csixrevit manual
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ISO ETA062609M19 Rev. 3 Version 2012
Berkeley, California, USA July 2011
ETABS and Revit
Structure
2009/2010/2011/2012
Data Exchange Documentation
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Copyright
Copyright Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2011
All rights reserved.
The CSI Logo and ETABS are registered trademarks of Computers and Structures, Inc. Watch &
LearnTM
is a trademark of Computers and Structures, Inc. Revit is a registered trademark of
Autodesk.
The computer program ETABS and all associated documentation are proprietary and
copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and Structures, Inc.
Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in any form, without prior
written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is explicitly prohibited.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or
stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior explicit written permission of the
publisher.
Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:
Computers and Structures, Inc.
1995 University Avenue
Berkeley, California 94704 USA
Phone: (510) 649-2200
FAX: (510) 845-4096
e-mail: info@csiberkeley.com (for general questions)
e-mail: support@csiberkeley.com (for technical questions)
web: www.csiberkeley.com
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DISCLAIMER
CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF
THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS
PRODUCT.
THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER
MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS,
AND DESIGN ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT ADDRESSED.
THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED AND
EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS AND TAKE
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.
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Introduction This document describes how to exchange Building Information Modeling (BIM) data between
Revit Structure 2009/2010/2011/2012 and ETABS 9.7.2 or later, a three-dimensional physical
object based analysis and design package developed specifically for building type structures,
including commercial, residential, healthcare and educational facilities.
CSiXRevit supports four different workflows:
1) Exporting from Revit Structure to create new ETABS model 2) Exporting from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model 3) Importing from ETABS to create a new Revit Structure model 4) Importing from ETABS to update an existing Revit Structure model.
The flow of information is idealized in the schematic below:
Revit Structure
Export from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model.
Export from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model.
Import from ETABS to create a new Revit Structure model.
Import from ETABS to update an existing Revit Structure model.
ETABS
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Supported Workflows
Exporting from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS model The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred into ETABS when exporting from
Revit to create a new ETABS model.
Action Model Element Supported Notes
Creation of
Grids
Materials Equivalent ETABS materials will be
automatically created in ETABS.
Frames Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end
releases, transferred to ETABS. All columns
will be automatically broken at story levels.
Frame Sections
Steel Sections Will be automatically mapped to ETABS
database sections
Concrete Sections Equivalent ETABS sections will be
automatically created and mapped
Walls Walls will be automatically meshed at
window and door openings
Wall Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be
automatically created and mapped with _w
appended to the wall section name.
Floors
Slabs Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be
automatically created and mapped with _f
appended to the floor section name.
Deck Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be
automatically created and mapped with _f
appended to the floor section name.
Footings Fixed joint restraint will be created in ETABS
wherever a footing occurs in Revit.
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
ETABS Auto Select Lists All families that are loaded in ETABS will be
made into Auto-Select Lists in ETABS
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Grids
The following Grid attributes are being created in ETABS:
Grid Name: Same grid name will be used in the ETABS grid bubble.
Grid Points: The start and end points are used to define the general grid line in ETABS.
Curved Grid: In case of curved grid, ETABS breaks it into number of segments to get the
suitable curvature.
Materials
The following material attributes are being created in ETABS:
Material Name: Same name will be used in ETABS
Material Type: Revit material type is used to identify the ETABS material types namely
Concrete, Steel and others
Youngs Modulus: Revit Youngss modulus is used to fill the ETABS material Youngs
modulus (E). These three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If
first value is zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is
zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero value. For the Isotropic material only first
value will be used for all other directions
Poisson Ratio: Revit Poissons Ratio is used to fill the ETABS material Poissons Ratio (u).
These three values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is
zero then ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will
be filled with the first non-zero value. For the Isotropic material only first value will be
used for all other directions
Shear Modulus: Revit Shear Modulus is used to fill the ETABS material Shear Modulus
(G). If Revit material is defined as Isotropic then ETABS will calculate this value on the
basis of Youngs Modulus and Poisson Ratio. In case of orthotropic material, these three
values (for 3 different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then
ETABS default value will be used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled
with the first non-zero value.
Thermal Expansion Coefficient: Revit thermal expansion coefficient is used to fill the
ETABS material thermal expansion coefficient (Alpha). These three values (for 3 different
directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If first value is zero then ETABS default value will be
used. If any of the remaining two is zero then it will be filled with the first non-zero
value. For the Isotropic material only first value will be used for all other directions
Unit Weight: Revit unit weight is used to fill the ETABS material unit weight (w) and unit
mass (m). In ETABS units of weight is being calculated by dividing the unit weight to
gravitational constant (g). Unit weight cannot be zero in ETABS. If it defined zero in Revit
then ETABS default value will be used.
Damping Ratio: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS.
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Bending Reinforcement: Revit bending reinforcement is used to fill ETABS material (if
type is concrete) main reinforcement Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined zero
in Revit.
