Brian Thomas
Selser Schaefer Architects
We had our structural consultants who use Revit Structural install the new imodel plug-in. Long story short it appears that an iModel produced from Revit is not useable to produce a DEM extraction from Bentley Architecture. The elements the iModel are call X-Graphics and not compatible with the DEM (See the response from support).
Do you then an iModel should be usable via DEM to product a drawing?
Bentley support suggested I post here to get some input comments?
The following is the result of a Change Request form. Note your Service Ticket number for future reference. Submitted by: Brian Thomas Submitted on: 9/1/2010 Service Ticket Number: 8000901365 Email: brian.thomas@selserschaefer.com Product: Architecture Version: 08.11.07.XX Ticket: We had our structural consultants install the i-model plug-in for revit. With the hopes of improving on our current process of dumb DWG model. We utilize their models both in interference checks and our extractions via DEM. It appears that X-Graphic Elements (created via the i-model plug-in) are not compatible with how Drawing Extraction processes Elements. This is a major let down!!! ST Number : 8000902298
imodel should be usable in DEM.
It wouldn't bother me greatly if it was an "import imodel to some format that the DEM can understand" procedure, to produce solids (which could then have triforma parts/families applied to it)
Which begs the question: A csv/xls style import settings/remapping would come in handy where something on level X has family/part Y appled to it)
Especially for architects importing engineers revit files - the chances are that their revit setup would be consistent.
You can currently see the imodel geometry in dynamic/building view sections, but this doesn't help if you're using the DEM.
The I-model plugin produces quite nice Microstation files, but they are not very intelligent when it comes to vertical applications like Architecture or Structural.
If you would like to make use in those applications I would recommend IFC.
P.S.: I'd also have a look at this thread communities.bentley.com/.../145870.aspx
We have been in the same situation where we get a Revit structural Model and somehow have to get teh DEM to read and extract the files. Right now I find that IFC is the best when doing this so I can map the correct Family and Parts so that my drawings look presentable.
I would think that if there is this push for the use of imodel then we can find a way to map to the Family and Part system. Otherwise DV's or Extractions just look horrible to my lead designers when they are checking drawings.
Not to mention is is a lot of work Everytime you get an updated model to have to remapp all the parts, not a productive workflow.
For me i-model is just a temporary workaround until we get a better IFC handling.
IFC is open standard, multidisciplinary and works with different software products. All things which i-model clearly is not.
Half the battle was getting a consultant or client to install the plug-in, the second would be if Bentley would have made i-model 100% compatible with the DEM and existing workflows so we could have the best of both...accurate 3d model and data information in a compact format. Also would be nice if the plug-in allowed Revit to do the reverse, open an i-model from Bentley Architecture into Revit.
Brian Thomas, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
GH2 Architects