April, 2012

Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit:

Part I
BIM in Architecture and Engineering

The basis behind using Building Information Modeling is that all objects are 3 dimensional: models
are all able to be coordinated, and the information within them can be exported to be used in
other software programs for a streamlined workflow throughout the building design lifecycle. To
successfully implement BIM, a company must embrace not only the technology, but the process
change and personal adoption of the new environment. As BIM becomes more prevalent in the
AEC industry, companies need to understand the change and interoperability of cross-discipline
software products and design workflows, including the civil discipline.

Civil 3D to Revit

If you are an architect using Revit, you will probably need to use topography of the civil engineer.
If they are using Civil 3D, it is easy to use their grading plan to locate the building. The following
instructions will guide you through creating a Revit Toposurface from a Civil 3D TIN Surface.

In Civil 3D 2012:

1. Set the Surfaces Style you wish to export to a triangle only Style:

The layer on which your triangles appear in the Civil 3D surface style, will be the layer that they will be on when
importing into Revit.
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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

2. Next, create a Layout with a view point showing the surface in isometric view.

3. Export the file as an AutoCAD 2010 format:

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

In Revit 2012:
1. Make sure you are in a 3D View.

2. Go to the Insert Tab > Link CAD. Make sure you set up your import similar to below:

Note: Type ZE to zoom the entire surface into view.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

3. Go to the Massing & Site Tab > Create from Import > Select Import Instance

Note: After selecting the imported DWG file, make sure the layer exported from the Civil Engineer is the only Layer
selected. (The selection will be different for each client, depending on the Layers of the civil engineer.)
4. Select to Finish the Surface

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

Note: If you cannot see the Toposurface, and can only see the imported dwg file, open the Visibility/Graphics Dialog
Box:
In the Model categories tab, make sure Show categories from all disciplines is selected. Expand the Topography
category,
and verify the Triangular Edges is CHECKED ON!

Note: You are now ready to use the Civil 3D Topography in Revit.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

Revit to Civil 3D: Part II

If you are a Civil Engineer working with an AEC firm, you may want to verify the building pad you designed will work
with the building the architects have designed in Revit Architecture.

Note: It is important to get a simplified version of the project. A complex Revit model can be a very large
file, and minimizing the file size will improve the performance when working with the model in Civil 3D. If possible, try
to obtain the exterior shell, only for use in Civil 3D.

In Revit Architecture 2012:

Note: Make sure you are in a 3D View, and have hidden all unnecessary objects. Only the shell of the building will
probably
be required for the export. Verify with the Civil Engineer if there are additional pieces to the model he requires.
1. Export the building to an ADSK format. Select File>Export>Building Site

Note: A Building Site Export Settings Dialog box will appear. At the left hand side, the number of model elements
that are to be exported will be totaled. On the right, a list of the elements will be defined. In addition, the Footprint
information will also be defined. Please check this information for accuracy prior to exporting the ADSK file.
You will be prompted to save the file.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

In Civil 3D 2012:

1. On the insert Tab, select Import Building Site in the extended panel:

2. When the Select File dialog box pops up, select the ADSK file to import, and specify the building site name.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

3. Confirm the units of the building site compared with Civil 3D drawings units. If any of the information is incorrect,
please call the architect for validation.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

4. Specify the layer and the view direction for each component of the building site object.

5. Confirm the insertion point information of the building site in the Civil 3D drawing.

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Civil 3D Interoperability with Revit: Part I & Part II

The Revit Model should now appear in you Civil 3D file. If there are any indscreptancies, please communicate with your
architect to repair the situation.

Prepared and Produced by:

Adrianna Schneider, LEED AP, Solutions Engineer, Building Solutions
aschneider@advancedsolutions.com 1-877-GET-ASI-1, ext. 1507
Rob Wiederman, Solutions Engineer, Infrastructure Solutions
rwiederman@advancedsolutions.com 1-877-GET-ASI-1, ext. 1706
Advanced Solutions
1901 Eastpoint Parkway, Suite 301
Louisville, KY 40223

Copyright 2012 Advanced Solutions, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

This document may not be reproduced or revised without express written permission from Advanced Solutions Inc., and
any subsidiaries of Advanced Solutions Inc., of Louisville, KY.
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integration expertise in architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), civil engineering and advanced manufacturing.
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Training Center (ATC), the company offers a variety of innovative training solutions including its popular PILOT
program. Since 1987, the company has focused its business model on helping customers realize industry leading
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customers gain a competitive advantage through innovative design software work flows, enabling customers to realize
higher revenues and improve their operational efficiency. For additional information about Advanced Solutions, Inc.,
please visit our website at www.AdvancedSolutions.com.

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