The export from Revit to RFEM is started via the
Export Model button in the Revit ribbon (see image
Add-In in Revit Ribbon
).
In a dialog box, you can make some settings that are important for the data transfer to RFEM. This dialog box consists of two tabs.
General Settings
In the 'General Settings' tab, you make basic specifications for the data export.
Export Type
Select whether you want to Create a new structure or Overwrite an existing structure when exporting to RFEM.
For a newly created model, a model template in RFEM can be selected. To do this, the file path of an RFEM model template (*.ft6 file) must be specified in the File: input on the right side of the export dialog box.
Z-direction
Here you can specify how the global Z-axis should be oriented in the RFEM model.
Data
When modeling in Revit, physical elements are generally created. An analytical model is required for the export to RFEM. The analytical computational model can be generated automatically in Revit. Using the model type, you can specify whether the analytical and/or physical properties are exported.
If you export the Analytical properties, all objects for which an analytical model is stored are transferred. Analytical elements without an associated physical element are also exported. The material and cross-section information is read from the analytical elements. Eccentricities from the physical properties are not adopted.
If you export the Physical properties, only the analytical objects that are linked to a physical element are transferred. The material and cross-section information is read from the physical elements. This also allows the eccentricities from the physical model to be considered.
If Analytical and physical properties are exported, the same objects are transferred as when exporting the analytical properties – with the difference that for all analytical elements linked to a physical model, the material and cross-section information is adopted from the physical model. This also allows the eccentricities from the physical model to be considered.
Objects to Transfer
This section offers the possibility to export only a partial system. You can control the objects to be transferred in Revit via selections or visibility settings.
With the Only members and surfaces option, only the main objects (beams, columns, slabs) are exported. Hinges or support definitions are ignored. Any incomplete or incorrect definition in Revit is thus ignored.
Options
With the Consider member eccentricities and Consider surface eccentricities check boxes, you can control whether eccentricities should be automatically created in the RFEM model. These result from the offset of the analytical line or surface to the center of gravity of the physical object in Revit.
If you Export member hinges without degree of freedom, RFEM creates "empty" hinges on all RFEM members that do not receive specific hinge information from Revit. The members are thus rigidly connected.
With the Use cross-section name from 'Dlubal Name' parameter option, the cross-section conversion is carried out via the defined Dlubal Parameters.
Export profile and material description in Dlubal comment documents the material or cross-section names used in Revit in the corresponding RFEM comments.
The defined grid in Revit can be transferred to RFEM with the Export grid option.
Structural Settings
In the Structural Settings tab, you can specify how foundation objects from Revit should be transferred to RFEM.
Foundations
In RFEM, there are no specific foundation objects, only simple supports. Objects of the Single Foundation or Wall Foundation type can be created in RFEM either as hinged nodal or line supports or as surfaces with an elastic foundation.
The spring stiffnesses of an elastic foundation are preset with default values. Adjust the values in the RFEM model. The dimensions of the surfaces are also preset and generally need to be adjusted to the geometric conditions.
Loads
If the Load structural setting is activated, single loads, line loads, and surface loads defined in Revit are exported to RFEM.
The load cases from Revit are also transferred, and the action groups are converted into the corresponding action categories in RFEM. Custom action groups can be added in the ActionCategoryConfig file under the following path:
- C:\Users\Public\Documents\Dlubal\ImportExportWs
