Back to basics (II)
This is the second in a series of articles that intends to demonstrate how a traditional Excel spreadsheet can be integrated and linked to a BIM Model in order to get automatically a quantity take-off and cost estimate unique schedule in Revit.
Before moving on, let's consider that a simple but well-structured organization in our Excel book would give the other team members some huge benefits in return as an input data file.
If we entered the item, chapter name and a classification code in the cells (e.g.: "white Porcellanato floor", "1. Floor" and "1.1") it would be enough to get our data base ready to export to Revit by using keynotes.
With this single source, we make sure that the information follows the right path. The next step is to associate manually every keynote value to the elements to take quantities off.
At this point we have started the first link between Revit and Excel, as the rest will be in charge of Dynamo, but... how?
Dynamo is a visual programming add-in that collects any type of information as input data, which are manipulated and finally integrated to the model as output data.
To get our quantity take-off and cost estimate unique schedule in Revit, let's break down the input data as follow.
We should start explaining that out of all the model categories by default in Revit, only "ROOMS" can be created in schedules without necessarily being located in the model. This fact allows any room, from that moment on, to lose its character and turn into an item for the pursued goals.
This doesn't mean that there will no longer be rooms themselves, but to differentiate a room from an item it will be only necessary to apply filters.
Once clear this point, let's proceed to create a room key schedule in Revit, whose cells will be initially blank. Dynamo will fill them in automatically with just one click: every chapter, item or unit, quantity per unit of measurement, costs, etc.
And this is how we get our first schedule called "Pricing Database", which will be crucial for the last part of the process.
In the next chapter, input data required for Revit and two final Dynamo routines are left to be covered.
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#BIM #Revit #Dynamo #Excel