BIM COORDINATION

Integrating Consultants with OPEN BIM or Native Revit

Archicad and Revit are the most widely used BIM authoring solutions in the world. To better facilitate interoperability between these two platforms GRAPHISOFT supports two methods for data exchange, the IFC Model Exchange and the RVT/RFA Autodesk Revit formats.

IFC Model Exchange

banner-open_bimOPEN BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization, and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows. This process of data exchange is an initiative developed by leading software vendors, including Autodesk, using the open buildingSMART Data Model.

Autodesk Revit RVT & RFA

Graphisoft’s FREE add-on to Archicad provides import and export of 3D models via the native Revit file formats (.RVT and .RFA.).

  • Import Revit Families to Archicad as native Archicad objects with the same precise geometry and all parameters.
  • Import and export elements via Revit RVT files, with their precise geometry and parameters (as non-editable content), for coordination and model referencing purposes.
  • Link and reference to RVT files both in Archicad single project  or via BIMcloud

Images courtesy Bond Bryan Architects, River Stone Engineering, HHMI and Stantec/Anshen+Allen

Building a Successful Workflow

mnalogoMogavero Notestine Associates (M.N.A.) based in Sacramento, CA has been using Archicad to support a sustainable approach to designing and building for nearly a decade. The firm specializes in urban infill development and through management of BIM in Archicad has the capacity to win and take the lead on large scale projects –whether they be new construction or renovation.

M.N.A. is currently using BIM to coordinate with a group of architects and other consultants on a 40,000 square foot facility for the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op (SNFC). The SNFC project has a goal of the building being Net Zero energy, incorporating natural ventilation and natural daylight. The full grocery, health and beauty counseling center will also provide educational programs and on-site dining.

The firm has worked with 2D information as well as 3D IFC formatted data on the tenant improvement project. An interior designer exchanged Revit models via IFC with M.N.A. staff “round trip” in order to fully incorporate their design into the project.  The interior designer made use of the M.N.A. exported Archicad model to correctly register and dimension features and elements.