How to import your BIM model and drawings in FM

In this article, we walk you through the process of importing BIM data from a Revit upload.

Dalux FM allows administrators to control what data is imported, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Import refers to the operations performed in Dalux FM after a successful upload, used to update the Locations data.
Uploaded data will not affect Locations until it has been imported.

Upload refers to the operations performed in the Dalux plugin to push data to Dalux FM.

Read this article to learn how to do that: How to upload Revit models to Dalux FM

BIM data must be uploaded from the Revit plugin before it can be imported.

Video

This video demonstrates the entire process, from upload to import.

Drawings and BIM 

Open your building under Locations and click on Drawings and BIM.

The Drawings and BIM window lists the current levels, drawings, and BIM models added to this building.

If new information is uploaded via the plugin, the Import button will appear in bold, and data needs to be imported to be visible the end user.

Please note that the levels and drawings on the left display the current information available to end users under Locations and Documentation, while the model preview on the right shows the newly uploaded model ready for import.

Import BIM data

This window displays the information that has successfully been uploaded via the Revit plugin. From here, you can select which data should be created, skipped, or merged. 

Please note that once you click Import, the data will be overwritten and cannot be reverted to the previous dataset.

Each area is explained in detail below.

BIM uploads

This window displays the uploads from Revit and the users who initiated them. You can only start the import process once all uploads have been processed. The information here is read-only — you can’t edit anything, but you can filter and sort the list view.

Floor mapping

All the uploads must have been processed before you can start mapping the floors.
Click on Floors to begin the process.

The uploaded levels from the Revit model are listed, and each must be assigned an action before you can continue.

BIM Level (1)
Name of the level, either from the model or created in Dalux FM.

Elevation (2)
Elevation of the level uploaded from the Revit model (Can only be changed in the model).

Number of Rooms (3)
Number of rooms attached to the level (Can only be changed in the model).

Action (4): 

• Create new floor: This will create a new floor, and any mapped drawings will appear in Locations after import.
• Merge floors: Merge the uploaded level with another floor that you select under Existing floor. Make sure to read the information/icons to the right.
• Update existing: Select the current floor to be updated, this will create new floor with the same name. Make sure to read the information/icons to the right.
• Undecided: You must manually assign an action to this floor to continue.

Existing floor (5)

If you select Merge floor or Update existing, you must choose another floor where the information will be merged/updated.

Floor Name (6)
The name of the floor in Locations as seen by end users.

Floor Type (7)
Select the floor type to which this floor belongs. This allows multiple floors to have the same name.

Room mapping

Under Room mapping, you select which Revit parameter should be mapped to the Dalux property and how to import the rooms.

Room properties:

Click on 'Room properties' to begin mapping the properties.

This is a list of all the Revit room properties and how they should be mapped in Dalux FM.

You can only setup one mapping per Dalux property. If you need to merge two properties it must be done in the Revit model.

Room mapping:

Click on each level chosen for import, and select how to handle the rooms that are uploaded.

If a BIM room name matches an existing room name, it will automatically be linked and marked for update.

BIM room (1)

This is the room from the new upload (can only be changed in the model).

Action(2):

• Create: Creates a new room on the floor with the mapped properties set under Room properties (see above).
• Skip: The room will not be imported.
• Update: Update the existing room already created in Dalux FM, and current information will be overwritten.
• Delete: The room will be deleted and will no longer be available to end users. This action cannot be undone, so only delete rooms if you are absolutely sure.

Existing room(3)

When selecting Update under Action, you can choose which room to update. The list contains ALL rooms in the building, not just from this level. 

Overview (4)

Hover over the icons in the lower-right corner to see explanations and an overview of your current selection. The same information is also displayed to the right of each level.

Gross area mapping

Choose whether to import the gross area by checking or unchecking the box:

Click on each level to select how to handle the data.

BIM gross area(1)

This data was uploaded from the Revit model (can only be changed in the model).

Action(2):

• Create: Adds the level’s gross area to the building’s total.

• Update: Updates the existing gross area with the new information from the upload.

• Delete: Removes the level’s gross area from the building’s total gross area.

• Skip: Ignores the gross area; it will not be added to the building’s total.

Existing gross area(3)

When selecting Update under Action, you can choose which gross area to update. By default, the level’s gross area is selected, and in most cases, you won’t need to change this, as you typically wouldn’t update another level’s data.

Overview(4)

Hover over the icons in the lower-right corner to see explanations and an overview of your current selection. The same information is also displayed to the right of each level.

Import

Once you are satisfied with your setup, click Import to make the data available to end users.