Export layer question

[yonit_levy]

Hi all

I urgently need help in setting the layer/category combination.
The authorities demand specific interior walls in specific layers in DWG format. (e.g. fire, concrete...) and the same with windows doors and other elements.
how can I define different layers to specific walls/elements?

Please help,

Yonit

[beegee]

A good starting point would be this thread. (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=13422&highlight=export+layers)

[yonit_levy]

Thanks a lot, this is really helpful.

What i still do not understand is how i can create a new category for a wall so it will end-up in a different layer in the DWG format. (or there is another way?)
the same issue for columns, windows and doors.

Thanks again,

Yonit

[beegee]

You can change the layer name and colour that Revit will export walls to, by simply selecting and editing the names in the scroll list.

Is that what you mean ?

[yonit_levy]

No, in the project I have different types of interior walls and i need to export them to different layers in the DWG file (the same with exterior walls, windows, doors etc.).
In the export setting I found just one type of interior wall under the category column (Attached an image). and when I am opening the wall properties I do not see a possibility to add another wall function (Attached an image).
As a result I have to create the DWG file and change the layers of those entities in all the drawings manually.

I hope this clarify my problem

Thanks again,

Yonit

[Steve_Stafford]

That level of control is not available now. I'm confident the Revit team understands the issue.

A possible work around is to use worksets.

Do the workset tutorial if you haven't used them yet
Create worksets for all objects and get them in their worksets
Create worksets for each interior wall type
Place these walls in their corresponding workset
Create separate export template files that assign these walls to different layers (one file for each different type)
Create a separate floor plan view for each special wall type, set visible, all else off.
Export main floor plan with the all the special wall's worksets turned off. (using the main export template)
Export each special wall floor plan using its own export template
Open the main floor plan in AutoCAD
Insert/Explode or Externally Reference/bind/ the separate special wall files.
Now you've got floor plans that have all the walls on the separate layers.
Lot of work? Sure...is it less or more than doing the changing in Acad? Guess it depends on how many you're dealing with.

[yonit_levy]

Thanks, i will better start now...

[aaronrumple]

I haven't looked at it, but my understanding is that Revit's information is attached to exported AutoCAD objects as extended entity data. If this is the case it should be possible to write a program that would correctly layer your DWG based on wall types after export.

Wouldn't be a complex program for someone with a good lisp background.

What Revit will do is create separate layers for walls based on Wall function.
Interior, Exterior, Soffit, Foundation and Retaining can all be assigned a different export layer.

[Steve_Stafford]

...What Revit will do is create separate layers for walls based on Wall function. Interior, Exterior, Soffit, Foundation and Retaining can all be assigned a different export layer.If I understand his question, he is saying that he has several types of walls that belong in the Interior subcategory. So he needs a way to sub-categorize these walls beneath Interiors and as far as I know there is no way to do that. Thus the whole workset trip...

[aaronrumple]

However you could use these "function" settings to separate the walls. All walls would be "exterior". Except for the interior walls - they would be soffit, interior, foundation and retaining. You would be limited to 4 "interior" layers. It would be a bit funky, but it would get the job done.

[Steve_Stafford]

...However you could use these "function" settings to separate the walls...aaah...I see what you meant now!

[PaulB]

A lot of the time it is not purely a differentiation between interior walls and exterior walls but between, say, conc. panel walls, blockwork walls and timber/steel stud walls. If the building is fast track then the builders may only require the conc. panel walls (and dimensions) details for the first stage and then the blockwork and so on.

There is also the historical value of correct layers for the walls, if for instance you have a refurb project and all the walls are on the same layer then without thorough investigation on-site you may note a stud wall to be demolished that is actually a conc. wall. These sorts of things are likely to create substantial variations in costs.

I believe you need as much information possible when you are working on any project, it is then up to the individual how much info they choose to use.

In Revit I believe that we need to be able to "categorise and sub-categorise" any item we require so that we can produce any number of variations in terms of drawings (refer to the walls issue at the start). There are several sub-categories that we can only turn-off the visibility if we turn off the whole category (filled regions, I believe is just one).

What I am alluding to is that we, as the user, should if we so require, be able to choose how much depth we go into in terms of categorising the information. Revit seems to want to restrict us from doing this. I don't know if it is a case of "they won't need that or we shouldn't let them do that or doing that would over-complicate the software" Although Revit doesn't have layers, which is great that we don't need to remember to draw on the correct layer, we still need to have the visibility control (infinite, if we wish) that the layers gave us.

I do not want to have too learn a tool to use as a workaround (worksets) to be able to categorise the drawing information (and therefore layer export naming) to the level that I or the client require.

In summary what I am trying to say is "Give us the tools and we can choose the level of complication that we require". I realise that this may not be very Revit-like (over-complicated) but let us choose.

Hope this all makes sense.


Paul

[Steve_Stafford]

In Revit I believe that we need to be able to "categorise and sub-categorise" any item we require so that we can produce any number of variations in terms of drawings (refer to the walls issue at the start). There are several sub-categories that we can only turn-off the visibility if we turn off the whole category (filled regions, I believe is just one).We have to be careful what we wish for. Consider the Reference Other View feature... A beautiful addition to Revit, one we all asked for, yet it opens pandora's box of trust. With this featue you can incorrectly identifiy a view to refer to and undermine your project team's trust in the annotation of your project. Great feature, unintended results...

I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't be able to do what you describe...just that the Revit team has always been very careful and cautious about changes that suddenly create a whole new level of complexity the user must interact with. So while I'm keen to have more control over what gets exported to dwg and how it happens, I'm very eager to have it be as simple as possible too.

[PaulB]

Steve,

Is this because it is a "manual" task to reference the other view ? I haven't had much dealings with this one but going back to my original point, we already control visibility to some degree I'm saying we just need to look at getting greater control.

I agree with what what you're saying in relation to the general workings which is why I said it may be that the developers don't want to overly complicate the software but I also believe that we need to look at the workings and if we can be given greater control over some things then we should do it, if not then "thats life".

The task that we are charged with is far greater than just producing a set of drawings that that the client is happy with. We need to be able to communicate easily and effectively with all parties involved during the construction and after that for the life of the building. Having more control will make it easier to do this.

[Steve_Stafford]

...Is this because it is a "manual" task to reference the other view ?... Yes


We need to be able to communicate easily and effectively with all parties involved during the construction and after that for the life of the building. Having more control will make it easier to do this.We're on the same page.

What is hard is making it easy to manage the additional control.