The Complete Revit to SolidWorks Conversion Guide

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert Revit to SolidWorks, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

• Learn more about the Revit format
• Learn more about the SolidWorks format

There are various ways to convert between Revit and SolidWorks. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize Revit files, at scale. It supports SolidWorks, as well as many other file formats (examples: 3dsMax, AutoCAD, CATIA, Creo, FBX, glTF, Inventor, Navisworks, OBJ, PLY, Solid Edge, STEP, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

The Revit file is a format mostly used for Building Information Modeling (BIM) software for architectural design, engineering, and construction documentation.
The SolidWorks file is a format mostly used for Professional 3D CAD software for mechanical design and product development.

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting Revit files to SolidWorks format:

Revit Feature (not supported by SolidWorks)	Limitation Details
Embedded Textures	Embedded Textures: supported in Revit, but not in SolidWorks. Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.
Normal Mapping	Normal Mapping: supported in Revit, but not in SolidWorks. Normal maps are used to model shading differences that are arising from small geometric details on a surface, such as fabric structures, visible gaps between bricks forming a wall, or rough rock surfaces. In this example, a normal map is used to model a fabric structure. Without support for this feature, the rendered fabric will look smoother than it actually is in the real world, as the fabric structure won't be visible.

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to Revit and SolidWorks files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.