In this lesson, you'll learn how to export Revit designs using the DWG output. You will then link the DWG file to Autodesk VIZ using File Link Manager. The advantage of using File Link Manager instead of simply importing the file is that you keep a “live link” between the DWG file that was exported from Revit and Autodesk VIZ. If you decide to make a change in the Revit file, that change can easily be updated in Autodesk VIZ.
Set up the lesson:
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From the File menu, choose Open and navigate to the \tutorials\designviz folder. Highlight detached_garage.max and click Open.
The scene is empty except for a daylight system that is hidden from view at this time. The renderer has been set to use the mental ray rendering engine, and the units were set in feet and inches to match the units setup in Autodesk Revit.
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Go to the File menu, choose Open and navigate to the \tutorials\designviz folder.
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Highlight detached_garage.rvt and click Open. The scene shows a detached garage made of various parametric components. Materials are also attached to the various objects.
Export Autodesk Revit designs to DWG format:
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From the File menu, choose Export, and then choose the option, DWG, DXF, DGN from the cascading menu.
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In the dialog that appears, ensure the Save as type option is set to AutoCAD 2004 DWG Files.
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Browse to a location on your hard drive where you want the files to be saved.
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Name the file detached_garage.dwg, and then click Save.
Note: Your viewport in Revit has to be set to a 3D view in order for objects to be exported to the DWG file as 3D objects.
Use File Link Manager:
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Go to the File menu and choose File Link Manager.
The File Link Manager dialog appears.
Tip: You can also access the File Link Manager from the Utilities panel.
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On the Attach panel of the File Link Manager dialog, click the File button, and then browse to the folder where you saved detached_garage.dwg.
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From the Preset drop-down menu, choose Revit. This preset has been optimized to ensure a better translation between Revit objects and Autodesk VIZ.
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In the File Link Manager dialog, turn on Rescale.
Note: With the Rescale option turned on, Autodesk VIZ automatically detects the incoming file's units setup and displays it in the drop-down menu. Leave this option to Inches for this lesson as it matches the units set in PRODNAME (1 unit = 1 inch).
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Click Attach this File to link the Revit design to Autodesk VIZ. Once the design is loaded, you can close the File Link Manager dialog.
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Adjust your perspective view to get a better look at the geometry.