Collaboration with other software
About model and data exchange with 3rd party solutions: Revit, Solibri, dRofus, Bluebeam, structural analysis solutions, and IFC, BCF and DXF/DWG-based exchange, etc.

.rfa to .gsm conversion

Anonymous
Not applicable
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!
19 REPLIES 19
Anonymous
Not applicable
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.
Katalin Borszeki
Graphisoft
Graphisoft
We have entered this as a wish for ArchiCAD! Thanks!
Katalin Borszeki
Implementation Specialist
GRAPHISOFT

http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com - the ArchiCAD knowledge base
Anonymous
Not applicable
thank you Katalin for turning my rant into a wish....much better that way!

cheers Cary
Ed Wolfstein
Participant
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.
Edward Wolfstein, AIA, NCARB, MRAIC, CSI
Wolfstein Architecture
Burlington, VT 05401 USA

macOS High Sierra 10.13.3
4 GHz Intel Core i7
32 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon R9 M395X 4096 MB
ArchiCAD 21 (USA Full)
Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
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.
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
AMD Ryzen9 5900X CPU, 64 GB RAM 3600 MHz, Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB, 500 GB NVMe SSD
2x28" (2560x1440), Windows 10 PRO ENG, Ac20-Ac27
Anonymous
Not applicable
that is great news!
Link
Graphisoft Partner
Graphisoft Partner
The RFA & RVT Geometry Exchange Add-on for ARCHICAD 21 is now available for free!

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

Cheers,
Link.
Anonymous
Not applicable
Great job Link!!! Downloaded today! You changed my life!!! Thank you
RichardHof
Newcomer

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.

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.

Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
AMD Ryzen9 5900X CPU, 64 GB RAM 3600 MHz, Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB, 500 GB NVMe SSD
2x28" (2560x1440), Windows 10 PRO ENG, Ac20-Ac27