There has to be a better way to do this REVIT to 3D Max

[Francisco_Penaloza]

So here we are in 2025, and it is still a major struggle to import a Revit models into 3ds Max.

If you follow protocol and choose the link to REVIT from 3D Max, there is a big struggle to load any major model, then all materials import as Autodesk Materials, which are not compatible with anything but Art render. As a professional Arch Viz person, I can assure you nobody uses Art Render for high-end ArchViz. If you use the Scene converter to convert materials to Physical, you lose all or most of the textures. If from there you change to V-Ray or Corona (Industry standard) then you lose other chuck of textures. So the Utopia of easy file exchange does not really exist between two ancient software that have been in a common workflow for years.

Does anyone have a proven workaround for this? When will Autodesk finally provide a decent connection between these two software products?

[Casey_H_]

They made it so that you need to use the same version of Revit and Max. We are using 2025 and I link Revit models all the time.

Yes, the materials are useless for high-quality render, so I apply Vray mats instead. Updating a linked Revit saves so much time. However, the models I link are not very big; typically warehouse-type buildings, that's all, so relatively simple. The hardscape and trees/cars/peeps all get built in Max.

The only workaround I can think to try, and no guarantee it would work, is to utilize the same render platform in both of the apps. We have VRay for Revit but have not done any testing yet. If VRay mats are used in the Revit file, it should be possible to export as a 'vray mesh', which will include the mats when importing to Max. It should work in theory, so take that as you will.

[Francisco_Penaloza]

Thank you for the input. But the system doesn't work.

I do have my workaround. Actually, it wasn't even developed by Autodesk; it was Chaos Group (V-Ray). Now, the 'best way' to get complex models from REVIT is using Enscape, then export as VRayScene, then import it into 3D Max or anything that reads VRay scenes, such Vantage or Envision. Shoot, even the Data Smith to export to Unreal or Twinmotion can export any REVIT scene, transform materials, and keep the link. But the original FBX from Autodesk can't. As you mentioned if you have a small scene yes, the FBX or direct link to REVIT works. But the funny thing is, by default, it will export as Autodesk materials, and those are not compatible with Arnold, or any other render engine. To me, it's all a patchwork.

[Casey_H_]

Hadn't heard about the Chaos workaround. That's great!

I also just found this and wonder how it works: Revit-to-Max Script by Vizguy 

[Francisco_Penaloza]

That plugin looks like something useful.

I'll check it out for sure, thanks.

[joaquim.moral]

Hi @Francisco_Penaloza  

Did the information provided by @Casey_H_ answer your question? 
If so, please use Accept Solution so that others may find this in the future. 

If not, let us know so we can keep helping you.

Thank you very much!

[Francisco_Penaloza]

I thank @Casey_H_ Casey input for sure. But it wasn't an answer, really; he also shared the issue that 3D Max has when interacting with REVIT.