Have you ever experienced the frustration of not being able to apply materials to a downloaded family in Revit? You place it in your model, but no matter what you do, the materials just won’t change. Don’t worry, you don’t have to go searching for a replacement family. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to easily apply materials to downloaded families in Revit, saving you time and effort.
Step 1: Open the Family for Editing
Click on the family in your Revit model that you want to apply materials to. Go to the “Edit Family” option in the toolbar. This will open the family in the Family Editor.
Step 2: Use Type Parameters
To make it easier to change materials later on, we will use type parameters. Click on any of the extrusion elements within the family that you want to assign materials to. This method works for any modeled elements such as extrusions, sweeps, blends, etc.
Step 3: Assign Type Parameters
Once you have selected an element, scroll down to the material properties. Look for a small box and click on it. This will allow you to assign a type parameter for the material. Click on the “New Parameter” button and give it a name, such as “FINISH – BODY CABINET.” Choose the “Type” option for this parameter, as it will be consistent for all cabinets of this type. Click OK to save.
Step 4: Assign Parameters to Other Elements
Repeat Step 3 for all the extrusion elements you want to assign materials to. Click on each element, click the “Associate Family Parameter” button, and create a new parameter with a name like “FINISH – DRAWERS & DOORS.” Again, choose the “Type” option for this parameter.
Step 5: Assign Materials
For separate elements like the toe kick, select it and assign a new type parameter as well. Make sure to make it different from the body cabinet if desired. Once all the parameters have been assigned, load the family back into the project by clicking “Overwrite.”
Step 6: Edit the Type
To see the applied materials, click back on the family in your project. Open the “Edit Type” option for the family. Here, you can select specific materials for each assigned parameter. Use the material browser to choose the desired finish. Apply the changes and click OK.
Conclusion:
By following these simple steps, you can easily apply materials to downloaded families in Revit. You no longer have to struggle with changing materials or search for replacements. This method saves you time and allows for consistency in your designs. Enjoy the convenience and flexibility of applying materials as your project evolves, without the hassle of remodelling or searching for alternative families.
