How to Split Faces and Lines in Revit

Learn how to split lines and surfaces into two or more parts using Revit’s splitting tools. You’ll be able to design walls, roofs, and floors that meet your architectural goals.

1. Split Element divides linear elements into two or more parts.
2. Split with Gap adds a gap to the walls with a width you specify.
3. Split Face changes the material of a selected surface for walls, roofs, and floors.

Each tool has its uses, although I use the basic split element tool most often.

Divide Line

Use the Split Element tool to divide lines evenly or unevenly. Lines include model lines, detail lines, and walls.

Steps

1. Go to the Modify tab > Modify panel > click Split Element (shortcut: SL).
2. Move the mouse pointer over the line to display the preliminary dimensions.
3. When the dimension starts to move to the other side, click the line with the left mouse button.

This will divide the line into two equal parts. Notice how Revit snaps to the center of lines and shapes.

Another way to turn split lines into evenly split lines is to use the “EQ” dimension command:

1. In the Modify tab > Measure panel > click Aligned Dimension (shortcut: DI).
2. Move the mouse pointer over the beginning of the line > press “Tab”.
3. A point is displayed at the ends of the lines > click the point with the left mouse button.
4. Similarly, select the next points in the middle and at the end.
5. Move the mouse pointer down and click to apply the dimensions.
6. Click on the “EQ” that has a red line through it.

To remove the constraint that balances the dimensions for both rows, click “EQ” again. Delete the dimensions if they are not useful.

You have the option to split linear elements twice and have the center of the split removed. To do this, activate “Delete inner Segment” in the Options bar before performing a split.

Expansion Joint

Use the Split with Gap tool to create a predefined gap in walls.

Steps

1. Go to the Modify tab > Modify panel > click Split With Gap.
2. In the options bar, set a width for the joint gap.
3. Click on the wall to create the expansion joint.

Split Face

Change the surface material of a part of a wall, roof, floor or column.

Steps

1. Go to the Modify tab > Geometry panel > click Split Face.
2. Click the surface of the wall.
3. In the Draw panel, select a tool to sketch the surface you want to divide.
4. Draw a closed loop of lines (profile).
5. Click Finish Edit Mode.

To add a separate material to split surfaces:

1. Go to the Modify tab > Geometry panel > click Paint (shortcut: PT).
2. Select a material to replace the existing material.
3. Click a profile.

You can copy split faces to duplicate the split profile, but you must reapply the paint for each new profile.