CSiXRevit 2025

SAP2000®, ETABS®, SAFE® and Revit® 2025

Data Exchange Documentation

ISO XRV043024M1 Rev. 0 May 2024

Proudly developed in the United States of America
 COPYRIGHT

Copyright © Computers and Structures, Inc., 2024

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 DISCLAIMER

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND
TESTING OF THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER, THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT
NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS
ON THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS PRODUCT.

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN.

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SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR
THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT ADDRESSED.

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED

AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE
RESULTS AND TAKE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS
USED.
 Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange 3

2.1 Data Imported into ETABS when Creating a New ETABS Model 3

2.1.1 Grid Lines 4

2.1.2 Story Levels 5
2.1.3 Materials 5
2.1.4 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements 6
2.1.5 Analytical Members 7
2.1.6 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types 8
2.1.7 Analytical Links 11
2.1.8 Walls 11
2.1.9 Analytical Panels with a Wall Structural Role 11
2.1.10 Floors 12
2.1.11 Analytical Panels with a Floor Structural Role 12
2.1.12 Generic Analytical Panels 13
2.1.13 Analytical Openings 13
2.1.14 Footings 13
2.1.15 Point Loads 13
2.1.16 Line Loads 13
2.1.17 Area Loads 14
2.1.18 Load Cases 14
2.1.19 Load Combos 15

2.2 Data Imported into ETABS when Updating an ETABS model 16

2.3 Data Imported from ETABS when Creating a New Revit Project 18

2.3.1 Story Levels 18

2.3.2 Materials 19
2.3.3 Columns 19
2.3.4 Structural Framing 19
2.3.5 Analytical Members 20
2.3.6 Frame Sections 21
 2.3.7 Walls 22
2.3.8 Wall Openings 22
2.3.9 Floors 23
2.3.10 Floor Openings 23
2.3.11 Analytical Panels 23
2.3.12 Openings 24
2.3.13 Concrete Reinforcement 24

2.4 Data Imported from ETABS when Updating a Revit Project 31

2.5 Procedures 34
2.5.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing ETABS Model 34
2.5.2 Importing from ETABS to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project 46
2.5.3 Reviewing the Log File (.EXRlog) 53

3 Revit and SAP2000 Data Exchange 54

3.1 Data Imported into SAP2000 54

3.1.1 Materials 55
3.1.2 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements 57
3.1.3 Analytical Members 57
3.1.4 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types 58
3.1.5 Analytical Links 62
3.1.6 Walls 62
3.1.7 Analytical Panels 62
3.1.8 Floors 62
3.1.9 Analytical Openings 63
3.1.10 Point Loads 63
3.1.11 Line Loads 63
3.1.12 Area Loads 63
3.1.13 Load Cases 63
3.1.14 Load Combinations 64

3.2 Data Imported from SAP2000 65

3.2.1 Grid Lines 67
3.2.2 Joints 67
3.2.3 Materials 67
3.2.4 Frame Objects 67
3.2.5 Analytical Members 68
3.2.6 Frame Sections 68
3.2.7 Cable Objects 71
3.2.8 Area Objects 71
3.2.9 Solid Objects, ASolid Objects, Link/Support Objects, Tendon Objects 72
3.2.10 Force Joint Loads and Frame object Concentrated Loads 72
3.2.11 Frame Object Loads 72
 3.2.12 Area Object Loads 73
3.2.13 Load Patterns 73
3.2.14 Load Cases 74
3.2.15 Load Combinations 74

3.3 Procedures 75
3.3.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing SAP2000 Model 75
3.3.2 Importing from SAP2000 to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project 80

4 Revit and SAFE Data Exchange 83

4.1 Data Imported into SAFE when creating a new SAFE Model 83
4.1.1 Grids Lines 84
4.1.2 Story Levels 84
4.1.3 Materials 85
4.1.4 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements 86
4.1.5 Analytical Members 87
4.1.6 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types 88
4.1.7 Analytical Links 89
4.1.8 Walls 89
4.1.9 Analytical Panels with a Wall Structural Role 89
4.1.10 Floors 90
4.1.11 Analytical Panels with a Floor Structural Role 90
4.1.12 Generic Analytical Panels 91
4.1.13 Analytical Openings 91
4.1.14 Point Loads 91
4.1.15 Line Loads 92
4.1.16 Area Loads 92
4.1.17 Load Cases 92
4.1.18 Load Combos 93

4.2 Data Imported into SAFE when Updating a SAFE model 94

4.3 Data Imported from SAFE when Creating a New Revit Project 97
4.3.1 Story Levels 97
4.3.2 Materials 98
4.3.3 Columns 98
4.3.4 Structural Framing 98
4.3.5 Analytical Members 99
4.3.6 Frame Sections 99
4.3.7 Walls 100
4.3.8 Floors 101
4.3.9 Floor Openings 101
4.3.10 Analytical Panels 101
4.3.11 Openings 102
 4.4 Data Imported from SAFE when Updating a Revit Project 103

4.5 Procedures 106

4.5.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing SAFE Model 106
4.5.2 Exporting from SAFE to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project 111

Appendix A Family Name Mapping File 112

 1 Introduction

This manual describes the exchange of Building Information Modeling (BIM) data between Revit
2025 and ETABS v21.1 or greater, SAP2000 v20 or greater, and SAFE v21 or greater. Earlier
versions of these products are compatible with CSiXRevit 2025 although some information
presented in this Manual may not apply to the older products.

Data can be repeatedly exchanged between Revit and ETABS, between Revit and SAP2000, and
between Revit and SAFE along the following paths:

• Exporting from a Revit project to create a new ETABS, SAP2000, or SAFE model.

• Exporting from a Revit project to update a previously exported or previously imported ETABS,
SAP2000, or SAFE model.

• Importing from an ETABS, SAP2000, or SAFE model to create a new Revit project.

• Importing from an ETABS, SAP2000, or SAFE model to update a previously imported or

previously exported Revit project. In this case, you may choose to update locations, designs, or
both.

Family Name Mapping File 1

CSiXRevit 2025 Introduction

The flow of data in these exchanges is illustrated below:

Export to create a new ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE model, or update an

existing one.

ETABS®, SAP2000® or
SAFE®
Revit®

Import from ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE to create a new Revit

project or update an existing Revit project.

The remainder of this Manual is organized in three chapters:

• Chapter 2 presents the exchange of data between Revit and ETABS.

• Chapter 3 presents the exchange of data between Revit and SAP2000.

• Chapter 4 presents the exchange of data between Revit and SAFE.

Introduction 2
 2 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange

Data can be exchanged between Revit and ETABS along the following paths:

• Exporting from a Revit project to create a new ETABS model.

• Exporting from a Revit project to update a previously imported or previously exported ETABS
model.

• Importing from an ETABS model to create a new Revit project.

• Importing from an ETABS model to update a previously exported or previously imported Revit
project.

The actual data transferred varies in each of these cases.

2.1 Data Imported into ETABS when Creating a New ETABS Model
The table below provides an overview of the data imported into ETABS when exporting from a
Revit project to create a new ETABS model:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines

Story Levels

Materials

Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported

Structural Framing instead.
Analytical Members

Column and Framing

Family Types

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CSiXRevit 2025 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange

Analytical Links

Walls Associated analytical panels imported instead.

Analytical Panels –
Walls
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead.

Analytical Panels –
Floors
Analytical Panels –
Generic
Openings

Analytical Openings

Concrete Reinforcement

Footings Fixed point object restraints created wherever a

footing occurs in Revit.
Point Loads

Line Loads

Area Loads Non-uniform area loads not imported.

Load Cases Both load pattern and load case created for each
Revit load case.
Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

2.1.1 Grid Lines

The following data is imported:

• Name: The same grid name is used in ETABS.

• End Points: The start and end points define the alignment of the ETABS general grid line.

• Curvature: The center point, radius, start angle and aperture define the ETABS circular grid
line.

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2.1.2 Story Levels

• Story levels are imported only when their “Structural” property has been selected. However, if
none of the story levels in the Revit project have their “Structural” property selected, all the
story levels are imported.

The following data is imported:

• Level Name: The same name is used in ETABS.

• Elevation: The elevation retrieved relative to the project origin is the elevation of the imported
story level.

2.1.3 Materials
Only those materials assigned to analytical elements or analytical panels in the Revit project are
imported.

The following data is imported:

• Material Name: The same name is used in ETABS.

• Material Type: The material type is used to identify the ETABS material type, namely Concrete,
Steel or Other.

• Young’s Modulus: The Young’s modulus values set the ETABS material Young’s modulus (E).
These three values (for the three different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If the first value
is zero, then the default ETABS value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the
first non-zero value is used. In the case of an isotropic material, the first value is used for all
directions.

• Poisson’s Ratio: The Poisson’s Ratio values set the ETABS material Poisson’s Ratio (u). These
three values (for the three different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If the first value is
zero, then the default ETABS value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the first
non-zero value is used. In the case of an isotropic material, the first value is used for all
directions.

• Shear Modulus: Shear Modulus value set the ETABS material Shear Modulus (G). If the Revit
material is defined as isotropic, then ETABS calculates this value on the basis of the Young’s
Modulus and the Poisson’s Ratio. In the case of an orthotropic material, these three values (for
the three different directions) cannot be zero in ETABS. If the first value is zero, then the default
ETABS value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the first non-zero value is used.

• Thermal Expansion Coefficient: The thermal expansion coefficient sets the ETABS material
thermal expansion coefficient (Alpha). These three values (for the three different directions)
cannot be zero in ETABS. If the first value is zero, then the default ETABS value is used. If any
of the remaining two values are zero, then the first non-zero value is used. In the case of an
isotropic material, the first value is used for all other directions.

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• Weight Density and Mass Density: The unit weight value sets the ETABS material weight
density (w) and mass density (m). In ETABS, the mass density is calculated by dividing the
weight density by the gravitational constant (g). The weight density cannot be zero in ETABS.
If the unit weight is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS densities are used.

• Bending Reinforcement: The bending reinforcement value sets the ETABS material main
reinforcement Fy if the type is concrete. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS
value is used.

• Shear Reinforcement: The shear reinforcement value sets the ETABS material shear
reinforcement Fy if the type is concrete. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS
value is used.

• Resistance Calculation Strength: The resistance calculation strength sets the ETABS material
f’c factor. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS value is used.

• Behavior: The Revit behavior tag is used to identify the isotropic or orthotropic materials in
ETABS.

• Concrete Compression: The concrete compression value sets the ETABS material f’c if the type
is concrete.

• Lightweight: The lightweight flag sets lightweight concrete flag in ETABS.

• Shear Strength Reduction: This value is not in used in the current version of ETABS.

• Yield Stress: The yield stress value sets the ETABS material yielding stress Fy if the type is
steel. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS value is used.

• Tensile Strength: The tensile strength value sets the ETABS material ultimate stress Fu if the
type is steel. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default ETABS value is used.

Note that the values of the damping ratio and steel reduction factor are not imported into ETABS.

ETABS includes a warning in the .WRN file it writes when a default value is used while importing
materials from the Revit project.

2.1.4 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements

Structural columns and structural framing elements, or “physical elements” for short, are not directly
imported. However, if a physical element is associated with an analytical member, the following
data is imported when the analytical member is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the physical element.
If the analytical member is meshed during import, the imported frame objects have compound
names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to the element ID.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported frame object if the analytical member is
imported without being meshed. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and GUIDS’s are encoded with

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CSiXRevit 2025 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange

distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Location: If the physical element end points and the analytical member end nodes are not
coincident, then the imported frame object is created with joint offsets such that the offset
location of the frame object matches the physical element location.

• Y and Z Justification: In the case of framing elements, the imported frame object insertion point
is set based on the framing element y and z justifications. Note that structural columns do not
have any y or z justification and are always imported with a Middle Center insertion point.

• Flip Settings: If the family of the physical element supports face and/or hand flipping, like an
angle family or channel family, the face flip and hand flip values of the physical element set the
Mirror2 and Mirror3 flags of the imported frame object.

2.1.5 Analytical Members

The following data is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the analytical member
unless it has a physical element associated with it, in which case the frame object is named after
the element ID of the physical element. If the analytical member is meshed during import, the
imported frame objects have compound names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to
the original element ID.

• End Nodes: Point objects with identical coordinates are created.

• Location: Horizontal straight analytical members are imported as frame objects spanning
between the two point objects corresponding the two Revit end nodes.

Multi-story vertical or inclined straight analytical members are meshed into several single-story
frame objects. This is required for reporting and design.

Curved analytical members are imported differently depending on whether or not they are
horizontal, and whether or not their curve is a circular arc.

Horizontal curved analytical members curved along a circular arc are imported as curved frame
objects spanning between the two point objects corresponding to the two Revit end nodes.

Vertical or inclined curved analytical members and all curved analytical members with a curve
that is not a circular arc are meshed into a series of short straight frame objects.

Columns are imported with the Local Axis 1 always pointing up, and beams and braces with
their Local Axis 1 always in the first quadrant, which means that the end points may have been
switched compared to the Revit end nodes.

• Associated Physical Element: See Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements.

• Structural Material: See Materials.

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• Section Type: See Analytical Member Materials and Section Types. Analytical members
without any section type assigned to them are imported as null frame objects.

• End Releases: End releases are imported. ETABS modifies releases that would cause an
analytical instability, like torsion released at both ends. When that happens, ETABS includes a
warning in the .WRN file it writes.

• Cross-Section Rotation: The value of the cross-section rotation sets the orientation of the frame
object local axes 2 and 3.

2.1.6 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types

This section explains how ETABS imports the various Revit section family types loaded in a project.

ETABS does not just import the family types directly assigned to analytical members. When
importing a family type assigned to a steel member, ETABS actually imports all the types from that
family that are loaded in the Revit project.

At the beginning of the import, for each family type to import, ETABS looks for:

• a frame section with the same name already in the model or if there isn’t any,

• a frame section whose name matches part of the Revit name.

If it finds neither, and:

• the family type is an instance of one of the pre-defined concrete or wood structural column or
structural framing families listed in Table 2-1, or

• the family type is an instance of the steel plate or steel round bar families,

ETABS then creates a frame section with the same name, shape, and dimensions as the family type.

If none of the above applies, ETABS looks for a frame section definition with the same name as the
Revit family type in its .XML catalogs of section properties. If it can find such a definition, it loads
it into the ETABS model. Note that you can interactively add or remove .XML catalogs and you can
change their search order when you import a Revit project into ETABS.

If ETABS cannot find any frame section definition with the same name as a Revit family type in its
.XML catalogs but does find a definition whose name matches part of the name of the Revit family
type, ETABS imports that instead.

