Importing 3D Studio Max Models

[pdavis]

If you are importing 3D Studio Max files in Revit Building and using the Building Maker tools to create Revit Elements, what export option are you using in Max?

[dhurtubise]

Export to DWG.
Import in a Mass Family.

[pdavis]

The problem with using DWG is the "Floor Area Faces" and "Floor by Face". It does not recognize what should be faces.

[dhurtubise]

Unfortunately you're right for Floor. What is your workflow exactly ?

[pdavis]

Workflow differs for each office. In this particular case, the design team is very comfortable using Max for their conceptual design. From a CADD/BIM Management standpoint, this team is awesome. They are willing to change their process to make my life easier. But because this team really acts as a team, I want to work with them. I think they will find using SketchUp and Revit Building Maker tools limiting.

As I mentioned, this team does their conceptual design in Max and as things start to solidify, they will move to Revit. Rather than starting from scratch, I want to leverage some of the data the generated in Max.

One solution I was thinking of trying is purchasing an add-on for Max that would export to a SAT. But that's another expense, and I would rather spend my resources on training than software of I can.

Every office and every design team has their own methods and workflow which complicates things tremendously. As I mentioned, this particular team is really outstanding, and I want give them as much leeway as I can, so they don't have to change a process and workflow that has been successful for them so far.

[dhurtubise]

unfortunately you won't find an easy from Max to Revit, even though the otehr way around is way better.
If you can't afford to change the workflow, then you will obviously loose some data in the process or need to remodel.

[pdavis]

I really hope one of the benefits we see from Autodesk 3.0 is better communication between Autodesk products. I understand that data exchange from Revit <-> Inventor may not be a priority, but Building Solution Products <-> Visualization products, makes sense to me.

[dhurtubise]

It works really well from Revit to Max, not t he other way around. And i don't think that's the way it's meant to be anyways.
Try to teach them how to model in Revit and see what they think of it. It sure have some downside compare to modelling in Revit but it's definitely worth it.

[pdavis]

It works really well from Revit to Max, not t he other way around. And i don't think that's the way it's meant to be anyways.
Try to teach them how to model in Revit and see what they think of it. It sure have some downside compare to modelling in Revit but it's definitely worth it.

I am going to have to try to figure out a way to make it work for this group. They are just so easy to work with, you want to do whatever you can for them. Not like another office I have which seems to think that sketchUp can be used thru the DD and into the CD phase of a project, but don't get me started on those guys.

Thanks for the advise.