Revit model doesnt come with assembly

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi All,

   I am using inventor 2025 and i have downloaded 2026 Revit for free trial. This is just an extension of prev thread rfa to idw. I followed steps by trying different methods using step file. Opening directly and importing as CAD file. It goes to certain level may be 1 or 2 but then becomes a solid. I even tried old method of .sat. With sat export, its reverse, each part is single no assembly structure. I am attaching both step file and sat of same assembly. If you can show how to import in with all parts single and editable as well as save and replace option, will be great. 

What my aim is to assign new part numbers to individual parts so i can detail them as part and assembly. I have heard horror stories of revit exporting as non assembly. Even if i use assembly structure during import in inventor, it goes only to 1 level. I got drawing template sorted so all i need is to bring model tree from Revit in same way to inventor. 

Yesterday i was reading about 3rd party BXF option which carries same structure as Revit and gets into Inventor as ipt and iam native files.

Have you heard about BXF ? I dont get them as option in revit. However, ifc is now import option so i can export to ifc from revit and bring it in and see if it has same model tree. I have asked the question in Revit forum too but no response. 

I am exporting rvt project file, should i be doing rfa (Family) to get proper structure ? I need this sorted urgently as i have drawing template done. Once i get the structure sorted, i can assign part numbers and do the drawings.

SAT file is like AutoCAD all individual parts but i cant rename and BOM shows all same. Its just causing nightmare. Can client send tekla file in ifc direct, will it open with correct structure and tree ? Apparently, it was done in Tekla and 2025 can now import ifc files. 

Please help its just causing me nightmare trying to get the parts. With step file, it comes as solid after certain levels with any option you choose import or direct open as can be seen in screenshot. Whereas with SAT file, each opens individually and can be flattened as well for folded part but i cant rename it and so BOM doesnt reflect. Revit and Inventor are same family shudnt be this difficult. 

To make it clear, i have sub divided the folder into further folders with different options. Please help. With ifc, should i select mesh or untick ?

Thanks in Advance,

Yash

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi All,

Just to add to the above, i tried IFC as well from revit. Its same outcome even if select convert model and remove mesh. parts are coming as solid. whether i import or open directly. 

Looks like i have to get full model directly instead of extracting from Revit and importing. 

Regards,

Yash

[SharkDesign · Accepted solution]

That's a lot of text, so sorry if I miss something. 

You can think of RFA as a part file and an RVT as an assembly. Generally you won't get an assembly structure for RFA documents.

RVT can be imported to Inventor, RFA cannot.

You might be better putting the RFA into an RVT and then bringing that into Inventor. However with this method you will not get Revit parameters (properties) transferred.
I don't think SAT/STEP etc will be any better for you.

You also need to consider that Revit is not a solid modeller so you aren't always going to get solid models imported, some may be mesh.

BXF is a 3rd party app called Bimdex. You need to pay for it and install an add-in on both the Revit and Inventor side.
Also, Autodesk have a collaboration going on with them at the moment using Data exchange, but I have not tried it.
https://aps.autodesk.com/blog/autodesk-partners-srinsoft-inc-revolutionize-interoperability

Revit doesn't have 'BOMs' they have schedules and I don't believe there is any way to get this into Inventor. Also I don't believe you will get Revit properties through SAT/STEP as Revit would need to write these somewhere and then you'd have to specifically map them all on the Inventor import and it's all a bit hit and miss.

IFC will get you the Revit properties, but you need to check the box that says something like 'include revit property sets' or something when you export from Revit. I forget the name. But without that checkbox you only get IFC properties imported to Inventor.

Revit and Inventor are not the same family at all, they are completely different. One is for mechanical design, another for building design, neither industries work with the same information or in the same way, that's why it's difficult.

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi @SharkDesign,

Yes i realise this. Last option is, i will have to from scratch using
model dimensions. In SAT, i can get individual parts. So i dont have to
design. So only assembly to be done. Or demote parts if i can.

Regards,
Yash

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi @SharkDesign,

  Yes i realise this. Last option is, i will have to from scratch using model dimensions. In SAT, i can get individual parts. So i dont have to design. So only assembly to be done. Or demote parts if i can.

Regards,

Yash