Advance Steel Extension for Autodesk Revit 2016

By Veredith Keller, IMAGINiT Building Solutions

One of the best workflows for detailing steel connections is to model the steel framing in Autodesk Revit 2016 and Export the model to Advance Steel 2016 for detailing.

With the Advance Steel 2016 Extension, Autodesk® Revit® 2016 users can quickly connect their models to Advance Steel 2016 using the export, import, and synchronize functionalities to transfer the model BIM data. This interoperability allows users to rapidly produce general arrangement drawings, fabrication drawings, BOMs, and Numerical Control (NC) files for steel structures.

The synchronization of BIM data between applications allows the user to update the modifications without having to re-import the entire structure. Synchronization also reduces the risk of potential errors by offering the possibility to track changes made on the same model in different applications.

Using Advance Steel 2016 Extension, the BIM data from the Revit model can be imported or exported also in other formats such as SDNF (Version 2.0 and Version 3.0), CIS2, IFC, and PSS.

First you will need the Advance Steel 2016 Extension that you can download Autodesk Exchange Apps, and run the installer from this site - Link

Once the Extension is installed, it will appear on the Add-Ins tab:

 Before Exporting, choose Settings from the Advance Steel Extension drop-down.

• I recommend unchecking Export beams shortenings. When placing connections in Advance Steel, it needs the steel framing and columns to be touching.
• If you want to export more than the structural elements from Revit 2016 to Advance Steel 2016 uncheck, Export only structural elements.
• If you want to import more than the structural elements from Advance Steel 2016 to Revit 2016 uncheck, Import only structural elements.

  

• If you have additional Libraries of families you can Add Path and Edit Path is Settings. 
• Pick OK when done.

From Advance Steel Extension drop-down, choose Export. The common file format is Advance export. This will allow to save as a Steel markup language file (smlx).

Use the synchronization process via the Advance Steel extension to update the Revit model with changes made in Advance Steel. From Advance Steel Extension drop-down, choose synchronization.

Synchronization is a process that allows you to update your modifications using the smlx format, without having to re-import the entire structure.
Synchronization workflow:

• Export your model with structural elements from Revit to Advance Steel through the extension, using the .smlx format.
• If you make modifications to the Revit model, re-export the modified model from Revit to a different .smlx file.
• Go back to Advance Steel and load the modified .smlx file, using the synchronization dialog.

Connections and object transfer from Advance Steel 2016 to Revit 2016

A steel connection is an assembly of steel objects and cuts that joins two or multiple steel members (i.e. a connection between a column and a beam). The following images show an example of the most transferred joints, explaining how each type of object is transferred in Revit (i.e. a plate will be created, but a bolt or a beam notch will not).