Archicad to Revit - editable walls

[en1]

I work at a multi-disciplinary office, where architects use Archicad. These models are then imported via IFC to Revit, for the structural engineers. We managed to get all elements translated correctly and editable, except for walls.

Hence my question: does anyone know the reason why imported walls with an opening/door/window are not editable in Revit? And why walls without an opening are perfectly editable in Revit? Or any hints on translator settings that would work?

We do export with 'core of load-bearing elements only' in AC, since it's specifically intended for structural engineering, but I don't think this is the issue.

Some screenshots for clarity:

Archicad: four times the same wall, with different opening elements

RVT:

case 1-3: geometry and type of wall is correct, but element is not editable (type dropdown does nothing, properties missing)

case 4: wall is fully editable in Revit (type dropdown works, parameters are working)

Any pointers are greatly appreciated!

Emma

Operating system used: Windows

[Laszlo Nagy]

My guess it that when the Wall has no openings, it can be exported to IFC as a simple extrusion and it will preserve its geometry, which then be converted to a Wall element in Revit. When it has Openings in it, its geometry can be conserved only if it is exported to IFC as a BREP, which will not convert to a Wall element in Revit.

FYI: Generally, IFC is recommended to be used as a Reference because all these native-to-native conversions through IFC are not feasible/realistic due to the vast difference between BIM applications.

[mthd]

Hmm ! I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that in AC, walls host openings like doors windows and that they do not have separate layers for those opening elements ? The wall with no openings is editable from your description above.

So how did you get around this problem ? Will walls with openings converted to morphs be edible in Revit ? What happens with complex profile walls that have openings in them, are they edible in Revit ? I think they will eventually solve this problem between GS & Autodesk products with greater cooperation between these two companies as has been announced recently.

[en1]

Thank you for the reply Laszlo. We did struggle with the native-to-native conversions, but managed to get all elements exported correctly with a good amount of R&D. However, we are fully stumped as it comes to walls, since openings are very common, and we cannot seem to find a feasible workaround.

[Laszlo Nagy]

Can you tell us about in the case of which element types and which geometry types of those element types (e.g., rectangular and circular columns and beams) you could achieve native-to-native conversions and how?

I think this would be valuable information for the members of the community.

[Turit · Accepted solution]

Try to turn on the "export gross geometry of elements" in Geometry conversion of IFC export.
IFC element type will be IfcWallStandardCase instead of ifcWall. 

[en1]

Turit, you are a hero! Thank you for this solution, this works like a charm.

[en1]

Our translator is included in the attached pln file.