Modeling NURBS solids in Revit can be very frustrating and limiting on all but the simplest platonic geometry. These more complex NURBS models can be created easily in Rhino, but there is an issue when importing the Rhino 3dm model into a Revit Family for rendering in Revit. The ability to assign Revit materials to discrete objects in the imported model is lost from the Properties panel and from the Object Styles panel.
To successfully import Rhino models and retain the ability to assign multiple native Revit materials after import, the Rhino file must first be properly prepared:
- Each material in the model must be associated with a unique layer. (i.e. glass layer, red cloth layer, green plastic layer, etc.)
- There is no need to actually assign any Rhino materials to model objects because they will be completely ignored by Revit.
- Move solid objects with matching materials to their corresponding layer. Make sure no objects remain on the Default layer.
- Note the RGB value of each layer color used in the model- make sure no two layers have the same RGB value (avoid white and black)
- Save the Rhino File in version 2.0. This is the only version I know of that will work.
Now import the Rhino file into the Revit family editor and assign Revit materials:
- Open a new Revit Family- preferably generic model- but any type should work.
- Use Insert / Import CAD to locate the 3dm version 2.0 file.
- Once imported the model geometry will appear smooth and solid but shaded with the default gray material.
- Open the Manage / Materials Browser and notice that new materials have been imported beginning with the name "Material" and followed by a random (unimportant) number.
- Using your notes from Rhino that list the RGB value for each material layer, find the corresponding "Material X" with a graphic shading color of the same RGB value.
- Rename each "Material X" to the intended Rhino layer material name.
- Now edit the Revit Materials to suit your needs.