If finally, none of the above applies, the family type is not imported and members with that family
type will be assigned a default section, or a replacement of your choice as explained below.

The name comparison is not case-sensitive, and the prefixes UB and UC are considered equivalent
to UKB and UKC. Note that if you import a Revit project into ETABS, and later redefine a given
Revit family type and then re-import the Revit project, ETABS will not redefine the ETABS frame
section.

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You can change the names of the recognized family types and their associated parameters from the
names listed in Table 2-1 to different localized names by editing the “CSiXRevit Family Name
Mapping.txt” file located in the folder where CSiXRevit is installed as explained in Family Name
Mapping File.

Unlike Revit section family types, ETABS frame sections include a reference to a material. When
importing analytical member family types, ETABS checks that the material of each imported
member matches the material of the frame section identified or previously created for its family type.
If the two do not match, ETABS creates a duplicate frame section with the same material as the
member and uses that section when importing the member.

ETABS frame section shapes include Auto Select sections, which are defined as lists of “regular”
ETABS sections from which the design routines can pick and choose. After importing all the types
from a family assigned to a steel member, ETABS creates an Auto Select section which includes all
the sections imported for the family and assigns that section to the imported frame object.

When you import a Revit project, ETABS imports the materials, the section family types and other
family types and displays the form shown in Figure 2-6, with a warning displayed if some analytical
member family types were not imported. You can then check and revise the section assignments
from that form, as explained in Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing ETABS Model.

You can save the ETABS frame section assignments you have made to a mapping file, and ETABS
will reuse these assignments on subsequent imports.

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CSiXRevit 2025 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange

Member Type Family Name Parameters

CONCRETE CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR- B, H
COLUMNS COLUMN
CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN B
CONCRETE-SQUARE- B
COLUMN
PRECAST-RECTANGULAR B, H CHAMFER
COLUMN
PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE WIDTH, TEE WIDTH,
CONCRETE
STEM WIDTH, SLAB
FRAMING
DEPTH, DEPTH
PRECAST-INVERTED TEE H1, H, B, SEAT
PRECAST-L SHAPED BEAM H1, H, B, SEAT
CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR B, H
BEAM, PRECAST-
RECTANGULAR BEAM
PRECAST-SINGLE TEE WIDTH, STEM WIDTH,
SLAB DEPTH, DEPTH
DIMENSION LUMBER- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
WOOD COLUMNS
COLUMN
GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
COLUMN
GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
COLUMN
PSL-PARALLEL STRAND B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
LUMBER-COLUMN
TIMBER-COLUMN B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
WOOD FRAMING DIMENSION LUMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
LVL-LAMINATED VENEER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
LUMBER
TIMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A
OPEN WEB JOIST B, H
PLYWOOD WEB JOIST B, H

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SQUARE BARS-COLUMN WIDTH, HEIGHT

STEEL COLUMNS
ROUND BARS-COLUMN DIAMETER
STEEL FLAT BARS, SQUARE BARS WIDTH, HEIGHT
FRAMING ROUND BARS DIAMETER
Table 2-1: Revit Family Names recognized by ETABS and associated Parameter Tags

2.1.7 Analytical Links

Analytical links connecting two Revit analytical nodes are imported as ETABS links connecting the
corresponding ETABS point objects. The ETABS links are not strictly rigid: Instead, they feature a
very large translational stiffness and a very large rotational stiffness, on the order of 1000 times
stiffer than a cubic meter of concrete.

2.1.8 Walls
Walls are not directly imported. However, if a wall is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported wall is named after the element ID of the Revit wall. If the associated
analytical panel is meshed during import, the imported walls have compound names with
sequential numerical suffixes appended to the original wall ID.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported wall if the analytical panel is imported
without being meshed. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct
character sets, but the underlying values match.

2.1.9 Analytical Panels with a Wall Structural Role

The following data is imported:

• Points: The coordinates of all the analytical nodes at the corners of the analytical panel are
retrieved and ETABS point objects with identical coordinates are created. Analytical panels
may be defined as having more than four corners, but ETABS walls can only have three or four.
Analytical panels with more than four corners are broken into several four corner ETABS walls,
with a few three corner walls when some of the edges are sloped. Also, multi-story walls are
broken into several single story ETABS walls. This is required for analysis results reporting and
concrete reinforcement design.

• Contour: Analytical panels with arc shaped horizontal bases and tops are imported as ETABS
curved walls. Straight edges are imported as such. Other edges are tessellated, with the degree
of approximation defined internally by Revit, and the analytical panel is imported as a series of
walls. Note that when an analytical panel is arc shaped in plane but its top is not horizontal, its
top curve is not an arc and will be tessellated.

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CSiXRevit 2025 Revit and ETABS Data Exchange

• Structural Material and Thickness: These define the wall properties assigned to the imported
wall. Analytical panels with zero thickness are imported as null area objects.

2.1.10 Floors
Floors are not directly imported. However, if a floor is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported floor is named after the element ID of the Revit floor.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported floor. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and
GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Deck Profile: If the family type assigned to the floor references a deck profile family type,
ETABS interprets the parameters of the deck profile type as follows:

o The parameter labeled “HR” measures the deck depth

o The parameter “SR” measures the deck rib spacing

o The parameter “WR” measures the width of the top of the deck ribs

o The parameter “RR” measures the width of the bottom of the deck ribs

o The parameter “THICKNESS” measures the thickness of the metal

Note that the composite shear stud diameter is taken as equal to the bottom rib width, and its
height is taken as the overall section depth minus the thickness of the metal.

• Span Direction: The span direction of the floor is imported if its family type references a deck.

2.1.11 Analytical Panels with a Floor Structural Role

The following data is imported:

• Points: The coordinate of all the analytical nodes at the corners of the analytical panel are
retrieved and ETABS point objects with identical coordinates are created.

• Contour: Arc-shaped edges are imported as arc-shaped floor edges in ETABS. Straight edges
are imported as such. All other curved edges are tessellated, with the degree of approximation
defined internally by Revit. Sloped analytical panels with more than four corners are projected
onto a horizontal plane at an elevation matching their average elevation.

• Structural Material and Thickness: If no floor is associated with the panel or a floor is associated
but its family type does not reference, a deck profile, the imported floor is imported with a slab
section type of corresponding material and thickness. Otherwise, the imported floor is imported
with a filled deck or unfilled desk section defined as explained in Floors. Analytical panels with
zero thickness are imported as null area objects.

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2.1.12 Generic Analytical Panels

Analytical panels with a panel structural role are imported as floor objects if their surface is
horizontal or within 20 degrees of the horizontal, and as wall objects otherwise.

2.1.13 Analytical Openings

Vertical analytical openings are imported as wall openings and horizontal openings are imported as
floor openings.

Wall openings with more than four sides are broken into three and four corner openings.

Multi-story wall openings are broken into several single-story openings.

2.1.14 Footings
The location and extents of rectangular footings are imported. ETABS locates all the column base
joints within the rectangular footing area and restrains them for all degrees of freedom.

Note that only rectangular footings are processed.

2.1.15 Point Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the load case name in ETABS.

• Location: It defines the point of application of the load. If the location is coincident with a point
object already in the model, the load is applied to that point object. When no coincident point is
found, ETABS looks for an underlying frame object. If a frame object is found, the load is
applied on that frame object. If no suitable frame object is found, a new point object is located
at the location and the load is applied to it. If the new point object is located on a floor object,
the load will be transferred to the floor object during analysis but if the new point object is not
located on a floor object, it will create a model instability that needs to be addressed.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are applied in the global coordinate system in
Revit and defined in ETABS in a similar manner.

2.1.16 Line Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the corresponding load case name in ETABS.

• Start and End Point Locations: These define the start and end points of the line load. If the line
load location matches exactly the location of a frame object, the line load is applied to that
object. Otherwise, a new line object with “None” properties is created and the line load is

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applied to that new line object. This will cause a model instability that needs to be addressed if
the load does not also line up with any imported frame object, floor, or wall.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments applied in the global direction, in Revit, are
transferred in a similar manner. A Revit line load which includes more than one of these
components is imported as several ETABS line loads because ETABS line loads are mono-
directional.

2.1.17 Area Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the corresponding load case name in ETABS.

• Corners and Contour: The corner points define the geometry of the area object to which the load
is applied. Curved edges that are arc shaped are imported as arcs. Straight edges are imported
as such. Other edges are tessellated, with the degree of approximation defined internally by
Revit.

• LoadX, LoadY, and LoadZ: All loads applied in the global direction in Revit are transferred in
a similar manner.

Non-uniform surface loads are not imported.

2.1.18 Load Cases

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: The same name is used for the ETABS load case.

• Load Case Category: It is used to define the load case type in ETABS. The mapping is shown
in the following table:

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Revit Load Case Category ETABS Load Case Type

Dead Dead

Live Live

Wind Wind

Snow Snow

Roof Live Live

Accidental Other

Temperature Other

Seismic Quake

2.1.19 Load Combos

The following data is imported:

• Load Combination Name: The same name is used for the ETABS Load Combination Name.

• Load Cases: The same load cases list is used in ETABS to define the Load Combination.

• Load Case Factor: The same load case factors are used for the corresponding load cases in the
ETABS load combination.

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2.2 Data Imported into ETABS when Updating an ETABS model

The table below provides an overview of the data imported in ETABS when exporting to update an
existing ETABS model:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation or
Update of…
Grid Lines

Story Levels

Materials
Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported
Structural Framing instead.
Analytical Members
Analytical Members Sections with a given name not redefined even
Section Types if redefined in Revit
Analytical Links
Walls Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Walls
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead
Analytical Panels –
Floors
Analytical Panels –
Generic
Openings

Analytical Openings

Concrete Reinforcement

Footings Fixed point object restraints crated wherever a

footing occurs in Revit.
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads Non-uniform area loads not imported.

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Load Cases Both load pattern and load case created for each
Revit load case.
Load Combos

Deletion of…
Grid Lines

Story Levels

Materials

Frames

Walls

Wall Openings

Floors

Floor Openings

Footings

Point Loads

Line Loads

Area Loads

Load Cases

Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

Note: Deletion of ETABS objects when updating a model only works if you are exporting the entire
Revit project. If the “selection only” update feature is used, no ETABS objects are deleted.

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2.3 Data Imported from ETABS when Creating a New Revit Project
The table below provides an overview of the data imported into Revit when creating a new Revit
project:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns and
Framing
Frame Sections
Walls
Analytical Panels
Wall Openings
Analytical Openings
Floors
Floor Openings
Concrete Reinforcement
Footings
Load Cases
Point Object Loads
Frame Object Loads

Area Loads

Load Combos

Concrete
Reinforcement

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

2.3.1 Story Levels

Story levels already present in the Revit project are moved or renamed when their name or elevation

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matches an ETABS story level name or elevation, but never deleted – even when not in ETABS.

New story levels are created for the ETABS story levels not already in the project.

2.3.2 Materials
Only materials associated with exported ETABS frame or area objects are imported

Concrete and steel materials are imported provided the project contains at least one default concrete
material and one default steel material which are then duplicated and adjusted.

In the absence of a default concrete or steel material, materials are created with default parameter
values.

2.3.3 Columns
ETABS columns are imported as Revit structural columns, except columns with “None” properties
which are imported as analytical members only.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The elevations of the imported column end points take into account the ETABS
column splice locations and story level column splice heights, and their X and Y coordinates
take into account the ETABS column insertion points and end offsets. When several stacked
ETABS steel columns do not have any intermediate splice and have consistent orientations and
sections, they are imported as a single Revit column.

• Family Type: ETABS frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the column is the one imported for the original ETABS
material.

• Label, Name and GUID: The ETABS column label, name, and GUID are stored as shared
parameters.

Companion analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

When an ETABS model originally imported from Revit is later brought back, you have the option
of having CSiXRevit replace any Revit columns that have been meshed in ETABS with shorter
columns whose locations match the ETABS locations. Note that the analytical models of such
columns are automatically meshed.

2.3.4 Structural Framing

ETABS beams and braces are imported as Revit structural framing elements, except beams and

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braces with “None” properties which are imported as analytical members only.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The end points are based on the ETABS end point object locations with an
adjustment if there are ETABS end offsets.

• Y and Z Justification: The Y and Z justification are based on the ETABS insertion points.

• Family Type: ETABS frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the framing element is the one imported for the original
ETABS material.

• Camber Size, Number of Studs, and End Reactions: If the ETABS frame object is a composite
beam, the camber and number of studs parameters are set, and the end reactions are stored as
shared parameters.

• Label, Name and GUID: The ETABS label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Associated analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

When an ETABS model originally imported from Revit is later brought back, you have the option
of having CSiXRevit replace any Revit framing elements that have been meshed in ETABS with
shorter framing elements whose locations match the ETABS locations. Note that the analytical
models of such framing elements are automatically meshed.

2.3.5 Analytical Members

In addition to being imported as structural columns or structural framing elements, ETABS frame
objects are imported as analytical members. Also, null ETABS frame objects are imported as
analytical members.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The locations of the end nodes match the locations of the ETABS end joints.

• Curvature: ETABS curved frame objects curved along a circular arc are imported as curved
analytical elements.

• Family Type: ETABS frame sections are mapped to Revit section family types as explained in
Frame Sections. Null frame objects are imported without any section.

• Structural Material: The material of the framing element is the one imported for the original
ETABS material. Null frame objects are imported with their material set to “By Category”.

• Label, Name and GUID: The ETABS label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

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Unless they stand for ETABS null frame objects, new analytical members are associated with the
structural columns or structural framing elements imported for the ETABS frame objects.

When an ETABS model originally imported from Revit is later brought back in Revit, the analytical
models of framing elements that have been meshed in ETABS are automatically meshed in Revit.

2.3.6 Frame Sections

This section explains how CSiXRevit maps ETABS frame sections to Revit structural column,
framing element, and analytical member family types:

• If the Revit project already contains a family type with the same name as an ETABS frame
section, the ETABS frame objects with that section are imported with that family type. The
name comparison is not case-sensitive. Note that if you import an ETABS model into Revit,
and later redefine a given ETABS frame section and then re-import the ETABS model,
CSiXRevit will not redefine the corresponding Revit family type.

• If the type of the frame section is one of the section shape types listed in Table 2-2 or Table 2-3,
CSiXRevit creates a new type of the corresponding Revit family in the Revit project based on
the original section dimensions, and the ETABS columns, beams and braces with that frame
section are imported with that Revit family type.

• If the above did not apply, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type with a matching name
in the active Revit content libraries, and if it finds one, loads that family type in the Revit project
and the ETABS columns, beams and braces with that frame section are imported with that Revit
family type.

