Unable to view imported IFC file in Revit plan view.

[Majoco]

Hi all,

I have created a pipe network and some drainage chambers in Civil 3D. I then converted all the pipes network to 3D solids and then exported the Civil 3D file to an IFC file.

I then went into Revit and opened the newly created IFC file. However when i open the file i can't see all of my pipe networks and drainage chambers in a plan view but i can somehow see all of the IFC file in a 3D view. 

Im pretty sure its nothing to do with the view range or crop view because i have another file referenced in and my new IFC file should come in straight on top of that. I can see some strange grey objects that have come in but they are not part of my IFC file so im not sure what they are or why i can only see my IFC file in a 3D view.

Anyone got any ideas or solutions to this?

Kind regards, 

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Majoco

Can you share the files (IFC, Revit and Civil 3D and screenshots of 3D view/plan) with us to test?

We also want to look at your journal file to look at the behavior.

I can send you a private folder to upload.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

[Majoco]

Hi @Viveka_CD

Unfortunately i can't share the file due to security reasons. However I have managed to view the IFC file in plan view now. 

I am now facing another issue though. I opened the IFC file in Revit and then saved it as a separate Revit file. I checked the Co-Ordinates of that Revit file and everything is in the correct place. I then tried linking the Revit file into another Revit file but for some reason it wont come in at the correct place. I have tried all the options such as by shared co-ordinates, origin to origin etc but it doesn't come in at the right co-ordinates.

Im not sure why this wpn't work as the Revit file i created from the IFC export is at the correct co-ordinates so i should be able to just link that file into my other Revit file and it should come in at those co-ordinates.   

Do you have any ideas as to why this is happening?

Regards,

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Majoco

Open the IFC files in a Text editor like notepad and search for the IFCSITE and IFCCARTESIANPOINT heading, which has the coordinates and the origin.

Then match that with the new Revit file location.

Let me know if this helps.

Regards,

[Majoco]

Hi @Viveka_CD

Thanks for the reply.

Your idea would work if i simply wanted to move it manually but i need it to come straight in at the correct co-ordinateswithout having t move it.

I have done some research and apparently the IFC file and my Revit model file do not share the same co-ordinates so you can never bring in the IFC file at the correct position relating to another Revit model. 

Thanks anyway!

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Majoco

We would be better able to diagnose if the file was shared, but no problem. a journal would help if you are not able to sare the Revit file.

A few questions:

• Did you get any error message when you import the IFC? 
• Is the IFC from a different software?
• Have you tried the 'place at'option and selected a level, and checked current view only. Is the correct lines off-axis option checked?

Some recommendations:

• If the IFC file size is huge, consider limiting the model geometry before export. you can wblock the drawing in a new file.
• In some instances, the IFC file may have floating elements/points somewhere in the dwg causing it to exceed the 20-mile radius and maybe far away from the origin.
• I would also recommend removing unnecessary items in AutoCAD- a general cleaning

• Try to open a new file, mark the origin (0,0,0) and then import the IFC in AutoCAD
• Then apply  Zoom Extents and see if you can fit in the whole drawing. Then draw a line from the end of the building to the origin.
• Check the Z-axis in AutoCAD and the units.
• In Revit go to Project Browser> floor Plans> Site Properties> view range> Edit> 
  top  to unlimited
  cut plane to 100000
  bottom to level below
  view depth to unlimited

Let me know if the above helps resolve.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

[paullimapa]

What if you were to link the Civil 3d dwg file directly into Revit?

Area Object Link | Attribute Modifier | Dwg Setup | Feet-Inch Calculator
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[Majoco · Accepted solution]

Hi @paullimapa

Thanks for the reply. 

I have resorted in doing that - just CAD linking in the civil 3D file so i can view it in a plan view, so thanks fo the idea!

Regards

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Majoco

Good to note that you can now view it in plan view as per your requirement.

Can you please confirm if you are able to see all the drawing elements? There have been instances that only basic 2D objects are shown.

See article on How to import Civil 3D Objects into Revit

Thanks,

[Majoco]

Hi @Viveka_CD

Thank you for your reply.

Yes i am able to see all of the parts of the IFC file in plan view. I can see both edges of the pipes so it looks 3D as it is shown as 2 lines which is what i wanted.

Regards