Importing a SAT file from A360 into FormIt

[catherineGLR6T]

Hi, I'm using FormIt on chrome on a Windows 7 PC (my office workstation). I have followed the instructions Tom posted on how to import CAD information into FormIt but I'm stuck on the last step. There's no problem to upload the SAT file to A360 but from within FormIt if I go to import and select Import Model and a window for me to search locally for the file opens up. Even though I'm logged into A360 it doesn't appear as an option in the Import tool. I've tried logging out and logging back in but that didn't solve the problem. FormIt is making the connection to my A360 account and my FormIt window as it's saving my AXM and RVT files there automatically. Is there something missing in the Chrome version of the App or am I missing something?

Also, this workaround is pretty limited in terms of the information that can be brought in from CAD. Is there going to be a more direct route where for example a 2D dwg file of a digital map (building outlines and street kerbs) can be brought into FormIt? On all of our projects our starting point is the property boundary as per the legal map. The Goolgle map import is very useful but not accurate enough. 

Thanks, 

Catherine 

[tvollaro · Accepted solution]

Catherine, 

I am glad you are giving this workaround a try! Unfortunately, at this time, the only way to import an SAT file is to use our iOS (iPad) version.  

Thank you for your feedback. We are actively working on different options for working with existing CAD as well as site-based data.

[catherineGLR6T]

Hi Tom, 

Thanks for your prompt reply. I'll try it on an iPad. Do you have a timeline for when importing 2D .dwg information will be possible on the Chrome version? And for when the other CAD solutions you are looking at will be available? 

Thanks, 

Catherine 

[Anonymous]

This still isn't resolved. Any idea when this will get figured out? Does this work on the windows app? Please tell me, 'yes!'

[Tobias_Hathorn]

You CAN import SAT directly in the Windows version (no need to go through iPad). But FormIt does not have a direct .DWG import / export yet.

For data from ACAD you need to follow the steps Tom posted previously (Flatten, Region, Export to SAT, Extrude in FormIt).

For System Families in Revit, you can Export to CAD Formats, SAT and open directly in FormIt- see attached image example.

For RFA in Revit, you can convert for use in FormIt (you can see the content library full of RFA tables in the image example).

Let us know which of these is slowing you down. DWG is a high value project for us, so it would be helpful to know specifics about your workflow!

Thanks,

Tobias

[catherineGLR6T]

Hi Tobias, 

Thanks for your comment. To be honest I find it easier to do the following 1) print a PDF of the site plan from Autocad 2) measure the rectangular extents of the lines in the CAD file by drawing a rectangle around it 3) re-save the PDF as a jpeg using Photoshop 4) import the jpeg and re-size it to the dimensions that you've measured in CAD, it comes in as a rectangular image irregardless of the shape of the site. 

This is a 2 step process and that makes it a pain, but the SAT file/regions workflow is also 2 step and a bigger pain. 

Thanks, 

Catherine 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response Tobias. Initially I had exported a portion of a revit model to .sat and attempted to import in the web version of Formit. This operation did appear to execute whatsoever, which is what led me to this post. I don't have the windows version yet (hopefully today actually) that I can test that. Since I posted though, I used an obj exporter of the same model as well as another smaller portion. I tried importing the first portion of the model via the web app and I received an unresponsive error. I tried the smaller model and it was able to import. However, another issue that arises is that there is apparently a limitation to the size of the canvas? I cannot zoom to the extents of the model and I'm stuck only viewing a small portion of it! The navigation is broken as a result. Argh!

[Tobias_Hathorn]

Agreed Catherine - The process you describe of rasterizing a JPG in Photoshop and importing the image to FormIt is easier because of the fewer steps. The only downside is that you're not snapping to individual lines or points - and the image is imported regardless of origin point in ACAD. But that may not be necessary for what you're trying to achieve.

The work in ACAD takes time, but does result in vector based geometry of the correct length / location. The steps aren't trivial to define closed loop polylines, flatten them (in case the points are up or down in the Z axis), run region on them, and then export to SAT - and finally import to FormIt.

I've used both techniques and really it depends on what I'm trying to accomplish. We do recognize that either of these steps are NOT ideal - and we want to support a more direct DWG import (and the various issues that will bring with it too!)

[Tobias_Hathorn]

Hi Cwinches, Good to hear from you! Thanks for describing your process - we HAVE recently improved the scenario of importing OBJ that is VERY far from the file's origin point. So you should see that in v14.1 available later this week.

Do get the Windows version for best FormIt experience. Importing SAT directly is much better than OBJ in my opinion. Also once you have the Windows app try importing the bigger OBJ again. I bet it works. The web just has data footprint limitations - and file size is definitely one of those, not to mention the upload process might have timed out.

[Anonymous]

Good deal. I will look out for the version update. Additionally, this process you are discussing regarding the site data, dwg, jpg, etc. could be a good topic for Formit Friday 😉

Cheers,

Cody

[catherineGLR6T]

Thanks Tobias. I look forward to a more straightforward CAD/vector import option. Catherine