Shear Reinforcement: Revit shear reinforcement is used to fill ETABS material (if type is
concrete) shear reinforcement Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined as Zero in
Revit.
Resistance Calculation Strength: Revit Resistance Calculation strength is used to fill the
ETABS material fc factor. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit.
Behavior: Revit behavior tag is used to identify the isotropic or orthotropic materials in
ETABS
Concrete Compression: Revit concrete compression is used to fill ETABS material (if type
is concrete) Fc.
Lightweight: Revit lightweight tag is used to identify the lightweight concrete material in
ETABS.
Shear Strength Reduction: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS
Yield Stress: Revit yield stress is used to fill ETABS material (if type is steel) yielding stress
Fy. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit.
Tensile Strength: Revit tensile stress is used to fill ETABS material (if type is steel)
ultimate stress Fu. Default value will be used if it is defined as zero in Revit.
Steel Reduction Factor: This value is not in used in current version of ETABS.
Only those materials which are linked with the floor or frame in the Revit model are
imported into ETABS.
ETABS always give the warning and writes .wrn file in case of using any default value while
importing the materials from Revit.
Frames
The following frame attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Frame Points: All frame points are used to define the same geometry of the frames in
ETABS.
Frame Curves: ETABS does not support curved frame objects. All curves in Revit frame
will be converted in to number of segments. User has control over how the curve is
broken up by defining the minimum length and minimum angle size.
Old Revit Wall Openings (Regular or irregular
Frame Section: ETABS imports the currently assigned section to the frame in Revit along
with the whole family. ETABS converts the Revit family to ETABS auto selection list.
Frame Releases: All frame releases defined in Revit are imported into ETABS as line
objects releases. If the frame is a column, ETABS will always fix them at the both ends
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except for the bottom end of base story. This is being done to ensure structure stability.
Similarly, beams or brace end torsion cannot be released.
Beam Insertion point: In Revit, beam insertion point is defined by the following two
parameters
o z-Direction Justification
o Lateral Justification
ETABS calculates the coressponding cardinal point on the basis of these two parameters.
If these parameters are not defined then default cardinal point (Top Center) is choosen.
Beam End Offset: Vertical offset are being defined in Revit for any end of the beam with
following parameters
o Vertical Projection
o Reference Level
o Z-Direction Offset Value (Geometry Offset)
o Start Level Offset
o End Level Offset
ETABS calculates the vertical beam offset of END I and END J by using the following
equations:
o END I vertical Offset = Reference Level Elevation Analytical Level Projection
Elevation + Geometry Offset + Start Level Offset
o END J vertical Offset = Reference Level Elevation Analytical Level Projection
Elevation + Geometry Offset + End Level Offset
If vertical projection or Reference level is not defined, then both of these parameters are
defined as 0 in the above equations.
Column Insertion Point and End Offset: The default cardinal point for columns (mid
center) is chosen when we bring model from Revit to ETABS. Column offsets are exported
into ETABS from Revit if rigid link is being used for either column end.
Orientation Angle: Same angle is used for defining the line orientation along with its local
1-axis in ETABS.
Rigid Link: It is being imported and used to define the end offsets in the ETABS. To see the
effect of rigid offset in ETABS, view the model in extruded view.
Frame Sections
Mapping of Revit frame section attributes depend upon the type.
ETABS first tries to find the name of the section from it database. Most steel sections can be
mapped automatically. If it is not found in the existing database, the ETABS will try to create
these sections parametrically.
ETABS follow mapping of sections in following steps:
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1) ETABS will first try to map Revit Structure family sections to the currently loaded ETABS
database by section name comparison. If it finds a match then that section is mapped. All
geometric cross sectional properties will be used from ETABS section. We always remove
the blank spaces and always and ignore upper/lower cases dissimilarities while names
comparison.
2) In the next step ETABS try to map Revit Structure family sections to a section in the
ETABS .PRO databases by section name comparison. If it finds the same name then we
use that section with its all geometric cross sectional properties. The user is given the
option to add/remove or change the search order of .PRO files during the import of the
Revit Structure model. In Figure 1 below: UC203x203x46 section is loaded from
BSShapes.Profile ,
Fig 1: Import of sections from .PRO files
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Fig 2: Adding /Removing of Pro files while Revit Structure model Import
3) If a Revit Family section cannot be mapped to an ETABS section from any of the .PRO
files then ETABS check if it is a Revit Structure parametric section. In case that it is a
parametric section ETABS will create an equivalent section and use the same Revit
Structure family caption as section name. However, some special characters for inch and
feet representation will be changes to in or ft as shown in fig 3.
