How to Export from Revit for 3D Printing

Owned by Courtney Morshed
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024
2 min read

This details the process for exporting a Revit file containing masses (such as a parametric object made up of multiple instances of a solid component). This process is not intended for traditional Revit geometries, such as buildings containing doors, windows, roofs, ceilings, etc., although it may be applicable.

If you follow this process, it will result in an optimized .stl file that will increase the likelihood of a successful print and will reduce the time and cost required to print your model.

Step-by-step guide

Exporting the Model from Revit

  1. Open a 3D view of your model

  2. Select File->Export->CAD Formats->DWG

  3. The DWG Export window will appear as below:

  4. Click the "..." button next to export setup.

  5. Under the "Solids" tab, select "ACIS Solids," then click "OK"

  6.  Click "Next", then save the file. Be sure to select AutoCAD version 2007 for the file type.

Processing the file in Rhino

  1. Open your .dwg file in Rhino

  2. Select and delete any lines, text, dimension strings, etc., that are not part of the model that you want 3D Printed

  3. Select all of the model objects.

  4. Type "Explode" and press Enter. You should now have one or more closed polysurfaces (you can verify this by selecting an object and looking at its "type" in the properties window)

  5. Select all objects and scale them to the desired size. UPrint maximum print size is 8 in x 8 in x 6 in.

  6. Select all objects and click File->Export Selected, and choose the ".stl" type from the dropdown. Give your file a name and click "Save."

  7. The "STL Mesh Export Options" window will appear. Leave the defaults unless you have experience tweaking these numbers. Click OK

  8. The "STL Export Options" window will appear. Select Binary and click OK. Your file is now ready to be evaluated and submitted for 3D Printing.

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