ceiling because the beam has a small depth.

[Anonymous]

So I extend the wall layer up to the beam then join them? Just so you know I used parts tool on this wall and changed the layer material. 

[barthbradley]

Look it; the point is that you are fastening your finish layers to the structural framing -- in the field AND in Revit.  If your "Structural" Walls are defined in Revit with Finish Layers, then use the approach I mentioned above extend the Finished Layers of the Wall to cover the Beams.  If the Finish Layers are modeled as separate walls over Structural Walls, then set the Finish Walls' height tall enough to cover the Beams.  If you want to create the Finish Layer as a "band joist"-type wall -- that works too.

As far as for Soffits; use Floors.  

[Anonymous]

Wow thank you very much, extending the layers worked!

[Anonymous]

So I extended the layer then join the layer to the beam, looks fine in 3D but has a minor issue in plan view. If you could see in the pic below, it cuts the beam. Any work around for this?

[barthbradley]

no pic. 

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry. 

[barthbradley]

Sorry, I can't tell what's happening there from this picture. Need more info. If you want to post the file, that would be enough.  

[Anonymous]

Sorry I don't have a better pic. So what happened was when I joined the beam and wall layer, the wall cuts the beam. As you can see in the pic below, now there is a recessed part in the beam in plan view.

[luis_brionesalonso]

I have to agree with Barth that it's really hard to see what is going on based on the picture. Based on your description I would say to check the join order of the wall and the beam. Can you post a pic of a 3D view where we can see how the wall and beam overlap? If you could post a file where we can reproduce the problem that would be even better. 

[jazzsharma200]

Can you explain it through video ?