Applying materials in Revit should be simple, but many users are confused about how to do that. This is the second of a three-part series where we look at the best, fastest and easiest ways to apply materials to the three different kinds of families in Revit.
Part 2: Applying Revit Materials to Loadable Families – windows, doors, casework, fixtures and furniture
Here we will look at Loadable Families, which are the families that you most commonly create and modify in Revit, are created in external RFA files and imported/loaded into your Revit projects. These cover all the different elements that you would be purchased, delivered and installed on-site, such as Windows, Doors, Casework, Joinery, Fixtures, Furniture and Planting among many other things.
Method A: Changing the Material by Type Properties
1. Start by clicking the element, in this case, the desk.
2. From the Properties Window, click Edit Type to enter the Type Properties.
3. Under ‘Materials & Finishes’, click the Material that you want to change. In this case, we will change the “Top Material”, which is currently set to“Cherry”.
4. Click a new material from the extensive list of Revit Materials. In this case, we will click “Wood Sheathing, Chipboard” to change the desk’s “Top Material” to a nice wood finish.
5. If we are happy with that, click OK and OK again, and Voila!
You have successfully changed the material for this Loadable Family. The process is more or less the same for all Loadable Families, although it can be tricky if the family has not been modelled properly and does not give you the option to change material. We will look at that at a later time.
Next, we will take a look at How to Apply Materials to In-Place Families in Revit, like custom and unique geometry.