Fig 3: Mapping of Revit Structure Parametric Frame families
4) In the case that the Revit Structure family section is not parametrically defined then we
import this section with the same name (Revit Structure family caption) and map it to an
ETABS default section properties. The user has the option to add a new parametric
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section as a replacement section or to load a new section from any other .PRO file which
is not in the .PRO file list. In Fig. 2 ETABS initially maps RHS150x100x5 to the ETABS
default section property (shown in red color). However, the user can fix the mapping by
using the use Add.. button to map that Revit Family section to an appropriate ETABS
section.
5) The user has the option to save a mapping file such that user defined mapping can be
reused on subsequent imports. A sample mapping file is shown in fig 4.
Fig 4: Section mapping file
6) Some European family names do not map with ETABS European .PRO file sections, due
to prefix/suffix incompatibility. For Revit Structure families with Universal Columns or
Universal Beams category ETABS handles this by changing suffix to prefix while import.
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The parameters list is given for concrete and wood structural families in the following table.
Member Type Family Name Parameters
CONCRETE
COLUMNS
CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR-
COLUMN
B, H
CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN B
CONCRETE-SQUARE-
COLUMN
B
PRECAST-RECTANGULAR
COLUMN
B, H CHAMFER
CONCRETE
FRAMING
PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE WIDTH, TEE WIDTH,
STEM WIDTH, SLAB
DEPTH, DEPTH
PRECAST-INVERTED TEE H1, H, B, SEAT
PRECAST-L SHAPED BEAM H1, H, B, SEAT
PRECAST-RECTANGULAR
BEAM
B, H
PRECAST-SINGLE TEE WIDTH, STEM
WIDTH, SLAB DEPTH,
DEPTH
WOOD
COLUMNS
DIMENSION LUMBER-
COLUMN
B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE-
COLUMN
B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES-
COLUMN
B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
PSL-PARALLEL STRAND
LUMBER-COLUMN
B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
TIMBER-COLUMN B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
WOOD
FRAMING
DIMENSION LUMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
LVL-LAMINATED VENEER
LUMBER
B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
TIMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
OPEN WEB JOIST B, H
PLYWOOD WEB JOIST B, H
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In-place family members
In Revit, inplace family members are imported into ETABS as a frame member including its
family and corresponding frame section.
Walls
The following wall attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Points: All points are being transferred from Revit to ETABS. ETABS wall has 3 to 4 nodes.
In Revit wall may be defined as contentious having more than 4 points. In this case
ETABS breaks the Revit walls in to four noded walls.
Wall Curve: Curved walls are not supported in ETABS. ETABS breaks the curved walls of
Revit in to small segments to keep the required curvature of the walls. User has control
over how the curve is broken up by defining the minimum length and minimum angle
size.
Old Revit Wall Openings (Regular or irregular shapes): In Revit, walls are stored as loops
(including the curves) of points. In older versions, there was no tag for the loop for
opening. ETABS treats the opening loop same like wall loop. User has to manually assign
it opening after import. All irregular shapes will be converted to an equivalent mesh (by
using tessellation in vertical plane) of vertical elements having four nodes only.
Wall Openings (Regular rectangular shape): In new Revit version, wall openings may be
drawn using Modeling>Opening>Wall Opening. This opening entity is transferred to
ETABS as an opening in walls.
Wall Thickness: Revit wall has different layers, having different thickness and material
properties. However, ETABS only choose one layer which has the maximum thickness
when we export data from Revit to ETABS.
Wall material: All the materials assigned to different layers of a Revit wall are exported
to ETABS. However, only one material is assigned to ETABS wall section property. Users
have the option in ETABS to change the material if necessary. The material of the wall
with the maximum wall thickness will be used.
Floors
The following floor attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Floor Points: All floor points are used to define the geometry of the floor in ETABS
Floor Curves: ETABS does not support curves in area objects. All the curves in Revit floor
will be converted into number of segments, which will give the suitable curvature for the
area boundary.
Number of Layers: In Revit, different layers may be defined within a floor. ETABS is
reading the floor layer information and will treat the floor as deck if more than one layer
is present in the floor. Otherwise floor will be treated as a slab.
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Layer Thickness: ETABS imports the thickness of each layer. If the floor is a deck, its
section property is defined by the maximum thickness of the layers.
Below is an example of how Revit Deck parameters are mapped to ETABS Deck Section
parameters.
Revit Deck Family
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Revit Deck Parameters vs. ETABS Deck Parameters
ETABS Deck Section
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In this example, there are following two layers in the Revit Deck section
1) Concrete cast-in-place (Thickness = 5)
2) Metal Deck (Thickness = 0 )
Layer 2 is linked with a deck profile which has following properties
HR
WR
RR
SR
THICKNESS
Here is the procedure that CSiXRevit uses to fill ETABS deck section properties
We select a layer which has maximum thickness and treat it as overall thickness
of section. Same layer will be used to define material of ETABS deck section.
