About the Transfer to Design 3D

Function and Procedure

With the command Transfer to Design 3D you can export the data of MEP components, data of pipe or duct network topologies and of electrical routes of a Revit model or a model section into a d3d file. You can then import this d3d file into the AutoCAD module LINEAR Design 3D Pipe&Power and thus obtain the pipe and duct networks or electrical routes designed in AutoCAD that have been constructed with Revit. Ideally, the Revit model should also have been designed with LINEAR Solutions, should not contain any open ends and should be calculable so that the data can be transferred with as few errors as possible.

The function allows you to import Revit models into AutoCAD for further detailing without having to recreate the network manually. It is particularly suitable for detailing a less detailed Revit model - for example without connection technology on the pipes - in AutoCAD and then generating work and assembly plans with the tools available in AutoCAD.

Before exporting to a d3d file, you can isolate the components to be exported using the view filters and the 3D selection frame. The data of all components included in the current view are exported. The zoom factor has no effect on this. After the export, you can select the d3d file to be imported in AutoCAD and specify which data sets are to be used for importing the networks. The networks are then generated automatically in AutoCAD.

Restrictions

Due to the differences in modeling between Revit and AutoCAD, it may happen that exported networks cannot be imported into AutoCAD without errors and manual rework might be required. If pipes or pipe runs cannot be generated, their location in the drawing is represented by magenta colored lines and a corresponding error message is logged as a report. Also, components used in Revit that are not included in the pipe or duct, or electrical tray sets used in AutoCAD can cause that parts of the network cannot be generated in AutoCAD if no alternative was found in the selected set. Subsequently, detailed work and assembly planning can be carried out using the tools of the AutoCAD module LINEAR Design 3D Pipe&Power.

Network components and built-in components such as fittings, pumps or radiators are transferred with their geometry via the DWG format; fittings are transferred to AutoCAD merely topologically and are regenerated with components of the selected AutoCAD pipe system.

Notes

As no connection technology is natively provided by Revit at the pipe connection points, the information as to whether a pipe is to be flanged to components can only be transferred indirectly. The neutral LINEAR families and manufacturer families from the LINEAR CAD Browser already provide this information. Third-party or custom families can be provided with the information using the parameter LIN_TYPE_IS_FLANGED (ideally as a type-based parameter) before export to a d3d file so that the pipes can be flanged directly and correctly after transfer.

Alternatively, this information can be created in Revit using the LINEAR command Flange at Pipe End on the design tab of the work and assembly planning: If fittings of part type "Flange" are placed between the component and the pipe end using this command (or manually), these are also taken into account during the transfer.

The third - and perhaps simplest - option is to define detailed connection technology in AutoCAD first: The Correct Component Connection command on the Create tab of 3D Model Planning allows you to define connection technology precisely and in accordance with standards for each connection. These changes are also automatically taken into account for existing pipe or duct connections.