To use DPR Model Slicer or not to use?

I have been experimenting with the Revit Add-in DPR_ModelSlicer (which can be downloaded for free from: http://modelslicer.dpr.com/). From DPR’s website, the description of the DPR Model Slicer:

“DPR Model Slicer is a free Revit plug-in which facilitates the creation of 3D Building sections from a Revit model. Inherently within Revit, the only way to separate a model by floor is to filter it by reference levels. Unfortunately, this often results in a product (...), where items modeled as multi-floor elements, such as walls or columns, become associated with only one floor despite occupying space on many floors. During the construction coordination process, this can be a limitation, so it is often desired to have the building model separated into individual floors. DPR Model Slicer makes this process faster. The end result is a model which is sectioned by floors.”

In other words, if you need the model to be broken up by floors,spanning elements such as walls and risers of all disciplines, need to be split at the level designations. Now this can be done manually using the Section Box feature of a 3D View and using the “Orient to View” pointing at a Floor Plan to generate the section box cut. Should the model be only one to three floors, the manual process isn’t too bad. However, if the model is multi-story, the manual process could be quite time consuming. That is when the DPR Model Slicer could be a time saver for exporting appropriately sliced up models to other CAD programs and Navisworks.  Please refer to the DPR website for directions on usage, but an example that I made is below showing the split generated in the NWC export, specifically on the pipes.

A few observations that I have may speed you along should you decide to give the DPR Model Slicer a try.

1. The Revit 3D views generated by the DPR Model Slicer are stored in the Architectural discipline. Obviously the program was written with Revit Architecture in mind, but I have found no problems using it for RMEP models. Oh, and it will NOT split a linked model.

2. In my experimenting, I found too that once the 3D views are generated in Revit, I can manipulate the Visibility Graphics or apply my own Filter prior to the Export and their program seems fine with that.

3. When exporting the model slices, the first dialog up says to NOT click any buttons. However, I found that I did have to pick OK to get and keep the program moving along.

4. The next thing I discovered is that the program will not give the exported slices unique names and will prompt you for a name for each and every slice. A bit of a bother being tied to the computer during the export process just to enter in unique names.

5. I do like that they use the Navisworks Exporter, so all the Navisworks Settings that you like to use can still be applied.

6. Once it starts exporting, you will get a dialog that says:

and at the same time you will get another dialog:

Once the NWC Exporter dialog is complete, you will need to pick OK on the first dialog. Rinse-repeat for each export. Again, a bit of a bother having to baby sit the program.

7. Finally, you will get the dialog:

And you will need to pick OK.