One of the things that has
interested quite a few people for quite a while is how to reuse or
rather properly re-utilize manufacturing design files from Pro-E or
Solidworks or Inventor in a BIM application, specifically Revit.
General interoperability has been a high priority for many people and I feel others have completely dismissed it as not possible. I am here to shed some light on the contrary. Previously, it was possible to export to a DWG file and import it,
though there was a loss in data transfer.
Revit has been able to import
ADSK files for quite a while now;
some have even created videos as to how the process works (here are a
few
links: BIM Ready Content from Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Inventor to Revit using AEC exchange tool). To give an overview, there is a *.ADSK file that has been
created as
an intermediary between manufacturing design files that have been either
created or translated into Inventor Assemblies. The reason that I
mention
assemblies here is because we are able to use some functionality that
will
literally shrinkwrap or reduce the complexity of these detailed products. Then we apply some information and connectors. Next we transfer the components to the common *.ADSK file and open it in Revit.
There are some issues that still need to be worked out of the process so I will give a warning that this process will vary depending on what type and/or category is being utilized in these environments. The
following are a general guideline on how to create the best possible and
most
efficient ADSK file. It should be noted these steps will vary slightly
based on
product category, use, and levels of geometry complexity also.
1.
The first step
in utilizing the AEC Exchange environment is to
simplify the assembly or part in Autodesk Inventor. This can be
accomplished in
a couple of ways; it is possible to suppress extraneous or proprietary
design
information, use the Level of Detail commands that have been built into
Inventor, and/or use the Shrinkwrap or Shrinkwrap Substitute. Generally a
combination of these options will yield the most functional end product.
a.
Suppress
Extraneous or Proprietary Design Information
i.
With the
Assembly open, simply select the sub-set by means of the
tree view or by toggling between components in the view of the design
assembly,
then right click to bring up the contextual menu, select Suppress. It
should be
noted that the sub-component is then represented in the tree view as
half tone
and stricken through.
ii.
At this point
it is possible to enter the Shrinkwrap command
environment on the Component panel of the Assembly tab.
1.
Note:
Shrinkwrapping here is only available in an Inventor Assembly.
b.
Level of
Detail representations optimizes performance and capacity
in Inventor and in turn Revit.
i.
If you have
the Assembly open, simply expand the Level of Detail
portion of the tree view and right-click on it then select either New
Substitute then select either Derive Assembly or Shrinkwrap.
1.
Note:
Shrinkwrapping from here is the same as creating a Shrinkwrap Substitute
which
will keep the link from the derivation to the master assembly file.
2.
Note:
It is recommended to utilize the Derive Assembly at this point in the
process
because in the next step it is possible to select which parts are
suppressed as
a more encompassing single shot process. If Shrinkwrap is selected then
manual
suppression needs to take place before the simplification.
ii.
Derive
Assembly
1.
After
selecting Derive Assembly the program will prompt to save the
substitute, select
a location in the current project folder.
2.
After Save,
the above dialog box will open. On the left it is
possible to select how the final part will be viewed by selecting the
Derive
Style. Here, Status allows to automatically suppress components.
3.
On
the Options tab it is possible to specify how granular the part will
turn out
and if the holes made from simplification should be filled.
iii.
You
can selectively remove items from memory. This is the reverse
of the previous workflow because you load the full assembly and suppress
components you do not need. Shrinkwrap
1.
Suppress all
parts that should not be included in the simplified
product. Once the parts are suppressed, save the Assembly and name the
Level of
Detail.
2.
After
selecting Shrinkwrap the program will prompt to save the
substitute, select a location in the current project folder.
3.
After Save,
the dialog box on the right will open. It is possible
to specify how granular the part will turn out and if the holes made
from
simplification should be filled.
4.
=
Single Body Merging out Seams between Planar
Faces.
5.
=
Solid Body Keep Seams between Planar Faces.
6.
= Single Composite Feature.
7.
Once Ok is
selected the Assembly with be Shrinkwrapped to a single
part.
iv.
It
is now possible to close the assembly and open only the substitute part
and it
is unlinked from the original design file.
2.
The next step
is to enter the AEC Exchange environment where Revit
connectors, categories, and User Coordinate System (UCS) controlled. AEC
Exchange can be found on the Environments tab in the Begin panel.
a.
The
first step is to place the connectors on the component. The options
available
for Revit here are Duct, Pipe, and Electrical.
b.
The second
step is to define the UCS as close to the center of the
product as possible with the Z-axis in the vertical direction or as
close to
the desired insertion point as possible.
c.
The third step
is to select Export Building Components.
i.
Select the
closest category base on the OmniClass code provided.
ii.
Once the
category is selected it is then possible to select or
filter the information that is contained in the design file to transfer
over to
Revit.
1.
Note:
Only the parameters contained under the Identity Data grouping react as
Shared
Parameters, which allow for tagging and scheduling once brought into
Revit.
iii.
In the
Orientation area select the newly defined UCS, this will
provide the proper orientation in the Revit platform.
iv.
On the bottom
left hand of the screen the final step before
exportation is to Check Design to verify there are no warnings,
specifically in
the Component Properties category.
d.
Finally,
before switching over to Revit, view the translation report to verify
that all
component attributes and geometry was transferred correctly.
3.
Bring the ADSK
file into Autodesk Revit and make it fully
compliant.
a.
In
the Revit platform simply select Open then navigate to the *.ADSK file
that was
just saved from Inventor.
b.
Once the file
is open, first verify the correct Revit Category and
Part Type by selecting the Category and Parameters button in the Family
Properties panel.
c.
Next
it is important to open the Types on the Family Properties panel to add
any
information that is missing from translation. Add parameters as needed
from the
Autodesk Shared Parameters *.txt file in accordance to the Revit Model
Style
Guides directions.
d.
Finally map
the parameters that were just created to the
connectors and verify that all information in them is correct.
e.
Save Family,
and the object is ready to be utilized in a project
environment.
I hope this post has provided some insight on the process of using the AEC Exchange.
By Ian McGaw
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