Complicated 3d-parts in Revit – 3D DWG or FBX import?

[Anonymous]

I am currently working with a very complicated house. Some features such as Gothic vaults can not be created with Revit-solids - such as rail extrusions with the normal just in one direction etc. I am planning to use either AutoCAD or 3DS-max to solve this but worry that the model might be to heavy with 3d DWG or FBX objects. My question is what will slow down Revit the most... an dwg-solid or an FBX-surface given that the shape is the same?

Thank you!

[cbcarch · Accepted solution]

-It may be possible to model these elements in Revit.

-Modeling in another software and bringing into Revit is possible, but once imported/linked the functionality/BIM/parametric features are lost.

Here are just a few examples of some fairly complex modeling in Revit:

-http://paulaubin.com/blog/revit-corinthian-youtube-style/

-https://www.augi.com/articles/detail/methods-for-modeling-complex-geometry

-https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cathedral+in+revit&view=detail&mid=4D439812C62EA76FA6824D439812...

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I will check this out. The things I have been talking about can not be made with the ordinary solid forms, though.

[Sahay_R]

@Anonymous - for Gothic vaults etc I would explore the Sweep capabilities of Revit, and using Voids to cut the geometry. This would be the least harmful to the health of the model.

Worst case scenario - you can import geometry from DWG or FBX into Revit families, and then insert into the model. Please be warned - what you will get will be one piece of 'dumb' geometry. If you would like control of each piece of the geometry, then create each piece of the geometry in a separate DWG / FBX file, import into the Revit family, and assemble. You should be then able to use Object Styles to assign materials.

Moral of the story - Revit does not play well with other children in the playground. It would be well worth your time to learn how to model in Revit.

[pieter4]

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Worst case scenario - you can import geometry from DWG or FBX into Revit families, and then insert into the model. Please be warned - what you will get will be one piece of 'dumb' geometry.

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I don't think we can import FBX into Revit? Or am I missing something?

Also, certain forms (even double curved) can be exploded to Freeforms as long as they are solids. These solids react like regular Revit elements and can be joined, cut, given a material, painted etc... Freeform objects are a little bit mysterious (it's not always clear why one element can be exploded into a Freeform and another cannot) but when they work they are great. 

[Viveka_CD]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I am currently working with a very complicated house. Some features such as Gothic vaults can not be created with Revit-solids - such as rail extrusions with the normal just in one direction etc. I am planning to use either AutoCAD or 3DS-max to solve this but worry that the model might be to heavy with 3d DWG or FBX objects. My question is what will slow down Revit the most... an dwg-solid or an FBX-surface given that the shape is the same?

Thank you!

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Hi @Anonymous

Welcome to the community!

What is your end goal? Do you want the model in Revit or you to want to do a rendering?

Based on your workflow we can think about your process. 

Also, can you post a screenshot of the vault you are trying to design?

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

A sweep in revit is always done with the normal of the form perpendicular to the path. This is a limitation in my case.

[Anonymous]

Revit sweeps like thisI want to sweep like this

[Viveka_CD]

Hi,

Can you post the model?

Thanks,

[ToanDN]

You may try swept blends.

[Anonymous]

Sweep blends still sweep through the normal of the profile last time I checked. I want a sweep like the picture above.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately the model is in a restricted network. I can not post it but the provided pictures should show what I want. It is an arced vault that keeps the profile normal to the x-axis rather than the path.

[SteveKStafford · Accepted solution]

Have you looked at the Conceptual Modelling Environment? The Adaptive Point and Repeater concept might work for your needs.

[Anonymous]

As I am short of time I will use a 3d dwg form to solve it. I hope it will not make the model too heavy. Will look at the adaptive points later.

[Viveka_CD]

@Anonymous  Let us know how the 3D dwg export goes for you.

Looking forward.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

This is the form I want to create. I am not sure how heavy this will be as a dwg but is Revit really an option for this? The closest I got in Revit was to cut several Swept Blends but having them meet like in a true cross vault proved to be a big problem.