Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D
and 3D Data
This chapter introduces you to the best-practice techniques for importing
data into your Autodesk
®
Revit
®
2015 database, either directly into the
project file or via a loadable family. The chapter also covers which data to use
and when in the project life cycle to use it. Selecting a button that performs
the import is easy—but, more important, why are you doing it? And for that
matter,
should
you be doing it?
Not only can you import 2D information, but 3D solids contained in an
import can now be exploded and manipulated within Revit. These two types
of databases are different, so when you have to start working with other
consultants who use other data types, you may experience issues such as the
following:
Loss of Performance
Typically, importing
any
other file format into
Revit can be a bad idea. Yes, it is possible—but like eating too much
candy, your file size can start to bloat and slow you down. Keep your
project file lean, and minimize its intake of sweets whenever you can!
But, keeping the food analogy going, cleaning that data—like washing
your vegetables—can produce some excellent results. It's all in the
preparation.
Difficulties Displaying and Printing Data Exactly the Same
One
of the most annoying problems is issues with fonts either not being
installed or, in the case of legacy DWG data, not being fully supported
and therefore never displaying in the same way as originally intended.
Data Loss
Many issues can cause data loss in your final documentation.
Issues include linked files being unloaded, workset visibility being
incorrectly set, and printer driver problems.
We must ask, Is 2D
really
2D? An Autodesk
®
AutoCAD
®
2D DWG file can
show up in a 3D view. Do you want it to?
In this chapter, you will learn to do the following:
• Decide which type of data you want to use on a project
