Importing AutoCAD MEP objects into Revit with properties.

[mhillis]

Good Morning everyone I am posting this here at the request of an ADN specialist,

I've searched around in regards to this matter and didn't find anything exactly related to what I was looking for, but any assitance would be greatly appricated!

We develop and maintain a software that draws duct, duct fittings, and other related objects into AutoCAD using MEP Objects (MvParts and the like) and then we add properties to them by creating a custom class (let's call it DtObject) and then adding the information from this class into the XData of the object.  This way, we can access the information from the DtObject for the various routines our software has.

I was wondering, is there any way possible to import these objects into Revit?  I would like to be able to import these objects while retaining as much information about them as possible.  Is there a way to convert the information of my objects to something that Revit could use?

Thanks!

[jeremytammik]

Dear Mhillis,

The information that Revit can use is stored in the standard properties and data associated with standard methods of the respective element classes.

In addition, some data is stored in parameters.

Additional shared parameters can be defined manually by users or programmatically.

All of the above may be used by Revit, e.g. for scheduling purposes.

You would have to explore suitable sample models, e.g. using RevitLookup, to determine exactly what data is available and how it is used by Revit.

In addition, an add-in can define and populate its own custom extensible storage data:

http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/about-the-author.html#5.23

That is for the add-in's use alone and is not used by Revit.

You can transfer your custom duct system data to all of these containers in any way you like, really.

Does that help answer your question?

Best regards,

Jeremy

[mhillis]

Jeremy,

Your reply helps a great deal, but I am left with one question.  What exactly would the best method be for getting the objects from AutoCAD MEP to Revit to best utilize Extensible Storage? I apologize if this question is a little redundant, but my experience with Revit is very limited at this time.  Would I convert/modify the objects in AutoCAD MEP and then put it in a container that Revit can open and read from there?  Or would I put together an Add-On in Revit that would open a DWG file, read it's contents, and then make the needed conversions on the Revit side?

Thanks a lot for your assistance thus far! 

[jeremytammik]

Dear Mhillis,

Thank you for your appreciation.

I would very strongly urge you to gain some serious end user experience with Revit before doing another single thing.

Talk with application engineers, product usage expert, research best practices and optimal workflows.

You can be sure things will be very different from AutoCAD indeed.

This is utterly important, or you will end up fighting the system instead of using it.

http://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/about-the-author.html#5.41

Cheers,

Jeremy

[jeremytammik · Accepted solution]

Dear Mhillis,

Thank you for your additional ADN query.

Actually, the preferred method is to continue this conversation in the Revit API discussion forum thread, since it makes our musings available for all to share and enjoy and also enables other developers to chip in with their additional suggestions.

Here are answers to the open questions above:

0. I am left with one question.

Three questions follow, actually 🙂

1. What exactly would the best method be for getting the objects from AutoCAD MEP to Revit to best utilize Extensible Storage?

There are several possible choices. What is best depends strongly on your requirements and personal preferences. In the very least, you need to have a good understanding of both the AutoCAD MEP and the Revit MEP functionality, underlying paradigms, optimal workflows and best practices well before you can make a suitable choice.

2. Would I convert/modify the objects in AutoCAD MEP and then put it in a container that Revit can open and read from there?

That is a possibility.

3. Or would I put together an Add-On in Revit that would open a DWG file, read it's contents, and then make the needed conversions on the Revit side?

That is also possible.

Probably the latter choice is better and eassier.

One reason for that is the following: a Revit add-in can only run in a valid Revit API context, and that can only be within Revit.

The AutoCAD API can be accessed and used from outside of AutoCAD, e.g. from within your Revit add-in.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Jeremy

[mhillis]

Jeremy,

Yes, I apologize! I didn't know about necroing an old thread! But yes, your information was incredibly helpful and addressed everything I needed plus some stuff I didn't even know I needed.

Thank you very much for your help!