topic Re: Import SAT in Revit Architecture Forum

Import SAT

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 11:20:06 GMT

Hi,

I've tried to import several different .SAT-files without luck (Import CAD -> SAT)

I keep getting this error which cannot get ignored: "Revit cannot import the file."

Is there a way around and how does people actually import their SAT files into revit?

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:18:44 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for posting on the community!

Please see the video below and similar post HERE

Also see the article HERE for related information.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. Kudos welcome.

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

ToanDN — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:33:04 GMT

@Viveka_CD

Edit: I think it's a different issue from @Anonymous. Sorry for being off-topic.

When I import a SAT in a Revit 2016 conceptual mass, I can create a divided surface from the SAT geometry. But when I import the same SAT in a Revit 2017 conceptual mass, it does not allow me to create a divided surface.

The SAT file is attached for you to experiment. Let me know if I am missing something obvious.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 06:49:13 GMT

@Anonymous can you share the .SAT file you are trying to import? Can you confirm that the latest updates have been installed for your Revit version?

Which software did you use to create the .SAT file?

@ToanDN Yes, on experimenting, the.SAT file gets imported as a dummy block using a mass.rft, and we are unable to divide the surface in all versions.

Looks like the geometry can be modified by the original software used to create this model.

We are trying to experiment with another intermediate software, (Inventor/ Fusion as a .stl/ .obj) so we can subdivide surfaces before importing in Revit. Also trying to see if converting the .SAT file to a Nurbs model which can help in editing after we import inside Revit.

On discussion with the fusion team, there is an option where the.SAT file can be saved as ACIS v7 for better results. I will update with any other findings.

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

ToanDN — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 06:50:29 GMT

@Viveka_CD

The issue is the same SAT file imported in Revit 2016 can be used to create divided surface without any troubles. Is 2017 going backward?

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 07:02:12 GMT

@ToanDN Let me dig deeper into R2017 and .SAT edit and compatibility - should be a way out or this can be a feature request.

Re: Import SAT

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 08:08:58 GMT

Thanks for reaching out @Viveka_CD.

I am using the newest version of the Revit 2018 release and I was not able to open any of my SAT-files until now, where I founf a solution: Export to AEC in Solidworks. The SAT opens in Revit.

But then there's the strange part. The model opens up-side down. One should think that this way caused by some minor errors in the exporting/importing process and that the solution simply is to flip the model the right way. This I did. And this is where the really strange part starts. I figured I would record the model as I scroll it around in perspective 3D-view and send the recording to one of my colleagues to get confirmation of the orientation - but - as I open the recording, the file is actually showing up-side down again (!), even if it looks semi-good in the viewer (at least it is the right way after I flipped it - some other objects may seem to be facing the wrong direction - but generally it looks like a building the way it should). So the recording shows that something still is wrong.

If I may send you a copy of the SAT that I got to open in Revit that would've been highly appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:34:48 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for sharing the file!

We will troubleshoot and let you know for a resolution.

Meanwhile, can you try this for me - Try to Import the SAT file into an in-place mass (Choose Manual-Origin)

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:28:35 GMT

Thanks. I tried to Import the SAT file into an in-place mass (Choosing Manual-Origin).

Also, Solidworks support told me that Solidwork and Revit are structuringtheir Plan views in totally different way - meaning, if I set a house to be facing the correct way (with the roof up), Revit might put the house upside-down and face the roof down - an opposite if I were to try to convert the file the other way. I will test with some other plans to see if this really is the case in this scenario.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 12:49:00 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

Glad to hear that you were able to import as an in-place mass.

Given that your .SAT file is from Solidworks, yes the basic structuring differs. Let me look further if we need to change settings to make the model display correctly.

We may had some add-ins to help with the import. Let me test the file and get back to you on this.

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:13:39 GMT

Thank you so much for checking @Viveka_CD

I've done some testing myself but my results somehow keeps getting odd.

Thanks again.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 20:13:33 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

I was able to test your file with Form IT. It opens with Form IT and I was able to edit it (extract edges, faces, solids, and groups)

then I imported the model as an.axm format.

You can download the Revit add-in for FormIT from the above link (scroll down the page to find the download link) and import the .axm file to Revit, and further, manipulate the model in Revit.
You can apply materials in FormIt, and import the AXM to Revit 2018 - you’d get the materials to import too!

Let me know how it goes and let me know if you have additional questions.

If you find posts have solved your problem, please click on 'Accept as solution' to help others with similar questions. Kudos welcome!

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 20:40:17 GMT

Hi @ToanDN

I was able to test your model in AutoCAD, where the surface can be subdivided and converted to a NURBS model, then saved as a dwg and then imported in Form IT.

Below is the screenshot of the subdivided model in FormIT

After saving the dwg as an .axm, the model can be imported in Revit to edit further. Let me know if this is close to what you are looking for.

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

ToanDN — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 21:03:21 GMT

@Viveka_CD

I do appreciate your efforts and I will consider the workaround with AutoCAD and FormIT when I need them.

However, from the look of the FormIT screenshot, I think the form when imported in Revit will be faceted. How can one divided a bunch of faceted faces to become a monolithic patterned surface in order to host curtain panel pattern based or repeating adaptive components?

The point is what has been working perfectly in previous versions is now replaced with something utterly useless.

p/s: the sample SAT file is actually generated in Revit conceptual mass and export to SAT.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 17:56:11 GMT

Thanks @ToanDN

I can discuss this with the development team for further input.

It would be great if you can send us a screencast to show the difference between the 2 versions.

Re: Import SAT

ToanDN — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 18:17:03 GMT

Screencast and files attached.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 18:19:47 GMT

Thanks for sharing @ToanDN That was pretty quick!

Let me share this with the team for feedback.

Re: Import SAT

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 07:57:25 GMT

Thanks a lot!

I simply roatetd it in Form It (flipped it upside down) and imported the AXM into Revit, as you said, and it worked out brilliantly! Thanks a bunch.

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:35:00 GMT

lHi @Anonymous

I am happy to hear that on a Thursday morning!

HERE is an another post by @loboarch on the FormIt workflow if you are interested in exploring!

Regards,

Re: Import SAT

Viveka_CD — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 15:20:49 GMT

Hi @ToanDN

I wanted to share an update - The problem report logged with the development team now shows a WIP status.

Our development team is investigating for a resolution.

Regards,