How to Create 3D PDF in Revit?

Steps to Generate a 3D PDF in Revit

Creating a 3D PDF in Revit can enhance the communication of your design by allowing stakeholders to interact with the 3D model effectively. Follow these detailed steps to produce a 3D PDF file from Revit.

Prerequisites

Ensure that you have the following before starting:

• Revit installed and an open project with a defined 3D view.
• Access to a PDF creation tool, such as Bluebeam Revu or a similar application that supports 3D PDF creation.

Setting Up Your 3D View in Revit

1. Open Your Project: Start by launching Revit and opening the project containing the 3D model you wish to convert into a PDF.

2. Navigate to the 3D View: If you don’t have an existing 3D view:

   • Click on the “View” tab on the top ribbon.
   • Select “3D View” from the “Create” panel, then choose “Camera”.
   • Click in the model to place the camera and target to set up how the view will appear.
3. Customize the View: Adjust the view settings such as visibility, cutting planes, and section boxes to capture the necessary details of your model that you want to appear in the PDF.

Exporting the 3D View as a PDF

1. Print Settings: Go to the "File" menu in the top-left corner.

   • Choose “Print” and then click on “Print Setup”.
   • In the dialog, select your PDF printer (make sure to choose a PDF printer that supports 3D, preferably Bluebeam Revu).

2. Configure View Options:

   • Make sure to select “Current View” so that only the selected 3D view will be printed to PDF.
   • Adjust settings such as paper size, orientation, and scale to suit your needs.
3. Print the Model:
   • After you set your preferences, click “OK”, then return to the print dialog and click “Print”.
   • Choose where to save your PDF file, name it appropriately, and click “Save”.

Creating a 3D PDF with Bluebeam

1. Open Bluebeam Revu: Launch the Bluebeam Revu application.

2. Import the PDF: Select the option to create a new PDF or import existing files. Use Ctrl + V to paste the 3D PDF you created from Revit into Bluebeam if necessary.

3. Add 3D Content:

   • Click “Document”.
   • From the menu, select “Add 3D Content”.
   • Set the area on the page for the 3D model and adjust settings in the resulting dialog. Confirm your settings by clicking “OK”.
4. Save the 3D PDF: Once all components are in place, save the file by going to “File” then selecting “Save As”. Choose the desired format and location, and click “Save”.

FAQs

What applications can I use to create a 3D PDF from Revit?

You can use applications like Bluebeam Revu and Adobe Acrobat that support 3D PDF creation. Ensure that the application can handle 3D files to achieve the desired outcome.

Can I export 3D views directly from Revit without a third-party application?

While you can export 3D views in Revit, creating a fully interactive 3D PDF may require a third-party application like Bluebeam Revu to embed the necessary 3D content properly.

What are the benefits of using a 3D PDF?

3D PDFs facilitate collaboration by allowing viewers to interact with the model. They can rotate, zoom, and explore the design without having specialized software, making the review process more accessible for stakeholders.