topic Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks? in Revit Architecture Forum

How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Milt-Fitz — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:17:41 GMT

To All Forum Users,

I'm trying to find out if there is an easy solution to "Update REVIT files that have AutoCAD Blocks?" (This was also posted in the AutoCAD Forum)

From going to AU, in the past I've been told it's not so easy, so depending upon the situation we've, (I've) created a "Dumb 3D AutoCAD file" and simply imported, or linked the file into REVIT, fully created a file in REVIT (as a family) or received the file via the "Cloud".

Now, (lately) it seems even if a simple drawing, part, or file, doesn't have the right amount of data associated with it file is no good for "BIM"...

So... if we were to update, I'm wondering what the "Gotcha's" are?

By this I mean, , "Is there any way to just - Add the information - to the AutoCAD Blocks or BIM files, without having to recreate the entire drawing / project in REVIT?"

As usual, "Any help or information would be appreciated."

Again, "Thanks in advance"!

Regards,

Milt

Re: Updating REVIT files that have AutoCAD Blocks...

Drafter1981 — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:51:22 GMT

Just adding myself (my Home account) to the thread

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:52:26 GMT

Just adding myself (my Home account) to the thread

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:24:32 GMT

Revit files cannot have AutoCAD blocks in them. There is no way to answer your question that I know if.

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 17:44:59 GMT

Rob,

Thanks but this statement is untrue...

I have been adding AutoCAD blocks / parts for years into REVIT, or Navisworks via the insert, import, or link to file command

That all being said the main question I (we) need to know is "Can we add Smart Data, or information to the Revit files?".

Again for anyone out there, if there is a way to do this please share....

Thanks in advance,

Milt

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:17:02 GMT

What I was trying to say is that Revit doesn't recognize them as AutoCAD blocks.

Your question is still very unclear. What kind of objects/information are we talking about?

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 21:44:17 GMT

Sorry Rob

Basically what is going on is that a few of our customers are now requesting "Information" to be added to our REVIT files.

In most cases, there may not even be a CAD file associated with an update to a REVIT drawing that was submitted, (refer to attachment), so someone in my office, or in some cases I sat down and created a "Dumb-Block" as a place holder in the drawing.

These file look fine and are drawn to scale based on the spec-sheets provided by the vendor. So...

If the vender doesn't provide CAD drawings (again refer to the attachment) and we create our own "Dumb-Block", is there a way to "Add Information"?

1/2" Valve Supplied but We made the DrawingHere is the Valve (shown) How do we add Information

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 22:02:55 GMT

I'm pretty sure Belimo has that Revit family. Their library is quite extensive and, if they don't have it, they will provide a family by request.

Now, on to your question. It's still confusing as you keep referring to CAD and blocks in drawings. This is a Revit forum, so I am going to assume that you mean adding information to a family in your model. The simple answer is absolutely, yes. The way you do it is going to depend entirely on how you and your clients plan to use that information.

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 22:50:50 GMT

Thanks Rob,

This partially helps out... I will look more into this and as I've stated I did post this question on to other social media sites.

As to why this posting has been moved to this site....

that seems to be up to the moderators & I stopped questioning thing that I have no control over.

In my opinion this should be on both bulletin boards since there may be an "AutoCAD Tech" that knows how to get AutoCAD files to work in REVIT.

It also now make my other post redundant (my other posts is: Updating REVIT files that have AutoCAD Blocks...)

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 22:56:54 GMT

You're making my head spin by not fully explaining what you really want.

Are you saying that your work is done primarily in AutoCAD but your final product is in Revit?

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Milt-Fitz — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 23:08:34 GMT

Exactly.... and in most cases, posted into Navisworks, BIM360, or some other file share Cloud Service.

The issue is not whether the Model can view the CAD files.

The issue is extracting information or basically the "I" in BIM

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 23:20:34 GMT

If that is the case, stop.

If your final product is Revit, why don't you just do it in Revit?

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

barthbradley — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 23:26:14 GMT

What it sounds like what you want to do is attach a Architectural Details, etc. to the family. We do this using a URL parameter in the Revit family. Is this what you mean?

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:42:54 GMT

Hi Rob, & Barth,

Again just replying about the issues with adding smarts to AutoCAD files and then trying to update them in REVIT...

As far as the question by Rob goes, if we had known this was going to be an issue, I would have suggested outsourcing to a specific REVIT Detail person, or company (for the "Small Amount of Detail that we usually get involved with" ). In the past we normally just give a basic product or "Claim the Space" for any items we may supply on a project such as the valve, "piping / conduit runs", or electrical panels...

Showing a 36" x 36"x 10'ft. safety space around an electrical panel has all of a sudden become "What size is the Panel?", "How many Breakers" etc., etc., etc.,.. Showing a 6" x 12"x 12" area for a valve (the rough space/area for a valve & actuator) again has all of a sudden become "What size is the Valve?", "What's the CV, or Flow Rate, manual or electronic actuation" etc., etc., etc.,..

Even if we add "Attributes" and detail the heck out of the AutoCAD files this information does note seem to carry over into REVIT.

Keep in mind we were told after the fact, that we now need to add information or the files need to be in REVIT...

As far as Barth's response we could look into using the "URL parameter"... to be honest with you I'm not really sure how that would work so just like I have been asking to both of you guys, "If you can point me in the right direction" that would be great. In addition, I have seen / read if I (we) were to export the AutoCAD file out to IFC (Industry Foundation Classes).

Two Issues with that...

1.) I have to transfer the detail files to AutoCAD Mechanical or AutoCAD Architectural Desktop.

2.) Even with a successful export, there is no guarantee information will import into REVIT correctly....again this is frustrating

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

barthbradley — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:10:11 GMT

@Drafter1981: Unfortunately, Revit is not Rumpelstiltskin. It cannot spin straw into gold. You are not going to get a “smart” Revit file by simply importing a “smart” AutoCAD file. Wish it were that easy. If your client now wants BIM content, then you need to build it yourself – or outsource it.

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

Drafter1981 — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 17:20:39 GMT

To All,

Still trying to find a solution however the "Quick fix" was to bring in similar RFA to the parts and replace those "AutoCAD Blocks" with a RFA.

Now, here are the issues...

1.) There still doesn't seem to be a clear cut way to "Export , or Extract Information" (maybe I should be asking this on a different topic).

2.) Not sure why, but with editing some of my components, or families, and or "duplication" of the model, these items would now disappear.

So, now I'm trying to figure what I have done wrong?

(Again, maybe I should be asking this on a different topic or perhaps it may be something silly like a view setting).

Either way, this just seems to be more difficult that expected.

Here is the funny part... This isn't even my job. I'm just trying to help out people in my office that have been assign to use Revit.

Anyway, as usual any help or information would be appreciated.

Thanks again to all that have read, or responded.

Milt

Re: How to Update REVIT Files That Have AutoCAD Blocks?

RobDraw — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 17:45:04 GMT

It sounds like you've come to the realization that trying to develop an AutoCAD workflow for this is not going to be easy, even if it is possible. The best move at this point is to just do it in Revit. Most, if not all, of the typical types of families needed are out there. It's just a matter of finding them or something similar and modifying to suit. There is no reason to have to create all of this from scratch.