BIMMER guide library
CAD, IES and Revit lighting family guides
If you need to convert a file to Revit, start with the source format and the result you actually need. BIMMER directly accepts text ACIS SAT geometry plus an IES photometric file and returns a verified Revit 2025+ RFA lighting family. Binary SAB, STEP and native CAD files are preparation sources, not direct BIMMER uploads: export or convert them to text SAT 7.0 or 4.0 first.
Find the right workflow
How to convert a 3D CAD model and IES file into a Revit file
To convert a CAD file to a Revit file for a luminaire, first export the simplified 3D model as text ACIS SAT 7.0 or 4.0, then pair that SAT with the matching IES in BIMMER. BIMMER builds and verifies a Revit 2025+ lighting-fixture family (.rfa). It does not directly accept STEP, SLDPRT or other native CAD files.
How to convert a SAT file and IES into a Revit family
To convert a SAT file to a Revit file with BIMMER, pair the text ACIS .sat solid with its matching .ies photometry. Export the geometry at ACIS version 7.0 or 4.0, preferably in millimetres, keep useful parts as separate bodies and put the light-emitting body first. Binary .sab is not a direct input. BIMMER returns a verified Revit 2025+ .rfa family.
How to use an IES file in a Revit lighting family
To use an IES file in a Revit family, pair it with the matching text ACIS SAT geometry. The IES describes how the luminaire distributes light but does not contain its 3D housing. BIMMER places and aims the Revit light source, assigns the IES photometric web and carries relevant product values into a Revit 2025+ RFA.
How to convert a STEP file and IES into a Revit family
To convert a STEP or STP file to Revit with BIMMER, first open it in a CAD tool that can repair and simplify it, then export a solid text ACIS SAT at version 7.0 or 4.0. Pair that SAT with the matching IES in BIMMER. The output is a verified Revit 2025+ lighting-family .rfa—not a promise of native STEP upload.
SolidWorks to Revit: create a lighting family with IES
For a SolidWorks to Revit family workflow, prepare the luminaire as simple solid bodies, choose File → Save As → ACIS (*.sat), open Options, and set ACIS version 7.0 or 4.0, Solid output and the correct units. BIMMER does not upload .sldprt or .sldasm directly; pair the exported SAT with IES to create a Revit 2025+ RFA.
How to export ACIS SAT 7.0 for Revit
If a SAT file is not importing into Revit, check its internal ACIS revision rather than the extension alone. For the supported BIMMER workflow, export text SAT as a solid at ACIS version 7.0 or 4.0, use the intended units, keep meaningful bodies separate and re-open the exported file before pairing it with IES.
Inventor to Revit: create a lighting family with IES
For an Inventor to Revit family workflow, create or derive a simplified solid in Inventor, export it as SAT with ACIS version 7.0 (or 4.0 where available), verify units and bodies, then pair that SAT with the matching IES in BIMMER. BIMMER does not directly accept IPT or IAM files and returns a Revit 2025+ RFA.
Fusion 360 to Revit: create a lighting family with IES
For a Fusion 360 to Revit family workflow, simplify the luminaire into clean solid bodies and export SAT from a Fusion licence that exposes the format. Autodesk documents Fusion support up to ACIS v7; verify the exported units and bodies, then pair the SAT with the correct IES in BIMMER. BIMMER does not directly accept F3D files.
Rhino to Revit: create a lighting family with IES
For a Rhino to Revit family workflow, keep only the BIM-ready closed solids, set document units correctly, select the objects and export ACIS SAT using a 4.0-compatible preset. Check size and body count, then pair the SAT with matching IES in BIMMER. BIMMER does not directly accept native .3dm files.
Creo to Revit: create a lighting family with IES
For a Creo to Revit family workflow, export a simplified neutral solid such as STEP, open it in Inventor, Fusion or another verified intermediary, repair it, then create ACIS SAT 7.0 or 4.0. Pair that SAT with IES in BIMMER for a Revit 2025+ RFA. BIMMER does not directly accept Creo PRT or ASM files.
Revit family creation for lighting manufacturers
Revit family creation for lighting manufacturers starts with the CAD and photometry the manufacturer already owns. Prepare each product as text SAT plus IES, convert single fixtures or catalogue batches into verified Revit 2025+ RFA families, keep source and output together in the private BIM Library, and re-issue when product data or photometry changes.