• If the above still did not work, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type whose name
includes the name of the frame section in the active Revit content libraries, loads that family
type in the Revit project and the ETABS columns, beams and braces with that frame section are
imported with that Revit family type.

• If none of the above applied, the ETABS columns, beams and braces are assigned a default
Revit family type. You can specify any family type already in the project or available from the
active Revit content libraries as a replacement.

Note that you can specify which Revit content libraries are active with the File->Options command,
under the File Locations tab and Places… button.

You can change the names of the recognized family types and their associated parameters from the
names listed in Table 2-2 and Table 2-3 to different localized names by editing the “CSiXRevit
Family Name Mapping.txt” file located in the folder where CSiXRevit is installed as explained in
Family Name Mapping File.

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ETABS Section Shape Revit Family

Concrete rectangular Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa,
M_Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa
Concrete square Concrete-Square-Column.rfa, M_Concrete-
Square-Column.rfa
Concrete circular Concrete-Round-Column.rfa, M_Concrete-
Round-Column.rfa
Steel Plate Square Bars-Column.rfa, M_Square Bars-
Column.rfa
Steel Rod Round Bars-Column.rfa, M_Round Bars-
Column.rfa
Table 2-2: ETABS Column Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent Families

ETABS Section Shape Revit Family

Concrete rectangular Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa,
M_Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa
Concrete angle Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa, M_Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa
Concrete tee Precast-Single Tee.rfa, M_Precast-Single Tee.rfa
Steel Plate Flat Bars.rfa, M_Flat Bars.rfa
Steel Rod Round Bars.rfa, M_Round Bars.rfa
Table 2-3: ETABS Beam and Brace Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent Families

2.3.7 Walls
ETABS walls other than non-rectangular slanted walls and warped walls are imported as Revit walls
with matching locations, materials, and thicknesses.

The ETABS label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Companion analytical panels are generated as explained in Analytical Panels.

When an ETABS model originally imported from Revit is later brought back, you have the option
of having CSiXRevit replace any Revit walls that have been meshed in ETABS with smaller walls
whose locations match the ETABS locations. Note that the analytical models of such walls are
automatically meshed.

2.3.8 Wall Openings

ETABS wall openings are imported as Revit rectangular straight wall opening elements at matching
locations. Note that ETABS wall openings are removed from the model when the Divide Walls for

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Openings command is selected or when the analysis is run.

Companion analytical openings are generated.

2.3.9 Floors
The ETABS floors are imported as Revit floors with matching locations. provided the project
contains at least one floor family type corresponding to a solid slab and another floor family type
corresponding to a filled deck — note that this implies the project also contains a deck profile.

If the ETABS floor property is a slab property or a deck property of type solid slab, the imported
floor has the same thickness and material as the ETABS floor. If the ETABS floor property is a deck
property, of filled type or unfilled type, the imported floor has the same deck geometry and the same
concrete cover thickness and material as the ETABS floor.

The ETABS label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Companion analytical panels are generated as explained in Analytical Panels.

When an ETABS model originally imported from Revit is later brought back, you have the option
of having CSiXRevit replace any Revit floors that have been meshed in ETABS with smaller
framing elements whose locations match the ETABS beam and brace locations. Note that the
analytical models of such floors are automatically meshed.

2.3.10 Floor Openings

ETABS floor openings are imported as Revit floor opening cut elements at matching locations.

Matching analytical openings are generated as explained in Openings.

2.3.11 Analytical Panels

In addition to being imported as floor or wall elements, ETABS planar walls and floors are imported
as analytical panels. No analytical panels are generated for non-planar walls or floors.

The following data is imported:

• Joints and Contours: The locations of the end nodes and contours match the location of the
ETABS end joints and curves.

• Structural Material: The material of the imported panel is:

o the one imported for the original material in the case of ETABS walls

o the one imported for the original material in the case of ETABS floors with a slab property

o the one imported for the material of the deck fill in the case of ETABS floors with a deck
property

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o set to “By Category” in the case of ETABS null area objects.

• Thickness: The thickness of the imported panel is equal to:

o the thickness of the original wall in the case of ETABS walls

o the thickness of the original floor in the case of ETABS floors with a slab property

o the total thickness of the deck in the case of ETABS floors with a deck property

o zero in the case of ETABS null area objects.

• Label, Name, and GUID: The ETABS label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Unless they stand for null area objects, new analytical panels are associated with the floors or walls
imported for the original ETABS floors and walls.

2.3.12 Openings
In addition to being imported as floor opening cut or wall opening cut elements, ETABS openings
are imported as analytical openings. The ETABS opening label, name, and GUID are stored as
shared parameters.

2.3.13 Concrete Reinforcement

ETABS concrete column reinforcement bar sets, beam reinforcement bar sets, wall reinforcement
bar sets and slab reinforcement bar sets are imported as structural rebar elements. The following data
is imported:

• Bar Diameter and Size: Structural rebars are assigned a Revit rebar bar type whose name
matches the ETABS Detailer bar size when there is such a rebar bar type in the initial project
template. In the absence of such a rebar bar type, a new rebar bar type is created by duplicating
the rebar bar type with the diameter closest to the ETABS bar diameter and adjusting the name
and bar diameter of the resulting rebar bar type based on their ETABS values. Note that if there
are no rebar bar family in the project template, concrete reinforcement cannot be imported and
a warning to that effect will be displayed in the Import From ETABS form. Also, rebar bar
type assignments can be reviewed and modified at import time with the Rebar Bar Mapping
form.

• Location: Individual bar locations in the structural rebars match the ETABS Detailer bar
locations.

• Spacing and Number of Bars: The structural rebars have their Layout Rule specified as “Number
with Spacing”, with quantity and spacing matching the original ETABS values.

• Bar End Bends: ETABS bar end conditions set the Hook at Start and Hook at End parameters
of the structural rebar per the mapping shown in Table. When a listed rebar hook family type is
needed but missing from the project template, it is created by duplicating one of the rebar hook

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family types in the template and adjusting the name, hook angle, and multiplier extension of the
resulting hook type based on appropriate predefined values. Note that if there are no hook family
types in the initial template, concrete reinforcement cannot be imported and a warning to that
effect will be displayed in the Import From ETABS form. Also, hook type assignments can be
reviewed and modified in the Rebar Hook Mapping form.

• Bar Material: Each Revit rebar type has a material assigned to it and all structural rebar elements
that share their rebar bar type also share their material. Materials assigned to rebar bar types in
the initial template are updated when the ETABS model is imported based on the ETABS
material assigned to concrete section properties, to wall design preferences and to slab strips,
with the material with the highest tensile strength selected when different materials are assigned
to different occurrences of the same bar size. Note that rebar bar type assignments can be
reviewed modified at import time with the Rebar Bar Mapping form.

Note that there are no rebars in GUID’s in ETABS and therefore the new rebars do not have any
ETABS GUID associated with them. When the ETABS model is reimported to update the Revit
project, existing rebars are deleted and new rebar bars are created.

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Rebar End Hook ETABS/SAFE Bar Revit Rebar Hook

Bends Family Types
Frame Longitudinal Reinforcement
Straight/None None
Cut Cut Frame
Curtail Curtail Frame
Joggle Joggle Frame

90 Bend Standard - 90 deg. Frame

180 Bend Standard - 180 deg.

Frame

Frame Transverse Reinforcement

Rectangle-90 Standard - 90 deg. Frame
Standard - 90 deg. Frame

Rectangle-135 Standard – 135 deg.

Frame
Standard – 135 deg.
Frame
L-Tie Standard – 135 deg.
Frame
Standard - 90 deg. Frame

Circular None

Wall Reinforcement
None None

Cut Cut Wall

Curtail Curtail Wall

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Joggle Joggle Wall

45 Bend Standard - 45 deg. Wall

90 Bend Standard - 90 deg. Wall

135 Bend Standard – 135 deg.

Wall

180 Bend Standard - 180 deg. Wall

Slab Reinforcement
None None
Cut Cut Slab
Curtail Curtail Slab
Joggle Joggle Slab

45 Bend Standard - 45 deg. Slab

90 Bend Standard - 90 deg. Slab

135 Bend Standard – 135 deg. Slab

180 Bend Standard - 180 deg. Slab

Table 2-4: Revit Rebar Hook Family Types

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Following are some illustrative screen captures comparing ETABS reinforcement and imported
Revit reinforcement:

ETABS Revit

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ETABS Revit

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ETABS Revit

+
Table 2-5: ETABS Detailer and Imported Revit Reinforcement

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2.4 Data Imported from ETABS when Updating a Revit Project

The table below provides an overview of the data imported into Revit when updating an existing
Revit project:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns
and Framing
Analytical Members
Frame Sections
Walls
Analytical Panels
Wall Openings
Analytical Openings
Floors
Floor Openings
Concrete
Reinforcement
Footings
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Combos
Update of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
and Framing meshed in ETABS. Locations are not updated

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when meshed frame objects are not meshed in

Revit.
Analytical Members May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in ETABS. Locations are not updated when
meshed frame objects are not meshed in Revit.
Frame Sections
Walls May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in ETABS. Locations are not updated when
meshed walls are not meshed in Revit.
Analytical Panels May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in ETABS. Locations are not updated when
meshed walls or floors are not meshed in Revit.
Wall Openings
Analytical Openings
Floors May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in ETABS. Locations are not updated
when meshed floors are not meshed in Revit.
Floor Openings
Concrete Concrete reinforcement in previously imported
Reinforcement structural columns, beams, walls, and slabs is
deleted and replaced with new up-to-date
reinforcement.
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads Area loads moved in ETABS are replaced.
Load Combos
Deletion of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns
and Framing
Analytical Members
Walls

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Analytical Panels
Wall Openings
Analytical Openings
Floors
Floor Openings
Concrete
Reinforcement
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

Note: Deletion of elements when updating a project only works if you have exported the entire
ETABS model. If the “Selected Objects Only” option is selected in the ETABS Export to Revit
EXR File form, elements are not deleted.

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2.5 Procedures

2.5.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing ETABS Model

CSiXRevit only exports the analytical elements in the Revit project.

It is important to check that all the walls, floors, openings, structural columns, and structural framing
elements you want to export to ETABS are associated with at least one analytical element.

It is also important to check that the analytical elements are correctly connected to each other so as
to obtain a valid ETABS model.

Figure 2-1: Revit Physical Model View

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Figure 2-2: Revit Analytical Model View

The following describes the steps to export a Revit project to ETABS:

• To create a new ETABS model, from the Revit menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export
to Create New ETABS SAFE or SAP2000 Model.... To update an existing ETABS model,
from the Revit menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export to Update Existing ETABS SAFE
or SAP2000 Model...

• CSiXRevit counts the elements in the Revit project and displays the Export to Create New
ETABS SAP2000 or SAFE Model form, or Export to Update Existing ETABS or SAFE
Model form as may be the case:

Figure 2-3: Export to Create New ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE Model form

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• Select the categories of Revit elements to export. If you have selected some elements prior to
starting the command and wish to only export those elements, check the corresponding box
near the bottom of the form.

• To export to ETABS v17 or earlier, check the corresponding box near the bottom of the form.

• Once you have made your selections, click OK. The Exporting to Create New ETABS
SAP2000 or SAFE Model or Exporting to Update Existing ETABS or SAFE Model form
is shown and displays the progress of the export:

Figure 2-4: Exporting form

• Once the process is complete, click OK. You are now asked to select a destination folder and
filename. The file will be given the extension .EXR.

You are now ready to import the .EXR file in ETABS:

• Start ETABS if it is not already running.

• To create a new ETABS model from your Revit project, you should not have any model open,
not even an ETABS blank model (an ETABS blank model actually includes four story levels
and numerous other definitions). By default, ETABS creates a new model based on your .EXR
file.

• To update an existing ETABS model, open it.

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• From the menu, select File>Import>Revit Structure .exr File, and then select the .EXR file
to import. If you are creating a new model, this command is available from the ETABS Start
Page.

Figure 2-5: ETABS Start Page

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The Revit Data Overview/Controls form is displayed:

Figure 2-6: Revit Data Overview/Controls form

The top section of this form provides access to more forms which let you specify how Revit
levels, materials and families are imported.

Any material property with a zero value, any unrecognized section, any section with a default
material displays a warning. If a material property was not defined, or a material was not
assigned in Revit, you can address the issue before the ETABS model is created. These issues
can be addressed by clicking the corresponding Edit button.

The bottom section of the form displays general controls that ETABS uses when importing the
Revit project. The units selected here are used as the default units of the ETABS model. The
length tolerance is the tolerance ETABS uses to align close X, Y, Z coordinates and to create
connectivity when creating the finite element model for analysis. The Minimum Curve Length
and Angle let you control how a curve is divided into straight line segments. When you check
the Align close X, Y or Z Coordinates, ETABS may make small adjustments to the coordinates
in the .EXR file. Adjustments are then made to the coordinates of grid lines, frame objects, and
edges of shell objects that are parallel or almost parallel to the horizontal plane X or Y axis in
the EXR file. These adjustments are two-fold: All imported such items are made actually
parallel to the X or Y axis as applicable; and all such items that are almost aligned with each
other are actually aligned.

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• To review the various story levels imported click the Edit button. The Story Data form is
displayed, letting you change story heights and other story parameters, and add or delete story
levels.

Figure 2-7: Story Data form

• To review the Revit material properties imported, select the Edit button next to “Total
Materials”. The Material Mapping form is displayed:

Figure 2-8: Material Mapping form

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In this model, three materials are imported. Any new ETABS material is created with the
same name as the Revit material name. To map the Revit Material to a material other than the
new ETABS material created, click on the ETABS material name. A combo box will be
displayed with all of the existing ETABS materials currently in the ETABS model. To create
a new material property to map your Revit material to, click Add. The Add Material form is
then displayed. To see the properties of any imported material, select the material and click
Edit. The Material Property Data form is then displayed:

Figure 2-9: Material Property Data form

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• To check the original properties of the material in Revit, click “Revit Data...” The Revit
Material Property Data form is displayed:

Figure 2-10: Revit Structure Material Property Data

• To see the Revit family types imported, select the Edit button next to “Total Frame Sections”.
The Frame Section Mapping form is displayed:

Figure 2-11: Frame Section Mapping

The first three columns display the original Revit family type, original family name, and the
material assigned to any section imported from Revit. The fourth column is the ETABS section
the Revit section is mapped to. The final column describes how the section is mapped or created.

Only the ETABS Section Name column is editable. Clicking any row in the column displays a
combo box that includes all section properties currently loaded in the current ETABS model.

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To add a section to the list, click the Add button the right side.

