Revit Architecture into Archicad 14??

[rob2218]

we have a sub-consultant producing a highly articulate existing building conditions in a revit (RVT) architecture file.

I've tried to send them to the "add-on"'s Graphisoft page for them to download and install the Revit Add-on INT version (which I was told by Graphisoft that could be used with Revit Architecture) and when we get the IFC 2x3 formatted database back....well all hell breaks loose and the 2d information I see is impossible to work with.

I can't even place an elevation marker nor a section marker on the model we get back from them.

What do I need to tell them, do to get this resolved???

I've read the threads on this forum. I've consulted out local reseller and I've contacted Graphisoft directly, of which they want to physically "see" the RVT native file for their review once we have it in our possession.

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

From what I have seen, the add-in will not install unless Revit Structure or MEP are installed on the computer. Once it is installed, you will need to edit the Revit.ini file to add the external application to Revit Architecture. Like this.

[ExternalApplications]
EACount=1
EAClassName1=Graphisoft.Application
EAAssembly1=C:\Program Files\Graphisoft\Improved IFC Exchange\2011\ImprovedIFCExchange.dll

[Erika Epstein]

Rob,
What happens when they save out an IFC file without the add-on? There are a number of free IFC viewers including one on the Solibri site to help you isolate if there is a problem in the REVIT to IFC or the IFC to ARCHICAD or both portions of the conversion.

You might also ask them for a 3D DWG for comparison. Not sure how you are working with the revit model, but if it is just for reference, the 3D DWG, which is significantly smaller in size as it is dumb might be good enough for some or all of your needs.

Also, when you say "all hell breaks loose and the 2d information I see is impossible to work with. " some screenshots would help for us to see what that really means.

HTH

[Eduardo Rolon]

You might also try to get them to export the project by stages, i.e. structure, facades, etc. This way you might find what the problem is.

Also you can download a Revit trial and open the file to verify the translation procedure.

[rob2218]

When I say "All hell breaks loose".....here's what I mean.
1. the 2d floor plan data is not looking the same as the model I see in the 3d window.
2. We need to have the database as a full working PLN (with objects like walls, doors, windows, etc..) working for us since we will be using the database into our existing condition drawings but will need to be manipulating the existing data as well as adding on our own walls to it.

The Existing Condition Surveyors sent us a PDF file and it looks nothing like what the IFC is suppose to look like.
Walls are in different story settings which don't show up properly where they should be showing up.
custom revit objects like some detail work above the doors end up looking like "meshes".
some walls have editable properties, some don't.
some walls you can see properly, some you can't.

I mean...it really is a mess.
When I'm staring at the PLN file, and I'm looking at say the "first floor" story on the project tab, and I place either an elevation or section marker and I go to "open source view".....the system locks up and crashes...every single time.

it's as if as though Archicad has no way of calculating what the elevation or section looks like so it decides to hang and crash.

We wrote in our contract to have our subs provide us with a fully working USABLE file when we import it into archicad....and so far, it's not happening.

[Erika Epstein]

Rob,
I noted that you have contacted graphisoft so they will sort this out.
A couple of notes though for future posts when you want help.

-Without screen shots with your posts that allow us to see the difference between plan and model or a detailed written description of same, we have no clue what you are seeing and what the problem is and these will help point us in the right direction.

- regarding "We wrote in our contract to have our subs provide us with a fully working USABLE file when we import it into archicad....and so far, it's not happening." File exchange needs to be tested and worked out. This is never as seamless as we would all like it to be. The testing needs to get done every time as program updates can require at the minimum fine-tuning. You may need to find someone in your office who is skilled at translator setup or send someone for training.

[rob2218]

Erika,
you had mentioned a "viewer" for an IFC format.
Bear with me here.....I'm learning all this IFC stuff as we go along...not an expert like you are so....

But, what's the point of using a "viewer"? What added information will a viewer help with? isn't the point to get the IFC file into Archicad and be able to work with it?

What would an IFC viewer tell me about the file that would help in diagnosing the IFC translation problem?

[Eduardo Rolon]

Basically as a Diagnostic to pinpoint were the problem might be. If the file on the Viewer shows the same problems as in AC then the problem is either in the Revit file or in the Export. If the viewer shows the IFC model different than AC then the problem is on AC's side of the equation.

The same reason applies to exporting the file into different files by categories. The columns might be ok and import correctly then the error might lie in the Beams etc.

Have you downloaded a Revit trial and tried to open the original Revit file?

[Erika Epstein]

Hi Rob,
A viewer will tell show you how what your translator created i.e. the model that your recipient will be receiving. You will be able to stop and correct what you will be sending out.
Whenever I haven't checked the final pdf, dwg or IFC etc. that I sent out I have regretted my decision as inevitably that is when there is a glitch.

Translating between any two programs is not fool proof. Archicad has excelled at creating translators and making interoperability a success. They lead in translator creation but ,'there's always something'.

[Anonymous]

There is also Graphisoft.com/Support/ifc/downloads > IFC Hotfix Build 3247 to download. Maybe that would help. The Release Notes indicate items that have been improved / fixed. Some bear on Revit connection.