Revit assemblies export as block

[bolshevik09]

i am using fabrication parts to model in revit and creating spool assemblies for prefab. The GC is requesting that i provide a cad file with all of the spools saved as blocks (because they are using Doxel). I have no problem exporting each assembly using the MAJ utility, but then i have to manually select the parts and create a block out of it. This is extremely time consuming.

Is there a way to export the assemblies saved as individual blocks? I would need the blocks named as their assembly name

[cadbyken]

There is a way to make a selection set using mapfilter. If you could populate a list, then use a lisp routine to do each iteration, that is one path. The list can be created by converting a screenshot of the project browser. I use SnagIt that has not only the screen capture, but does it while scrolling and converts to text.

[bolshevik09]

There is a way to make a selection set using mapfilter. If you could populate a list, then use a lisp routine to do each iteration, that is one path. The list can be created by converting a screenshot of the project browser. I use SnagIt that has not only the screen capture, but does it while scrolling and converts to text.

Unfortunately i dont use lisp very often and i wouldnt know how to write that. I tried the Mapfilter and was able to select all of the elements for the spool.

If i understand this correctly, the lisp would run mapfilter, filter out a spool, create a block of it naming it with a integer at the end, and then repeat?

[cadbyken]

Yes. There are several threads on Mapfilter like this one https://www.xtracad.com/forum/index.php/topic,8168.msg111634.html#msg111634

One of the keys is to use the Search/Filter for Objects. When you use the group, it is written back into a txt file that you can look at to help you out.

The lisp routine just helps automate it.
  Get the name
  Select by the name
  Create block by the name.

[cadbyken]

A manual way of doing it is cut and paste
  Cut the name
  openjob <paste name>
  select all
  block <paste name>
  hide block
  Start back at top of list

You could also use an old time AutoCAD script (not to be confused with Fabrication MEP scripting) as well. Build it by creating a list of the spool names as mentioned above. Don't forget to suppress the dialog boxes in that example.

[Martin M]

I'm not familiar with Doxel's expected file format or data, but maybe you can isolate each Revit assembly, manually or by creating assembly views, then export the view to DWG. The assembly view's name will likely reflect the assembly name, but you can also change it as you export. The resulting DWG has each part as a named block and the DWG will be your named assembly block. Import/Insert all the assembly blocks into an empty DWG to combine, if needed.

[bolshevik09]

I'm not familiar with Doxel's expected file format or data, but maybe you can isolate each Revit assembly, manually or by creating assembly views, then export the view to DWG. The assembly view's name will likely reflect the assembly name, but you can also change it as you export. The resulting DWG has each part as a named block and the DWG will be your named assembly block. Import/Insert all the assembly blocks into an empty DWG to combine, if needed.

Doxel is requiring each assembly to be saved as a block in one combined DWG. Sounds like your method would work but i would also have hundreds of assemblies per floor. I was hoping to be able to save each assembly as 1 block all at once. And not have hundreds of cad files to create and import per floor. I know scripting could potentially do this, but i dont have the knowledge to create this lisp

[cadbyken]

You need to find a way to push the parameters into a field that imports into AutoCAD. Several options are the Fabrication Notes and Item number fields.

When you import that, the script/lisp could run to make that selection set and block creation pretty quickly.

Do you have a way to push those parameters over? It can be done via an API app or Dynamo.

[Martin M]

Doxel is requiring each assembly to be saved as a block in one combined DWG. Sounds like your method would work but i would also have hundreds of assemblies per floor. I was hoping to be able to save each assembly as 1 block all at once. And not have hundreds of cad files to create and import per floor. I know scripting could potentially do this, but i dont have the knowledge to create this lisp

Please try the attached AutoLISP file. It's been a long while since I've worked with AutoLISP, but I tested this and it worked for one of my drawings. Tried to have AI refresh my memory but it kept spitting out made up functions for this stuff.

Open your drawing with all the spools in it. Drag the file into AutoCAD to load it, then use the MAKESPOOLBLOCKS command. The user is prompted to choose to place the block insert point at the internal origin of the drawing (0,0,0) or at one of the ITM endpoints somewhere within the spool.

[bolshevik09]

Doxel is requiring each assembly to be saved as a block in one combined DWG. Sounds like your method would work but i would also have hundreds of assemblies per floor. I was hoping to be able to save each assembly as 1 block all at once. And not have hundreds of cad files to create and import per floor. I know scripting could potentially do this, but i dont have the knowledge to create this lisp

Please try the attached AutoLISP file. It's been a long while since I've worked with AutoLISP, but I tested this and it worked for one of my drawings. Tried to have AI refresh my memory but it kept spitting out made up functions for this stuff.

Open your drawing with all the spools in it. Drag the file into AutoCAD to load it, then use the MAKESPOOLBLOCKS command. The user is prompted to choose to place the block insert point at the internal origin of the drawing (0,0,0) or at one of the ITM endpoints somewhere within the spool.

This appears likes it working but after the lisp, it asks me to redefine the basepoint or insertion point. Afterwards it does not create any blocks. Ive also tried to ask AI to create this lisp and nothing else has worked. I can email my file if you want to try it yourself

[bolshevik09]

You need to find a way to push the parameters into a field that imports into AutoCAD. Several options are the Fabrication Notes and Item number fields.

When you import that, the script/lisp could run to make that selection set and block creation pretty quickly.

Do you have a way to push those parameters over? It can be done via an API app or Dynamo.

The fabparts have a spool name in the CADmep+ properties, just need a working lisp to grab that value and place it in the block name. Martins Lisp was very close to working!!!

[Martin M]

Happy to see you got it working!

[bolshevik09]

Happy to see you got it working!

Sorry if my post was misleading. It is not creating the blocks of the spool assemblies. It appears to be highlighting and searching thru each part, but then stops and asks for a insertion point. Afterwards it deletes the items i select or does nothing

[Martin M]

I see how I misread that, my mistake. The LSP does get the spool name from the parts and it was working in my test drawing. I'm happy to try it in your drawing if you share it with me, thank you.

Code: [Select]

(while (< i len)
        (setq ename (ssname ss i))
        (setq i (1+ i))
        (if (and ename (entget ename))
          (progn
            (setq vobj (vlax-ename->vla-object ename))
            (setq spool (vlax-get-property vobj 'ItemSpoolName))
               ...

[Martin M]

For anyone reading this later, we figured the problem out. The mOde option in -BLOCK command was added in AutoCAD 2021. After switching from 2019 to 2025, the LSP ran as expected. Thanks for helping me figure it out!