How do you create custom cut patterns for wall types?

[djn9SY84]

Hi Guys,

I want to be able to create a custom cut pattern for a cinder block retaining wall to look like the image i have attached below (ignore the reinforcing). 

How can i do it so i have the white going up ether sides with the black lines across at 200 crs? and with a grey core like the image. 

[syman2000]

You can install Pyrevit and create the hatch pattern. Here are sample what you can create.

[jay_colcombe]

Most of this could be achieved with the wall family directly by using layers for the core and faces and applying a hatch in the Materials.

As regards the reinforcement element this would be very difficult to do especially if it is needed to to stretch and still meet dimensional constraints.

I think a line based family would be more appropriate here which could stretch and keep elements spaced and aligned but a lot more work involved.

in all honesty I would just model the reinforcement in the wall not only will it show in plan but also in sections and elevations and can be tagged and scheduled and would only take a few minutes to achieve.

[Mike.FORM · Accepted solution]

You cannot make this pattern all using one layer if you are wanting the center to be grey and the edges to be white.

The line pattern is not an issue but the differing colours is not possible as a single layer.

If you use 3 layers, edge-core-edge as @jay_colcombe mentioned you can accomplish the pattern by having the edge be just the horizontal lines at 400mm OC and then the core just using the grey solid fill.

You can also use a detail family, however that would require more time as you would need to place it separately.

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

While you can create 3-layer wall to assign different patterns, keep in mind that you can only use drafting patterns for cut, so it works with the solid core layer, but it will not work for the finish layers, where you need actually model pattern for the correct CMU dimension.

As a work around, you could introduce sweeps to the wall type structure properties and set the sweep profile to be very thin, offset the profile inward so that they only show when the wall is cut in section.

[djn9SY84]

Thanks for your reply, the sweep method works perfectly. I've got exactly what i wanted, so thank you. 

However, I want to be able to stop the sweep from appearing at the top. I've attached an image where you can see the two nodes at the top. i can stop it when i make my wall 1mm lower but i want my walls to be my desired height. 

I know i could fix it by having different wall types made for different heights. i dont want to do this because i have so many different wall heights all the time. 

Any ideas? 

 

[ToanDN]

Technically the wall should be one row of grout shorter so making it short as you said is correct.  However, if you want to keep the wall at the nominal height, then do this:

[djn9SY84]

huh?