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PDF floorplan, import as revit underlay?

23 REPLIES 23
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Message 1 of 24
KJFortin
75366 Views, 23 Replies

PDF floorplan, import as revit underlay?

Can I import a florrplan in PDF format to begin a drawing?
23 REPLIES 23
Message 2 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

KJFortin-

smart thinking..

yes- a PDF floorplan is a very good way to start
a revit project.. but you must first convert the PDF
to a jpeg image.. you also need to know just one
dimension in that image- and create two points
in revit with that dimension in a floorplan view-
and then align the image to that dimension..
Tags (1)
Message 3 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

Unfortunately you can not import pdf's into Revit. That has been on my wish
list for awhile. If you have the suite or access to Autocad 2010 you can
import into autocad, trace over what you need and then import the dwg file.

"KJFortin" wrote in message news:6345675@discussion.autodesk.com...
> Can I import a florrplan in PDF format to begin a drawing?
Message 4 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

KJFortin-

the worst thing you can do is import any DWG into revit..

and there is no need for that anyway..

if you don't have adobe acrobat to convert the PDF to an image-
just printscreen it..

or you can just LOOK at the PDF and draw the walls
according to what you see and then dimension them
the way you want..
Message 5 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

>the worst thing you can do is import any DWG into revit..

why?

scaling off a jpeg has 1/10000 the accuracy of a drawing.

--
TDP

First things first, but not necessarily in that order.

The Doctor
wrote in message news:6345777@discussion.autodesk.com...
KJFortin-

the worst thing you can do is import any DWG into revit..

and there is no need for that anyway..

if you don't have adobe acrobat to convert the PDF to an image-
just printscreen it..

or you can just LOOK at the PDF and draw the walls
according to what you see and then dimension them
the way you want..
Message 6 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

On 2/28/2010 7:50 AM, cdv wrote:

> Unfortunately you can not import pdf's into Revit.

You can if you convert them to DWGs first.

http://www.dotsoft.com/revit/pdf2revit.htm

Terry
Message 7 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

LOL!

--
TDP

First things first, but not necessarily in that order.

The Doctor
"Terry W. Dotson" wrote in message
news:6345825@discussion.autodesk.com...
On 2/28/2010 7:50 AM, cdv wrote:

> Unfortunately you can not import pdf's into Revit.

You can if you convert them to DWGs first.

http://www.dotsoft.com/revit/pdf2revit.htm

Terry
Message 8 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

TDP-

two good questions-

1. isn't tracing an image to build walls in revit inaccurate?
2. what is wrong with bringing DWGs into revit?

answer:

1. the way you start a revit project is to start by
building the walls.. the idea is to put the walls
in their approximate location and then place grid
lines somewhere near those walls and then align
and lock those grid lines to the walls- and then
dimension those grid lines with the walls locked
to those grids..

and this revolutionary procedure makes it possible
to start a project from a pencil sketch of a floorplan..
importing that sketch into revit as an image and tracing
over it just makes it a little more convenient than having
the printed sketch next to your monitor- but not all
that much.. because again- all you want to do is
place your walls in their approximate location to start..
there is no point in trying to place accurate lines into
revit for starting walls- because the accuracy of those
lines means nothing to revit..

2. DWG in revit?- don't do it.
trust me.. don't EVER import DWG's into your revit project files..
yes revit can import DWG files- but it is seriously bad practice..
it brings with them a myriad of layers/objects that get converted to
linetypes- and your materials- text styles- filled regions- etc. etc.-
gets ALL screwed up.. basically your revit file turns into a major
case of FUBAR..

you CAN- if you want to save a few minutes building a site
plan- LINK a DWG into a separate session of revit and use
it for a temporary underlay to create a toposurface and
"revitize" it and then LINK that revit site file to your building file..

i realize this does not satisfy the "feelings" of CAD people
who yearn to make AutoCAD part of revit- but it's the right way
to do it..
Message 9 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

it is easuly done and incredibly accurate - far more accurate than revit.
but this is beyond your knowledge and possibly beyond your comprehension. as
a person who envisioned bim before you were born i can say that with ease.
as a person who worked in bim in 1983 I can say that. if you want to see my
work google meyerson symphony center dallas. that was the start of bim for
me.

--
TDP

First things first, but not necessarily in that order.

The Doctor
wrote in message news:6345847@discussion.autodesk.com...
TDP-

two good questions-

1. isn't tracing an image to build walls in revit inaccurate?
2. what is wrong with bringing DWGs into revit?

answer:

1. the way you start a revit project is to start by
building the walls.. the idea is to put the walls
in their approximate location and then place grid
lines somewhere near those walls and then align
and lock those grid lines to the walls- and then
dimension those grid lines with the walls locked
to those grids..

and this revolutionary procedure makes it possible
to start a project from a pencil sketch of a floorplan..
importing that sketch into revit as an image and tracing
over it just makes it a little more convenient than having
the printed sketch next to your monitor- but not all
that much.. because again- all you want to do is
place your walls in their approximate location to start..
there is no point in trying to place accurate lines into
revit for starting walls- because the accuracy of those
lines means nothing to revit..

