Structural steel model by floor

[bbrown]

I have a structural steel model from SDS/2 that is broken down by floor, but because the columns span multiple floors I get the columns on one floor and not on others. In my navisworks model I get these really tall columns in the way of everything else. How can I section these columns down so that it is not saved as a section in Navisworks only?

I've tried sectioning the model in AutoCAD, but SDS/2 doesn't create the DWG in a way that will allow this. I've tried brining the DWG into Revit and creating sections there and exporting to NWC, but the NWC exporter doesn't appear to export the DWG parts. I've tried sectioning the NWC in Navisworks and saving it as an NWD, which I append into my NWF but the sections in the NWD do not pull through.

Any other ideas of how I could do this?

[bbrown]

Attached is a sample DWG showing the beams of 1st floor with the tall columns spanning other floors.

Structural Steel Model

[john.lipp · Accepted solution]

Hi bbrown

You could import the DWG into Revit, section the 3D view to cut off the top portion of columns and export to a DWF which will export the DWG with the sectioning.

Navisworks doesn’t allow for sectioning of individual items/models as the section plane will section the entire view and all items in the view. However, you are able to use transform tools on the items in the NWD and have these come through when you append the NWD into the NWF.  This could allow you to use the scale tool to shrink down the columns and then transform the extra bits that remain and then hide them when you append the NWD into your NWF.

I’ve attached a video that demonstrates this.  In order to not scale from the center, you can hold CTRL while dragging the gizmo to move it to the bottom of the columns.


Best regards,



John Lipp
Support Specialist
Product Support
Autodesk, Inc.

[bbrown]

Thank you for your response John. I like your first idea about exporting the model from Revit as a DWF or DWG. The problem I'm having is that the model doesn't come into Revit correctly. Attached is a screenshot showing the file as it comes into Revit and my settings on import. What causes the broken beams? This is Revit 2013.

[john.lipp]

I don’t see the issue with the beams when I import the file LEVEL_1.dwg into Revit 2013; however, from you screenshot it appears to be a different file IWU_JOB(8-9-12).rvt.  Does the issue with the beams occur on your end with the LEVEL_1.dwg file you previously posted?

It looks like it may be graphics, is the actual geometry missing if you export to a DWF?  If you turn of hardware acceleration under Application Button > Options > Graphics, close, create a new project, and import the DWG, does the issue still occur?

If you haven’t already, please ensure you have Update Release 1 installed over Revit 2013:

http://revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/07/update-release-1-available-for-revit-2013-products....

If it occurs with IWU_JOB and not the LEVEL_1 file, could you send IWU_JOB.dwg or another that demonstrates the issue.


Best regards



John Lipp
Support Specialist
Product Support
Autodesk, Inc.

[bbrown]

John, you've helped me figure this out. Thank you!

You're right in that the whole building model was broken somehow, and I don't know why. I linked in all 6 levels into Revit and I was able to export each floor to DWG sliced the way that I want to. It will not allow me to export an NWC directly as it says there is no suitable geometry to export. Thank you very much for your help.