Log Walls in Revit

[Anonymous]

Can I? I've seen some pretty lame 'tutorials' on how to do it, but I'm looking for something more like what ArchiCAD has. Anyone? I would ask at the other forums, but I'm guessing someone here knows the answer.

[Anonymous]

I would think that the export to ADT would be easier from AC, since both are level based. Since Revit exports the whole model together, I can't see it easily exporting to ADT. But I really haven't tried either. Just a side question, where do you work so that everything hinges on log walls?
j

[Anonymous]

joshcookie wrote:
Just a side question, where do you work so that everything hinges on log walls?

Being from Montana and using ADT for CAM, my guess is that they are a log home manufacturer/builder.

[Scott Davis]

Djordje wrote:
IMHO, not getting an answer - official or not - is a good reason NOT to switch.

Sorry, no. I wasn't going to answer a Revit question in an ArchiCAD forum. It can be done, as others have now posted.

How is it done in AC?

[Scott Davis]

sirduncan wrote:

Thomas wrote:
- My sources tell me Revit files are NOT compatible with ADT.

So I'm finding. Thanks. Anyone know where I can get a difinitive answer on this issue?

I haven't tried this, but I've heard IFC is the way to go. Export an IFC model from Revit, import IFC to ADT.

Otherwise, you can export from Revit to 3D DWG, and open the 3D model in ADT, but there is no "intelligence" in the model. It's simply 3D forms.

[Anonymous]

sirduncan wrote:
The company I work for uses ADT with HSB in the production department because it interfaces with their machines in the yard. Despite their best efforts(they say), they can't get ArchiCAD to interface with the machines. So they (the production department) can't switch to ArchiCAD.

I would be curious to know what the production department has tried so far. ArchiCAD is certainly no CAM solution out of the box, but then neither is ADT. It seems that once the geometry is in place it shouldn't be too hard to get out the cut lists and patterns. I guess a lot depends on the details of how LHS works.

I worked on a stick framing add-on back in the early 90's. I had it pretty well sorted out in principle but the sponsor went bust before we got very far with the details of development. I have also used ArchiCAD for direct output for millwork but that was just profiles and take-offs. It occurred to me at the time that it wouldn't be too hard to expand that to making custom trim packages sorted and labeled by room, but we didn't have time to pursue that.

Since I originally come from a cabinet making and construction background I have always been fascinated by the possibility of hooking the building model directly to the means of production. I wish I had an excuse to pop up to Montana to see what you all are doing up there.

[Anonymous]

Scott wrote:
How is it done in AC?

AC has a built in Log Feature that is fast and effective for what we are doing. Plus, if you add the Log Home Solution - you can do far more.

Scott wrote:
... but I've heard IFC is the way to go.

This was the initial response from the Revit dealer I spoke with. And this may well work, but the log issue is the other stopper for us for now.

Matthew wrote:
I would be curious to know what the production department has tried so far.

I would be too. I was originally going to do some looking into the conversion myself, but have been a little too busy to work on it.

Matthew wrote:
I wish I had an excuse to pop up to Montana to see what you all are doing up there.

Come on up. (plug - is this allowed? :] ) Rocky Mountain Log Homes in Hamilton Montana. http://www.rmlh.com

[Scott Davis]

I'd really rather not answer these here, but hopefully the AC users will be patient, since you do not want to sign up on AUGI....very easily....for free.... 🙂

sirduncan wrote:
But what if I decide to make my log wall 14 courses instead of 13 - or 15 1/2? Do I have to 'edit' the wall again?

No, you base the sweep geometry on the tallest log wall you will build. In the properties of the Wall Style, you add sweeps to 20 feet tall (if this is your tallest wall used as a standard wall type). The actual wall in the project will only show the sweeps to the height of the wall.

sirduncan wrote:
How about switch from an 8" log to a 10"?

Since you are a production home builder, you will spend some time up front creating your Template file, which will include "standard" wall types. Maybe you have predefined a 6", 8", 10" and 12" log walls. To switch sizes, highlight the wall, go to the Type Pull down, and select another size.

sirduncan wrote:
Completely redo the sweeps?

Not necessary as they are part of the defined "type". you would have to add sweeps if your "typical' wall only went to 20 feet, and for some special reason you had a 30 foot tall wall.

sirduncan wrote:
What about doors and windows?

Sweeps are cuttable (or not, you decide) by doors and windows. Move or delete the door, and the log wall "heals".

sirduncan wrote:
If I need to move my door over - do I have to edit the reveals?

No, same as above, walls/sweeps/reveals all will "heal".

sirduncan wrote:
Do I have to 'hide' a 'regular' wall inside my sweep to put in doors and windows?

You have two types of walls available in Revit; System Walls and In place Family Walls. System walls are the "typical" type of wall, with two parallel faces floor to ceiling with a structural core and some assembly of components including sheathing and finishes, but can include sweeps and reveals (which is the basis for all the answers above). In Place wall Families are created by the user with extrusions, sweeps, revolves, blends, or other modeling operations. Therefore, these In Place walls can be any geometry you can think of, but each wall must be modeled. System walls with sweeps will have a "hidden" wall to place doors and windows. In Place Family walls will NOT have a hidden wall, but will still host doors/windows.

Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

Scott wrote:
Hope that helps!

As a matter of fact it helps a whole lot.

Scott wrote:
... you will spend some time up front creating your Template file, which will include "standard" wall types.

Indeed. And that is just fine with me. So if I understand correctly, I setup all of my different log sizes/diameters - up to 20 feet tall each. Then they should work just like a regular wall. if I set the height to some odd number, it would show 12.37 courses - or whatever? That would be great for now.

Furthermore - These walls will work just like any wall when I add a window but then need to move it over 4 1/4" - the 'whole' for this window will move with the window - or change the size of the window.

If these things are true, then I guess I better get Revit installed and try it out. (we only have a 30 day trial so I didn't want to install it until we had some of these answers). Also - I'm not sure on the concern for answering this question on the ArchiCAD board - I'm sure there are others doing the AC vs Revit for log walls and your answers here - or anywhere - will be very helpful for anyone looking into the differences. Beyond that - now probably needing to install Revit - I'll probably be registering over there too.

As for the AC board - thank you for your patience and comments/questions regarding a Revit issue. I hope this thread becomes useful for more than just myself. I believe that the AC vs Revit discussion will go on forever - this is just one small step. :]

Now - about that exporting to ADT thing . . . . . . . . . . :]

[Anonymous]

sirduncan wrote:
Now - about that exporting to ADT thing . . . . . . . . . . :]

There's gotta be a way to go straight from BIM to the machines. This seems the better path than figuring out how to translate to a moribund half-BIM product. Whether the modeler is ArchiCAD or Revit this has to be the solution in the long run.

[Dwight]

"Moribund."
There's a word you don't hear every day.