Process to ensure sensible 0,0 point in DWG exports etc?

[Martin P]

Having created a site plan in Autocad for a housing project that uses multiple revit models - ie lots of different houses with views exported to dwg then xrefed into a site plan. there are over 200 houses so doing the site in Revit just is not an option for us.

I am coming across some teething troubles with a sensible approach to doing this. First off the insert point of the exported views used as xrefs seems to be pretty random - I would like it to be maybe at the lowest left point of the external wall or at least know in Revit exactly where it is and to move it easily?

Is there a way to use journal files to automatically export and overwrite 3 Revit views to dwg - to keep the site plans always up to date. I need to export the foundation plan, floor plan, and roof plan to dwg - automatically overwrite the old files and know where the insert point is and keep it the same...

I think I can use scripts in Autocad to change the layers - ie 1 layer for each view - foundation, roof, floor layer.....

Anyone got experience or advice on an approach to this, it seems quite long winded at the moment....... I would like to make it fairly automated.

Thanks.

[Martin P]

no takers on this one?

[aaronrumple]

Look at Locations and Coordinates. You can relocate a project to a new location to set up a 0,0. You can also export based on shared coordinates or internal coordinates. These tools should give you what you're after.

You can export "Selected Views/Sheets". This will batch export your required views. We keep a list of backgroud views in the project for export. We don't work on these view, but just keep them set up for export.

A clever person could set up a journal file, but it is simple enough to export right before you close the project.

[Martin P]

Thanks for reply Aaron, is this something your firm do regularly too?

We are doing more and more housing, and all the site plans are in done it Autocad - so we are looking at trying to rationalise this process somehow. At the moment the site plans always end up out of date as the process to get from revit views to xrefed floor plans etc on the site seems to take a lot of effort - a lot more than I think it needs to do.

I will work on the 0,0 point - I think that should be fairly straight forward. I must admit that I still really struggle with Revit when it comes to locations and coordinates - the penny just hasnt dropped for me with how it works and it still seems difficult to get my head round when I use these tools. I think the lack of any sort of visual feedback when something changes really throws me, will have to play around with it.....

BTW Your Avatar is a real cutie :) is there a name? - I Must update my own i think he's twice that age now!!

[aaronrumple]

We to use AutoCAD for the site plans which often encompase several city blocks. We export the base plans to individual files and then insert those as xref's on the site plan. It has worked well for us. Once we set up the base export views , we don't fool with them. Just use them for export.

That's Alexandra "The Bean" Rumple on my avatar.

[Martin P]

export views..... Thats a good start anyway - We export the views that are used on the sheets - makes sense to have a view specifically for exporting... will use that ta!

The bean, good nickname :) much nicer than the one we use for ours!!

pooper 3!! but we dont call him that in public though LOL

pooper 1 and pooper 2 are the dogs!! - he deserves the number one title ;), but he came along third.....

[Wes Macaulay]

Pooper 3, huh - after the dogs. That's great

[Martin P]

Pooper 3, huh - after the dogs. That's great

Its just a bit of fun when I come home from work.... "hello pooper 1 & 2 & 3" they all think its great fun anyway. I dont think its offensive to anyone!? :o None of them can talk as yet ;). Maybe my sense of humour is just lost on you - sorry if you find it somehow offensive or innapropriate? It certainly isnt meant to be.

If he could talk or type he would certainly tell you he does not mind in the least..... I feel quite bad now!

I do have other ones - like "my boy" "yaya" (what he calls himself) and load of others - its just fun for him...

[Wes Macaulay]

Well, they all poop. And your kid is did come last... now all you need to do is get him a t-shirt with his title on it :mrgreen:

[FK]

"Specify Coordinates at a Point" is what you are looking for. Then, export in shared coordinates.

[Martin P]

Ah ha - I didnt realise I could change the coordinates with that tool - superb, all makes a lot more sense how it all works now, that was the vital part I was missing!! thank you!


Some extensive tutorials on working with site info between Revit and Autocad would be a great help if they exist - if not I wish they could do....