Converting a rvt file without a Revit license

[Anonymous]

I need help from the experts here.

My situation is that I work for a subcontractor that uses 3D modelling in our designs. We receive the .rvt file from the Architects of the project but we need the 3D geometry in a different file format in order to use the file. We dont have a need to purchase a license of Revit because the only function we need it for currently is to open and export the file to a readable format for our 3D software. This process is time consuming and frustrating.

I have looked at trying to find a plugin for our software to import the .rvt files directly but there isnt such a plugin.

I have looked at Autodesk Viewers but they dont offer export options.

I have looked at Fusion 360 but to my knowledge, it doesnt support importing .rvt files but does export its own files to .dwg.

Can an Autodesk expert please help me out because I have exhausted my limits of searching for solutions only to come up short when Ive downloaded another "Trial versions" of whatever solution i thought would work next.

Again, the only information i need from the .rvt file is the solid geometry, the BIM data is useless to us.

[pendean]

And your top secret magical 3D software is.... what?
And file formats it can read/import are.... what?

FWIW Ask your architect(s) to convert the files for you, if your contract is on the up-and-up of course, they all do it all day long all the time for contractors. Or ask your owner to ask the architect for it.

Communications is your 100% perfect solution. There is no freeware converter from what I can tell.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, not trying to be secretive just generic. But the specific software we use is Rhino. It can read many of the 3d file formats the one we use most often importing is 3d .dwgs because that is the best export/import solution that we could match with Revit.

Yes I understand, "just ask for it in the format that you want it in" is the best solution but there are about 5-6 levels of separation between myself and the rest of our engineers and the architects that actually have the Revit files and trying to get them to release the .rvt files to us is enough of a hassle without putting the complication of trying to translate the needed output file through Project managers and points of contact that have little to no CAD experience at all.

[pendean]

Rhino support says (read the second half) you need REVIT or someone with REVIT https://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/architecture/bim/rhino-to-revit

REVIT is a closed CAD system, no one else has a free or low cost converter out there yet.

This is what the REVIT user must do http://wiki.bk.tudelft.nl/toi-pedia/Export_Revit_to_Rhino

If communicating with your income provider to get to the Architect to get you the files you need is out of the question ... REVIT comes in a lower cost LT version and it may be all you need if you want to control your own destiny, install it and try it before you commit https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit-lt/overview

[Corsten.Au]

Let your architect know your requirement and they should be able to provide you file format you request.

ex DWB, FBX, MAX etc..

[Anonymous]

You can also use a CAD converter.

CrossManager can convert Revit Files to STEP. Then you will be able to import your STEP files to Rhino.

[jcharlesreis]

No, they won't. I have the same problem; that is how I ended up here. Sometimes the architects will convert the files for you, but a lot of the time they don't want to be bothered with it.

[RobDraw]

That's right. 

Coming from the MEP design side, I learned early on that you need to be prepared to manage the incoming architectural files. Why should they do your file conversions unless it is spelled out in the contract. In a collaborative environment, all interested parties need to agree on a platform for coordinating but that doesn't mean that they need to convert their files to AutoCAD. Coordinating is usually done in another platform. 

If you ate receiving Revit files, then you should have known that ahead of time and addressed the issue before those files land on your desktop and you can't do anything with them.

Your options are to get someone with a licenae to convert the files for you, get Revit and do the conversion for yourself, or ask the architect to do your work for you. Your mileage with architects is going to vary. It's best to be prepared for doing it yourself. 

[jcharlesreis]

Correct. So I was looking at Revit LT. It looks like it has the ability to convert Revit files to CAD, and is a lot cheaper than the full version of Revit. Can you confirm? Thanks!

[RobDraw]

Yes, it is cheaper. That, I know.

[jcharlesreis]

I know it is cheaper, but can it convert .rvt to .dwg? That's what I need to know.

[RobDraw]

That, I don't know. What did it say when you looked it up?

[pendean]

@jcharlesreis No REVITLT user has ever complained about not being able to do that if you search through the REVIT forums and REVITLT help files online.

Why don't you just install REVITLT as a 30-day trial version before any purchasing takes place to test it, it is fully functional, thus answering your own question with your own files on your own PCs?

[DarrenP]

yes you can

see attached

[jcharlesreis]

It said a bunch of technical jargon that I don't really understand. I think it said that Revit LT can convert files, but I'm not 100% sure. I just wanted someone to confirm before I commit to buying it.

[RobDraw]

Why ask when you can confirm for yourself? You would have your answer by now. 

[jcharlesreis]

That's what I am doing right now; thanks!

[jcharlesreis]

Sweet; thank you!

[jcharlesreis]

Yeah, I would; but I installed the free trial version and I can't open it.

[RobDraw]

Why not?

What have you tried so far?

Are you following the error message(s) that come up to find out what is causing the failure?