Importing Revit DWG's into Max

[Ky Lane]

Hey guys,

 

Ive never done this before, and getting a little lost - thought Id ask some of you experts.

 

Client has given me a DWG file, which I can happily import into Max - however the model seems unnecessarily complex, is hard to work with (slow) and when trying to render using Vray, it sits at the "Transforming Vertices" for about 20mins before even doing anything.

 

Any suggestions on using/dealing with DWG files?

 

Any advice appreciated

[Justin Hunt]

Open it in Acad, clear out everything that isnt needed.

It has been suggested by some to explode all the blocks.

 

Link or import it by layer and it should be ok

 

JHV

[Macer]

I was advised (by Autodesk) to export a .dwg file from Revit and use file link manager (with the default Revit template) to import into Max. 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). This is where you need to adjust the smooth angle and curve steps etc, to find the balance between correct representation and file size. You can either leave the file linked (no experience with this) or attach it to max.

 

I find that this method works reasonably well, even though it produces a much larger file size than modeling in max. 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.

 

Hope this helps.

[JamesTaylor]

if the file is left linked the max file size is increased, if you bind the model into max the file size will reduce but you lose the ability to edit the CAD file and update the link.

[Ky Lane]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!

 

Turned out the model had over 100,000 objects and well over a million faces - making it a little hard to get around - that, and the architect didnt label the layers particularly explanitarily.

 

Anyway, I took the time and deleted all the internals we wouldnt see, and heres the result. Still a mass of glass and mullions...

 

That, and i was given no reference materials other than the BG shot... so the reflections etc were all bodgeyed up.

 

Not entirely happy with it, but - for a small budget - 6hr job, itll do.