LandXML Import

When LandXML creates a geometry from a LandXML file it generates it as a Topography or as a Direct Shape. In the case of a Direct Share it must be chosen a category for it. Therefore, before creating a geometry in Revit make sure that the view that is currently in use has the corresponding category activated in the Visibility/Graphic Overrides. For example, if it is created in the default Level 0 floor plan view, by default the Topography category is deactivated, hence the geometry generated will not be seen afterwards. Also, if the Visual Style of the view is set to Realistic Revit may crash or take longer to produce a result when LandXML is executed depending on the size of the file.

First, click on Browse and choose the LandXML file. Then on the Available Surfaces menu select the corresponding surface.

The third step is choosing the location of the geometry in the Position menu. Choose Use Project Base Point if the LandXML shares the same origin as the Revit file. If the LandXML file does not share the same origin, choose the Manual Placement option. What happens in this case is that the LandXML plugin informs the Revit file where the origin of the LandXML file is. However, by choosing this option it is necessary to introduce the N/S and the E/W coordinates of the origin of the LandXML file. To get this information open the LandXML file with Notepad. The coordinates can be found in two places:

• Under <PntList3D>, the first line. This is at the beginning of the document but not all LandXML files contain this part.

• Under <Pnts>, the first line <P id= "1".... To find this line after opening the document click on CTRL+F and search for <P.

Now in the Properties menu choose how the geometry is going to be created. If the Topography option is chosen, be aware that this will not work if there is at least two points with the same X and Y coordinates but different Z coordinates. However, this will not be a problem if the Direct Shape option is chosen. Then choose a Category for the Direct Shape and a Material. By default the Topography category is selected. While it is mandatory to choose a Category, the Material option is not. In the case of the sample provided, choose always Direct Shape.

Finally click on Create to generate the geometry. Once the geometry is created, type ZA to visualize correctly the geometry.