Slab Depth tc = overall thickness of section HR
Deck Depth hr = HR
Rib Width wr = WR
Rib Spacing Sr = SR
Composite Deck Studs diameter = RR
Composite Deck Stud height (hs) = over all thickness of section - THICKNESS
Layer Materials: ETABS gets the material of each layer. Same layer will be assigned to the
Slab or Deck section. A default material will be used if no material is defined in Revit.
Users have the option in ETABS to change the material of the different layer if necessary.
Floor Span Direction: Same span direction will be used in ETABS for the decks. A default
direction will be used if no span direction is defined in Revit.
Floor Opening (Regular or Irregular): Openings defined in Revit by
Modeling>Opening>Vertical Opening are being imported in ETABS from Revit. All
curves in this opening will be converted into number of segments, which will give the
suitable curvature for the area boundary.
Ramp: All 4 noded inclined slabs are imported as ramp elements in ETABS.
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Openings
The following openings are being imported from Revit to ETABS
Vertical Openings: These are imported as opening in floors (horizontal planes) for
details check openings in floors.
Wall Openings: These are imported as openings in walls (vertical planes), for details
please check openings in walls.
Shaft Openings: These are imported as openings in floors (horizontal planes), for
details please check Shaft Opening.
Shafts
In Revit, the Shaft Opening is defined as a 3D shaft having upper and lower limits (or offset
elevations from upper and lower story levels). In ETABS the shaft is imported as horizontal
openings in all stories level which lies between the upper and lower limits of 3D Shaft.
Footings
The following footing properties are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Points: All the points defining the shape of the footing will be imported. In ETABS all
columns, which are located in this area, will be restrained.
Width, Length and Thickness: For rectangular cases, width, length and thickness are
being defined. In this case, ETABS locates the all columns within the rectangular area
and these columns will be restrained.
Note: Only rectangular footings will be processed.
Point Loads
The following point load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS.
Location: Used to define the point of application of the load.
Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are applied in global direction in Revit
and transferred in the similar manner to ETABS.
Line Loads
The following line load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS
Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS.
Start and End point Location: Is used to define the start and end point of the line load. In
ETABS, if a line load is carrying the gravitational load and it is overlapping more than one
beam then it will be distributed to the corresponding beams. In case of a lateral line
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load, users must check that no line load should overlap more than one beam. Otherwise,
it will not be processed in the ETABS analysis.
Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are applied in global direction in Revit
and transferred in the similar manner to ETABS.
Area Loads
The following area load attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS
Load Case Name: Is used to set the corresponding load case number in ETABS.
Points: Points will be used to define the geometry of the loading area. It should be noted
that each curve is used as straight line in ETABS.
LoadX, LoadY, LoadZ: All loads are applied in global direction in Revit and transferred in
the similar manner to ETABS. The non-uniform surface load is not supported in ETABS. In
case of Revit non-uniform surface load, ETABS will convert it in to equivalent uniform
area load.
Load Cases
The following load case attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Load Case Name: The same name will be used for ETABS Load case name except Rvt-
will be added at the start of the name.
Load Case Category: It is used to define the load case type in ETABS. The mapping is
shown in the following table:
Revit Structure Load
Case Category
ETABS Load Case Type
Dead Dead
Live Live
Wind Wind
Snow Snow
Roof Live Live
Accidental Other
Temperature Other
Seismic Quake
Load Combos
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The following load combination attributes are being imported from Revit to ETABS:
Load Combination Name: The same name will be used for ETABS Load Combination
Name. The following names are reserved and Load Combinations will not be added in
ETABS if same name is used in Revit.
o DCON
o DSTL
o DWAL
o DCMPC
o DCMPS
o DCMPD
Load Cases: The same load cases list will be used in ETABS to define the Load
Combination.
Load Case Factor: The same load case factors will be used for the corresponding load
cases in the ETABS load combination.
ETABS Auto Select Lists
ETABS will automatically create Auto-select lists based on Revit family types that are
loaded in the current Revit model being exported to ETABS.
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Exporting from Revit Structure to update an existing ETABS model
The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred into ETABS when exporting from
Revit to update and existing ETABS model.
Action Model Element Supported Notes
Creation of
Grids
Materials Equivalent ETABS materials will be automatically
created in ETABS.
Frames Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end
releases, transferred to ETABS, All columns will
be automatically broken at story levels.
Frame Sections
Steel Sections Will be automatically mapped to ETABS database
sections.
Concrete Sections Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically
created and mapped.
Walls Walls will be automatically meshed at window
and door openings.
Wall Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically
created and mapped.
Floors
Slabs Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically
created and mapped.
Deck Properties Equivalent ETABS sections will be automatically
created and mapped.
Footings Joint restraints will be created in ETABS
wherever a footing occurs in Revit.
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
Updating of
Grids
Materials X All material parameters will be updated.
Frames
X
Geometry, offsets, cardinal points, and end
releases, updated in ETABS. All columns will be
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automatically broken at story levels.
Frame Sections X Frame section assignments will be updated.
