Can I use another software to model blocks to revit?

[gabrielcolombo05]

Hi guys

I have some questions about complex family blocks modeling. By complex, I mean high detailed fabric, pillows, towels, and all kind of dynamic and irregular shapes.

1. I saw around the internet some revit families that I felt that was almost impossible to model in revit, and it made me wonder if is there any possibility of modeling something using another 3d modeling software and than, import to revit... Not like SketchUp models that, when imported, just "crash" and turn into a zilion of polygons with all that lines messing up everything, but in a way that revit could "read" the geometry properly.
2. If there isn't any possibility of modeling good families out of revit, how do you guys think I could achieve a good result modeling this kind of geometries? Can you please give me some tutorial, or at least show me some good udemy course or YouTube content that could be useful? Thank you all 😄 Obrigado!

[Rafal.Gaweda]

Hi @gabrielcolombo05 

I would suggest to import such geometries via SAT file.

[bimscape · Accepted solution]

I would just ask why you are wanting highly-detailed geometric models in Revit?

Are you wanting to produce photorealistic renderings / animations- in which case, Revit may not be your best option.

Please keep in mind the more complex the geometry, the more faces that are required- the bigger the model.

In BIM we want to convey the information with enough detail to remove ambiguity but as little "detail" to keep the BIM lean.

[HVAC-Novice]

I Revit you want to use as much modeled in Revit and want to keep things as simple as possible. 

Every time you "import" something there is a lot of overhead and complexity added that will cost resources. 

If you want to model a towel, you are better off to model something that just looks like a towel from the desired distance. if you for some reason model it into too much detail, it will require LOT of resources. 

Revit is a building design software and it is good at that. If you need some specific items like towels and other interior architecture features not related to the actual building, you may look into a more specific software. 

[gabrielcolombo05]

Thank you for clearing it up to me... revit really isn't supposed to reach this kind of detailing.
I had this doubt about modeling this king of objects because, once in a while, I have some small interior designs to projetc, and since revit is the only tool I use to model things, I thougt that would be nice to have a small library with some good families that I could use to make some fast "semi realistic" images. Also, there is some blocks (like some gorgeous chairs from some brasilian designers) that I would love to have modeled in revit with a satisfactory quality.
Anyway, I'm glad for your help, obrigado 😄