Revit Architecture to 3ds Max workflow

When you complete the initial design, layout, and modeling of a project in Revit Architecture, you can use Autodesk® 3ds Max® or Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design to produce high-end renderings and add final details.

3ds Max is a 3D animation package that provides animation, modeling, and workflow functionality for complex problems in design visualization and visual effects.
3ds Max Design is a 3D design visualization solution for architects, engineers, designers, and visualization specialists. Designed for interoperability with FBX® files from Revit Architecture, 3ds Max Design preserves model geometry, lights, materials, camera settings, and other metadata from Revit projects. With Revit Architecture and 3ds Max Design working together, designers can extend the building information modeling process to include design visualization.

NoteFor simplicity, the following topics refer to 3ds Max Design, but this information applies to 3ds Max as well.

You can export a 3D view from a Revit project to an FBX file and import it into 3ds Max. You can then create enhanced renderings of the design to share with clients in 3ds Max.

The FBX file format passes rendering information to 3ds Max, including lights, render appearances, sky settings, and material assignments for the 3D view. By preserving this information during the export process, Revit Architecture maintains a high degree of fidelity and reduces the amount of work required in 3ds Max.

Exporting to FBX from Revit Architecture

In Revit Architecture, open a 3D view, and prepare it for export.
Click File menu > Export > 3ds Max (FBX).
NoteIf this menu option displays as gray, open a 3D view of the project. Then try the menu option again.
On the Export dialog, for Save in, navigate to the target folder for the exported file.
For Naming, do one of the following:
- To specify a file name manually, select Manual (Specify file name). For File name/prefix, specify the name of the output file.
- To use an automatically generated file name, select Automatic – Long (Specify prefix), or Automatic – Short.
Click Save.
Revit Architecture generates the FBX file and saves it in the target location.

You can now import the FBX file into 3ds Max, using the 3ds Max FBX Plug-in.

Importing your FBX file into 3ds Max Design

You can download a high level document detailing FBX 3ds Max Design interoperability.

Follow the steps in Exporting to FBX from Revit Architecture.
In 3ds Max Design, Click File > Import, and select the FBX file you want to import, and Click OK.
In the 3ds Max FBX Plug-in, make sure that the Autodesk Architectural (Revit) preset is the selected preset.
Click OK in the FBX UI window, and your FBX is imported.

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