Revit FBX model Export for 3ds Max
We often receive fbx models exported from Revit from architectural firms. A lot of the times these files are large and take ages to import into 3dsmax. Especially when it's the first time the company has worked with Revit. This problem occurs when the Revit model is exported to fbx as a whole. The FBX-file becomes very big because there is a lot of information stored in the file.
The Revit modeler normally just exports everything into one file without taking into account what we will really need. He or she has problably never worked with 3dsmax, so how could they know? But we end up with a big load of model data that we really do not need. For example doorknobs, electrical fittings, bolts and other model heavy details. This little tutorial shows the workflow for exporting a clean Revit model so that you can work with it and don’t have to spend numerous hours cleaning and re-organizing the model.
This workflow comes down to the following steps:
Exporting the FBX model from Revit
- Brake up your Revit model into chunks
We like to organize a 3d architectural model according to its building elements. For example:
- structure
- floors / ceilings / roofs
- exterior walls
- Interior walls
- windows/doors
- railings
- furniture
- light fixtures
By braking up the model into its elements, the model becomes manageable. Parts that are missing or incorrectly modeled become visible and more easily identifiable. You will also be able to identify the model geometry that you will need or will not need. Luckly Revit also organizes buildings in to their elements by categories. So that is handy! Now we only have to select the Revit categories that are suited for our defined building ellements.
- Create view templates
Revit only export’s the geometry that is visible in your viewport. You can specify what is visible in your viewport by creating view templates in Revit. Within the template you can specify what categories you want to be visible. By creating view templates according to the building elements that we specified we will be able to clearly define the model chunks that we want to export.
- Level of Detail (LoD)
Within Revit you can indicate the level of detail of the 3d model. There are three levels, namely course, medium and fine. (example: http://www.cad-addict.com/2010/03/revit-baics-control-level-of-detail-of.html) Normally the course level of detail will be good enough. This step will reduce a lot of unnecessary detailed model information.
- Only export the geometry that you will be need
Eventually we will be only needing the model information. So make sure that you hide all the other Revit infromation in your view templates like lighting, or linewights or whatever Revit else is using.
You are now ready to export the diferent model chunks by selecting your defined viewport templates. For information on how to import FBX files into 3ds Max read the blog "import Revit fbx into 3ds Max".