Steel Sections X
Concrete Sections X Parameters for frames sections will be updated
Walls X Wall geometry will be updated accordingly.
Wall Properties X Wall section parameters will be updated.
Floors X Floor geometry will be updated accordingly.
Slabs Properties X Slab section parameters will be updated.
Deck Properties X Slab section parameters will be updated.
Point Loads X Point load values will be updated accordingly.
Line Loads X Line load values will be updated accordingly
Area Loads X Area load values will be updated accordingly
Load Cases X
Load Combos Load Combos will be updated accordingly.
Deleting of
Grids
Frames
Walls
Floors
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
IMPORTANT NOTE: Deletion of elements when updating a model will only work if you are
sending the ENTIRE model. If you use selection only update feature, deletion of items is not
supported.
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Importing from ETABS to Create a new Revit Structure Model
The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred from ETABS into Revit Structure
to create a new Revit Structure model.
Action Model Element Supported Notes
Creation of
Grids
Materials
Concrete and Steel materials are being
imported from ETABS to Revit. The only
limitation is Revit model should have one
default concrete and one default steel
material for duplication, otherwise material
will be created in Revit but their parameters
will not be updated.
Frames
Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal
points all created in Revit Structure.
Frame Sections
Steel Sections
Will be mapped to equivalent Revit Structure
sections. Will be loaded if not already loaded.
Concrete Sections
Equivalent Revit Structure sections will be
automatically created and mapped.
See NOTE 1 below.
Walls
All wall geometry, and openings will be created
in Revit Structure.
Wall Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure wall sections will be
automatically created and mapped with
corresponding material property.
Floors
All floors and openings in floors will be
automatically created and mapped.
Slabs Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure slab sections will be
automatically created and mapped.
Deck Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure deck sections will be
automatically created and mapped. Only deck
width parameter will be created.
Footings
Joint restraints will be created in Revit
Structure.
Point Loads
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Line Loads
Equivalent Revit Structure point line loads and
trapezoidal line loads will be created.
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
Note 1 To facilitate in the mapping of concrete sections, it may help if you have the various
Revit Structure sections already loaded before you import your ETABS model into Revit
Structure. If CSiXRevit cannot easily map the names, then you can set the mapping at the time
of import. If you would like CSiXRevit to be able to create equivalent Revit members of families
you must load at least one member of the family for CSiXRevit prior to import. See
corresponding table below for mapping of ETABS sections to Revit families.
Columns
ETABS Revit Family
Rectangular Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa
Square Concrete-Square-Column.rfa
Circular Concrete-Round-Column.rfa
Beams and Braces
ETABS Revit Family
Rectangular Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa
L Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa
T Precast-Single Tee.rfa
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Importing from ETABS to Update an Existing Revit Structure Model
The chart below specifies details about data that is transferred from ETABS into Revit Structure
when updating an existing Revit Structure model.
Action Model Element Supported Notes
Creation of
Grids
Materials
Material is created. However, material definition
will not have any parameters associated with it.
Frames
Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal
points all created in Revit Structure.
Frame Sections
Steel Sections
Will be mapped to equivalent Revit Structure
sections. Will be loaded if not already loaded.
Concrete Sections
Equivalent Revit Structure sections will be
automatically created and mapped.
See NOTE 1 at end of previous section.
Walls
All wall geometry, and openings will be created in
Revit Structure.
Wall Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure wall sections will be
automatically created and mapped with
corresponding material property.
Floors
All floors and openings in floors will be
automatically created and mapped.
Slabs Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure slab sections will be
automatically created and mapped.
Deck Properties
Equivalent Revit Structure deck sections will be
automatically created and mapped. Only deck
width parameter will be created.
Footings Joint restraints will be created in Revit Structure.
Point Loads
Line Loads
Equivalent Revit Structure point line loads and
trapezoidal line loads will be created.
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
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Updating of
Grids
Materials
Steel and Concrete materials are being updated
Frames
Geometry, end releases, offsets and cardinal
points all created in Revit Structure. If coordinate
geometry is changed in ETABS, it will delete the
geometry in Revit Structure and create a new
frame with new geometry. If frames were
meshed in ETABS, you are given the choice to
bring the frame back as a single element or as the
meshed elements in ETABS.
Frame Sections
Steel Sections
Beam, Column and Brace section assignments will
be updated.
Concrete Sections
Beam, Column and Brace section assignments
will be updated; however section parameters
themselves will not be updated. If you would like
to bring changes in parameters back to Revit from
ETABS create a new section with the desired
parameters in ETABS and assign the new section
to the frame.
Walls
Changes in wall geometry will only be updated if
the wall was not meshed when brought into
ETABS and a 1:1 ratio between Revit Structure
wall and ETABS wall exists. If walls were meshed
in ETABS, you are given the choice to bring the
wall back as a single element or as the meshed
elements in ETABS.
Wall Properties
Changes in wall thickness will be updated.
Changes in wall material will not be updated.
