How to convert a Revit model to Stabicad for Revit model

Problem:
You have received a Revit model from a third party in which MEP systems are modelled without Stabicad. To be able to use Stabicad functionalities, you want to convert the model in the most efficient way. 

Solution:
To work further in this project with Stabicad, the families have to be replaced. To do this, you first have to choose which model you want to work in. After converting the families, they must be removed and other tools like view templates, schedules, tags and filters can be added to the project. A number of steps are needed, click on the steps below to get more information about that step:

Step 1: From which model is the work done?
Step 2: Replace the system families.
Step 3: Replace the loadable families.
Step 4: Remove unnecessary components.

Step 5 is needed when you have made the choice to work from the supplied model in step 1. 

Step 5: Adding required components such as view templates, schedules, and filters.



Think carefully which approach works best for you, since customizing can take quite some time.
Families which don't need any modification can be left unconverted.

Step 1: Which model will be used as the basis for further work?
It is important to consider which model will be used. There are two options:

A: Continue working in the supplied model
B: Copy the supplied model to your own Stabicad template

Option A: Continue working in the supplied model 

1. Open the supplied Revit project.
2. In order for Stabicad functionalities to work optimally, template settings should be downloaded from the Stabicad Template. Therefore, open a Revit model with a Stabicad template or your own template in the same Revit session. Then follow this article to get the right settings: Stabicad Template changes per Version

Advantages:
The entire installation does not need to be copied to another project.

Disadvantages:
Stabicad filters, view templates, schedules, and other settings need to be copied and set.

Option B: Copy the supplied model to your own Stabicad template

1. Open both models in one Revit session.
2. Use a 3D view in the supplied model in which all elements are visible. 
3. Select the elements, and in the Revit ribbon, choose Copy to Clipboard. 
4. Go to the model with the Stabicad template, and open a floor plan.
5. In the Modify tab, choose Paste > Alligned to Current View. 
6. Run through the error messages.

Advantages:
Stabicad filters, view templates, schedules, and other settings are directly set as usual.

Disadvantages:
Copying an entire installation model can cause error messages. 

Step 2: Replace the system families.
System families can be seen as basic families from which walls, floors, ductwork, and among other things piping are generated. The system families used in the supplied project must be converted to system families that Stabicad will recognize. When that is done, for example, the node solver and other functionalities can be used. There are two ways to convert the system, and combining both options is also possible. 

Option A: Converting original systems to specific Stabicad systems.

1. Use Project Setup to load the productlines to where you want to convert the existing installation. You will find Project Setup under Stabitools > Setup > Project Setup. In this window you will find the productlines under Types.
2. Select your system in Revit by using a window or the TAB button.
3. Use the Revit filter to select only the pipes / ducts.
4. Via the dropdown window in the instance properties you choose the pipe type or duct type you just added.
5. Now select the entire system including the fittings.
6. Then use the function "Generic to Specific". This can be found in the Revit ribbon Stabicad Mechanical > Convert > Generic to Specific.
7. In the video below these steps are shown. 

VIDEO "Convert system families with Stabicad"


What happens:
Because the pipes / ducts are Stabicad elements, the fittings between those pipes or ducts are removed and solved again with the node solver. In this way, the entire system is made up of Stabicad elements.

Not all nodes can be solved immediately. One reason for this may be a lack of space. Stabicad gives a message which nodes could not be solved automatically. For each node you can now check and adjust it. 

Option B: Convert original systems to Stabicad auto-routing systems: 
Another way to convert systems is with the Revit function 'Change Type'. This option can be chosen when auto-routing families are needed and available. Follow the steps below:

1. Use Project Setup to load the Pipe Types to which you want to convert the existing Pipe Types. You will find the Project Setup button under Stabitools > Setup > Project Setup. In this window you will find the productlines under the tab 'Types'.
2. Select your system in Revit by using a window or the TAB button.
3. Use the Revit filter to select only the Pipes + Pipe Fittings or the Ducts + Duct Fittings. 
4. Then click on the function 'Change Type' in the Revit ribbon.
5. When prompted, select which system you want to convert.
6. Via the dropdown window in the instance properties you choose the pipe type or duct type you just added.
7. These steps are shown in the video below. 

 
VIDEO "Convert system families with Revit"




What happens:
The pipe types are adjusted according to your choice. In these Pipe Types, routing preferences are stored so that in certain situations, this preference is applied. 

Not all nodes can be solved immediately, due to lack of space, among other things. No notification is given of nodes that have not or wrongly been solved, these still need to be checked.  

TIP:
Converting an entire system is an intensive operation. 
So it is best to do this per floor, or per part of the building.

TIP 2: 
Use keyboard shortcuts. To solve situations which cannot be solved automatically you can use different functions. The node solver and Trim are commonly used functions. The node resolver can be set to a keyboard shortcut, the trim function already has a shortcut: TR. 

TIP 3: 
Check the conversions by using schedules. You can create schedules for the different categories and see if there are still old families in the model. The schedule allows you to quickly navigate to the element in question. 

TIP 4: 
Use the Stabicad functionality "Reconnect Elements" to restore lost connections. This tool can be used when for example saddle pieces have been released.
Step 3: Replace the loadable families. 
Loadable families are families created in external RFA files and imported into your Revit model. We can differentiate loadable families between Hosted, and Non-hosted families, in both cases the workflow is the same. Hosted symbols can only be replaced by families that are also hosted. Non-hosted families can only be replaced by Non-hosted families. So check beforehand whether a family is hosted or not. When the families are converted to Stabicad families, you can use the Stabicad functionalities. Follow the steps below: 

1. Place a similar family from the Stabicad palette (for example an air grille or lighting fixture).
2. Select the family you want to replace.
3. Via the dropdown window in the instance properties you choose the family you just added.
4. Check if the family insertion point matches *.
5. If the insertion point matches, you can right-click Select All Instances to select all families.
6. Then you can select properties for the newly added family again via the dropdown window in the instance.
7. These steps are shown in the video below. 

 VIDEO "Convert Loadable families"



Point of attention: 
Loadable families have an insertion point. When replacing a family, always check that this insertion point matches. For example, for party 1, the insertion point may be in the middle, and for party 2, the insertion point may be on the edge. When you replace it, the family will be placed in a different place. This can be solved by modifying the family and the Reference planes that determine the origin. 
 
TIP: 
Check the conversions by using schedules. You can create schedules for the different categories and see if there are still old families in the model. The schedule allows you to quickly navigate to the element in question. 

TIP 2:
When you are going to select a family from the dropdown menu of the instance properties, you can use the Search option. With this option you can quickly select your desired family from the list. 
 
Step 4: Delete unnecessary components.
To save space it may be desirable to remove the old families and view templates. You can do this by using the Purge function of Revit. The Purge Unused function can be found in the Revit ribbon under the Manage tab.  In the window you can select which elements you want to remove from the model.
!Make sure you do not purge the S4R Generic types for Ducts, Pipes, Cable Trays etc. !

Step 5: Adding required components such as view templates, schedules, and filters. 
Retrieve schedules, view templates, and filters when you continue working in the supplied model. This can be done with the following article Copy settings to another Revit project, transfer project standards