Can we import revit families into ArchiCAD GDL objects

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Is there any way to import Revit families to ArchiCAD GDL objects

thnak you

[Djordje]

suresh_rcms wrote:
Is there any way to import Revit families to ArchiCAD GDL objects

Directly, AFAIK no.

If you can export them as DXF, DWG or 3DS, you can then open them ion ArchiCAD as library parts.

[Scott Davis]

If Revit were able to export to an IFC format, what would the process be for bringing that object into ArchiCAD?

[Karl Ottenstein]

Scott wrote:
If Revit were able to export to an IFC format, what would the process be for bringing that object into ArchiCAD?

Open the IFC file in ArchiCAD, select all, save as GDL object.

I think it was an oversight that the Open Object command does not include IFC as an option, thus necessitating the extra steps above.

Karl

[__archiben]

Karl wrote:
Open the IFC file in ArchiCAD, select all, save as GDL object.

why 'save as a GDL object' karl? surely there must be some way of using IFC files in a similar manner to hotlinks or xrefs? i have no experience with IFC at all, but it stirkes me that turning an IFC file into a 'static' object defeats the point of collaboration with intelligent building elements.

maybe it is an oversight that the IFC format can't be used 'live'?

~/archiben

[Karl Ottenstein]

~/archiben wrote:

Karl wrote:
Open the IFC file in ArchiCAD, select all, save as GDL object.

why 'save as a GDL object' karl?

...er...because the original question was how to import revit families as GDL objects. 😉

I agree, the question of IFC integration - including hotlinking/xref - is ripe for discussion. Somewhere. 😉

...back to the original question with some last thoughts:

The Revit Family import question has only been answered in terms of creating a static GDL object for a fixed instance of a family item. To import them with parameters would require a custom add-on. That in turn would depend upon documentation on the internal format of Revit files...which may not be freely available. My understanding is that Revit will soon support an API of its own. Given that GDL is a documented file format, it might then be easier to create an export add-on for Revit that creates GDL parts and retains any Revit parametrics.

Karl

[Scott Davis]

Wouldn't the point of IFC translation negate the need for a special plug-in?

If I could export a Revit Family to an IFC file (is that correct? Is it a 'file type' ???) I should be able to map the Revit parameters to IFC parameters. In turn, when this IFC object is brought into AC, the parameters should be translated to something AC could understand and use.

Is this the correct understanding of IFC?

[Ben Odonnell]

We have been doing a lot of testing with IFC here in Sweden. Although the test have been done with ArchiCAD to ADT, not to Revit.

But a window in ADT is a window in ArchiCAD, with the same parameters as in ADT.

Why don't we give it a try? Scott if you have the time, save out an IFC file from Revit and we can see how it turns out in ArchiCAD.

But as I understand it, shouldn't all of the families created in Revit be saved down into the IFC file?

Cheers.
Ben

[__archiben]

Karl wrote:
...er...because the original question was how to import revit families as GDL objects. 😉

oops! should read the question before i butt in, eh?

Scott wrote:
If I could export a Revit Family to an IFC file (is that correct? Is it a 'file type' ???) I should be able to map the Revit parameters to IFC parameters. In turn, when this IFC object is brought into AC, the parameters should be translated to something AC could understand and use.

that was sort of where i was heading, even if it didn't answer the original question! if an application is to achieve IFC compliancy it should surely reinforce the same intelligence of the file format itself? IFC data really should be 'live' within the project file. how does revit handle IFC data scott?

this is from graphisoft, from here

Graphisoft wrote:
Why would you choose IFCs instead of traditional techniques such as 2D files in DWG/DXF or DGN format? The principal benefit of IFCs is their object description - not only does the IFC protocol preserve the full geometric description in 3D, but it also knows its location and relationships, as well as all the properties (or parameters) of each object, such as finish, serial number and material description. For ArchiCAD users, this offers great potential to access the accurate geometry of building service systems and structural elements, i.e., to improve the information to be coordinated in the model, rather than relying on the incomplete functions of current 2D CAD.

[Djordje]

AFAIK Revit is not IFC enabled (yet?) - see Scott's asking IF he could export to IFC - therefore ... we have to wait.