Using Autodesk Revit for Modeling, 3ds Max for Rendering

This tutorial is intended for those who want to take designs created in Autodesk Revit and add professional rendering effects in 3ds Max.

To share it with 3ds Max, you export Revit data as an FBX file. This format is preferable to others (such as DWG), because it can include scene metadata as well as geometry, material, and lighting information.

In 3ds Max, you can either import the FBX file, or use File Link Manager to maintain a live link with the project in Revit. This gives you the opportunity to update the scene in 3ds Max after you use Revit to edit the scene. This tutorial demonstrates the File Link technique.

The beach house in a Revit view

In 3ds Max, you can use materials, lighting tools, and cameras to create photorealistic renderings based on the Revit model.

Interior of the beach house rendered in 3ds Max

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

Prepare scene files created in Autodesk Revit for export to 3ds Max.
Link the Revit FBX to 3ds Max, carry out test renders, and make required adjustments.
Add a Sky Portal to improve the interior daylight illumination of an enclosed structure.
Edit the linked scene in Revit and see the results in 3ds Max.
Use the Scene Explorer to organize objects created in Revit.
Edit properties of Revit objects in 3ds Max.

Skill level: Intermediate

Time to complete: 1 1/2 hours

Note: The time-to-complete estimate does not take into account the time required to render the images of scenes you develop in this tutorial.

Preparation for This Tutorial

If you have not already downloaded the tutorial files (MAX scenes and other assets), download them now and unzip them into a project folder called \Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 tutorials. See Where to Find Tutorial Files.
On the Quick Access toolbar, click (Project Folder) and set your current project to Autodesk 3ds Max 2015 Tutorials.