Revit Tip: Using the Parts Tool for Surface Patterns

Revit Tip: Using the Parts Tool for Surface Patterns

ABR_Kate
Advocate Advocate
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Message 1 of 5

Revit Tip: Using the Parts Tool for Surface Patterns

ABR_Kate
Advocate
Advocate

Have you ever struggled with calculating or representing patterned surfaces — especially on large projects like malls, airports, or public buildings?
Here's a trick that saved me weeks of manual work:

🚀Use the Parts Tool in Revit to divide surfaces into custom areas!

As a BIM manager working on large-scale architecture and structural teams, I often faced the challenge of preparing floor, wall, and ceiling finish patterns — with accurate area schedules and clear design intent.

Why the Parts tool is a game changer:

  • Allows you to split any system element (floor, wall, etc.) into custom Parts

  • Each Part can be visually styled and measured independently

  • The area of each Part can be scheduled automatically

  • You can export the data to Excel or share it via BIM 360 Design with clients or engineers

This tool has no true equivalent in Archicad, where I also worked extensively. In Revit, it becomes a powerful engine for precise quantification and design communication — especially in high-detail, high-volume finishing scenarios.

Tutorial + Example
I demonstrated this method in one of my most popular YouTube tutorials (over 18,000 views):
Watch: Landscaping Plate Pattern in Revit using Parts Tool

You can also check screenshots and the full project here:
Autodesk Gallery Project Page

Let me know if you’ve used the Parts tool in a similar way — or if you’d like help applying this method in your own projects!

 

Снимок экрана 2025-06-26 104034.jpgСнимок экрана 2025-06-26 105150.jpg

348 Views
4 Replies
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Message 2 of 5

Basam.Yousif
Advisor
Advisor

I second your enthusiasm for the PARTS tool, and I agree that it is a game changer.

Just made this last week, to explain how you don't need a fancy addon to model such items:

BasamYousif_0-1751054433794.png

 

Message 3 of 5

ABR_Kate
Advocate
Advocate

Wow, great use of the Parts tool — totally agree, it's a game changer!

Your post brought back memories 💭 from my time as a BIM manager around 2018, working on large-scale retail and amusement park projects. We relied heavily on the Parts tool back then — for everything from floor mosaics to wall panels and even facade systems. Full area schedules? All driven straight from the model, no external add-ons needed.

We even automated drawing sets with material take-offs, finish keys, and legends — all pulled directly from Parts and schedules.

Found a photo from those days — classic double-screen setup, colorful plans, and caffeine-fueled focus 👇

44902194_2162271470692218_1876578517085323264_n.jpg

Thanks again for sharing — really brought back some great memories!
Happy to swap workflow tips or pattern-based examples anytime.

Message 4 of 5

Basam.Yousif
Advisor
Advisor

That is SO cool!!! I live for projects like this 😁

Message 5 of 5

ABR_Kate
Advocate
Advocate

Thank you, Basam! 🙂

Funny thing is… for a long time I thought this project wasn’t all that meaningful - just another indoor amusement park in the capital, one of many inside massive malls with roller coasters and arcade zones across every district...

But then, a couple of years later, my 2-year-old nephew got invited to a birthday party - and guess where? Yep… the exact same park we worked on! 😅

I couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow, that moment made it all feel worth it - and Revit too!

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