When ETABS imports the Revit data, it initially tries to match Revit section names to ETABS
section names. It first searches through the loaded ETABS database sections. If no match is
found, ETABS then searches all the ETABS section property files (.XML). It will map the
section to the first section name that matches. To specify which files are searched, click the
.XML Files button on the right side. The XML Property Files form is displayed:

Figure 2-12: XML Property Files

All the .XML property files present in the ETABS installation directory are selected by default.
A file can be added or removed from the ETABS search by checking or unchecking its
checkbox in the list. To add a new file, click on the Add File button. To change the order in
which ETABS searches the files, move their names up and down in the list using the arrow
key buttons on the right side.

As in the Material Mapping form, details about the Frame Section Mapping can be edited by
selecting a row and clicking the Edit button.

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• To see the Revit floor sections imported, select the Edit button next to “Total Floor Sections”.
The Floor Section Mapping form is displayed:

Figure 2-13: Floor Section Mapping

Again, you can specify the ETABS floor section the Revit floor type gets mapped to. By
default, an equivalent ETABS floor section is created and mapped. To create a new deck or
slab section, use the buttons on the right side. After adding the deck or slab, the new ETABS
floor section will show up in the drop-down list.

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• To check the definition of an ETABS section, click on the row and then click the Edit… button.
The Slab Property Data or Deck Properties Data form, as applicable, is displayed:

Figure 2-14: Slab Property Data form

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• To see the Revit wall sections imported, select the Edit button next to “Total Wall Sections”.
The Wall Section Mapping form is displayed:

Figure 2-15: Wall Section Mapping Form

Again, you can specify the ETABS wall section the Revit wall type gets mapped to. By default,
an equivalent ETABS wall section is created and mapped. To create a new wall section use
the Add button on the right side. After adding the wall, the new ETABS wall section shows
up in the drop-down list.

• To store the mapping created in a file from which it can later be retrieved, click the Export
Mapping File button in the Revit Data Overview/Controls form.

• To import a previously exported mapping, click the Import Mapping File button.

• Once you are satisfied with the mapping of materials and sections, in the Revit Data
Overview/Controls form select OK. The ETABS model is now being created.

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2.5.2 Importing from ETABS to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project

The following steps describe how to export your ETABS analytical model to create or update a Revit
project:

• Once you have edited, analyzed, and designed the model in ETABS, save it by selecting
File>Save.

• Select File>Export>Revit Structure .exr File.

The Export to Revit .EXR File form is displayed.

Figure 2-16: Export to Revit EXR file

• Click the Browse... button to change the destination folder and filename.

• If you have selected objects in the model, and would like to export only those, select the
corresponding checkbox.

• To export to Revit 2019 or earlier, select the corresponding checkbox.

• Click OK.

You are now ready to import the .EXR file in Revit:

• Start Revit if it is not already running.

• To create a new Revit project from your ETABS model, open a Revit template that you would
like to import your ETABS model into. It is not required, but the import will be faster and more
predictable if you load all the beam, column, brace, deck, floor and wall families you would like
ETABS sections to map to prior to importing. If there is reinforcement to import in the ETABS
model, be sure to choose a Revit template that includes one rebar bar family type and one rebar
bar hook type. A suitable example is Imperial-Structural Template.rte

• From the Revit menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Create New Revit Project
from ETABS SAFE or SAP2000...

• Select the .EXR file you would like to import. CSiXRevit will try to load any required families
that are not already loaded.

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• To update an existing Revit project, first open it. Again, if you have new sections you defined
in ETABS, the import will come in faster and will be more predictable if you load all the beam,
column, brace, deck, slab and wall families you would like ETABS sections to map to prior to
importing. From the Revit menu select, Tools>External Tools>Import to Update Existing
Revit Project from ETABS SAFE or SAP2000.... Select the .EXR file to import.

• Whether you are creating a new Revit project or updating an existing Revit project, after
selecting the .EXR file, the form below is displayed:

Figure 2-17: Import from ETABS to Update Existing Revit Project form

On the left side of the form, you can control the types of ETABS objects to import into the
Revit project and the mapping of ETABS sections to Revit types.

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• Clicking the Frame Sections button under “Mapping Options” displays the Frame Section
Mapping form:

Figure 2-18: Frame Section Mapping form

Changes to the mapping of ETABS sections to Revit sections can be made here. All Revit
column beam and brace families and family types currently loaded in the project are displayed
in the drop-down lists.

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• Clicking the Floor Sections button displays the Floor Section Mapping form:

Figure 2-19: Floor Section Mapping form

Changes to the mapping of ETABS floor sections to Revit sections can be made here. All Revit
floor families currently loaded are displayed in the drop-down lists.

• Clicking the Wall Sections button displays the Wall Section Mapping form:

Figure 2-20: Wall Section Mapping form

Changes to the mapping of ETABS wall sections to Revit sections can be made here. All Revit
wall families currently loaded are displayed in the drop-down lists.

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• Clicking the Rebar Bars button displays the Rebar Bar Mapping form:

Figure 2-21: Rebar Bar Mapping form

Changes to bar type assignments can be made here. All the Revit rebar bar types already loaded in
the initial template are displayed in the drop-down lists, plus the option to create an equivalent rebar
bar type if the ETABS bar size is not defined.

• Clicking the Rebar Hooks button displays the Rebar Hook Mapping form:

Figure 2-22: Rebar Hook Mapping form

Changes to hook types can be made here. All the Revit rebar hook types already loaded in the initial
template are displayed in the drop-down lists, plus the predefined hook types shown in Table 2-4.

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• If you are updating a Revit project from an ETABS model, you have the choice to only update
locations and releases, only update designs and load magnitudes, or update both:

Figure 2-23: Information to Update in Update to Revit Project form

• Also, when updating a Revit project from an ETABS model, there can be instances in which the
1:1 correspondence between Revit elements and ETABS objects is lost because objects were
meshed in ETABS. The analytical models of such Revit elements will be automatically replaced
with meshed ones, but for each category of physical elements for which this happens, you can:

o Delete the existing Revit physical elements and let CSiXRevit create new elements
corresponding to the objects that are meshed in ETABS.

o Keep the existing physical elements. In this case, you may need to make some further
choices. For example, if a Revit structural column runs from the ground story level to the
top story level as a single element, that column is cut at every story level when it is imported
in ETABS and different sections may be assigned to the various segments of the column
when they are designed. You then need select one of the ETABS sections for the entire
length of the Revit column. To do this, click the Objects button under Mapping Options.

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The Object Mapping form is displayed:

Figure 2-24: Object Mapping form

In this case, Column ID (139774) spans three floors in Revit but was meshed into three pieces
in ETABS. When re-importing to Revit, you can choose which section to assign to the entire
Revit column. The same can be done with meshed beams, braces, floors, and walls.

• Once you are satisfied with the object mappings, select OK and the ETABS model will be
imported.

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2.5.3 Reviewing the Log File (.EXRlog)

Whenever a Revit project is exported to ETABS or an ETABS model is imported in Revit, a file
with the extension .EXRlog is created if it does not exist or appended if it already exists. This file
lists the project or model name, the direction of the data exchange, and the time and date. It also lists
any errors or omissions encountered in generating or importing the .EXR file, and therefore, should
be checked every time data is transferred. The .EXRlog file also lists the build numbers for
CSiXRevit and Revit. Finally, in the case of an incremental import, the changes made to the Revit
project and ETABS model are listed.

Each Revit element is identified by its “Revit ID”. You can view the element IDs by selecting
Manage->Select by ID in the Revit ribbon, typing an ID, and clicking the Show button:

Revit will find a view that contains the element, switch to that view, and highlight the element.

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 3 Revit and SAP2000 Data Exchange

Data can be exchanged between Revit and SAP2000 along the following paths:

• Exporting from a Revit project to create new SAP2000 model.

• Exporting from a Revit project to update a previously exported or previously imported SAP2000
model. SAP2000 v17.2.0 or later is required.

• Importing from SAP2000 to create a new Revit project.

• Importing from SAP2000 to update a previously imported or previously exported Revit project.
In this case, you may choose to update locations, designs, or both. SAP2000 v17.2.0 or later is
required.

The actual data transferred varies in each case.

3.1 Data Imported into SAP2000

The table below provides an overview of the data imported into SAP2000:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported
Structural Framing instead.
Analytical Members
Analytical Member
Sections

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Rolled Steel Sections Homonymous SAP2000 section profiles

loaded from the SAP2000 .PRO files specified
during import of the .EXR file into SAP2000.
Bar Joists Line objects imported with “None” properties.
Concrete Sections
Walls Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels
Openings
Analytical Openings Imported as area objects with “None”
properties.
Concrete Reinforcement

Footings

Point Loads Creates SAP2000 joints if the load does not

coincide with a previously created joint and
does not line up with any frame objects. This
will cause model instability that needs to be
addressed.
Line Loads Creates SAP2000 frame objects with “None”
properties if the load does not overlap any other
frame object. If the load also does not line up
with any imported floor or wall, it will cause
model instability that needs to be addressed.
Area Loads

Load Cases

Load Combinations

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

3.1.1 Materials
Only those materials assigned to analytical elements or analytical panels in the Revit project are
imported.

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All materials are imported into SAP2000 as isotropic materials. The following data is imported into
SAP2000:

• Material Name: The same name is used in SAP2000.

• Material Class: Concrete and steel set to equivalent SAP2000 material types. Generic,
aluminum, and wood material types set as “Other” SAP2000 material type.

• Young’s Modulus: The first of Revit’s three Young’s modulus values (one for each direction)
sets the SAP2000 material Young’s modulus (E) value. If this value is zero, the default
SAP2000 value is used.

• Poisson’s Ratio: The first of Revit’s three Poisson’s Ratio values (one for each direction) sets
the SAP2000 material Poisson’s Ratio (U) value. If this value is zero, the default SAP2000 value
is used.

• Shear Modulus: The first of Revit’s three Shear Modulus values (one for each direction) is
compared to the value of the material Shear Modulus (G) computed by SAP2000. If the two
differ by more than one percent in SAP2000, a warning is reported in the log file.

• Thermal Expansion Coefficient: The first of Revit’s three thermal expansion coefficients (one
for each direction) sets the SAP2000 material thermal expansion coefficient (Alpha). If this
coefficient is zero, the default SAP2000 value is used.

• Unit weight: The Revit unit weight sets both the SAP2000 material weight density (w) and mass
density (m). In SAP2000 the mass density is calculated by dividing the weight density by the
gravitational constant (g). If the unit weight is zero, the default SAP2000 value is used.

• Behavior: Revit uses this tag to distinguish between isotropic and orthotropic materials. All
Revit materials are imported as isotropic materials in SAP2000. Any orthotropic material
generates a warning in the log file.

• Concrete Compression: In the case of a concrete material, the Revit concrete compression sets
the SAP2000 concrete compressive strength f’c.

• Lightweight: The value of this tag is used to identify a concrete material as lightweight concrete
in SAP2000.

• Yield Stress: In the case of a steel material, this value sets the SAP2000 minimum yield stress
Fy. If the yield stress is zero, the default SAP2000 value is used.

• Tensile Strength: In the case of a steel material, this value sets the SAP2000 minimum tensile
stress Fu. If the tensile stress is zero, the default SAP2000 value is used.

The following data is not imported in SAP2000:

• Damping Ratio

• Bending Reinforcement

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• Shear Reinforcement

• Resistance Calculation Strength

• Shear Strength Reduction

• Steel Reduction Factor

3.1.2 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements

Structural columns and structural framing elements, or “physical elements” for short, are not directly
imported. However, if a physical element is associated with an analytical member, the following
data is imported when the analytical member is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the physical element.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported frame object. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s
and GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Location: If the physical element end points and the analytical member end nodes are not
coincident, then the imported frame object is created with joint offsets such that the offset
location of the frame object matches the physical element location.

• Y and Z Justification: In the case of framing elements, the imported frame object insertion point
is set based on the framing element y and z justifications. Note that structural columns do not
have any y or z justification and are always imported with a Middle Center insertion point.

• Flip Settings: If the family of the physical element supports face and/or hand flipping, like an
angle family or channel family, the face flip and hand flip values of the physical element set the
Mirror2 and Mirror3 flags of the imported line object.

3.1.3 Analytical Members

The following data is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the analytical member
unless it has a physical element associated with it, in which case the frame object is named after
the element ID of the physical element. If the analytical member is meshed during import, the
imported frame objects have compound names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to
the original element ID.

• End Nodes: Joint objects with identical coordinates are located or created as needed. SAP2000
views two joints as coincident if none of their coordinates differ by more than 1/100th of a foot.
This level of precision corresponds to the level of precision in the Revit project.

• Location: Straight analytical members are imported as frame objects spanning between the two
joint objects corresponding the two Revit end nodes. Curved analytical members curved along
a circular arc are imported as arc shaped frame objects spanning between the two joint objects

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corresponding the two Revit end nodes Curved analytical members with a curve that is not a
circular arc are meshed into a series of short straight frame objects.

• Associated Physical Element: See Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements.

• Structural Material: See Analytical Member Materials and Section Types.

• Section Type: See Analytical Member Materials and Section Types.

• End Releases: End releases are imported. SAP2000 modifies releases that would cause an
analytical instability, like torsion released at both ends. When that happens, SAP2000 includes
a warning in the. EXRlog file SAP2000 writes.

• Cross-Section Rotation: The value of the cross-section rotation sets the orientation of the frame
object local axes 2 and 3.

3.1.4 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types

This section explains how the various Revit section family types assigned to the analytical members
in a project are imported.

SAP2000 attempts to match each Revit frame member family type to an identically named section
profile defined in the AISC14.xml file (or AISC14M.xml depending on the display unit system in
use when the import was initiated).

In the absence of such a match, SAP2000 checks if the type is from one of the parametric families
listed in Table 3-2 for which it knows how to generate sections.

You can change the names of the recognized family types and their associated parameters from the
names listed in Table 3-2 to different localized names by editing the “CSiXRevit Family Name
Mapping.txt” file located in the folder where CSiXRevit is installed as explained in Family Name
Mapping File.

Any frame member type not matched becomes an unrecognized type for which SAP2000 requires
additional user input.

This additional input is entered in the Import Revit .exr file form displayed when an import is
initiated. All unrecognized types are listed in a table, where they can be explicitly matched to
predefined SAP2000 section profile names or, as a last resort, to the SAP2000 “None” property.

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Figure 3-1: Import Revit Structure .exr File form

Additional section properties files (XML and .PRO files) can be added from the form. When a file
is added, the unrecognized Revit types are checked against the section profile names in the file.
Adding the right file will usually resolve most of the unrecognized types.

SAP2000 saves the list of properties files manually loaded and the manual assignments made here
in a file with an .EXRMap extension. When later importing the same Revit project, SAP2000 will
automatically restore these choices.

