Revit to Viz2008 improved translation

[alias_marks]

Yo fellow viz guru's. I've been working on a couple of complex projects lately done in Revit and I've been given the daunting task of trying to translate from the Revit model to Viz.

 

As you may or may not know, the current translation between the two programs is the equivalent of speaking sign language to a blind mule:D (i.e. each box is exported as 6 individual faces as separate objects, etc.)

 

I'm interested in finding out if anyone has their hands on a copy of viz2008 yet and has been able to play around with the improved Revit import capabilities. Is it a pretty big improvement? What sort of advancements have been made? can you directly import a .rvt instead of converting to .dxf?

 

I appreciate any insights you may have. Thanks.

 

Take Care,

 

DownTown MikeBrown

[Macer]

I was advised to export a .dwg file from Revit and use file link manager (with the default Revit template) to import into Viz. You can select to save out the revit file using polymeshs or ACIS solids option - I found that I get a smaller file size using the solids option, but only on large files.

 

Then you can copy the revit template (in the file link manager) and tweek it to get better results - depending upon what you are importing (ie smoothing curves etc). You can either leave the file linked (no experience with this) or attach it to viz and create a max file as usual.

 

I find that this method works reasonably well, even though it produces a much larger file size than modeling in viz. At least all the objects can carry their names with them, this makes assigning materials quick with the use of select by name (*glass) etc. I have tried this with 2008 (beta) but I think it works for 2007 too? (haven't used it!) If not and you haven't got 2008 yet, maybe someone with Max 9 can convert files for you - to .max file type.