Forums >> Revit Systems >> Technical Support >> Autocad MEP imported into Revit MEP Pros/Cons

jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
160 Posts

We have a new job that we are looking to get outside help on.  One guy says that he can work faster in AutocadMEP and we can then import it into RevitMEP.  He said he has done this a lot of times, however he is also able to work in Revit.  My question is what are the pros and cons?  I have AutocadMEP as well, so we could edit in that and import into Revit whenever we make a change, but how does it affect RevitMEP overall?  Is there any issues with Clash detection?  Are there any other performance issues?  Any issues with an Autocad MEP in a RevitMEP that will be part of Revit Architectural, and not sure if it would or could cause issues from an Architectural side.  Would there be controls to turn off all but say ceiling diffusers, or do filters work, or is it all on or all off?

One advantage we are thinking of is doing the Mechanical in AutocadMEP, importing it into Revit, but then using the Autocad to make the shop drawings.

Personally, I would prefer to do everything in Revit, but are there any significant reasons why to, or not to, that I can make an argumnent either way?  I read some older posts, and some say it causes more porblems, but I am not sure what those are.

Any advice?

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brettgoodchild

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Joined: Sat, Feb 4, 2006
425 Posts

The answer here would really depend on how you need to or plan on interfacing with the CAD file.

If you just want to link something in and run clash in Navis on, then there really are minimal issues that you can work around but if you need to really interface with the CAD file then yes, there are issues.

First, if you bring the AutoCAD Systems file into your Revit model, depending on size and complexity, it can greatly hinder your Revit model's performance and stability.

Second, in Revit upon link or import, your MEP model will be bloated with CAD layers in the object styles, filled regions, line styles, line patters and materials that you may have to keep for magnitude of reasons.

Third, your loading times (open, sync, save) could all be impacted by having a large link to refresh.

This can be controlled with worksets to help minimize the impact.

Fourth, Revit cannot really reference the data from a CAD file meaning it will more or less be generic 3D objects. You can use an IFC format, but you will still lose data. Also, if you have to interface (schedule, MEP connectors, etc) you really can't do that...they more or less need to be Revit entities for those features to work.

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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We just completed a project that was done in CAD.  We had to have the model converted to IFC in oreder to link it in because th CAD file would blow us up. 

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jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
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Pardon my ignorance, but Both of you mentioned IFC.  What is that and what kind of info would you lose?

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_Foundation_Classes

Read about it in your HELP.

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coreed

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Joined: Fri, Feb 10, 2006
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Pros: If you need to implement a Autocad MEP / Revit MEP work flow this will advance that implementation.

Cons: If you don't to need implement a Autocad MEP / Revit MEP work flow this will hinder you Revit MEP implementation and that one guy will get no faster at working in Revit MEP

just my two cents on the pros and cons

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best regards,

coreed,aia

bmpArchitects,Inc.

"Revit has to be implemented, Not installed." 

Long Live Revit

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jcrocco

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Joined: Mon, Mar 9, 2009
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I guess what I am trying to figure out is if there is an issue down the road of using AutocadMEP and importing it into RevitMEP?  The claim is he can be MUCH faster designing in AutocadMEP and it wouls save time.  My conceern is the time saved going to be spent on the back end with the imported AutocadMEP possibly affecting the overall Revit process of the other trades as far as designing, working around the imported file, and clash detection.  Other concerns are file size and speed of working in Revit.

Are there any concerns on the Architectural side if say the Mechanical was done in AutocadMEP, can they render it, turn items on and off, etc?

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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• Importing into Revit MEP would be like importing into Revit Architecture since everything will be CAD dumb. - nothing will be usable in MEP - just visible
• If each element is on a seperate layer, you could turn it off .... but I doubt it....
• It will work for clash detection in navisworks - In revit - it will not isolate the clash - one big file.
• As I stated before, I doubt you will be able to use the CAD file but will have to use an IFC file....

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saatviktech

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Joined: Thu, Jul 21, 2011
4 Posts

Hi...

We are working in revit from last 2 years.. We are also tried to do the same thing as like you.......

AutoCaD MEP file exported into IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format and than open that in the Revit (Open an IFC File)..

We have found so many issues in that, but it has saved somuch of time, that time will go mad in the correction of issues...

I am Suggesting you that, Use Auto CAD revit only, Dont use Auto CAD MEP..

If you want any suggesions please Contact me..

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