How to Create Filled Regions in Revit (Hatch Patterns)

ByMohamed Fakhry Updated

The Filled Region tool adds 2D hatch patterns to Revit views, sheets, and annotation families. Filled regions include two types of patterns: Drafting (based on the scale of the view) and Model (based on the dimensions of the model).

There are three different types of fills to consider:

  • Filled regions (2D views)
  • Masking regions (solid white areas in 2D views)
  • Surface patterns (hatched model surfaces in 2D and 3D views)

Here are two steps to add filled regions to views (plans, sections and elevations). The third step is an option to create custom hatches…

Step 1 – Create Filled Region

  1. Go to Annotate tab > Detail panel > drop-down Region.
  2. Click Filled Region.
  3. Within the Draw panel, select a sketching tool.
  4. Draw a boundary for the hatch pattern.
  5. Click Finish Edit Mode.
create filled region

Step 2 – Edit Fill Pattern

Once the filled region is in place, click on it. In the Properties palette, click Edit Type.

  1. In the Type Properties window, click Duplicate.
  2. Assign a name for the new family > click OK.

✨ Tip: To match the settings of a group of annotations, hold down the CTRL key on the keyboard > select multiple filled areas in the view > drag the Type Selector down in the Properties palette > select the new family. Learn more about keyboard shortcuts

edit fill pattern

Line Style

Change the line style of the boundary line within edit mode: Select one or more boundary lines > Line Style panel > drop-down “Thin Lines” > Select a different type.

✨ Tip: To hide boundary lines, choose “Invisible Lines” as the style. I applied this to three lines in a Break Line symbol family to show only the break line when I use the family.

Color

Change foreground and background colors by clicking on their prompt boxes within the Type Properties window.

Transparency

Un-tick Masking to make the pattern transparent in all views. When you tick it, associated filled regions become solid surfaces.

To assign custom transparency levels, right click on the filled region > Override Graphics in View > click By Element. Change value of Surface Transparency > click OK.

change transparency of filled region

Learn more about the transparency of elements.

Scale

Under Type, select “Custom” to change the scale of any pattern. Select “Basic” to change line spacing options when editing linear patterns. Learn how to change the scale

change scale of model patterns
From left to right – Steps to edit model patterns.
change scale of drafting patterns
From left to right – Steps to edit drafting patterns.

Step 3 – Custom Hatch Pattern (optional)

Create and import custom fill patterns. Revit PAT files are in this location by default: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 20XX\Data.

Learn how to create your own PAT patterns in Revit using PyRevit

To import a PAT file:

  1. Go to Manage tab > Settings panel > drop-down Additional Settings.
  2. Under Pattern Type, select Model.
  3. Click Fill Patterns > click on the New Fill Pattern icon.
  4. Under Type, select Custom.
  5. Under Settings, click Browse.
  6. Browse to the PAT file to select it > click OK.
Revit Hatch Patterns

Detail items are off in visibility and graphics, turn them back on.

  1. Go to View tab > Graphics panel > Visibility /Graphics (Shortcut: VV).
  2. Within the Model Categories tab, tick Detail Items in the list to turn it on in view.

Print filled regions with transparency in raster mode (colored and realistic views): Add a duplicate (hidden line style) over the realistic view on the sheet, filter out everything except the filled regions, and then print.

  1. In the Project Browser, right-click the view title.
  2. Drop-down Duplicate View menu > click Duplicate with Detailing.
  3. Insert the new view on top of the realistic view.
  4. Within the sheet, double click on the new view.
  5. Change the view style of the new view to Hidden Line.
  6. Go to the Views tab > click Visibility /Graphics (Shortcut: VV).
  7. Uncheck all items in Model Categories.
  8. Check Detail Items > click OK.

Learn more about how Revit prints to PDF

The Filled Region tool allows you to add texture and detail to 2D views in Revit. You can use the default hatch patterns or create your own as .PAT files. For best results, use multiple filled regions with different line styles and opacities.