Creating Pipe Support Families that can then be exported to advance steel

[sagnewYUXLR]

Hi there, 

looking for some advice on a workflow between revit and advance steel.. 

we are modelling/designing in revit (pipe, pipe supports etc) 

is there a way we can use the advance steel features in family creation so that we can then export it to advance steel? the only current way I can see to create the supports is either in family using extrusions, as the plate/bolt option isn't available when creating families, or create the support in the advance steel and export it over, however i am then unable to assemble this into one assembly or group.

example of support in revit 

example of support in advance steel (which we want for our workshop etc) 

i am just wondering what is the best workflow for this type of scenario. 

many thanks 

[Flies-Eyes]

My recommended workflow is to model in Advance Steel and push back into Revit as an Revit Assembly.  

If you would like to share an Advance Steel model of the pipe support, I can show you the resultant workflow when I push it back into Revit.

[sagnewYUXLR]

Thanks, but does revit allow me put things into assemblies like plates, bolts etc?

[sales7NF7D]

Yes, if done correctly.  I saw this posted on a Facebook Forum.

[Flies-Eyes]

Here is an example of a detailed Advance Steel model pushed to Revit with Assemblies/Bolts/Anchors/Concrete/Special Parts/Weld Preps/Galv Holes etc etc.

[vuongbui.nuce]

never use revit for Steel, Never!

[sagnewYUXLR]

why not? i could maybe understand why for complex structures but pipe supports etc?

also we receive many models from design houses which have been modelled in revit, not many will use other packages. 

i think if autodesk enabled the advance steel import in the family creation and not just rvt it would be a huge bonus. 

[sagnewYUXLR]

that looks very interesting 

i am running advance steel 2025 do you have a copy for me to send over a dwg file example?

[Flies-Eyes]

If you have a AdS 2024 model file of an Assemby that you would like to see in Revit as an Assembly, I can test a conversion for you.

Don't forget to 'Store Data'.

[sagnewYUXLR]

yeah, unfortunately i only have AS25 running now 😞 

when i load an .smlx file in the parts come in as individual items that I cant then group or assemble? 

is this something in advance steel i need to update before exporting to the smlx?

[Flies-Eyes]

.smlx is version neutral so can go backwards with that file format.

In any case do you have any old models or assembles from 2023 or 2024?  It doesn't need to be anything big just something you will recognise and be able to check the Model Roles, Material, Profile Size, Coating, Assembly Numbers, Part Numbers etc when I push it into a Revit Assembly.

[sagnewYUXLR]

not sure if this is of any use. 

many thanks for this its much appreciated 

[Flies-Eyes]

I am just on my phone ATM... what does that file look like.?

[sagnewYUXLR]

[Flies-Eyes]

Perfect.  

I will give that a crack tomorrow.

[Flies-Eyes · Accepted solution]

The original model file was missing some welds and model roles, so I have added some welds and model roles to the additional supports on the right to demonstrate the difference.

The pipe support with the shortest pipe is the original model file.

The pipe support in the middle has 'Shop Bolts' to create a combined welded and bolted assembly.

The pipe support with the longest pipe has welded assemblies and 'Site Bolts'. 

I used my numbering system for the 2 pipe supports on the right, which also utilises Lot/Phase for numbering.

Advance Steel

Revit

BIM Data

I would be interested to see if you think this workflow to model in Advance Steel and pushing detailed models back into Revit is a viable solution.

[Flies-Eyes]

Pipe Supports exported to Blender.

[sagnewYUXLR]

thanks that's great, are you able to send over the advance steel file as well please for us to have a look at?

[Flies-Eyes]

I have left the office for the day but maybe tomorrow.

I can't post it here unless I strip my template data out.

[sagnewYUXLR]

ok thanks again for your help its much appreciated 

do you use the smxl file to export back into revit or are you doing it using IFC files?