by Dennis Collin
With the release of Revit 2026, there is now a new built-in workflow that allows users to link in an Autodesk ReCap Mesh file into Revit and ultimately convert this mesh into Revit families with a reference to its category. This is often referred as a Scan-to-BIM workflow.
Fig 1. Revit 2026 has a new link ReCap mesh to project option.
However, whilst a mesh can be easily generated from ReCap and linked to Revit, if the converted mesh elements are not classified, ie. If the elements are not put into appropriate layers within Recap’s Mesh editor, the Add to Document and Promote to Family options will be greyed out.
Fig 2. ReCap scan region function makes it easier to view portions of the scan.
To perform this task a ReCap project needs to be started, with the raw scan data registered, imported, and cleaned. Use Scan regions to help control whats visible and therefore what is converted prior to converting the scanned model to a point cloud mesh.
Fig.3 Once cleaned and organised the points can be converted to a mesh format.
Once prepared, choose the convert points to mesh function. This task can either be performed on the cloud or on the local machine. A dialogue will display prompting the user for mesh name, density etc. For initial tests I recommend medium or low density as the processing of mesh data can take some time!
After the processing is complete, the mesh can be accessed from the Mesh Editor. The command for which is adjacent to the mesh conversion functions.
Fig 4. Use Mesh layers to control visibility and export of geometry.
Within Recap’s mesh editor, a series of suitable layers can be created; in this example, walls, floors, roof structure and clutter etc. The mesh elements will initially be unassigned but can be placed onto appropriate layers as needed. To aid this task, use a suitable layer colour scheme and turn off layers to make this selection task easier.
Fig 5. Colour code layers for easy identification.
Once complete, hide any layers that are not required in Revit and choose the Export mesh function.
Fig 6. Exporting the prepared mesh from ReCap
Once exported, open Revit and accessed the ReCap Mesh Tab.
Choose Link ReCap Mesh Model and browse for the *.rcmr file that was created from ReCap’s export function. Once linked, zoom extents and the linked mesh file and its hierachy panel should be displayed. The exported layers display can be toggled and by default should exhibt the layer colours specified from within ReCap.
Fig 7. A linked Mesh file in Revit!
Selecting the linked mesh model should allow the merging of the mesh as Revit geometry. Choose the Add to Document function.
Fig 8. If the meshes are categorised, then the Add to Document function is available.
This will then display a conversion dialogue which will convert ReCap’s mesh layers into categories. A warning icon will display if there are many meshes. This can be addressed by reducing the mesh detail to a lower density when exporting or cull more points at the initial region assignment stage within Recap.
Fig 9. Converting Recap mesh elements to Revit geometry.
Where meshes are present, to represent such existing features like equipment or furniture etc, a mesh element can be selected and converted to a component type family.
Fig 10. Where appropriate component elements can be imported directly into the family editor.
These elements can be further modified or added to within Revit’s family editor.
In conclusion, these new tools with the 2026 collection of products provide a firm level of interoperability between Autodesk Recap and Revit. To be able to scan existing elements on site and convert them into Revit elements for further development and remodelling without 3rd party tools is a welcome addition to any workflow.
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