Mastering Autodesk® Revit® Architecture 2013

Chapter 8

Interoperability: Working Multiplatform

In the previous chapter, we discussed working with others in an environment in which all parties use Autodesk^® Revit^® Architecture software; however, often you'll need to work with data from other software platforms. For example, you may need to coordinate data from other disciplines, reuse legacy data, or integrate disparate design platforms. There are several ways to use external data within your Revit Architecture model in both 2D and 3D. We will discuss not only the methods of importing and exporting data but also when to use each method and the reasons for using specific settings. In this chapter, you'll learn to:

• Use imported 2D CAD data
• Export 2D CAD data
• Use imported 3D model data
• Export 3D model data
• Work with IFC imports and exports

The BIM Curve

Based on a 2004 study, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reported annual losses of $15.8 billion in the building industry due to insufficient interoperability. This study underscores a problem that building information modeling as a whole is designed to address. Adequate interoperability will help rectify the problem illustrated in Figure 8.1, sometimes known as the BIM curve.

Figure 8.1 The BIM curve shows loss of data without interoperability at project milestones. Source: P. Bernstein, Autodesk AEC Solutions

In Figure 8.1, the downward spikes in the ...