Floors
Changes in floor geometry will only be updated if
the floor was not meshed when brought into
ETABS and a 1:1 ratio between Revit Structure
floor and ETABS floor exists. If floors were
meshed in ETABS, you are given the choice to
bring the floor back as a single element or as the
meshed elements in ETABS.
Slabs Properties
Changes in slab thickness will be updated.
Changes in slab material will not be updated.
Deck Properties
Changes in deck thickness will be updated.
Changes in deck material will not be updated.
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Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Combos
Updating of existing load combination equations
is not supported. Workaround is to create new
Combo and import.
Deleting of
Grids
Frames
Walls
Floors
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
IMPORTANT NOTE: Deletion of elements when updating a model will only work if you are
sending the ENTIRE model. If you use selection only update feature, deletion of items is not
supported.
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Procedures
Exporting from Revit Structure to Create/Update a New/Existing ETABS Model
IMPORTANT NOTE: CSiXRevit only exports the analytical model of Revit Structure. All
connectivity must be ensured in the Revit Structure analytical model before exporting to ETABS
to ensure connectivity.
The following steps describe how to send your Revit Structure analytical model to ETABS:
1. If you would like to create a new ETABS model, from the Revit Structure menu
select, Tools>External Tools>Export to Create New ETABS Model.
If you would like to update an existing ETABS model, from the Revit Structure
menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export to Update Existing ETABS Model.
2. Click the Start button. The current file name is listed, and the objects in the
model are counted. The Send Model to CSI Software dialog box will look as
follows:
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If you are only interested in sending selected objects only, please make sure that
the check box at the bottom of the dialog box is checked.
3. Once you click OK, you will get the Export Options dialog box shown below. From
the box below, select the elements that you would like to send to ETABS. Once
you have made your selections, click OK and your will be asked to create a file
name. The file will be given the extension, .EXR.
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4. Now go open a session of ETABS.
5. If you would like to create a new ETABS model from your Revit Structure model,
you should not have any other model open. By default ETABS it will create a new
model based on your .EXR file.
If you would like to update an existing ETABS model, please open the ETABS
model that you would like to update.
6. From the menu select, File>Import>Revit Structure .exr file, and then select your
.EXR file you would like to import. You will then see the screen below:
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The top section of this dialog box is where you can see and organize how all of
your Revit Structure elements get mapped to ETABS elements.
Any property that might have a default value or zero value will show up as a
warning in the dialogue box. Sometimes certain values in Revit were not defined.
The ETABS import gives you the opportunity to fix those problems parametrically
before your ETABS model is created. You can fix these problems by clicking the
Edit button next to element.
The bottom section of the box is general controls that ETABS will use when
importing the Revit Structure model. The units selected here will be used as the
default units of the ETABS model. The length tolerance is the tolerance that will
be used by ETABS to create connectivity when created the finite element model
for analysis. The Minimum Curve length and Angle are controls given to the user
so they can control how a curve gets broken up into straight line segments.
7. To see the various Levels that were brought in from Revit Structure click the
Show button. Level data is not editable at this stage. Level data can be edited
once the model is brought into ETABS. Below is a screen shot of all of the levels
imported in this model:
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8. To see the Revit Structure material properties that were imported, please select
the Edit button next to Total Materials. The Material Mapping dialogue will
be shown:
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In this model, there are only 2 Materials that were brought in. An ETABS material
will be created with the same name as the Revit Structure material name. If you
would like to map the Revit Structure Material to something other than the
ETABS material that has been created, you can do so by clicking on the ETABS
material name. A combo box will appear with all of the existing ETABS materials
currently in ETABS model. If you would like to create a new material property to
map your Revit Structure material to, please click Add. The ETABS Add Material
dialogue box will appear. To see the mapping of material parameters select the
Material property and click Edit. The Material Mapping Details box below will
then be shown:
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On the left hand side you can see all of the properties of the Revit Structure
material. On the right hand side you can see how they have been mapped to an
ETABS material. You can change any of the parameters in the Revit Structure
material, and you will see the change reflected on the ETABS material property
on the right hand side. You can see the units in the Revit Database Units by
clicking the check box at the bottom.
9. To see the Revit Structure Frame Sections that were imported, please select the
Edit button next to Total Frame Sections. The Frame Section Mapping box
will be shown:
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The first three columns show the Revit Structure section name, the Revit
Structure Section Family Name, and the Revit Structure Material. The fourth
column is the ETABS section that the Revit Structure Section was mapped to, and
the final column tells you how the section was mapped or created.
The only column that is editable is the ETABS Section column. If you click on any
row on that column, you will see that a combo box will drop down that includes
all of the section properties that are currently loaded in the current ETABS model.
If there is a section that you do not see there that you would like to add to list,
you can do so by clicking the Add button the right hand side.
