Here is an interesting idea from Daniel Monsén: in the video below, he describes using bimframe connect (which I previously posted about a couple of times, including here) to translate data for a Revit project.

In simple steps:

  1. Export a given schedule (such as rooms) using bimframe connect addin to Google Sheets
  2. Use the googletranslate formula to translate the data from the source to a given target language
  3. Copy the translated over the top of the original source data
  4. Import the translated data back into Revit using bimframe connect

The one comment I would make in addition to the video embedded below – if you want to quickly apply a formula to an entire column worth of data in Google Sheets, you should definitely use ARRAYFORMULA. If you put an array formula in the top row of a given column, it will apply itself to every cell in that column. For example:
=ArrayFormula( GoogleTranslate( B2:B ; “en” ; “nl” ) )

Embedded:

via email:

From: Daniel Monsén
Subject: Translate a Revit project into another language.

Hi Luke.

I hope everything i fine.
I just want to see if you seen our trick to translate a revit file to another language, using bimframe connect. 
Maybe something for your blog?
Med vänliga hälsningar / Best regards
Daniel Monsén
Sr BIM advisor

We use Google Drive a lot now, particularly Google Sheets.  The power of a shared spreadsheet cannot be underestimated in the AEC world.

Now, imagine if you could directly export data from Revit to a Google Sheet, edit it, and then import the changes directly back to Revit.  Imagine if you could share that spreadsheet to other team members who may not know anything about Revit, but who can modify and update schedules with ease?  Yep, this just happened with Bimframe Connect… screenshots below.

Export from Revit to Google Drive

 

 

View and Edit on Google Sheets

Click import to bring the changes back

Changes are highlighted to show you what will be updated

Viewing the updated model in a Revit schedule

Download v1.0.0 at:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-I6xJbZzEKlMVFlRS1RN01VZVE&usp=sharing

Other links:

BIMFRAME community is here:
http://community.bimframe.com/

shop is here:
shop.bimframe.com

Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg8pgsW4iF8-SQBUq1ufVwg

Google Plus site:
https://plus.google.com/u/1/b/115998378603849570073/+Bimframeab

Daniel Monsén has created one of those addins where you just have to say “this makes sense”. The key feature of Bimframe Connect?  It allows users to import and export data from Revit to a Google Spreadsheet.

The overall concept is that you can export data to a Google Spreadsheet, collaborate using a web client or mobile device, then import the data and update the Revit model.  Collaborators obviously don’t need Revit – just access to the Google spreadsheet.

Personally, I love the idea.  The more transparent the Revit building database is, the easier it is to add intelligence to the model, share the model, and detect design problems.

Overview:

The above video includes the following info:
Email: daniel@bimframe.com to get trial key.

Download the version 0.8 beta trial add in here:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxQhjQerGcutN3RCV0lCS2pmeFk&usp=sharing

There is a series of tutorials on Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_8PPGYG2g576rssp9ykCw/feed