Interoperability Tutorials >
Using Autodesk Revit

This tutorial is intended for those who want to take designs created in Autodesk Revit and add professional rendering effects in 3ds Max Design.

To share it with 3ds Max Design, you export Revit data as an FBX file. This format is preferable to others (such as DWG), because it can include scene metadata as well as geometry, material, and lighting information.

In 3ds Max Design, you can either import the FBX file, or use File Link Manager to maintain a live link with the project in Revit. This gives you the opportunity to update the scene in 3ds Max Design after you use Revit to edit the scene. This tutorial demonstrates the File Link technique.

The beach house in a Revit view

In 3ds Max Design, you can use materials, lighting tools, and cameras to create photorealistic renderings based on the Revit model.

Interior of the beach house rendered in 3ds Max Design

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

- Prepare scene files created in Autodesk Revit for export to 3ds Max Design.
- Link the Revit FBX to 3ds Max Design, carry out test renders and make required adjustments.
- Add a Sky Portal to improve the interior daylight illumination of an enclosed structure.
- Edit the linked scene in Revit and see the results in 3ds Max Design.
- Use the Scene Explorer to organize objects created in Revit.
- Edit properties of Revit objects in 3ds Max Design.

Skill level: Intermediate

Time to complete: 1 1/2 hours

NoteThe time to complete estimate does not take into account the time required to render the images of scenes you develop in this tutorial. If you wish to render the suggested images, add approximately six hours to the estimate.

Preparation for This Tutorial

- If you have not already downloaded the tutorial files (MAX scenes and other assets), download them now and unzip them into a project folder called \Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2012 tutorials. See Where to Find Tutorial Files.
- On the Quick Access toolbar, click (Project Folder) and set your current project to Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2012 Tutorials.

#### Topics in this section

- Preparing the Scene in Revit
- Linking a 3ds Max Design Scene to the FBX File
- Using Revit to Improve the Carport
- Sky Portal Illumination
- Scene Management and Nighttime Lighting