Autodesk Revit structural steel models are typically created to a level of detail that provides a good starting point, but needs additional work and information before it can be used for fabrication. To save time recreating models, fabricators that use Autodesk Advance Steel can import basic steel models from the Autodesk Revit software and then continue detailing the model with required connections and documentation.
Design to Fabrication Workflow
Develop a complete design to fabrication workflow using the interoperability features of Autodesk Revit and Advance Steel. To understand how to complete a Revit Structure Model, taking a Revit for Structure training course will teach you the principles of creating 3D models of structural buildings.
How To: Export Autodesk Revit Models
- In Autodesk Revit open the project you want to share with Advance Steel
- Open a 3D view if you want the entire project exported. Open a 2D view if you want only one level exported.
- In the Add-ins tab>Advance Steel Extension panel>expand Advance Steel Extension and click Settings.
- In the Settings dialog box, specify the location where you want the file saved and what you want to export. Click OK.
- In the Add-ins tab>Advance Steel Extension panel>expand Advance Steel Extension and click Export.
- In the Export utilities dialog box, select Advance export and click OK. The creates a SMLX file, which can be imported into Advance Steel.
How To: Import Autodesk Revit Models to Advance Steel
- Start Advance Steel
- Start a new drawing based on a template file. The default is ASTemplate.dwt.
- In the Export & Import tab>Revit panel, click Import.
- In the Open dialog box, navigate to the appropriate file folder select the .SMLX file and click Open.
- If the Material conversion dialog box appears, select a Define conversion name from the list. This mapping will be added to the GTC_Material_Conversion table.
- If the Section conversion dialog box appears, select, and appropriate section name and click OK.
- Steel members and steel connections get imported into Advance Steel.
How To: Synchronize Changes from Advance Steel to Autodesk Revit
- Make changes and add connections to the Advance steel model such as the clip angles shown in the figure below.
- In the Export & Import tab>Revit panel, click Export.
- Save to .SMLX FILE.
- Open Autodesk Revit and the original file you first exported to Advance Steel.
- In the Add-ins tab>Advance Steel Extension panel, expand (Advance Steel Extension) and click Synchronize.
- In the Synchronization dialog box, click Load… and select the SMLX file you want to synchronize the project with.
- The modifications for each object will appear in a list which can be filtered.
- You can apply the changes for the selected modifications ore for the entire set.
- To quickly spot the Autodesk Revit model objects, you can double-click on the line inside the synchronization dialog box to highlight and zoom in on the objects in the model.
- In the Synchronisation dialog box, the main tick boxes work with applied filters. If the objects are selected using the filters and a main tick box is activated, only those lines will have the individual tick box selected.
- The Synchronisation dialog box displays both Position and Offset changes in a single modification line. You are prompted with the coordinate points of the start and end points of the system axis. This applies to all linear elements, including curved beams.
- Beam and Column section rotations are spotted and applied by the Synchronisation dialog box in Autodesk Revit. The change is displayed with the word Angle.
As you develop a complete design to fabrication workflow, you can use the interoperability features of Autodesk Revit and Advance Steel to move seamlessly from Autodesk Revit (used primarily for design) to Advance Steel (used primarily for fabrication). Both programs work together to expedite the process of steel design to fabrication.
The benefits of learning both Revit Structure and Advance Steel from IMAGINiT training courses is to streamline collaboration between these products and create the structural models of your dreams.