When loading an .EXR file, SAP2000 keeps track of which materials are used in conjunction with
which section profiles. When a section profile is always used with the same material, the
corresponding section property is named after the profile. If a section profile is used with a number
of different materials, the various corresponding section properties will have compound names
consisting of the profile name with the relevant material name appended.

The parameters for concrete and wood structural families are listed in the table below:

Member Type Family Name Parameters

CONCRETE CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR- B, H
COLUMNS COLUMN

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CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN B

CONCRETE-SQUARE- B
COLUMN

PRECAST-RECTANGULAR B, H CHAMFER
COLUMN

PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE WIDTH, TEE WIDTH,

CONCRETE
STEM WIDTH, SLAB
FRAMING
DEPTH, DEPTH

PRECAST-INVERTED TEE H1, H, B, SEAT

PRECAST-L SHAPED BEAM H1, H, B, SEAT

PRECAST-RECTANGULAR B, H
BEAM

PRECAST-SINGLE TEE WIDTH, STEM

WIDTH, SLAB DEPTH,
DEPTH

WOOD DIMENSION LUMBER- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

COLUMNS COLUMN

GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

COLUMN

GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES- B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

COLUMN

PSL-PARALLEL STRAND B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

LUMBER-COLUMN

TIMBER-COLUMN B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

WOOD FRAMING DIMENSION LUMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

GLULAM-SOUTHERN PINE B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

GLULAM-WESTERN SPECIES B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

LVL-LAMINATED VENEER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

LUMBER

TIMBER B, D, SY, SX, IY, IX, A

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OPEN WEB JOIST B, H

PLYWOOD WEB JOIST B, H

Table 3-1: Revit Family Names recognized by SAP2000 and associated Parameter Tags

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3.1.5 Analytical Links

Analytical links connecting two Revit analytical nodes are imported as SAP2000 links connecting
the corresponding SAP2000 joint objects. The SAP2000 links are not strictly rigid: Instead, they
feature a very large translational stiffness and a very large rotational stiffness, on the order of 1000
times stiffer than a cubic meter of concrete.

3.1.6 Walls
Walls are not directly imported. However, if a wall is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported area object is named after the element ID of the Revit wall. If the
associated analytical panel is meshed during import, the imported area objects have compound
names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to the original wall ID.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported area object if the analytical panel is
imported without being meshed. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and GUIDS’s are encoded with
distinct character sets, but the underlying values match

3.1.7 Analytical Panels

The following data is imported:

• Analytical Model End Points: The coordinates of all the analytical nodes at the corners of the
analytical panel are retrieved and SAP2000 joint objects with identical coordinates are created.

• Contour: Curved vertical Revit walls are imported as a series of short planar area objects. Revit
controls how the curve is broken into segments.

• Structural Material and Thickness: These define the area properties assigned to the imported
area object. The thickness and material type of the layer with the maximum thickness are used
to find or create an appropriate SAP2000 thick shell property. Wall section properties are named
after the Revit wall types. The suffix “-WALL” is appended to this name if the name is also
used for a floor type.

3.1.8 Floors
Floors are not directly imported. However, if a floor is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported area object is named after the element ID of the original floor.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported area object. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s
and GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Span Direction: The span direction of the floor is imported if its family type references a deck.

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3.1.9 Analytical Openings

Analytical openings are imported as area objects with “None” properties.

3.1.10 Point Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the load pattern name in SAP2000.

• Location: It defines the point of application of the load. If the location coincides with a joint
object already in the model, the load is applied to that joint object. A joint and a point load are
considered coincident if none of their coordinates differ by more than 1/100th of a foot. This
level of precision corresponds to the level of precision in the Revit database. When no coincident
joint is found, SAP2000 looks for an underlying frame object. If a frame object is found, the
load is applied on that frame object. If no suitable frame object is found, SAP2000 creates a new
joint. This new joint creates model instability that needs to be addressed.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are defined in the global coordinates system
in Revit and defined in SAP2000 in a similar manner.

3.1.11 Line Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the load case name in SAP2000.

• Start and End Point Locations: These define the start and end points of the line load. A line load
overlapping more than one frame object is distributed on the corresponding frame objects. If all
or part of the load cannot be assigned to frame objects, new frame objects with “None”
properties are created. This will cause a model instability that needs to be addressed if the load
does not line up with an imported floor or wall.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments are defined in the global coordinates system
in Revit and defined in SAP2000 in a similar manner.

3.1.12 Area Loads

Revit area loads are not imported.

3.1.13 Load Cases

Revit load cases are imported into SAP2000 as both load patterns and load cases. One load pattern
and one load case are both created in SAP2000 for each Revit load case. The following Revit load
case attributes are imported into SAP2000:

• Load Case Name: Sets the corresponding load case name in SAP2000.

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• Load Case Category: This defines the load case type in SAP2000. The mapping is shown in the
following table:

Revit Load Case Category SAP2000 Load Case Type

Dead Dead

Live Live

Wind Wind

Snow Snow

Roof Live Live

Accidental Other

Temperature Temperature

Seismic Quake

3.1.14 Load Combinations

The following Revit load combination attributes are imported into SAP2000:

• Load Combination Name: The same name is used in SAP200.

• Load Cases: The same load case list is used in SAP2000.

• Load Case Factors: The same load case factors are used in SAP2000.

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3.2 Data Imported from SAP2000

The table below provides an overview of the data imported into Revit:

Action Model Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines .
Joints
Materials —
isotropic
Materials —
orthotropic
Frames
Cables

Frame Sections
Tapered Sections
Steel Sections .

Concrete Sections
Area Objects
Vertical Areas
Horizontal Areas
Areas in planes
inclined up to 45°
from vertical.
Areas in planes
inclined up to 45°
from horizontal
Non-planar areas

Area Sections
Membrane Stiffness modifiers not transferred.
Plate
Shell
Layered

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ASolids
Solids
Link/Support
Tendons
Joint Loads
Force Loads defined in coordinate systems, other than
local or global are not imported
Displacement
Frame Loads
Concentrated Loads defined in coordinate systems, other than
local or global are not imported
Distributed
Temperature
Strain
Target Force
Internal Force
Area Object Loads
Uniform Loads defined in coordinate systems, other than
local or global are not imported.
Uniform to Frame
Surface Pressure
Pore Pressure
Temperature
Strain
Load Patterns Imports as Revit load cases, unless their type does
not correspond to a predefined Revit load case
category.
Load Cases
Static Linear Imports into Revit only if all static linear load
cases each refer to a single load pattern. Load
patterns not imported into Revit are not included
in the list of Revit load cases.
Other than Static
Linear
Load Combinations Imports as Revit load combination only if it refers
to more than one load pattern. Load patterns not

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imported into Revit are not included in the list of

Revit load cases.

Model elements not listed in the table are not imported.

3.2.1 Grid Lines

SAP2000 grid lines are not imported into Revit.

3.2.2 Joints
While model geometry is imported into Revit, SAP2000 joints themselves are not imported. This
restriction includes supports.

3.2.3 Materials
Only materials associated with exported SAP2000 frame, cable, and area objects are imported.

Concrete, steel, aluminum, and cold-formed materials are imported provided the project contains at
least one default concrete material and one default steel material which are then duplicated and
adjusted.

In the absence of a default concrete or steel material, materials are created with default parameter
values.

3.2.4 Frame Objects

SAP2000 vertical frame objects are imported as structural columns, and SAP2000 horizontal or
inclined frame objects are imported as structural framing elements. However, frame objects with
“None” properties, non-prismatic properties, or a non-isotropic material are not imported.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The end points are based on the SAP2000 end joint locations with adjustments for
the SAP2000 end offsets, and in the case of structural columns, the SAP2000 insertion points.

• Y and Z Justification: In the case of structural framing elements, the Y and Z justification are
based on the SAP2000 insertion points.

• Family Type: SAP2000 frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the imported element is the one imported for the original
SAP2000 material.

• Name and GUID: The SAP2000 name and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

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Companion analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

3.2.5 Analytical Members

In addition to being imported as structural columns or structural framing elements, SAP2000 frame
objects are imported as analytical members.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The locations of the end nodes match the locations of the SAP2000 end joints.

• Curvature: SAP2000 curved frame objects curved along a circular arc are imported as curved
analytical elements.

• Family Type: SAP2000 frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the framing element is the one imported for the original
SAP2000 material.

• Label and GUID: The SAP2000 name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

The analytical members are associated with the structural columns or structural framing elements
imported for the SAP2000 frame objects.

3.2.6 Frame Sections

This section explains how CSiXRevit maps SAP2000 frame object section properties to Revit
structural column and framing element family types:

• If the Revit project already contains a family type with the same name as the section properties
of SAP2000 frame object, the SAP2000 frame object with these properties are imported with
that family type. The name comparison is not case-sensitive. Note that if you import an
SAP2000 model into Revit, and later redefine a given SAP2000 frame section and then re-
import the SAP2000 model, CSiXRevit will not redefine the corresponding Revit family type.

• If the type of the frame section is one of the section shape types listed in Table 3-2 or Table 3-3,
CSiXRevit creates a new type of the corresponding Revit family in the Revit project based on
the original section dimensions, and the SAP2000 frame object with that frame section are
imported with that Revit family type. You can change the names of the recognized family types
and their associated parameters from the names listed in Table 3-2 and Table 3-3,Table 2-1 to
different localized names by editing the “CSiXRevit Family Name Mapping.txt” file located in
the folder where CSiXRevit is installed as explained in Family Name Mapping File.

• If the above did not apply, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type with a matching name
in the active Revit content libraries, and if it finds one, loads that family type in the Revit project
and the SAP2000 frame objects with that frame section are imported with that family type.

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• If the above still did not work, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type whose name
includes the name of the frame section in the active Revit content libraries, loads that family
type in the Revit project and the SAP2000 frame object with that frame section are imported
with that Revit family type.

• If none of the above applied, the SAP2000 frame objects are assigned a default Revit family
type. You can specify any family type already in the project or available in the active Revit
content libraries as a replacement.

Note that you can specify which Revit content libraries are active with the File->Options command,
under the File Locations tab and Places… button.

SAP2000 Section Shape Revit Family

Steel angle L-Angle-Column.rfa, M_L-Angle-Column.rfa
Steel box HSS-Hollow Structural Section-Column.rfa,
M_HSS-Hollow Structural Section-Column.rfa
Steel channel C-Channel-Column.rfa, M_C-Channel-Column.rfa
Steel double channel Double C-Channel-Column.rfa,
M_Double C-Channel=Column.rfa
Concrete circular Concrete-Round-Column.rfa, M_Concrete-Round-Column.rfa
Steel I-shaped W-Wide Flange-Column.rfa, M_W-Wide Flange-Column,rfa
Steel pipe Pipe Column.rfa, M_Pipe Column.rfa
Steel plate Square Bars-Column.rfa, M_Square Bars-Column.rfa
Steel rod Round Bars-Column.rfa, M_Round Bars Column.rfa
Concrete rectangular Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa
Concrete square Concrete-Square-Column.rfa, M_Concrete-Square-Column.rfa
Table 3-2: SAP2000 Vertical Frame Object Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent
Families

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SAP2000 Section Shape Revit Family

Concrete angle Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa, M_Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa
Steel angle L-Angle.rfa, M_L-Angle.rfa
Steel double angle LL-Double Angle.rfa, M_LL-Double Angle.rfa
Steel box HSS-Hollow Structural Section.rfa,
M_HSS-Hollow Structural Section.rfa
Steel channel C-Channel.rfa, M_C-Channel.rfa
Steel double channel Double C-Channel.rfa, M_Double C-Channel.rfa
Concrete I-shaped Precast-I Shaped Beam.rfa, M_Precast-I Shaped Beam.rfa
Steel I-shaped W-Wide Flange.rfa, M_W-Wide Flange.rfa
Steel pipe HSS-Round Structural Tubing.rfa,
M_HSS-Round Structural Tubing.rfa
Steel plate Flat Bars.rfa, M_Flat Bars.rfa
L Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa,
M_Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa
Steel rod Round Bar.rfa, M_Round Bar.rfa
Concrete tee Precast-Single Tee.rfa, M_Precast-Single Tee.rfa
Steel tee St-Structural Tee.rfa, M_St-Structural Tee.rfa
Table 3-3: SAP2000 Non-Vertical Frame Object Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent
Families

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3.2.7 Cable Objects

SAP2000 vertical cable objects are imported as structural columns, and SAP2000 horizontal or
inclined cable objects are imported as structural framing elements. However, cable objects with
“None” properties or a non-isotropic material are not imported.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The end points are at the same locations as the SAP2000 end joints.

• Family Type: SAP2000 frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the imported element is the one imported for the original
SAP2000 material.

• Name and GUID: The SAP2000 name and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Companion analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

3.2.8 Area Objects

SAP2000 area objects are imported as analytical panels with the exception of area objects with
“None” properties, non-planar area objects, area objects with layered properties, non-rectangular
area objects in a plane inclined up to 45° from the vertical which are not imported.

In addition to being imported as analytical panels, SAP2000 area objects are imported as Revit
physical elements in different ways based on their orientation:

• Vertical area objects and rectangular area objects in a plane inclined up to 45° from the vertical
are imported as walls.

• Horizontal area objects and area objects in a plane inclined up to 45° from the horizontal are
imported as floors.

The following data is imported:

• Name: The SAP2000 name is imported into Revit as a shared parameter.

• Joints: Their coordinates set the corners of the new Revit wall or floor analytical model. In the
case of area objects that are neither vertical nor horizontal, floors with a slope are created in
Revit. Note that while their slope is initially set correctly, Revit subsequently resets it to a
different value. The correct slope is available as a shared parameter named “Computed slope”
and you need to reset the slope of the floor to this parameter value.

• Properties: SAP2000 shell, membrane, plate, and plane properties are imported into Revit as
wall or floor type and as a single layer. The thickness and material match the SAP2000 thickness
and material. Note that stiffness modifiers are not imported.

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The new analytical panels are associated with the new floors or walls imported for the original area
objects.

3.2.9 Solid Objects, ASolid Objects, Link/Support Objects, Tendon Objects

SAP2000 Solid objects, ASolid objects, Link/Support objects, and Tendon objects are not imported
into Revit.

3.2.10 Force Joint Loads and Frame object Concentrated Loads

SAP2000 force joint loads and frame object concentrated loads are imported into Revit as point
loads. Not all force joint loads are imported: see Load Pattern and Coordinate System below.

The following data is imported:

• Load Pattern: It sets the Revit load case name. Loads part of a load pattern that is not itself
exported are not imported into Revit.

• Coordinate System: Joint loads and frame object concentrated loads defined in coordinate
systems other than the local joint coordinate system or the model global coordinate system are
not imported into Revit.

