Importing Revit files into Infraworks

Importing your Revit model into Infraworks is a simple workflow and can be done in 3 ways.

1. Native Revit file imported via the cloud processing tool in Infraworks / or the local processing tool.
2. Exporting Revit via FBX (Revit always exports FBX units as feet) and importing FBX into Infraworks.
3. Export Revit via DWG (metric Revit files export as metric. Great for massing options) and importing into Infraworks.

My preferred workflow is using FBX, why this method? 

• Exporting is done by FBX as it is sent to from Revit to Infraworks. Infraworks does allow RVT files (via the cloud / or local processing if you have Navisworks Manage installed) to be imported but I found that if you can create an FBX file (with LOD used) of the exact model you require. Ie turning off all internal elements (furniture) in a saved 3d view making a smaller FBX file (hence a smaller AIM model). Similar workflow when exporting Navisworks from Revit, controlling the output.

• The Basepoint in Revit is the model setout point of the exported FBX. You need to record the coordinates of the Basepoint as this will be used to position the FBX file in the correct location. This is based on the fact that you have set the model up with the correct coordinate which related to the site which is known the coordinate system.

The above image of the Revit model showing that the model has being rotated to True North and that the base point is located in the PCG94 grid system.

Import FBX file which has not been configured

The known coordinates system is inputted. Ie PCG94 in this example. 

The x been the E/W from Revit 53800.6077, The Y been the N/S from Revit 264989.7382 and the Z been the Elev from Revit 17. Before recording the values, I change the Revit unit to Meter. 

FBX location define in the configuration

Before recording the values, I change the Revit unit to Meter. 

Revit Units Set to Meters

• The Result of the building FBX file is imported into Infrawork using the Base point as the setout for the file. The model appears in the correct location but incorrectly rotated. What was not done during the configuration of the FBX file was input the True North rotation from Revit base point

• The strange part to get the model to be correctly rotated is to take the Revit rotation to true north and minus that from 360. Eg. 360°- 207.332°  is = to 152.668. using the value you input that into the configuration of the rotation for the Z.

The Z value of the Revit ration to True North - 360.

The short video below is a workflow that I've used to export Revit to FBX which then imported into Infraworks.