topic Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion in Collaboration with other software

.rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:07:53 GMT

Guys and Gals,

Is there a software tool or method to convert Revit .rfa files to .gsm files for use in Archicad?

Toto has a whole slue of toilets, sinks, shower receptors, etc. available on their site in .rfa format, and I'd love to use them if I can extract them. Ideally, I'd like to do this in AC9, but if I need to, I could do it in AC12.

I also have MaxonForm available for use, if necessary, but haven't explored that yet.... haven't yet loaded it on the new machine. If I need to, I will.

Thanks in advance!

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:21:24 GMT

No direct solution I am aware of.
If they are also available in DWG, 3ds or SketchUp then you can get it into AC.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:24:06 GMT

any hope that this conversion will someday be possible??

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:32:22 GMT

Thanks, Laz... That's what I was afraid of.

This is our industry's next big challenge... full interoperability. Some poor devil spent hours, days, WEEKS making all those toilets and sinks on Toto's site, and none of us can use them. Darn shame.

Talk with you guys soon... back to work while there's still work!

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:47:01 GMT

I am really starting to wonder how much effort it would be to create such a translator. I don't know if Revit API allows it.
But I believe GDL is much more capable than what you can do in Revit Families parameter-wise. So based on my knowledge of Revit, I think it could be possible to convert family parameters to GDL parameters.
I see one thing that may or may not be a tough thing: Revit can create all kinds of forms with its modeling tools. There are similar commands to some of them, like Extrude, Tube, Ruled but if that does not work GDL can create forms out of nodes, edges and planes programmed in GDL. This is how most DWG/3DS stuff gets generated into GDL.
The big question is: can this geometric info be extracted since RFA is non-public format. Maybe the Revit API answers whether this is possible or not.

If we could have a decent RFA to GDL converter (most Revit Families are rather simple compared to GDL Objects such as Doors/Windows), this whole manufacturer problem would be solved because they would create the RFAs and these could be easily converted to GDL too.
So I keep dreaming...

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:37:55 GMT

nice dream Laszlo

cheers cary

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

rob2218 — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:54:06 GMT

Now..come on folks. Why would Autodesk, Graphisoft..etc...want full operability and convertability between programs.

don't you know that's how "people"/programmers/manufacturers etc.. make their money?

if you have an object/familiy whatever that can both be inserted/ brought into any format of database possible, then you just eliminated work for one or another company.....

that's why the whole "universal compatibility" issue will NEVER be resolved. Because you can't please everyone all of the time.....

Companies chose Archicad for a certain reason/result/ etc...and other companies go with Revit for other reasons/results...etc....but there isn't one that does it ALL....

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:38:34 GMT

Revit families (like projects) can be exported to CAD files: Autocad DWG/DXF; Microstation DGN or Acis SAT.
I believe Archicad can then import those formats and of course all parametric information is loss. But you get the geometry.
Besides that, I would never do the opposite (GSM->RFA). Non native revit object (called imported families) are hard to manage. In fact, if you take a look at the competition forum (AUGI), you'll find that. Legay Autocad details are never advised.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

TMA_80 — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 13:48:54 GMT

Something interesting (Source;: Shoegnome) , Maybe Graphisoft is working on a similar thing :

http://bradleybim.com/2014/03/21/bentley-aecosim-building-designer-reads-manufacturer-revit-family-files/

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Stress Co_ — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:03:13 GMT

TMA_80 wrote:
Something interesting (Source;: Shoegnome) , Maybe Graphisoft is working on a similar thing :

Does it seem odd to anyone else that Bentley is supporting Bradley (via .rfa files), but Bradley doesn't think there is enough interest to support Bentley (or Archicad)?

Screen shot from responses to a July '13 webinar Q and A.

If your interested in letting Bradley know your needs for gsm…
the email address is:
bimfeedback@bradleycorp.com

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:06:33 GMT

I just had 4 of the major lighting reps in Nashville provide me with MFG' s from their line cards that provide BIM models. There were a total of 41 MFG's providing BIM models. A few offered models in more that one file type. Here is the tally:
.rfa =40
.3ds = 4
.skp = 2
.gsm = 0

2 observations:
1. It appears that Manufacturers who rely on architects to specify their products don't take ArchiCAD seriously.
2. ArchiCAD needs to find a way to put a .rfa to.gsm converter in their users hands or their users will find themselves totally uncompetitive in the marketplace.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Katalin Borszeki — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:51:17 GMT

We have entered this as a wish for ArchiCAD! Thanks!

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 19:20:42 GMT

thank you Katalin for turning my rant into a wish....much better that way!

cheers Cary

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Ed Wolfstein — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:43:11 GMT

Still nothing on translating .rfa into .gsm files? If ArchiCAD can read DWG (via translation - remember how long THAT took to become a reality?), how difficult can it be for BIM objects? Sorry for the rant. - Ed.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:21:41 GMT

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=53732

Revit RFA and RVT file reading capability will be available from the Open Design Alliance from January 1, 2017. I suppose it won't take too much time for GRAPHISOFT to implement it in ARCHICAD either. GRAPHISOFT is a member of ODA and they participated in the development of this as far as I know.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 20:21:13 GMT

that is great news!

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Link — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:51:18 GMT

The RFA & RVT Geometry Exchange Add-on for ARCHICAD 21 is now available for free!

Check out http://www.bim6x.com/solutions

Cheers,
Link.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 00:14:07 GMT

Great job Link!!! Downloaded today! You changed my life!!! Thank you

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

RichardHof — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 19:08:39 GMT

Free add-on: https://bim6x.com/RFA-RVT-Add-On-FAQ

And, Archicad has been fully interoperable through IFC since the beginning.... Works better with "GDL" platforms like Sketchup, Google Warehouse, and BIMobjects. I use rvt .rfa parts from various manufacturers when it needs to be 'part' specific for example: Hardy Panels.

Re: .rfa to .gsm conversion

Laszlo Nagy — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 04:03:31 GMT

FYI: What used to be BIM6x's RFA/RVT Add-On is now incorporated into Archicad by default in the latest versions (I think AC24 forward) so there is no need for a separate download and install.