When ETABS imports the Revit Structure data, it first tries to match the Revit
Structure section name to an ETABS Section name. It will do so by first searching
through the loaded ETABS database sections. I it cannot find it there, it will then
search all of the ETABS database .Pro files. It will map it to the first section name
that matches. If you would like specify which ETABS database it searches you can
do so by clicking the .Pro Files button on the right hand side. The .Pro Files
dialogue box will be shown:
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All of the .Pro files from the ETABS installation directory will be selected by
default. You can add or remove a profile from the ETABS search by checking or
unchecking its checkbox in the list. If you would like to add a new .Pro file, you
can do so by clicking on the Add .Pro File button. If would like to change the
order in which ETABS searches the .Pro files, you can do so by moving the .Pro
Files up and down in the list.
If ETABS cannot create a section mapping by name, it will then try to create the
section parametrically. For most steel sections ETABS will be able to find a match.
But for most concrete sections will create the sections parametrically. To see how
Revit Sections properties are mapped, please see the section under Supported
Workflows called Exporting from Revit Structure to create a new ETABS
model.
Similar to the Material Mapping, you can edit details about the Frame section
details mapping by selecting the row, and clicking the Edit button.
If you would like to save the mapping that you have created, you can export the
mapping file by clicking the Export Mapping File button.
Likewise, if you would like to import a mapping file that you have created in the
past, you can do so by clicking the Import Mapping File button.
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10. To see the Revit Structure Floor Sections that were imported, please select the
Edit button next to Total Floor Sections. The Floor Section Mapping box will
be shown:
Similar to other section mapping, you can select the ETABS floor section that the
Revit Structure Floor gets mapped to. By default an equivalent ETABS floor
section will be created and mapped. If you would like to create a new deck or
slab section you can do so by using the buttons on the right hand side. After
adding the deck or slab, the new ETABS floor section will appear in the drop
down box.
To see the Floor Section Mapping details, click on the row that you are interested
in and then click the Edit button. You will then see the Floor Section Mapping
Details box below:
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If you would like to change any of the data in the fields, you can edit them on the
left hand side and see how the data is mapped. Revit Structure decks and slabs
can have many layers. ETABS does it best at mapping the parameters. If you need
to make changes to the mapping, you can do so here. If any field has a zero value,
we highlight it in red to make sure you check it.
11. To see the Revit Structure Floor Sections that were imported, please select the
Edit button next to Total Floor Sections. The Floor Section Mapping box will
be shown:
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Similar to other section mapping, you can select the ETABS wall section that the
Revit Structure Wall gets mapped to. By default an equivalent ETABS wall section
will be created and mapped. If you would like to create a wall section you can do
so by using the buttons on the right hand side. After adding the wall, the new
ETABS floor section will appear in the drop down box.
To see the Wall Section Mapping details, click on the row that you are interested
in and then click the Edit button. You will then see the Wall Section Mapping
Details box below:
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If you would like to change any of the data in the fields, you can edit them on the
left hand side and see how the data is mapped. Revit Structure walls can have
many layers. ETABS does it best at mapping the parameters. If you need to make
changes to the mapping, you can do so here. If any field has a zero value, we
highlight it in red to make sure you check it.
12. Once you are satisfied with the way you have set up the mapping parameters,
from the Revit Data Overview/Controls box, select the OK button and your ETABS
model will be created.
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Importing from ETABS to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Structure Model
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before importing any .EXR file into Revit Structure please be sure that you
have a Shared Parameter file defined in Revit Structure. CSiXRevit uses the Shared Parameter
file as a place to store pertinent data. To create a shared parameter file in Revit Structure
2009/2010/2011/2012, go to File>Shared Parameters. You just need to create a blank shared
parameter file so CSiXRevit has a place to write data to.
The following steps describe how to export your ETABS analytical model to create or update a
Revit Structure model:
1. Once you have edited, analyzed and designed your structure in ETABS, save the
ETABS file by selecting the File > Save.
2. Select the File > Export > Revit .EXR File within ETABS to display the Export File
For Revit dialog box shown below. Please select either to create a new or update
an existing model. If you have selected parts of the model, and only would like to
send those selections, please check the box accordingly below.
3. Now go open up a session of Revit Structure.
4. If you would like to create a new Revit Structure model from your ETABS model,
please first open a Revit Structure template that you would like to import your
ETABS model into. It isnt necessarily required, but the import will come in much
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cleaner if you load all of the beam, column, brace, deck, slab and wall families
that you would like ETABS sections to map its sections to prior to importing.
From the menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Create New Revit
Structure Model from ETABS. Select the .EXR file that you would like to import.
CSiXRevit will then try to load families that are not already loaded.
If you would like to update an existing Revit Structure model, please first open
your Revit Structure model that you would like to update. If you have new
sections that you defined in ETABS the import will come in much cleaner if you
load all of the beam, column, brace, deck, slab and wall families that you would
like ETABS sections to map its sections to prior to importing. From the Revit
Structure menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Update Existing Revit
Structure Model from ETABS. Select the .EXR file that you would like to import.
