Bringing Information from Excel into Revit

Following is information and workflows for bringing information from Excel into Revit.  Multiple options, tutorial videos on most options. 

Go to Subscription Center to get the Revit Database Link Extension.  Under Downloads > Product Enhancements > Autodesk Revit DB Link 2013 (or 2012 if this is the version you are running) > Download the Extension > Close Revit and reopen Revit for the Extension to populate in the Add-Ins Tab > External Tools dropdown.

www.subscription.autodesk.com

RDB Link works with Microsoft Access.

Revit DB Link video demonstration.  This is a free add-on for subscription customers.

http://youtu.be/brhp44jaCsI

Another video showing (although from 2010, workflow remains similar)

http://youtu.be/Ka9HuYDpfpY

Import Excel into Access

http://youtu.be/JKXxaqqkbNs

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This video outlines the (manual, but effective workflow) for linking in Excel through the ACAD file link.

http://youtu.be/IfYX19e1WIw

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Third Party:

I have seen individuals have luck with: Quick Table

http://www.tools4revit.com/Fast-Documentation/Quick-Table.html?listtype=search&searchparam=Quick%20Table

Excel to Revit tool:

http://www.dotsoft.com/revit/xl2revit.htm

Ideate BIMLink information:

Import from Excel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxskB7N5qMw&feature=share&list=PLFCBEBF1B8495CECA

More videos about BIMLink:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCBEBF1B8495CECA

Provided by: Alan DeLuce, Application Engineer - Building Solutions

To More You Know: Don't forget the FREE Stuff!!!

Autodesk Labs

http://labs.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Labs provides free technology they are currently testing, not to be mistaken for beta testing.  They are relevant tools to the industry, and they look for feedback from clients to verify whether or not the tools would be good for to put out or add to existing software products, like Revit.  Project Vasari and Photofly both are on the site, and functionality from Project Vasari have been added to the Revit platform because of feedback and excitement.  

Autodesk Seek

http://seek.autodesk.com/

Autodesk Seek was created to share Manufacturer specific content created in Revit to the AEC community.  Free to the AEC community, many clients have benefit from using the Revit Families up on this site.  Each Revit platform has a direct link to Autodesk Seek.  There are guidelines and technical requirements for Manufacturers.

Green Building Studio

https://gbs.autodesk.com

Green Building Studio is a web-based program that comes free for clients on subscription using any of the Revit platforms or Ecotect (there may be others, but those are the ones I am familiar with). 

More information on: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=11179508&siteID=123112

This program is a whole building analysis software that assists in qualification for LEED 8.1 Daylighting credit, water usage and cost, Energy Star scoring, natural ventilation potential, carbon emission reporting and more. 

Revit Extensions

https://subscription.autodesk.com

All three Revit platforms have extensions available.  I find those for Revit Structure to have the most extensions that will provide an immense amount of efficiency for the client.  The Reinforcement Extension alone will help any client looking to model the rebar in more than one element at a time.  The Wood Framing extension (also beneficial for Revit Architecture), Freeze View extension, and many more are fantastic!

The More You Know: BIMAssist for Revit

Many people are familiar with the extensions for Revit from Autodesk.  For Revit Architecture, Revit MEP and Revit Structure, they have been available since June 20, 2011.  If you have not downloaded them already, I hightly recommend you do, as many of them will help you considerably. 

In additon to the extensions for Revit from Autodesk, several channel partners have also created add on tools.  Advanced Solutions has the BIMAssist Tools, available FREE to our Revit Subscription clients.  The utilities include the following:

• Case Update
• Door Mark Manger
• Fire Rating Coordinator
• Match Instance Parameters Feeatures
• Note Block Creator
• Room Phase Replicator
• Room Renumber
• Room Surface Parameter Extractor
• Sheet Number Update
• Space Synchronizer
• Text Find and Replace Features

There is a short video for each utility, or you can find them on our YouTube site.  In August, we will have two webcasts during which ASI Application Engineer Brenda Thomas will demonstrate each of the twelve productivity enhancing utilities of BIMAssist™ for Revit®.

Optimize Your Productivity with BIMAssist for Revit on Tuesday, August 2, 2011

or

Optimize Your Productivity with BIMAssist for Revit on Wednesday, August 10, 2011

About Advanced Solutions, Inc.

Advanced Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning Autodesk Gold Partner in Manufacturing, Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Authorized Autodesk Training Center (ATC) and Authorized Autodesk Consulting Services Partner (CSP). For more than 24 years, the company has focused its business model on helping customers realize industry-leading return on investment with their 2D and 3D design software. Beyond the box of software, Advanced Solutions helps customers gain a competitive advantage through innovative design software work flows, enabling customers to realize higher revenues and improving their operational efficiency. For additional information about Advanced Solutions, Inc., please visit our website at www.AdvancedSolutions.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and ATC are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Roombook Extension for Revit Architecture 2011

I was reviewing the subscription site today, and came across the newest extension (Roombook) for Revit Architecture, released December 9.  According to Autodesk, the program calculates the surface of walls, floors and ceilings, and will also calculate the number of furnishings in the room.  The calculated quantities can be exported to excel, as a DWF file to use in Autodesk Quantity Takeoff and as a CSV file.

To begin, a floorplan with walls and rooms are required.  Floors, ceilings and furnishings will only be calculated if they exist, but are not required.  There ar two Calcuations Standards supported, International or German VOB.  The International Standard calculates the real quantities with no specific rules.

When you select to Calculate the Room Quantities, the Type Properties if the extension appears:

Once calculated, the full Room Quantities of each room can be displayed and/or edited:

For each element, Sub Areas can also be reviewed, including the locations and sized of windows and doors:

Lastly, below is a partial example of the results when exported to an Excel spreadsheet (without any manipulation):



This extension continues to improve the use of Revit information.