Working with Revit Query - Workflow efficiency?

[Greg Francis]

Hi All,

 

I work for an Arch Viz practice that has a project coming in soon where the client's sending over Revit models for which we intend on rendering with Vray in Max.

 

This is a question for those who have working knowledge in Revit as I'd love to pre-empt potential issues when translating from Revit to Max. So that in mind, what issues have other found when working with Revit to Max? When considering workflow - how have people found it compared to their usual methods? (i.e. for us - Historically we model in AutoCAD).

 

I'm expecting to adopt a stronger relationship with our client's CAD technicians to assure they send us correct information - however at this point I need to invest a lot of time in figuring out exactly what is it we'd need from Revit i.e. .RVT and FBX files.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated and apologies if the topic has been discussed before - I had a look!

 

Greg

[Silicon Valley infomedia Pvt. Ltd.]

When transitioning from Revit to 3ds Max with Vray, expect some common challenges. Geometry from Revit might not always translate cleanly, especially complex elements like curtain walls, so check for errors and simplify where needed. Revit’s material mappings often require manual adjustment in Max for better visualization, and you may need to tweak textures, UV maps, and bump maps. Using FBX files for export is typical, but it's smart to request both .RVT and FBX for flexibility. Also, ensure that both Revit and Max are set to the same units to avoid scaling issues.

Another key point is level of detail—Revit models can be overly detailed for rendering purposes, so coordinating with the client’s CAD team to get a simplified version can save time. Linking the Revit model in Max allows for updates but can add complexity. Lighting and cameras from Revit often need to be reworked in Max for better results. Close collaboration with the client’s team will ensure smoother workflow and better results.

[Guest Silicon Outsourcing]

 

Here’s a response you can use for the forum:

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At Silicon Outsourcing, we frequently work with Revit models for rendering in Max using V-Ray, so I can share some of the common challenges we've faced. One key issue is the translation of materials and textures between Revit and Max. Often, Revit materials don’t translate well, so we end up reapplying them in Max for accurate rendering. It's also important to clean up unnecessary geometry and optimize the model in Revit before exporting to Max to avoid slow performance.

Regarding workflow, transitioning from AutoCAD to Revit is a bit of a shift, especially in terms of how Revit manages 3D geometry and coordinates. You’ll likely find that Revit's BIM elements can add more complexity to your scene in Max compared to simpler CAD models. We've also found that it's helpful to request both .RVT and .FBX files from clients. The .RVT is useful for making any adjustments or updates in Revit, while the FBX file helps with smoother geometry transfer into Max.

A close relationship with the client’s CAD technicians is crucial. Clear communication on what’s needed and expectations for model cleanliness and layering will save a lot of time. Hope this helps!