How to batch-convert a lighting catalogue to Revit
To batch convert a lighting catalogue to Revit, make each BIMMER row one valid product grouping. Add one or more prepared text SAT models and matching IES files; the row generates every intended SAT × IES pair. Download completed RFA files as a ZIP, save approved outputs with their sources in the BIM Library, and re-issue later versions from the stored record.
Revit lighting family quality checklist
Approve a manufacturer Revit lighting family only after checking physical dimensions and origin, mounting/orientation, usable geometry and materials, light-source position and aim, exact IES assignment, schedule parameters, file version and a clean placement test. BIMMER automates pipeline gates, but the manufacturer remains the authority for catalogue identity and visual approval.
Parameters in a Revit lighting family made from IES
BIMMER uses the IES file for photometric distribution and available measured metadata, combines that with manufacturer-entered product identity and electrical fields, and writes the resulting data into the Revit lighting family. IES is not a complete product datasheet, so fields it does not authoritatively contain remain editable rather than being guessed.
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Direct support status
| Input | Directly accepted? | Required action |
|---|---|---|
| Text ACIS .sat geometry | Yes | Export as a solid at ACIS 7.0 or 4.0; millimetres are recommended. |
| Binary ACIS .sab geometry | No | Re-export or translate it to text ACIS SAT 7.0 or 4.0 first. |
| IES LM-63 photometry | Yes | Pair the IES with the matching luminaire geometry. |
| STEP / STP | No | Open, simplify and export the geometry to ACIS SAT before using BIMMER. |
| Native CAD such as .sldprt, .ipt or .3dm | No | Use the CAD application or a suitable intermediary to export SAT first. |
The BIMMER workflow
- Choose the guide for your source CAD system or conversion question.
- Prepare a simplified solid, preserve separate bodies where materials matter, and export ACIS SAT 7.0 or 4.0.
- Pair the text SAT with the correct IES, generate the family, then check geometry, light-source placement and parameters in the result.
Convert a file to Revit: choose the source first
“Convert to Revit file” can mean several different jobs. A reusable lighting product should become an RFA family, not merely imported geometry in an RVT project. Choose the guide for the file you have so the preparation steps and direct-support boundary stay accurate.
- Converting a CAD source: choose SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion, Rhino, Creo or STEP.
- Preparing the accepted geometry: use the SAT/IES workflow and ACIS 7 export guides.
- Managing a catalogue: use the manufacturer and batch-conversion guides.
- Reviewing output: use the quality and family-parameter guides.
What “BIM file” means here
Customers often ask for a BIM file or Revit file. In this workflow the deliverable is an Autodesk Revit lighting-fixture family with the .rfa extension. The geometry comes from text SAT, while the IES provides the real photometric distribution; neither source file is a finished BIM object by itself.
Common failures and what to change
The source file is STEP or a native CAD file.
Do not upload it directly. Follow the relevant export guide and create SAT 7.0 or 4.0.
The SAT imports as nothing or has broken geometry.
Check the ACIS version, solid output, units and model detail; remove screws, wiring and hidden internals.
The light looks wrong although the geometry is correct.
Confirm the IES belongs to that product and that the light-emitting body is first in the model tree.
Questions manufacturers ask
Can I upload a STEP, SAB or SolidWorks file directly?
No. BIMMER directly accepts text ACIS SAT geometry plus IES. Export or convert binary SAB, STEP, SLDPRT and other native CAD formats to text SAT 7.0 or 4.0 first.
What Revit file does BIMMER return?
BIMMER returns a Revit 2025 lighting-fixture family with the .rfa extension. Revit files open forward in Revit 2025 and newer releases.
Can BIMMER convert any file to Revit?
No. BIMMER is a lighting-family converter for prepared text ACIS SAT geometry plus IES photometry. Use the source-format guides to turn supported CAD sources into the required SAT first.
Primary references
- About importing ACIS objects into Revit — Autodesk
- Specify an IES file for a light source in Revit — Autodesk
- IES lighting standards library, including LM-63 — Illuminating Engineering Society