Best revit model workflow

[Luke]

Hey all,

Just wanting some advice on the best way to work with revit (fbx) models...?
If I import them via file import-import, the geometry comes in particularly shite... I've just found that you can link an fbx file via file - references - manage links, the geometry comes in much cleaner...

I'm just wondering is there a "best" method for working with models exported from Revit...? Is fbx the best file format?

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks.

[jms.lwly]

I've had mixed experiences importing from Revit, and it partly depends on the workflow with whoever is providing the Revit files. Two recent examples from my personal experience (take with a pinch of salt...):

 - if the Revit model is likely to change (e.g. if the architect is still working on them, but you need to start working in 3DS Max), then linking as RVT or FBX is a good route. This saves deleting and re-importing as the project evolves, but also has some limitations with what you can do with the geometry (e.g. objects will default back to their Linked co-ordinates, so you have to use Xforms to move things around).

 - if the Revit files provided are 'complete', then importing as RVT or FBX is a better route as you have full freedom to work in Max - I've found the Revit (RVT) import slightly better than FBX as it retains things like instances - but this could also depend on the architect and how organised their Revit files are in the first place! One architect I'm working with currently has amazing Revit models, while others in the past have been much less skilled!

Fingers crossed, it has been getting better overall... one of Autodesk's minor achievements.

[Luke]

do you find that when importing the fbx the model is pretty much unworkable...? that's been my "general" experience...
I was hoping there was a way to import it that would allow me to use the model without having to extensively re-model it...

[jms.lwly]

do you find that when importing the fbx the model is pretty much unworkable...?

I think it might rely on how the architect (or engineer/technician...) has built the Revit file - I've been working on a couple of projects recently which have the best Revit files I've ever worked with: clean import into Max, instanced objects, everything neatly in layers/materials.

The only things I've having to remodel/replace are the high detail elements like window frames - otherwise it's generally fine. It might be worth asking your client to try saving as different filetypes (e.g. Rvt) - or perhaps try some different FBX import settings?

[aldola]

Hi, the best way is to link it, not importing.. if you link it takes materials as layers, this is in 3ssmax 2018, i dont know if it work like this on newer versions

[jms.lwly]

Hi, the best way is to link it, not importing.. if you link it takes materials as layers, this is in 3ssmax 2018, i dont know if it work like this on newer versions

I'm using Max 2020, and when you import you get a choice of how to interpret the Revit file: by Revit Category, Revit Family Type, Material or combinations of those (e.g. Category + Material) - I've found I have to test import, again depending how the architect has arranged their files in the first place.

I think you get the same options when Linking, so it shouldn't make any difference in theory (although this is Autodesk...) - hopefully the decision is more with how you need to treat the model after import/link - see above.

[John.McWaters]

I imported a Revit model for a project recently using 3dsMax 2020, and for the most part, it worked fine. I kept the import settings at the default, and it seemed to keep all the instanced objects together.

One issue though is the geometry—I had to adjust most of it (clean it up) so I could get better chamfers.

I have a question thought regarding instanced Revit models. If you are using a reference and you edit any geometry or materials, are those changes lost once a new reference is saved and it gets updated in 3dsMax? That seems like how it would work to me.

[GeorgeK]

An interesting topic, there are many issues that you can encounter importing geometry from various CAD software. Depending on your workflow and type of models it's best to:

- Reset X-Form of all objects or some depending on severity.
- Remove/weld vertex nesting, isolated vertices, unused map vertices.
- Flip/Correct facing polygon normals.
- Ungrouping/unlinking certain warp bound models that can "explode" within 3ds max.
- Check for double faces.

For a single complex mesh or large editable meshes, you can always use STL check modifier it highlights a lot of the above issues that can invite problems when rendering.