How Easy is It to Switch From Chief Architect to Revit

Is there any way to send a chief 3D file to Revit so that it remains 3D ???

Lew

Hi Lew,

I've checked this for you. We have never required to import 3d data into Revit before, but we discovered that Revit's importing 3d model capability is currently limited. Looks like only 3d .dwg and .skp files are allowed. If you're familiar with Revit, you need to create a generic 3d family, and on the next step you need to import 3d dwg model into this family.

Ozgur;

thanks, an HD user was asking if Revit can use a .PLAN file and I suspected the answer was no

so the .DWG format can support 3D ???

can chief export a 3D .DWG ???

Lew

Yes, been that way for as long as I can remember but I doubt a full plan in DWG is going to be of much use in Revit. You lose all your parametric editing functions which are the main things that save so much time designing & drafting.

Ok, got it

I thought that was the status

but was wondering if I had missed out on some improvements

someday CA will get on the industry standard BIM bandwagon

Lew

The only time I have found exporting a full model in 3D DWG has been of much use at all is to help a structural engineer I used (that was using Vectorworks and could import it, though it was clear he had barely even scratched the surface of the 3D paradigm) visualize a bit of a tricky detail and level-change situation in a design.

Ideally, it would be soooooooooo wonderful to be able to interact with consultants and fellow professionals in a more 3D world, but for now I still can hardly find any consultants, whether structural, mechanical, or electrical, that have even dipped their toe in the 3D water yet.

Bryce:

I attend BIM webinars and I do see where Revit and Sketchup are becoming major players in creating 3D models that can then be imported to other software for doing structural and energy and sun studies etc

some of the inter-operability is uni-directional and some is bi-directional

I can only dream of the day when Chief enters this realm....

Lew

The attached picture is a Chief export opened in AutoCad.

This is a reasonably good working model that can be edited and explored in AutoCad.

The problem with Chief as I see it is not export capability, but import capability.
We can bring in a 2D DWG, but not a 3D. We can bring in a 3DS model, but it is only marginally editable in Chief.

Bill:

thanks, it's nice to know that

how long has chief had that capability ???

I started with ver 9.5 in 2004 and that is the first pic
I have seen of a chief 3D showing as 3D in Autocad

Lew

09:57 PM

Hi Lew,
I go back to version 9 as well, and although I no longer have V9 or V10 on my machine, the v9 manual describes exporting the 3D model.

Bryce,
An engineer that I use likes AutoCad to explore my exported model, she likes to be able to really see the structure, and the load paths. She can turn layers on or off to see different parts of the structure, she can edit and draw. The exported model is a good tool, particularly when used in conjunction with exported 2D plans that Acad users are more comfortable with.

I think the problem is not so much with Chief's capability here as it is with most ACAD users unfamiliarity with 3D.

Yes, I agree with that. The main issue is just inertia.

11:13 PM

Bryce,
Your right, it is inertia; and although it is important that ACAD users take the time to work with what we export, it is more important that we understand what we can supply to users of other programs through the export process.

What do Auto-cad users need from us?

A PDF of the layout sheets is a good starting point; but our most easily used and understood export is the 2D plan, sent with the correct layer sets active. The 3D export is extremely useful to those who are familiar with working in three dimensions, again it's important to provide the correct layer sets. These files need to be accompanied by a written information that explains what the files are, how they can be used, and perhaps a FAQ explaining some or the quirks that occur in the conversion process, or dealing with black lines on the old school black Auto-cad screen.

I've not touched on exporting elevation and cross section views, and the export of layout sheets which can also be useful for notes and minor edits by users of other cad programs.

A fundamental knowledge of ACAD would be helpful for chief users who need to interface with other cad users. There is little reason not to have some knowledge of Auto-Cad as classes are readily available, and open source Auto-cad clones with 3D capability are available for less than $200 (US). Auto-cad is the dominant language, we Chief users are a small minority, speaking a foreign tongue. It would be good for us to to know enough of the dominant language to order a meal, or ask where the bathroom is. Most of us have to interface with engineers, surveyors, architects, lighting designers, interior designers, suppliers, contractors, etc, and almost always the file format is going to be a DWG.

Concerning exports; the largest problem is that most Chief users have a good understanding of the tools available.

That said, we do have severe limits on our ability to import readily usable information. Yes, it's true we can import 2D cad files, but we are often tracing over 2D ACAD drawings because the cad to walls tool is only marginally functional, and there are severe limitations on editing imported 3D models.

While I make whatever efforts I have to to accomodate the Luddites in the best interests of my clients, I do favor consultants that are more up to speed with current technologies. As the lead designer on a project, I have a lot of influence as to who is chosen for the consulting work and I think we should also keep that in mind. We can have some influence on this. I work with one engineer who does use Chief and the advantages are profound.

How Easy is It to Switch From Chief Architect to Revit

Chief to Revit - 3D

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