Importing Rhino And Sketchup Models Into Revit As

Native Content
Luc Deckinga
Digital Practice Manager, Perkins+Will
@ldeckinga

2016 Autodesk Join the conversation #AU2016

 Class summary
This class will cover the interoperability workflows that enable teams to
use the tools appropriate to each phase of design, each team members
expertise and skill sets, enabling their imagination to be the limit of their
designs rather than the required toolsets. We will cover 2 different methods
for importing geometry into Revit software as native content to produce
drawings. With the first method, attendees will learn how to use FormIt 360
software to translate SketchUp models into native Revit content. In the second,
attendees will be provided with, and instructed on how to apply a premade,
easy-to-use Dynamo script that will enable importing Rhino software-generated
geometry into Revit native content. The techniques in this class have been
developed and tested on a range of project scales, from large transit projects to
residential high-rises to small tenant improvement projects with overwhelming
success and quantifiable increases in team productivity and efficiency. This
session features Revit Architecture, Dynamo Studio, and FormIt 360.
2016 Autodesk
 Key learning objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

Work much more quickly during early design stages
Create early design drawings quickly using Revit
Use the best tool for the job in early design stages
Help your team not be limited by their tools of choice

2016 Autodesk
 Download Class Files:

https://perkinswill.box.com/v/AU2016-AR21124

or

http://bit.ly/2dYgyUZ

2016 Autodesk
 Why Do We Need This?...

2016 Autodesk
 Use the right tool for the right task

2016 Autodesk
 No tool should dictate the design

Inspired by Brian Ringleys AU talk

2016 Autodesk
 What Revit Is Great At / Not So Great At

Revit is great at documentation coordination and management.

Revit is not so great at quick and agile design iteration.

.we need BOTH.

2016 Autodesk
 Importing Geometry vs Native Geometry

Native Revit geometry has more graphic controls,

especially when cutting the object.

Imported geometry is limited in the graphic controls

and stands out as a result.
2016 Autodesk
 Breaking BIM Down

Building We do Building Modeling well, but most of the

time the Information part of the process is
Information neglected.

Modeling The barrier to interoperability in BIM is applying

the information to the model.

2016 Autodesk
 Pick your path

2016 Autodesk
 This class will focus on three of these paths

2016 Autodesk
 Sketchup to Revit

2016 Autodesk
 IFC In Sketchup

2016 Autodesk
 IFC In Sketchup

2016 Autodesk
 IFC Into Revit

2016 Autodesk
 Managing IFC In Revit

2016 Autodesk
 Sketchup to Formit
1

2016 Autodesk
 Adding Information
2

2016 Autodesk
 Importing Formit Into Revit
3

2016 Autodesk
 In Revit

2016 Autodesk
 Rhino to Revit

2016 Autodesk
 The Graph...

2016 Autodesk
 What Revit Wants

2016 Autodesk
 Spring Nodes Package
Special Thanks
None of this would be possible
without the tireless effort, patience
and lightning-speed-responsivness
of Dimitar Venkov

http://badmonkeys.net/

2016 Autodesk
 Adding Information

Adding Information to the model

Geometry
Family template
Name
Category
Material
Subcategory

2016 Autodesk
 Step-by-Step
1

2016 Autodesk
 Notes

Notes included in graph cover the necessary

steps described here as a reminder

Version and support information included

User input noted in red groups

2016 Autodesk
 Import & Scaling The SAT

2016 Autodesk
 Unique Naming

2016 Autodesk
 Adding It All Together

2016 Autodesk
 Running The Script

2016 Autodesk
 Tips For Success
Try this out before you needed it. Give yourself some extra time the first
time. Dont wait until and hour before you need to submit to try this.

Troubleshoot the script with a Cuboid / Box in Dynamo.

Break your geometry up into simpler parts. Revit will like it better.

Add more control points if the surface is inaccurate.

Any time you start with an existing Revit model and want to import
something, first export a portion of your Revit model to the software you
are designing the geometry to be imported in.

Most of all, remember Revit likes solids

2016 Autodesk
 Check Your Geometry: Sketchup

2016 Autodesk
 Check Your Geometry: Formit

2016 Autodesk
 Check Your Geometry: Rhino

2016 Autodesk
 Dynamo Import vs Revit 2017.1 CAD Import

Pros Pros
Batch Import No Dynamo needed
Naming control Works with system families
Edit Family after import
Geometry appears completely native Cons
Works with legacy versions of Revit (2015-2017 confirmed) Cannot Edit Family after import
No control of naming
Cons Obviously imported
No system families Does not appear in the Project Browser

2016 Autodesk
 Additional benefits

Complex forms tend to be lighter when imported, due to absence of

construction geometry in family. 400 MB linked project file to a 10-20 MB
family in the main project file.
Allows team members who do not know advanced modeling in Revit to
contribute to some of the most complex parts of the model.
Allows rapid design iteration to be added to the drawing set before it is
fully modeled.
Reduces remodeling required in early design phases to produce a
drawing set.
Allows for fabrication level models to be imported back into Revit.

2016 Autodesk
 Project Examples

What used to take a team of 4, 3-5 days to do, can be done by 1 person
in 1-3 hours. 20% of a 2.8 M SQ FT project imported by end of DD
phase.

IMPORTED FROM
RHINO
OPTIMIZED IN
GRASSHOPPER,
CREATED IN DYNAMO
CREATED IN DYNAMO

2016 Autodesk
 Project Examples

Small infrastructure project, 98% imported in

8-10 hours. No Revit model at 50% SD, full
Revit model at 100% SD 2 weeks later.

2016 Autodesk
 Project Examples
SD Revit model driven entirely by Grasshopper

2016 Autodesk
 Project Examples
CD project with custom fabricated parts imported, after fabrication
analysis.

2016 Autodesk
Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and
specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. 2016 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
2016 Autodesk. All rights reserved.