NEED File Size Reduction!

[Anonymous]

I have a step file from a vendor that's 198MB. I opened it in Inventor and did a shrinkwrap, then exported to DWG so I can import into Revit. The new DWG file is about 72MB. However, I have 8 of these models in my revit drawing, and my revit file is now 150MB and things can take a while to do. I was wondering if there was a way to really dummy-down the file in inventor so I can export to DWG and have it around 10MB or so. Is it possible to make the model a shell with just surfaces? I don't need anything inside the model, just the color and details on the outside (empty like a sketchup model). Any advice?

[CGBenner]

@Anonymous 

Hello... I think my first piece of advice would be (if possible) post the file here.  Maybe someone, after looking at it, could suggest a strategy for you.

[Frederick_Law]

If you can use a surface model instead of solid (assuming you have solid from STEP)

Use direct edit to remove face and surface you don't need.

[Frederick_Law]

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Hello... I think my first piece of advice would be (if possible) post the file here.  Maybe someone, after looking at it, could suggest a strategy for you.

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OP said file is 198MB.  Probably smaller zipped.

[Anonymous]

File is Confidential. It's an industrial-sized injection molding machine. 

[mcgyvr]

There really is no easy button.. Use all of the simplify/shrinkwrap tools you can (envelopes/substitutes/feature removal,etc..)  even then you are often left with a large file.. 

It may just be easier to just create a "dummy model" from scratch using dimensions from the large file and only creating what you need

[Anonymous]

I think whether I recreate the files, or go through a series of file reduction techniques, it'll take some work. No easy button, I agree.

[dgorsman]

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@mcgyvr wrote:

There really is no easy button.. Use all of the simplify/shrinkwrap tools you can (envelopes/substitutes/feature removal,etc..)  even then you are often left with a large file.. 

It may just be easier to just create a "dummy model" from scratch using dimensions from the large file and only creating what you need

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This.  I frequently deal with neutral format files of objects which are intended for manufacturing that device rather than just displaying it.  I normally skip any attempt at simplifying thowe models and build one from scratch using a few boxes and cylinders for the major parts and required clearances.  It's not 'pretty' but it's identifiable, easy to work with, and takes less than 15 minutes to put together. 

[imajar]

How much precision do you need?  One possibility might be to import the step file into navisworks and then link coordination model into revit.  That will allow you to keep all detail with very little impact on performance, and drastically improved filesize.  But one drawback is navisworks outputs a mesh, so circles become polylines, etc.  

Otherwise, suppress small parts and use shrinkwrap might be your best friend.  (you can quickly suppress small parts by setting selection filter to parts only, then select by size).

[Anonymous]

I'd like to retain as much detail as I can, but willing to lose some if I can significantly reduce file size. We don't have Navisworks in our software suite, is it free online? 

[imajar · Accepted solution]

No, unfortunately it is not free.  It is included in both the architecture and product design collections, and was included in the suites years ago before the collections, so unless you have some custom deal, (not sure about network setup licenses?), you probably have it. . .

[Anonymous]

We have Navisworks Manage. Will that work?

[imajar · Accepted solution]

Yes, navisworks manage is exactly what you need.  

Navisworks is designed to import models from multiple sources to collaborate, so it is phenominal for speed, viewing and coordination, but does not do any editing. 

To get you started, you will import the step file and navisworks will automatically create a .nwc file in the same folder as the step file (a file your size might take an hour or more to import).  Then you can link that .nwc file into revit (note the filesize of the .nwc it should be pretty small compared to the step).  Information here:  (I am not a revit user, but some of our sub-contractors have done this and seemed to be good with it)

http://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2020/ENU/?guid=GUID-A5B877B0-F587-43F1-94C8-550CBBCB8A90

[Anonymous]

I will give it a try. Thank you for the suggestion! 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I assume the STEP file contains the assembly structure and precise geometry in individual parts. To manage the level of detail, you may want to ask yourself what you want to do with the data. Do you want to measure it? Or, it has to look nice. Does any of the internal detail matters? Are you trying to model on the geometry or it is for reference only in Revit?

One thing to consider is to export the imported STEP file in Inventor as JT. Then import the JT file to Revit. I am not 100% sure Revit can import JT. But, JT is a relatively compact format for 3D geometry.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

The models are just so it looks nice, but they do need to be "accurate". I do not need any of the internal details at all. It's just a reference object. What is JT?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! JT is another popular format in manufacture industry (particularly automotive).

Many thanks!

[johan.degreef]

We have exactly the same problem with BIG step models. In my search I stumbled upon this:

https://www.coretechnologie.com/products/3d-evolution/simplifier.html

Not sure if it works OK and what's it price, but I sent them a step fiel and they were able to reducs 80% of the filesize

[Anonymous]

Well I was able to get Navisworks installed and imported the step files, converted them to .nwd files, and used the coordination model tool to add them into my model in Revit. My file size hasn't changed much (144MB). But, the machines I brought in are all MUCH less in size (around 10MB each). Performance has increased dramatically, just wondering why the file size didn't change, even after deleting out the old .dwg files that were 7x larger. Anyway, I'm happy with the improved performance. Thank you for the advice! I will review the other options added to the forum over the last few days as well and post whatever improvements come. 

I noticed that in plan view the models all appear in color unlike standard objects in Revit which are black and white with no shading. See below example. I guess it's because they are reference only objects.