Revit file true import translator to Archicad

[Chris_Lz]

Hi everyone!

I am struggling to work with Revit models from other consultants, mostly Structure and M&E. The link module doesn't always work as it should, sometime it's importing just pieces of the whole RVT file, sometimes I can't see it at all.

And when it does work, I can't actually use it for real in my work, because the elements are imported as objects. I wish that windows can be translated and assign to similar Archicad library windows, walls convert to walls, floors to floors and so on.

Is Graphisoft working on this, or even considering it? It would be amazing to be able to have this true .rvt import translator. I feel like I'm almost forced by the industry to switch to Revit, most of the designers send models in Revit or 2D plans in dwg.

I've had a look at IFC, but same thing, some walls are converted to walls, some walls are converted to morph or objects, so it's not really that useful.

Operating system used: Windows 11

[Davor P]

My understanding is that It's a fundamental difference in how software is designed to define a wall. In cases where a Revit wall is an extrusion along a reference line, Archicad will be able to interpret it as a wall. Where it is drawn as a more complex shape, Archicad might not have the ability to translate it as a wall. Translator settings (for IFC) give an option to import those elements as either objects or morphs.

To Graphisofts credit, they have made a big effort in supporting opening and saving out Revit files.

Switching to Revit is an option and by matching their subscription model, Graphisoft has eliminated one of the biggest selling points of Archicad over Revit.

[Laszlo Nagy]

Another thing to know about exporting/importing RVT files is that RVT is a proprietary file format. A non-profit company called Open Design Alliance is reverse-engineering it and that is the solution companies (including Graphisoft) are using for RVT import/Export.