Revit Analytical Model and RAM Structural Sys Link

[jschlitter]

I have the current Revit/RAM link for Revit Structure 2008, and was able to export several very small simple test structures from Revit into RAM with no problems.

Am now trying to do the same on a three story structural steel framed dormitory structure. No slopes or anything fancy that RAM couldnt handle. Doesnt even have barjoists. Problem is, it looks like the Revit analytical model is completely messed up and results in about a thousand "beam not supported" errors in RAM. It looks like many of the Revit analytical beam nodes arent connecting to the column nodes OR they connect, but are several inches off from physical model.

Is there any way to easily correct all of these errors in Revit? How do I prevent this in the future? Any other ideas?

If I look at the 2nd floor analytical view, I can see the beam connection nodes, select them, but it doesnt snap them to the columns. I can get it close, but not snapped. If you dont know RAM, even if the beam/column connection is 0.001" off, it won't work. One would think the analytical model would snap to the column just like the physical model.

[slengineering]

I encounter this issue constantly. I don't know how most engineers deal with cleaning up the analytical model, but I have resorted to simply getting the grid and columns into RSS and then recreating the model. I would think that there has to be a way to create the RS model without encountering all of the errors that RSS gives you when you export the model, but the help file does not really deal with this issue.

Someone who knows what they are doing will hopefully shed some light on this issue quickly.

Steve

[Chuppy]

My 1st post too. Been modeling with Revit for a couple of months and just finish the construction document phase on a 6 story building. Never seem to have this problem, and I'm using the default snap settings (pretty much snap to everything). I would suggest you check your snap settings. My guest is that you have the dimension snaps checked, but not the object snaps. Also try the grid option in the options bar when adding new columns and beams. Use beam systems whenever possible, as they automatically extend to the supporting beams.

On rare occasions, I would get a little sloppy, and click in the wrong place. But I would have to be off by more than 2' before the automatic snap doesn't work. Since I have the analytical lines visible, it's pretty easy to immediately see a gap between analytical lines. I usually zoom in to see about 120' by 90' on the screen. Then I would drag the handle of that beam to the correct location.

RAM and Revit also handles sloped beams pretty well, once I figured out I needed to set the column property "Top vertical projection" to top of column. You can also verify this in Revit by looking at the analytical lines in 3D, and making sure all the analytical lines are connected.

Of course I think some issues with integrating these two software applications could be improved. Cantilevers are limited, such that the back-span needs to be the longer member. The brace property for "Reference level" had to be manually set for every brace. And with your issue with the beams not snapping to the correct location, you do have to adjust every element manually.

[jschlitter]

All the object snaps are on. My guess is when the drafter tweaked something, the analytical line didn't follow.

Resorting to blowing away all the beams in RAM and drawing by hand. Seems to have worked.