• Force X, Force Y, Force Z, Moment about X, Moment about Y, and Moment about Z: Set the
values of Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz in Revit.

Ground displacement joint loads are not imported into Revit.

3.2.11 Frame Object Loads

Frame object distributed loads are imported into Revit as line loads. Distributed loads consisting of
a sequence of trapezoidal loads are imported as multiple loads with one Revit line load for each
trapezoidal segment. Not all force joint loads are imported: see Load Pattern and Coordinate System
below.

The following data is imported:

• Load Pattern: It sets the Revit load case name. Loads part of a load pattern that is not itself
exported are not imported into Revit.

• Coordinate System: Frame object distributed loads defined in coordinate systems other than the
local joint coordinate system or the model global coordinate system are not imported into Revit.

• Load Type, Direction and Load: Set the values of Fx1, Fx2, Fy1, Fy2, Fz1, Fz2, Mx1, Mx2,
My1, My1, My2, Mz1, and Mz2 in Revit. Projected load magnitudes are converted to absolute
load magnitudes based on the geometry of the frame object.

Temperature, strain, target force and internal force frame object loads are not imported into Revit.

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3.2.12 Area Object Loads

Area object uniform, uniform to frame, and surface pressure loads are imported into Revit as area
loads. Not all force joint loads are imported: see Load Pattern and Coordinate System below.

The following data is imported:

• Load Pattern: It sets the Revit load case name. Loads part of a load pattern that is not itself
exported are not imported into Revit.

• Coordinate System: Area Object distributed loads defined in coordinate systems other than the
local joint coordinate system or the model global coordinate system are not imported into Revit.

• Load Direction and Load: Set the value of Fx1, Fy1, Fz1, in Revit. Projected load magnitudes
are converted to absolute load magnitudes based on the geometry of the area object.

Area object temperature loads, strain loads, and pore pressure loads are not imported into Revit.

3.2.13 Load Patterns

SAP2000 load patterns with types corresponding to a predefined Revit load case category are
imported into Revit as load cases.

The following data is imported:

• Load Pattern Name: The same name is used in Revit.

• Load Case Type: It sets the Revit load case nature and category. The mapping is shown in the
following table:

SAP2000 Load Case Revit Load Case

Type Category

Dead, Super Dead Dead

Live, Reducible Live, Live

Pattern Live

Roof Live, Ice Roof Live

Snow Snow

Wind Wind

Quake Seismic

Temperature, Temperature
temperature gradient

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Other Not exported

Not listed above Not exported

Load patterns with types that do not correspond to any predefined Revit load case category are not
imported into Revit, and neither are any of their constituent loads.

3.2.14 Load Cases

If any SAP2000 static linear load case refers to more than one load pattern, than the static linear load
cases are imported into Revit as load combinations, in place of the SAP2000 load combinations.

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: The same name is used in Revit.

• Load Patterns: Set the list of Revit load cases. Load patterns not imported are not included in
the Revit list.

• Load Pattern Factors: Identical load case factors are used in Revit, unless the load pattern list
includes load patterns that were not exported. Their factors are not imported into Revit.

SAP2000 load cases that are not static or are not linear are not imported into Revit.

3.2.15 Load Combinations

If all the SAP2000 static linear load cases each refer to a single load pattern, then the SAP2000 load
combinations are imported as Revit load combinations. Otherwise, they are not imported.

The following data is imported:

• Load Combination Name: The same name is used in Revit.

• Load Cases: The SAP2000 list of load cases sets the list of Revit load cases. The Revit list is
made of the load pattern names that each load case in the SAP2000 list refers to. Load patterns
not imported are not included in the Revit list.

• Load Case Factors: If all the load cases in the list of load cases refer to their load patterns with
a scale factor of 1, the same load case factors are used in Revit. If any load case refers to a load
pattern with a scale factor other than 1, the Revit load case factors are adjusted accordingly.
Scale factors for load patterns not imported are not included.

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3.3 Procedures

3.3.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing SAP2000 Model

CSiXRevit only exports the analytical elements in the Revit project.

It is important to check that all the walls, floors, openings, structural columns, and structural framing
elements you want to export to SAP2000 are associated with at least one analytical element.

It is also important to check that the analytical elements are correctly connected to each other so as
to obtain a valid SAP2000 model.

The following steps describe how to export a Revit analytical model into SAP2000:

• With Revit running, open a project you want to export.

• From the Revit menu, select Tools>External Tools>Export to Create New ETABS SAFE or
SAP2000 Model...

• CSiXRevit counts the objects in the Revit project and displays the Export to Create New
ETABS or SAP2000 Model form:

Figure 3-2: Export to Create New ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE Model form

• Select the categories of Revit elements to export. If you have selected some elements prior to
starting the command and wish to only export these elements, check the corresponding box near
the bottom of the form.

• To export to SAP2000 v21 or earlier, check the corresponding box near the bottom of the form.

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• Once you have made your selections, click OK. The Exporting to Create New ETABS
SAP2000 or SAFE Model or Exporting to Update Existing ETABS or SAFE model form
is shown and displays the progress of the export:

Figure 3-3: Exporting form

• Once the process is complete, click OK. You are now asked to select a destination folder and
filename. The file will be given the extension .EXR.

• Start SAP2000 if it is not already running. If it is already running and you want to retain the
changes you made to the current model, save the current model.

• Select a SAP2000 unit system. If any issues arise during the import part of the exchange,
SAP2000 generates a log file in which the locations of the problematic elements are reported in
meters if you select metric units, or in feet otherwise.

• From the menu, select File>Import>Revit Structure .exr File. The Import Revit Structure
.exr file form is displayed. Click the Browse… button in the Read Revit .exr File field, and
select the .EXR file to import.

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• A summary of the contents of the .EXR file is displayed. If some of the family types of the Revit
analytical members in the .EXR file are not recognized, a warning message box is displayed
and the form includes a table listing all unrecognized types:

Figure 3-4: Import Revit .exr File form

The default SAP2000 profile selected in the right column for each unrecognized type in the
left column is the closest alphabetical match in AISC14.pro (or AISC14M.pro depending on
the unit system in use when the import began).

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• Click the Browse… button in the Add Sections Database field to load another SAP2000 section
properties database (.XML or .PRO file).

• The Revit types that now have a name match are removed from the list:

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• You can load additional section properties databases as needed.

• For each unknown Revit type in the left column, if the corresponding SAP2000 section profile
in the right column is not what you want, you can specify another one from the drop-down list
of profiles already loaded:

“None” SAP properties are always available at the top of the list.

SAP2000 saves your choices in a file which has an .EXRMap extension. Importing the same
Revit project again restores your choices.

• Select the element categories to import by checking or unchecking the relevant check boxes. (If
checking Area Loads, you will receive a reminder that Area Loads cannot be imported into the
current version of SAP2000.)

• Click the Import in SAP2000 button.

After a few moments, SAP2000 displays the newly imported model.

• If any issues arise during the import part of the exchange, you will be prompted to review the
log file.

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3.3.2 Importing from SAP2000 to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project

The following steps describe how to export a SAP2000 model to create a new Revit project:

• With SAP2000 running, open a model you want to export.

• Select File>Export>Revit Structure .exr File. The Export Revit Structure .exr File form is
displayed. It includes a summary of the model contents on the left side and a table with level
names on the right side:

Figure 3-5: Export Revit .exr File form

• Unlike ETABS or Revit, SAP2000 does not include the concept of story levels because it is a
general-purpose analysis program. Therefore, Revit levels need to be created when a SAP2000
model is imported into Revit. The form gives you control over which levels are created, their
names, their elevations, and how exported SAP2000 objects are assigned to them in Revit.

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• If the joints in the SAP2000 model occur at many different z elevations, you will probably want
to create Revit levels only for a small subset of these elevations. In that case, uncheck the check
box at the top of the levels table. It unchecks all the levels at once:

• Check the box next to each story level you want created. As you check levels, SAP2000
computes default cutoff elevations and displays them in the “At or Below” field. SAP2000 area
objects are imported into Revit as walls, floors, or ramps and SAP2000 frame and cable objects
are imported into Revit as columns, beams or braces. The top and bottom levels of these Revit
walls, columns and braces, and the reference levels of these beams and slabs are assigned based
on the relationship between the level cutoff elevations and the z-coordinates of the joints
defining the original SAP2000 objects.

• You can override any cutoff elevation by typing over a new elevation and pressing the TAB key
– as long as you do not set it lower than the corresponding level elevation, or higher than the
elevation of the next level to be created above.

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• Likewise, you can rename any level by typing a new name, and change its elevation by typing
a new elevation:

SAP2000 saves your level data in a file which has an .EXRMap extension. Exporting the same
SAP20000 model again restores your level data.

• Select what to export by checking or unchecking the relevant check boxes.

• By default, the .EXR file written is written in the same folder as the model and its name is the
name of the model with an .EXR extension. To save the .EXR file in a different folder or under
a different name, click the Browse... button.

• Click the OK button.

• If any issues arise during the export part of the exchange, you will be prompted to review the
log file. Please take a moment to do so.

You are now ready to import the .EXR file in Revit. You import an .EXR file written by SAP2000
exactly like an .EXR file written by ETABS, as explained in Importing from ETABS to
Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project.

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 4 Revit and SAFE Data Exchange

Data can be exchanged between Revit and SAFE along the following paths:

• Exporting from a Revit project to create a new SAFE model.

• Exporting from a Revit project to update a previously exported or previously imported SAFE
model.

• Importing from a SAFE model to create a new Revit project.

• Importing from SAFE to update a previously imported or previously exported Revit project.

The actual data transferred varies in each case.

4.1 Data Imported into SAFE when creating a new SAFE Model
The table below provides an overview of the data imported into SAFE:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels These let you select a horizontal slice of the
project to import.
Materials
Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported
Structural Framing instead.
Analytical Members
Column and Framing
Family Types
Analytical Links

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Walls Associated analytical panels imported instead.

Analytical Panels –
Walls
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Floors
Analytical Panels –
Generic
Openings
Analytical Openings
Concrete
Reinforcement
Footings
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads Non-uniform area loads not imported.
Load Cases Both load pattern and load case created for
each Revit load case.
Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

4.1.1 Grids Lines

The following data is imported:

• Name: The same grid name is used in SAFE.

• End Points: The start and end points define the alignment of the SAFE general grid line.

• Curvature: The center point, radius, start angle and aperture define the SAFE circular grid.

4.1.2 Story Levels

You select the story levels to import when you launch the import. More precisely, you select a story
with the Revit elements to import, a story above it, and a story below it. If the story to import is the
project bottom or top story, then you only need to choose a story above it or a story below it.

The name of the selected story to import defines the model datum name and the names of the selected
stories above and below define the model stories above and below.

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The elevation of the story you select define the model datum and the heights of the stories above
and below. They also define the thickness of the slice of the Revit project to import.

4.1.3 Materials
Only those materials assigned to analytical elements or analytical panels in the Revit project are
imported.

The following data is imported:

• Material Name: The same name is used in SAFE.

• Material Type: The Revit material type is used to identify the SAFE material type, namely
Concrete, Steel or Other.

• Young’s Modulus: The Young’s modulus values set the SAFE material Young’s modulus (E).
These three values (for the three different directions) cannot be zero in SAFE. If the first value
is zero, then the default SAFE value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the first
non-zero value is used. In the case of an isotropic material, the first value is used for all other
directions.

• Poisson’s Ratio: Poisson’s Ratio values set the SAFE material Poisson’s Ratio (u). These three
values (for the three different directions) cannot be zero in SAFE. If the first value is zero, then
the default SAFE value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the first non-zero
value is used. In the case of an isotropic material, the first value is used for all other directions.

• Shear Modulus: Shear Modulus value set the SAFE material Shear Modulus (G). If the Revit
material is defined as isotropic, then SAFE calculates this value on the basis of the Young’s
Modulus and the Poisson’s Ratio. In the case of an orthotropic material, these three values (for
the three different directions) cannot be zero in SAFE. If the first value is zero, then the default
SAFE value is used. If any of the remaining two are zero, then the first non-zero value is used.

• Thermal Expansion Coefficient: The thermal expansion coefficient sets the SAFE material
thermal expansion coefficient (Alpha). These three values (for the three different directions)
cannot be zero in SAFE. If the first value is zero, then the default SAFE value is used. If any of
the remaining two values are zero, then the first non-zero value is used. In the case of an
isotropic material, the first value is used for all other directions.

• Weight Density and Mass Density: The unit weight value sets the SAFE material weight density
(w) and mass density (m). In SAFE, the mass density is calculated by dividing the weight density
by the gravitational constant (g). The weight density cannot be zero in SAFE. If the unit weight
is zero in Revit, then the default SAFE densities are used.

• Damping Ratio: This value is not in used in the current version of SAFE.

• Bending Reinforcement: The bending reinforcement value sets the SAFE material main
reinforcement Fy if the type is concrete. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default SAFE
value is used.

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• Shear Reinforcement: The shear reinforcement value sets the SAFE material shear
reinforcement Fy if the type is concrete. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default SAFE
value is used.

• Resistance Calculation Strength: The resistance calculation strength sets the SAFE material f’c
factor. If this value is zero in Revit, then the default SAFE value is used.

• Behavior: The Revit behavior tag is used to identify the isotropic or orthotropic materials in
SAFE.

• Concrete Compression: The concrete compression value sets the SAFE material f’c if the type
is concrete.

• Lightweight: The Revit lightweight tag is used to identify the lightweight concrete material in
SAFE.

• Shear Strength Reduction: This value is not in used in the current version of SAFE.

• Yield Stress: This value is not in used in the current version of SAFE.

• Tensile Strength: This value is not in used in the current version of SAFE.

• Steel Reduction Factor: This value is not in used in the current version of SAFE.

SAFE includes a warning in the .EXRLog file it writes when a default value is used while importing
materials from the Revit project.

4.1.4 Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements

Structural columns and structural framing elements, or “physical elements” for short, are not directly
imported. However, if a physical element is associated with an analytical member, the following
data is imported when the analytical member is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the physical element.
If the analytical member is meshed during import, the imported frame objects have compound
names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to the element ID.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported frame object if the analytical member is
imported without being meshed. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and GUIDS’s are encoded with
distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Location: If the physical element end points and the analytical member end nodes are not
coincident, then the imported frame object is created with joint offsets such that the offset
location of the frame object matches the physical element location.

• Y and Z Justification: In the case of framing elements, the imported frame object insertion point
is set based on the framing element y and z justifications. Note that structural columns do not
have any y or z justification and are always imported with a Middle Center insertion point.

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• Flip Settings: If the family of the physical element supports face and/or hand flipping, like an
angle family or channel family, the face flip and hand flip values of the physical element set the
Mirror2 and Mirror3 flags of the imported frame object.

