Can you use Inventor to build Revit content?

Because many manufactures of MEP equipment and Architectural Manufactures (Windows, Doors, Etc.) use Inventor to model their products, we often get asked if it’s possible to use inventor files in Revit.

While you cannot use native Inventor files in Revit, you can Import a exported ACIS SAT files from Inventor into any Revit product.  You will need to export your Inventor model to a SAT file and then use Import/Link-> CAD Formats in Revit which has the option to import SAT files.

SAT files act pretty much like any other CAD format that is imported into Revit.  Like DWG files, SAT files can be very useful if you import them into a new Family and then import that Family into your Revit project.  This lets you use the 3D geometry of the SAT file in sections like a regular Revit family. 

There some things to bring up though if you want to try this.  Be careful about the complexity of the Inventor model you are trying to bring into Revit.  Manufactures use Inventor to model content so that they can fabricate their parts.  This can mean that the parts are very complex and can contain every bolt, nut, hinge, and connection that is needed to assemble the product.  This level of complexity can cause problems in Revit because of the size of the exported SAT files and all that detail.

If you’re trying to use manufacturer files, check them to see how much detail is in the file and eliminate anything that you don’t absolutely need to see.  This will save you headaches in the end. 

If you’re looking for more information on using Inventor with Revit, I recommend that you check out Lisa Brady’s two classes at this year’s AU in Las Vegas. 

Comments

[Lisa Brady]

Hi Harlan,

Thanks for the recommendation but sadly I am not teaching at AU this year. However,the courseware from previous interoperability classes taught at AU 2006 and AU 2007 on the Autodesk University website can be accessed. The 2007 is more comprehensive than the 2006 with better workflow and best practices. I will be in attendance at AU 2008 so maybe I will see you there. Good luck with your class!

[Harlan Brumm]

Thanks for the update and sorry for the confusion. Your AU documents are great and I definitely recommend that anyone interested in the workflow between Inventor and Revit take a look.

[I. McGaw]

The way I understand it is that Revit and 3D cad/SAT blocks are a waste of time. What about if you were say working for a company like Titus doing Air Diffusers, what about the connectors, different finishes, or number of blades and slots? I really doubt a manufacturer is going to want to deal with 20 families for 1 product due to the options that they have. Thoughts?

[Steve K]

What is the best workflow for a customer that uses ProE for the main desing but want to bring design data in Revit. ProE support a new version of ACIS that Revit does not support?

Thanks

[Peter Gehring]

This is a link to a document I have created outlining some of the workflow options for Revit Content creation. I will be following it up with another document with some more detailed information on nesting subassemblies for Revit families and adding MEP connectors.

http://www.synergis.com/files/solutions/building/products_aec_revit_architecture_tutorials.shtml
Revit Families - Content Creation from Manufacturers

[Steve]

How can I import a Collada .dae file to Revit?