Use of VA Ifc in Revit

VisualARQ
1

We have some tested to see how Ifc from VA works in Revit.
Seems like steel connection is not possible with it in Revit because it’s recognized as just column
(architectural column) not as structural one.
Ifc from ArchiCAD is recognized as structural column and steel connection works fine.
Do I understand right, or miss something?

Thanks.

Rvt Structural Column
Rvt Structural Column643×829 42.8 KB

IfcColum from VA
IfcColum from VA641×829 27.2 KB

IfcColum from AC
IfcColum from AC641×829 36.2 KB

1 Like
2

Hello @archist97,

I couldn’t reproduce the issue, I brought a column from VA to Revit through an IFC file and it is read as Structural Column. Which profile are you trying to import to Revit? Which Rhino, VisualARQ and Revit versions are you using?

3

Column Styles - EURO-HP
Rhino - 7.8.21196.5001
VisualARQ - 2.11.2
Revit - 2021

What about steel connection? Does it work fine?

Thanks.

4

Hi @archist97,

I tried to reproduce the issue using the same version of VisualARQ, and it works fine here. The only difference is that I’m using Revit 2022:

image
image1269×787 76.4 KB

Here is a ZIP file with the 3DM and the IFC files saved from my computer:
Euro-HP-Column.zip (2.2 MB)

Would you please try to open this IFC file into your Revit?
If it works, can you send us the 3DM file with the column?

Thanks,

Enric

5

Thanks. Enric.

Revit recognizes Your IFC file as structural column, but steel connection is still not working. I attached the warning message.

1
1783×823 32.3 KB

2

6

Hi @archist97,

I’m not seeing this warning? Do I need a specific add-in for Revit?

Moreover, it is possible that this information cannot be exported to IFC. Can you please try to export a beam from Revit to IFC, and then import the IFC back to Revit, and check if the warning is also shown?

Thanks,

Enric

7

Hi Enric.

The warning message will be shown up when you try to add steel connection in Revit.
Seems like VA team didn’t ever test this yet in Revit. The Ifc file from you doesn’t include any connection. .This is basic functionality of Revit Structure. You don’t need any add-in for this. If steel connection does not work properly, you will see the warning.
You can refer to this video for test, if you are not knowledgeable with steel connection through Revit.

My point is not whether Ifc files from VA are recognized as structural column or architectural column
It is whether they can be used for steel connection in Revit or not. If Revit recognizes ifc as structural element, you should be able to use it for steel connection. If you see last image I attached first, you can see Ifc imported from ArchiCAD works fine for steel connection in Revit. (See base plate at the bottom of the column. It was added through steel connection)

If IFC from VA does not work for steel connection in Revit, architects or structural engineers have to re-work on steel structure modeling in Revit. This means we should not do modeling steel structure in VA and it’s better to work with Revit for steel structure project from the first. We have tested same thing in Advance Steel. IFC from VA works fine so far. VA Ifc files are imported very well and we could use it for steel connection in Advance Steel. We don’t have to re-work on modeling.

Because VA don’t have feature for steel connection, we need other software to work on this. It doesn’t have to be Revit. Advance Steel is also good option. However, I think VA team should make steel connection work in Revit, because many architects and engineers are already knowledgeable with Revit and choosing other software for steel work means another training and it will lead to increase in cost for them. This will make them hesitate to choose VA. Anyway, we need to know first whether VA Ifc works for steel connection in Revit or not.

Thanks.

8

Hi @archist97,

Can you send us an IFC model from ArchiCAD with just two connected beams where the steel connection works in Revit?

Thanks,

Enric