Finding which material a face really uses is not always easy, especially on layered walls and complex families. Material Face reads surface material names in Revit for you: pick a face and its material name is copied to the clipboard.

Why read surface material names in Revit this way

• Exact name, no typing. Material names are long and easy to misspell. With the name on the clipboard, you paste it wherever you need it.
• Works on the face you pick. You get the material of that face, not a list for the whole element.
• Pairs with Filter Material. Copy the name, then use Filter Material to select every element that uses it.

Steps

1. Click Material Face (Zeta BIM tab › Manager).
2. Pick a face of any element.
3. A message confirms "Material name has been copied". Paste it with Ctrl+V.

Good to know

• Pick a flat face. Curved faces are not read.
• A face that uses the category’s default material has no material of its own, so nothing is copied.

FAQ

Where can I paste the material name?
Anywhere that accepts text: the search box of the Material Browser, a schedule filter, a view filter rule, an email or a spreadsheet.

Does it change the model?
No. Material Face only reads the face and copies text. Nothing in the project is modified, so there is nothing to undo.

Can I use it in linked models?
Pick faces of elements in the current project. For a linked model, open that model first.

Related

• Filter Material · Rename Types

Video

Get ZetaBIM

ZetaBIM is a Revit plugin for scan-to-BIM teams. See the complete guide to the Revit point cloud plugin workflow. Download ZetaBIM to try it, browse more ZetaBIM tutorials, or watch the videos on the ZetaBIM YouTube channel.