5. Whether you are created a new Revit Structure model or updating an existing
Revit Structure mode, after you have selected your .EXR file, the following screen
will be displayed:
On left hand side, you can control exactly what ETABS elements you would like to
import into your Revit Structure model. Under Mapping Options, if you click
the Frame Sections button. You will see the Frame Section Mapping dialog box.
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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of
ETABS sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure column
beam and brace families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down
boxes.
Similarly if you click the Floor Sections button, you will see the Floor Section
Mapping dialogue box below:
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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of
ETABS floor sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure floor
families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down boxes.
Similarly, if you click the Wall Sections button, you will see the Wall Section
Mapping dialogue box below:
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This dialog box gives you the opportunity to make any changes to the mapping of
ETABS wall sections to Revit Structure sections. All of the Revit Structure wall
families that are currently loaded will show up in drop down boxes.
When updating a Revit Structure model from an ETABS model, there will be
instances in which the 1:1 mapping of Revit Structure elements to ETABS
elements will be lost because elements in ETABS were meshed. For this situation
the user has two options:
1. To delete the existing Revit Structure Elements, and have CSiXRevit create
new instances which were meshed in ETABS.
2. To keep the existing elements as they were and use object mapping to
guide the import.
In the case of option #2, there can be situations in which the user has to make
some decisions. For example, if we have a column in Revit Structure that runs
from the ground floor to the top floor as one single element, when it is imported
into ETABS, that column will be broken at every floor level. When it is designed, it
might have different sections assigned to each segment of the column. When this
column (that is now meshed in ETABS) is being imported back into Revit
Structure, the user has the option to 1) delete the original and have CSiXRevit
create column with the varying sections or to 2) select one of the frame sections
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for the entire length of that column. They can do this by selecting deselecting the
corresponding checkbox on the right hand side of the dialog box and then clicking
the Objects button under Mapping Options. The Object Mapping dialog box
below will then appear:
In the Revit Structure model, Column ID (186711) spans 5 floors, but in ETABS, it
was meshed into 5 pieces. When coming back into Revit Structure, the user has
the option to choose which section they would like to assign to the entire length
of the column. The same methodologies can be applied to meshed beams,
braces, floors and walls.
Once you have set up all of your mapping, select the OK button and your ETABS
model will be imported.
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Reviewing the Log File (.log) Every time a model is sent from Revit Structure to ETABS or from ETABS to Revit
Structure, a file with the extension .log is created. This file will list any errors or
omissions encountered when generating the EXR file, and therefore, should be checked
each time an exchange of data is performed. The .log file also lists the build numbers for
CSiXRevit and Revit Structure, which should be identical to ensure that no
misinterpretation of data occurs. The first few lines of the .log file will have the following
format (the actual data may be different):
CSiXRevit Revit API Build = 20110309_2315
Current Revit Version = 2012
Current Revit Build = 20110309_2315
It is the Build = numbers that should be the same having the same Version numbers
but different Build numbers does not guarantee data consistency.
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Known Limitations
1. Windows Vista: Users must run as administrator (ETABS, ETABSIO and Revit.exe). If
Revit is not run as administrator then there is a possibility that CSiXRevit will not able
to open .log file. In this case, CSiXRevit will not able to write any warning in the log
file and all warning messages will be displayed on the screen time to time. Directly
sending data to ETABS may not work if Revit is not run as administrator.
2. Sometimes updates to end release conditions in ETABS are not updated in Revit. This
is because sometimes the end releases in Revit Structure are marked as Read-only.
Warning (1) - Unable to set the releases for the member..
Source = RevitAPI
Message = Operation is not valid due to the current state of the object.
Stack trace = at Autodesk.Revit.Parameter.Set(Int32 value)
at CSiXRevit.modImportAndExport.UpdateOneFrameEndReleases(rvtLines
OneLine, FamilyInstance& Element)
3. Sometimes updates to cardinal points in ETABS are not updated in Revit because the
z-justification and offset parameters are Read-only.
4. If the user updates the material property of a wall, deck or slab in ETABS, that change
will not be brought back into Revit Structure. Workaround is to create a new wall,
deck or slab property in ETABS and then bring it back to Revit.
5. While importing ETABS model as new Revit model, only those openings which lie
completely within a wall or floor, will be imported. It is recommended to break the
openings if it is not completely inside the wall or floor before importing. Also
openings which are not inside any wall or floor cannot be imported into Revit.
6. Revit Structure floors which are grouped together may be treated as openings while
importing model into ETABS.
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7. It is recommended to avoid double byte characters for Revit Structure Families for
entities attached with analytical model. ETABS will not support double byte
characters in definition of frame and shell sections.
8. Import of European and Chinese steel sections from Revit to ETABS are possible if
their corresponding .PRO files are present in ETABS folder.
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