4.1.5 Analytical Members

Only horizontal analytical members whose elevation is between the elevations of the bottom and top
story to import are imported.

Only vertical or sloped analytical members whose vertical extents overlap the range of elevations
defined by the bottom and top of story to import are imported.

The following data is imported:

• Element ID: The imported frame object is named after the element ID of the analytical member
unless it has a physical element associated with it, in which case the frame object is named after
the element ID of the physical element. If the analytical member is meshed during import, the
imported frame objects have compound names with sequential numerical suffixes appended to
the element ID.

• End Nodes: Point objects with identical coordinates are created. Point objects at the bases of
imported column stacks are imported as pinned supports.

• Location: Horizontal straight analytical members are imported as frame objects spanning
between the two point objects corresponding the two Revit end nodes.

Multi-story vertical or inclined straight analytical members are sliced off below the bottom story
to import and above the top story to import and are also sliced into two frame objects at the
elevation of the story to import if applicable.

Curved analytical members are imported differently depending on whether or not they are
horizontal, and whether or not their curve is a circular arc.

Horizontal curved analytical members curved along a circular arc are imported as curved frame
objects spanning between the two point objects corresponding to the two Revit end nodes.

Vertical or inclined curved analytical members and all curved analytical members with a curve
that is not a circular arc are meshed into a series of short straight frame objects.

Columns are imported with the Local Axis 1 always pointing up, and beams and braces with
their Local Axis 1 always in the first quadrant, which means that the end points may have been
switched compared to the Revit end nodes.

• Associated Physical Element: See Structural Columns and Structural Framing Elements.

• Structural Material: See Materials.

• Section Type: See Analytical Member Materials and Section Types. Analytical members
without any section type assigned to them are imported as null frame objects.

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• End Releases: End releases are imported. SAFE modifies releases that would cause an analytical
instability, like torsion released at both ends. When that happens, SAFE includes a warning in
the .WRN file it writes.

• Cross-Section Rotation: The value of the cross-section rotation sets the orientation of the frame
object local axes 2 and 3.

4.1.6 Analytical Member Materials and Section Types

This section explains how SAFE imports the various Revit section family types loaded in a project.

SAFE does not just import the family types directly assigned to analytical members. When importing
a family type assigned to a steel member, SAFE actually imports all the types from that family that
are loaded in the Revit project.

At the beginning of the import, for each family type to import, SAFE looks for:

• a frame section with the same name already in the model or if there isn’t any,

• a frame section whose name matches part of the Revit name.

If it finds neither, and:

• the family type is an instance of one of the pre-defined concrete or wood structural column or
structural framing families listed in Table 2-1, or

• the family type is an instance of the steel plate or steel round bar families,

SAFE then creates a frame section with the same name, shape, and dimensions as the family type.

If none of the above applies, SAFE looks for a frame section definition with the same name as the
Revit family type in its .XML catalogs of section properties. If it can find such a definition, it loads
it into the SAFE model. Note that you can interactively add .XML catalogs and you can change their
search order when you import the Revit project into SAFE. Also, it is possible to import steel
sections with a profile other than I or channel, but the beams to which these sections are assigned
will not be designed.

If SAFE cannot find any frame section definition with the same name as a Revit family type in its
.XML catalogs but does find a definition whose name matches part of the name of the Revit family
type, SAFE imports that instead.

If finally, none of the above applies, the family type is not imported and members with that family
type will be assigned a default section, or a replacement of your choice as explained below.

The name comparison is not case-sensitive, and the prefixes UB and UC are considered equivalent
to UKB and UKC. Note that if you import a Revit project into SAFE, and later redefine a given
Revit family type and then re-import the Revit project, SAFE will not redefine the SAFE frame
section.

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You can change the names of the recognized family types and their associated parameters from the
names listed in Table 2-1 to different localized names by editing the “CSiXRevit Family Name
Mapping.txt” file located in the folder where CSiXRevit is installed as explained in Family Name
Mapping File..

Unlike Revit section family types, SAFE frame sections include a reference to a material. When
importing family types, SAFE checks that for each analytical member to import, the material of the
member and the material of the frame section identified or created for the member family type match.
If they do not match, SAFE creates a duplicate frame section with the same material as the member
and uses that section when importing the member.

SAFE frame section shapes include Auto Select sections, which are defined as lists of “regular”
SAFE sections from which the composite beam design routine can pick and choose. After importing
all the types from a family assigned to a steel member, SAFE creates an Auto Select section includes
all the sections imported for the family and uses that section when importing the member.

When you import a Revit project, SAFE imports the materials, the section family types and other
family types and displays the form shown in Figure 4-4, with a warning displayed if some analytical
member family types were not imported. You can then check and revise the section assignments
from that form, as explained in Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing SAFE Model.

4.1.7 Analytical Links

Analytical links connecting two Revit analytical nodes are imported as SAFE links connecting the
corresponding SAFE point objects. The SAFE links are not strictly rigid: Instead, they feature a very
large translational stiffness and a very large rotational stiffness, on the order of 1000 times stiffer
than a cubic meter of concrete.

4.1.8 Walls
Walls are not directly imported. However, if a wall is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported wall is named after the element ID of the original wall. If the
analytical panel is split in two during import, the imported walls have compound names with
sequential numerical suffixes appended to the original wall ID.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported wall if the analytical panel is imported
without being split in two. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct
character sets, but the underlying values match.

4.1.9 Analytical Panels with a Wall Structural Role

The following data is imported:

• Points: The coordinate of all the analytical nodes at the corners of the analytical panel are
retrieved and SAFE point objects with identical coordinates are created. Analytical panels may

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be defined as having more than four corners, but SAFE walls can only have three or four.
Analytical panels with more than four corners are broken into several four corner SAFE walls,
with a few three node walls when some of the edges are sloped. Also, multi-story walls are
sliced off below the bottom story to import and above the top story to import and are also sliced
into two frame objects at the elevation of the story to import if applicable.

• Contour: Analytical panels with arc shaped horizontal bases and tops are imported as SAFE
curved walls. Straight edges are imported as such. Other edges are tessellated, with the degree
of approximation defined internally by Revit, and the analytical panel is imported as a series of
walls. Note that when an analytical panel is arc shaped in plane but its top is not horizontal, its
top curve is not an arc and will be tessellated.

• Structural Material and Thickness: These define the wall properties assigned to the imported
wall. Analytical panels with zero thickness are imported as null area objects.

4.1.10 Floors
Floors are not directly imported. However, if a floor is associated with an analytical panel, the
following data is imported when the analytical panel is imported:

• Element ID: The imported floor is named after the element ID of the original floor.

• IfcGUID: The IfcGUID sets the GUID of the imported floor. Note that Revit IfcGUID’s and
GUIDS’s are encoded with distinct character sets, but the underlying values match.

• Deck Profile: If the family type assigned to the floor references a deck profile family type, SAFE
interprets the parameters of the deck profile type as follows:

o The parameter labeled “HR” measures the deck depth

o The parameter “SR” measures the deck rib spacing

o The parameter “WR” measures the width of the top of the deck ribs

o The parameter “RR” measures the width of the bottom of the deck ribs

o The parameter “THICKNESS” measures the thickness of the metal

Note that the composite shear stud diameter is taken as equal to the bottom rib width, and its
height is taken as the overall section depth minus the thickness of the metal.

• Span Direction: The span direction of the floor is imported if its family type references a deck.

4.1.11 Analytical Panels with a Floor Structural Role

The following data is imported:

• Points: The coordinate of all the analytical nodes at the corners of the analytical panel are

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retrieved and SAFE point objects with identical coordinates are created.

• Contour: Arc-shaped edges are imported as arc-shaped floor edges in SAFE. Straight edges are
imported as such. All other curved edges are tessellated, with the degree of approximation
defined internally by Revit. Sloped analytical panels with more than four corners are projected
onto a horizontal plane at an elevation matching their average elevation.

• Structural Material and Thickness: If no floor is associated with the panel or a floor is associated
but its family type does not reference a deck profile, the imported floor is imported with a slab
section type of corresponding material and thickness. Otherwise, the imported floor is imported
with a filled deck or unfilled deck section defined as explained in Floors. Analytical panels with
zero thickness are imported as null area objects.

4.1.12 Generic Analytical Panels

Analytical panels with a panel structural role are imported as floor objects if their surface is
horizontal or within 20 degrees of the horizontal, and as wall objects otherwise.

4.1.13 Analytical Openings

Vertical analytical openings are imported as wall openings and horizontal openings are imported as
floor openings.

Wall openings with more than four sides are broken into three and four corner openings.

Multi-story wall openings are sliced off below the bottom story to import and above the top story to
import and are also sliced into two frame objects at the elevation of the story to import if applicable.

4.1.14 Point Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the load case name in SAFE.

• Location: It defines the point of application of the load. If the location is coincident with a point
object already in the model, the load is applied to that point object. When no coincident point is
found, SAFE looks for an underlying frame object. If a frame object is found, the load is applied
on that frame object. If no suitable frame object is found, a new point is located at the location
and the load is applied to it. If the new point is located on a floor object, the load will be
transferred to the floor object during analysis but if the new point object is not located on a floor
object, it will create a model instability that needs to be addressed.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments applied in the global direction, in Revit, are
transferred in a similar manner into SAFE.

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4.1.15 Line Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the corresponding load case name in SAFE.

• Start and End Point Locations: These define the start and end points of the line load. Line loads
carrying the gravitational load and overlapping more than one beam are distributed to the
corresponding beams in SAFE. In the case of a lateral line load, users must check no line load
overlaps more than one beam; otherwise it is not processed in the SAFE analysis.

• Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz: All forces and moments applied in the global direction, in Revit, are
transferred in a similar manner into SAFE. A Revit line load which includes more than one of
these components is imported as several SAFE line loads because SAFE line loads are
unidirectional.

4.1.16 Area Loads

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: It sets the corresponding load case name in SAFE.

• Corners and Contour: The corner points define the geometry of the area object to which the load
is applied. Curved edges that are arc shaped are imported as arcs. Straight edges are imported
as such. Other edges are tessellated, with the degree of approximation defined internally by
Revit.

• LoadX, LoadY, and LoadZ: All loads applied in the global direction in Revit are transferred in
a similar manner into SAFE.

Non-uniform surface loads are not imported.

4.1.17 Load Cases

The following data is imported:

• Load Case Name: The same name is used for the SAFE load case.

• Load Case Category: It is used to define the load case type in SAFE. The mapping is shown in
the following table:

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Revit Load Case Category SAFE Load Case Type

Dead Dead

Live Live

Wind Wind

Snow Snow

Roof Live Live

Accidental Other

Temperature Other

Seismic Quake

4.1.18 Load Combos

The following data is imported:

• Load Combination Name: The same name is used for the SAFE Load Combination Name.

• Load Cases: The same load cases list is used in SAFE to define the Load Combination.

• Load Case Factor: The same load case factors are used for the corresponding load cases in the
SAFE load combination.

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4.2 Data Imported into SAFE when Updating a SAFE model

The table below provides an overview of the data imported in SAFE when exporting to update an
existing SAFE model:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported
Structural Framing instead.
Analytical Members
Column and Framing
Family Types
Analytical Links
Walls Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Walls
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Floors
Openings
Analytical Openings
Concrete Reinforcement

Footings

Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos
Update of…
Grids

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Story Levels
Materials X
Structural Columns and Associated analytical members imported
Structural Framing X instead.
Analytical Members
Column and Framing
Family Types X
Analytical Links
Walls X Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Walls X
Floors Associated analytical panels imported instead.
Analytical Panels –
Floors X
Structural
Reinforcement
Openings
Analytical Openings
Footings
Point Loads X
Line Loads X
Area Loads X
Load Cases X
Load Combos
Deletion of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Frames
Walls
Wall Openings
Floors
Floor Openings

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Footings
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Cases
Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

NOTE: Deletion of objects when updating a model only works if you are sending the entire model.
If the “selection only” update feature is used, deletion of items is not supported.

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4.3 Data Imported from SAFE when Creating a New Revit Project
The table below provides an overview of the data imported in Revit when creating a new Revit
project:

Action Model Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Columns
Beams and Braces
Frame Sections
Walls
Analytical Panels
Floors
Floor Openings
Concrete Reinforcement
Footings
Load Cases
Point Object Loads
Frame Object Loads

Floor Loads
Load Combos

Model elements not listed in the table are not imported.

4.3.1 Story Levels

The model datum and model datum name and the names and elevations of the stories above and
below the datum are imported.

Story levels already present in the Revit project are moved or renamed when their name or elevation
matches a SAFE story level name or elevation, but never deleted – even when not in SAFE.

New story levels are created for the SAFE story levels not already in the project.

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4.3.2 Materials
Only materials associated with exported SAFE frame or area objects are imported

Concrete and steel materials are imported provided the project contains at least one default concrete
material and one default steel material which are then duplicated and adjusted.

In the absence of a default concrete or steel material, materials are created with default parameter
values.

4.3.3 Columns
SAFE columns are imported as Revit structural columns, except columns with “None” properties
which are imported as analytical members only.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The elevations of the imported column end points match those in SAFE, and their
X and Y coordinates take into account the SAFE column insertion points and end offsets.

• Family Type: SAFE frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the column is the one imported for the original SAFE
material.

• Label, Name and GUID: The SAFE column label, name, and GUID are stored as shared
parameters.

Companion analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

4.3.4 Structural Framing

SAFE beams and braces are imported as Revit structural framing elements, except beams and braces
with “None” properties which are imported as analytical members only.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The end points are based on the SAFE end point object locations with an adjustment
if there are SAFE end offsets.

• Y and Z Justification: The Y and Z justification are based on the SAFE insertion points.

• Family Type: SAFE frame sections are mapped to Revit family types as explained in Frame
Sections.

• Structural Material: The material of the framing element is the one imported for the original
SAFE material.

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• Camber Size, Number of Studs, and End Reactions: If the SAFE frame object is a composite
beam, the camber and number of studs parameters are set, and the end reactions are stored as
shared parameters.

• Label, Name and GUID: The SAFE label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Associated analytical members are generated as explained in Analytical Members.

4.3.5 Analytical Members

In addition to being imported as structural columns or structural framing elements, SAFE frame
objects are imported as analytical members. Also, null SAFE frame objects are imported as
analytical members.

The following data is imported:

• End Points: The locations of the end nodes match the locations of the SAFE end joints.

• Curvature: SAFE curved frame objects curved along a circular arc are imported as curved
analytical elements.

• Family Type: SAFE frame sections are mapped to Revit section family types as explained in
Frame Sections. Null frame objects are imported without any section.

• Structural Material: The material of the framing element is the one imported for the original
SAFE material. Null frame objects are imported with their material set to “By Category”.

• Label, Name and GUID: The SAFE label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Unless they stand for SAFE null frame objects, analytical members are associated with the structural
columns or structural framing elements imported for the SAFE frame objects.

4.3.6 Frame Sections

This section explains how CSiXRevit maps SAFE frame sections to Revit structural column,
framing element, and analytical member family types:

• If the Revit project into which the SAFE model is being imported already contains a family type
with the same name as a SAFE frame section, the SAFE frame objects with that section are
imported with that Revit family type. The name comparison is not case-sensitive. Note that if
you import a SAFE model into Revit, and later redefine a given SAFE frame section and then
re-import the SAFE model, CSiXRevit will not redefine the corresponding Revit family type.

• If the type of the frame section is one of the section shape types listed in Table 4-1 or Table 4-2,
CSiXRevit creates a new type of the corresponding Revit family in the Revit project based on
the original SAFE section dimensions, and the SAFE columns, beams and braces with that frame
section are imported with that Revit family type.

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• If the above did not apply, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type with a matching name
in the active Revit content libraries, and if it finds one, loads that family type in the Revit project
and the SAFE columns, beams and braces with that frame section are imported with that family
type.

• If the above still did not work, CSiXRevit looks for a pre-defined family type whose name
includes the name of the frame section in the active Revit content libraries, loads that family
type in the Revit project and the SAFE columns, beams and braces with that frame section are
imported with that family type.

• If none of the above applied, the SAFE columns, beams and braces are assigned a default Revit
family type. You can specify any family type already in the project or any pre-defined family
type available in the active Revit content libraries as a replacement.

Note that you can specify which Revit content libraries are active with the File->Options command,
under the File Locations tab and Places… button.

SAFE Section Shape Revit Family

Concrete rectangular Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa,
M_Concrete-Rectangular-Column.rfa
Concrete square Concrete-Square-Column.rfa,M_Concrete-Square-Column.rfa
Concrete circular Concrete-Round-Column.rfa, M_Concrete-Round-Column.rfa
Table 4-1: SAFE Column Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent Families

SAFE Section Shape Revit Family

Concrete rectangular Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa,
M_Concrete-Rectangular Beam.rfa
Concrete angle Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa, M_Precast-L Shaped Beam.rfa
Concrete tee Precast-Single Tee.rfa, M_Precast-Single Tee.rfa
Steel Plate Plate.rfa, M_Plate.rfa
Steel Rod Round Bar.rfa, M_Round Bar.rfa
Table 4-2: SAFE Beam and Brace Section Shapes with preset Revit equivalent Families

4.3.7 Walls
SAFE walls other that non-rectangular slanted walls and warped walls are imported as Revit walls
with matching locations, materials, and thicknesses.

The SAFE label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Companion analytical panels are generated as explained in Analytical Panels.

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4.3.8 Floors
The SAFE floors are imported as Revit floors with matching locations. provided the project contains
at least one floor family type corresponding to a solid slab and another floor family type
corresponding to a filled deck — note that this implies the project also contains a deck profile.

If the SAFE floor property is a slab property or a deck property of type solid slab, the imported floor
has the same thickness and material as the SAFE floor. If the SAFE floor property is a deck property,
of filled type or unfilled type, the imported floor has the same deck geometry and the same concrete
cover thickness and material as the SAFE floor.

The SAFE label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Companion analytical panels are generated as explained in Analytical Panels.

4.3.9 Floor Openings

SAFE floor openings are imported as Revit floor opening cut elements at matching locations.

Matching analytical openings are generated as explained in Openings.

4.3.10 Analytical Panels

In addition to being imported as floor or wall elements, SAFE planar walls and floors are imported
as analytical panels. No analytical panels are generated for non-planar walls or floors.

The following data is imported:

• Joints and Contours: The locations of the end nodes and contours match the location of the
SAFE end joints and curves.

• Structural Material: The material of the imported panel is:

o the one imported for the original material in the case of SAFE walls

o the one imported for the original material in the case of SAFE floors with a slab property

o the one imported for the material of the deck fill in the case of SAFE floors with a deck
property

o set to “By Category” in the case of SAFE null area objects.

• Thickness: The thickness of the imported panel is equal to:

o the thickness of the original wall in the case of SAFE walls

o the thickness of the original floor in the case of SAFE floors with a slab property

o the total thickness of the deck in the case of SAFE floors with a deck property

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o zero in the case of SAFE null area objects.

• Label, Name, and GUID: The SAFE label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

Unless they stand for null area objects, new analytical panels are associated with the floors or walls
imported for the original SAFE floors and walls.

4.3.11 Openings
In addition to being imported as floor opening cut elements, SAFE openings are imported as
analytical openings. The SAFE opening label, name, and GUID are stored as shared parameters.

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4.4 Data Imported from SAFE when Updating a Revit Project

The table below provides an overview of the data imported in Revit when updating an existing Revit
project:

Action Revit Element Supported Notes

Creation of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns
and Framing
Frame Sections
Walls
Analytical Panels
Floors
Floor Openings
Concrete
Reinforcement
Footings
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Combos
Update of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
and Framing meshed in SAFE. Locations are not updated when
meshed frame objects are not meshed in Revit.

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Analytical Members May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if

meshed in SAFE. Locations are not updated when
meshed frame objects are not meshed in Revit
Frame Sections
Walls May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in SAFE. Locations are not updated when
meshed walls are not meshed in Revit.
Analytical Panels May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in SAFE. Locations are not updated when
meshed walls or floors are not meshed in Revit.
Analytical Openings
Concrete Concrete reinforcement in previously imported
Reinforcement structural beams and slabs is deleted and replaced
with new up-to-date reinforcement.
Floors May be meshed in Revit or not at user’s option if
meshed in SAFE. Locations are not updated when
meshed floors are not meshed in Revit.
Floor Openings
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads Area loads moved in SAFE are replaced.
Load Combos
Deletion of…
Grid Lines
Story Levels
Materials
Structural Columns
and Framing
Analytical Members
Walls
Analytical Panels
Analytical Openings
Floors
Floor Openings

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Concrete
Reinforcement
Footings
Load Cases
Point Loads
Line Loads
Area Loads
Load Combos

Categories of elements not listed in the table are not imported.

NOTE: Deletion of objects when updating a model only works if you are sending the entire model.
If the “selection only” update feature is used, deletion of items is not supported.

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4.5 Procedures

4.5.1 Exporting to Create/Update a New/Existing SAFE Model

CSiXRevit only exports the analytical elements in the Revit project.

It is important to check that all the walls, floors, openings, structural columns, and structural framing
elements you want to export to SAFE are associated with an analytical element.

It is also important to check that the analytical elements are correctly connected to each other so as
to obtain a valid SAFE model.

The following steps explain how to export a Revit project to SAFE:

• To create a new SAFE model, from the Revit menu select, Tools>External Tools>Export to
Create New ETABS SAFE or SAP2000 Model... To update an existing SAFE model, from
the Revit menu, select Tools>External Tools>Export to Update Existing ETABS SAFE or
SAP2000 Model...

• CSiXRevit counts the elements in the Revit project and displays the Export to Create New
ETABS, SAP2000, or SAFE Model form, or Export to Update Existing Model form as may
be the case:

Figure 4-1: Export to Create New ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE Model form

• Select the categories of Revit elements to export to SAFE. If you have selected some elements
prior to starting the command and wish to only export those elements, check the corresponding
box at the bottom of the form.

SAFE analyzes horizontal single level structures but you do not need to select Revit elements
from a single level. You will choose a level to import in the next step.

• To export to SAFE 2016 or earlier, check the corresponding box near the bottom of the form.

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• Once you have made your selections, click OK.

The Exporting to Create New ETABS SAP 2000 or SAFE Model or Exporting to Update
Existing ETABS or SAFE model form is shown and displays the progress of the export:

Figure 4-2: Exporting Form

• Once the process is complete, click OK. You are now asked to select a destination folder and
filename. The file will be given the extension .EXR.

You are now ready to import the .EXR file in SAFE:

• Start SAFE if it is not already running.

• To create a new SAFE model from your Revit project, you should not have any model open,
not even a SAFE blank model (a SAFE blank model is not an empty model it includes materials
and section properties). By default, SAFE creates a new model based on your .EXR file.

• To update an existing SAFE model, open it.

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• From the menu, select File>Import>EXR Revit file, and then select the .EXR file to import. If
you are creating a new model, this command is available from the SAFE Start Page.

Figure 4-3: SAFE Start Page

• The Import .EXR File form is displayed:

Figure 4-4: Import EXR File form

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The form displays the contents of the EXR file.

• Again, you can choose which categories of Revit elements to import or update.

• If the Revit project has multiple story levels, you can choose a story to import as well as a story
above and a story below. The model datum value is filled based on the elevation of the story to
import you selected, but if you want, you can specify a different value.

• You can select to project beams and floors on the model datum plane.

• To check how Revit family types have been mapped to frame sections, click the Replace Frame
Sections button. It displays the Frame Section Mapping form.

Figure 4-5: Frame Section Mapping form

The first three columns display the original Revit family type, original family name, and the
material assigned to any section imported from Revit. The fourth column is the ETABS section
the Revit section is mapped to. The final column describes how the section is mapped or created.

Only the ETABS Section Name column is editable. Clicking any row in the column displays a
combo box that includes all section properties currently loaded in the current ETABS model.
To add a section to the list, click the Add button the right side.

When ETABS imports the Revit data, it initially tries to match Revit section names to ETABS
section names. It first searches through the loaded ETABS database sections. If no match is
found, ETABS then searches all the ETABS section property files (.XML). It will map the
section to the first section name that matches. To specify which files are searched, click the

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.XML Files button on the right side. The XML Property Files form is displayed:

Figure 4-6: XML Property Files

All the .XML property files present in the SAFE installation directory are selected by default.
A file can be added or removed from the SAFE search by checking or unchecking its checkbox
in the list. To add a new file, click on the Add File button. To change the order in which SAFE
searches the files, move their names up and down in the list using the arrow key buttons on the
right side.

As in the Material Mapping form, details about the Frame Section Mapping can be edited by
selecting the row and clicking the Edit button.

• Back in the Import .EXR File form, click OK. The SAFE model is created.

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4.5.2 Exporting from SAFE to Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project

The following steps describe how to export your SAFE model to create or update a Revit project:

• Once you have edited, analyzed, and designed your structure in SAFE, save the SAFE file by
selecting the File>Save.

• In SAFE, select File>Export Model>EXR File and specify a destination folder and filename
in the form which is displayed.

• The Export .EXR file form is displayed. It shows a count of the SAFE objects available for
export. If the model was previously imported with a model offset other than zero, the opposite
Project Z Offset is set by default. If you have selected parts of the model, and would like to send
only those selections, check the Selected Objects Only box.

Figure 4-7: Export .EXR File form

You are now ready to import the .EXR file in Revit. You import an .EXR file written by SAFE
exactly like an .EXR file written by ETABS, as explained in Importing from ETABS to
Create/Update a New/Existing Revit Project.

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 Appendix A Family Name Mapping File

You can have CSiXRevit use local language Revit library subfolder names and structural family
names instead of the default English language subfolder names and family names documented in
Table 2-1 and Table 3-1. The following steps explain how:

• Exit Revit if it is running.

• Make a backup copy of "C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\CSiXRevit

2025\CSiXRevit Family Name Mapping.txt"

• Create a new text file containing mappings of local names to default names similar to the
mappings shown in Figure A-2. There may be more than one local name for each English name,
but when you import an .EXR file from ETABS, SAP2000 or SAFE to create a new Revit
project, only the first local name associated with any English name will be used.

• Save the file as "C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\CSiXRevit 2025\CSiXRevit

Family Name Mapping.txt", making sure it is saved as Unicode. If you are using Notepad as
your text editor, you may need to change the default encoding to UTF-16 BE in the Save as
dialog, as shown in Figure A-1.

Figure A-1: Unicode Encoding in Notepad

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CSiXRevit 2025 Family Name Mapping File

CSiXRevit Family Name Mapping File Internal version 1.0

'Structure\Poteaux\Acier\' = 'Structural Columns\Steel\'
'Structure\Poteaux\Béton\' = 'Structural Columns\Concrete\'
'Structure\Poteaux\Béton précoulé\' = 'Structural Columns\Precast Concrete\'
'Structure\Poteaux\Bois\' = 'Structural Columns\Wood\'
'Structure\Ossature\Acier\' = 'Structural Framing\Steel\'
'Structure\Ossature\Béton\' = 'Structural Framing\Concrete\'
'Structure\Ossature\Béton précoulé\'= 'Structural Framing\Precast Concrete\'
'Structure\Ossature\Bois\'= 'Structural Framing\Wood\'
'Poteau béton - Arrondi' = 'CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN'
'Poteau béton - Rectangulaire' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR-COLUMN'
'Poteau béton - Avec extrémité' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR-COLUMN'
'Poteau béton - Carré' = 'CONCRETE-SQUARE-COLUMN'
'Poteau béton - Rond avec extrémité' = 'CONCRETE-ROUND-COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Carré' = 'PRECAST-SQUARE COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Poteau rectangulaire' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire avec corbeaux' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire avec corbeaux multicouches' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR
COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire avec porteur' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire avec support à fourche cônique' = 'PRECAST-RECTANGULAR
COLUMN'
'Poteau précoulé - Rectangulaire avec support à fourche rectangulaire' = 'PRECAST-
RECTANGULAR COLUMN'
'Barres rondes-Poteau'= 'ROUND BARS-COLUMN'
'Barres carrées-Poteau' = 'SQUARE BARS-COLUMN'
'Poutre rectangulaire - Béton' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR BEAM'
'Plancher nervuré' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR BEAM'
'Plancher nervuré à traverse' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR BEAM'
'Poutre rectangulaire - Préfabriquée' = 'CONCRETE-RECTANGULAR BEAM'
'Poutre en L - Préfabriquée' = 'PRECAST-L SHAPED BEAM'
'Précoulé-Té double' = 'PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE'
'Précoulé-Tés doubles en béton' = 'PRECAST-CONCRETE DOUBLE TEES'
'Té double - Préfabriqué' = 'PRECAST-DOUBLE TEE'
'Précoulé-Té simple' = 'PRECAST-SINGLE TEE'
'Té simple - Préfabriqué' = 'PRECAST-SINGLE TEE'
'Précoulé-Dalle plate pleine' = 'PRECAST-SOLID FLAT SLAB'
'Barres rondes' = 'ROUND BARS'
'Barres plates' = 'FLAT BARS'
'Barres carrées' = 'SQUARE BARS'

Figure A-2: Sample CSiXRevit Family Name Mapping.txt with French language mappings

Family Name Mapping File 113