2. DWG in revit?- don't do it.
trust me.. don't EVER import DWG's into your revit project files..
yes revit can import DWG files- but it is seriously bad practice..
it brings with them a myriad of layers/objects that get converted to
linetypes- and your materials- text styles- filled regions- etc. etc.-
gets ALL screwed up.. basically your revit file turns into a major
case of FUBAR..

you CAN- if you want to save a few minutes building a site
plan- LINK a DWG into a separate session of revit and use
it for a temporary underlay to create a toposurface and
"revitize" it and then LINK that revit site file to your building file..

i realize this does not satisfy the "feelings" of CAD people
who yearn to make AutoCAD part of revit- but it's the right way
to do it..
Message 10 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

TDP-

let me put this into slightly different words for you
because this is one of the master keys to making
the transistion from AutoCAD to revit..



1. the way you start a revit project is to start by
building the walls.. the idea is to put the walls
in their approximate location and then place grid
lines somewhere near those walls and then align
and lock those grid lines to the walls- and then
dimension those grid lines with the walls locked
to those grids..

this means you can start a project from a pencil
sketch or any CAD sketch of a floorplan..

importing that sketch into revit as an image and tracing
over it just makes it a little more convenient than having
the printed sketch next to your monitor- but not all
that much.. because again- all you want to do is
place your walls in their approximate location to start
the project..

there is no point in trying to place accurate lines into
revit for starting walls- because the accuracy of those
lines means nothing to revit..

2. don't EVER import DWG's into your revit project..
yes revit can import DWG files- but it is seriously bad practice..
it brings with them a myriad of layers/objects that get converted to
linetypes- and your materials- text styles- filled regions- etc. etc.-
gets ALL screwed up.. basically your revit file turns into a major
case of FUBAR..

you CAN- if you want to save a few minutes building a site
plan- LINK a DWG into a separate session of revit and use
it for a temporary underlay to create a toposurface and
"revitize" it- and then LINK that revit site file to your building file..
Message 11 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

I don't care about that.. that's not what I'm talking about - I've been down
that road countless times.

importing into revit is trivial *provided* you do some work beforehand....


and autocad is more accuarte and precise than any revit model - and therein
lies the trap....

I have ways around it as I can program autocad to do almost anything I
want....schedules, multi .dwg databases, 3d., whatever.

what i'm talking about is another thing entirely


but I *do* want to learn about setting up families properly - what should be
a shared instance parameter and what should be a type parameter ... this is
of interest to avoid pitfalls.....


-
TDP

First things first, but not necessarily in that order.

The Doctor
wrote in message news:6345953@discussion.autodesk.com...
TDP-

let me put this into slightly different words for you
because this is one of the master keys to making
the transistion from AutoCAD to revit..



1. the way you start a revit project is to start by
building the walls.. the idea is to put the walls
in their approximate location and then place grid
lines somewhere near those walls and then align
and lock those grid lines to the walls- and then
dimension those grid lines with the walls locked
to those grids..

this means you can start a project from a pencil
sketch or any CAD sketch of a floorplan..

importing that sketch into revit as an image and tracing
over it just makes it a little more convenient than having
the printed sketch next to your monitor- but not all
that much.. because again- all you want to do is
place your walls in their approximate location to start
the project..

there is no point in trying to place accurate lines into
revit for starting walls- because the accuracy of those
lines means nothing to revit..

2. don't EVER import DWG's into your revit project..
yes revit can import DWG files- but it is seriously bad practice..
it brings with them a myriad of layers/objects that get converted to
linetypes- and your materials- text styles- filled regions- etc. etc.-
gets ALL screwed up.. basically your revit file turns into a major
case of FUBAR..

you CAN- if you want to save a few minutes building a site
plan- LINK a DWG into a separate session of revit and use
it for a temporary underlay to create a toposurface and
"revitize" it- and then LINK that revit site file to your building file..
Message 12 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

TDP-

i'm not sure why you mention AutoCAD- but it's
very clear to me that AutoCAD will soon be phased
completely out of architecture.. no doubt in my mind
about that at all..

HOWEVER- AutoCAD Civil and it's little baby
brother AutoCAD LT for site plans will be involved
on that end of it for as far as anyone can see into
the future..

revit users have long talked about site tools in
revit- but the real site tools are AutoCAD LT
and AutoCAD Civil..

we need to master the use of DWG site plans
for creating revit site plans that we will export
to AutoCAD Civil..

these guys DEMANDING that DWG floorplans
and details be brought into revit are blowing
smoke and they don't know it..

but i would like to exchange ideas with you and
i don't care what names you call me as long as
we can continue the flow of ideas..

you mentioned revit families- and i understand
the basics of creating families and i can answer
most questions on that.. and i'm interested in your
experience in architecture..
Message 13 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

On 3/1/2010 3:10 AM, vector2 wrote:

> ... AutoCAD will soon be phased completely out of architecture..

Even I know better than that.

Terry
Message 14 of 24
vector2
in reply to: KJFortin

Terry- i don't mean AutoCAD will completely
disappear from architecture.. it could be very
handy in the schematic phase drawing floorplans
for people who like to use it.. just as long as
they don't expect to cram those floorplans into
my revit project file- because that won't happen..
Message 15 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

Not true. AutoCAD is not any more accurate than Revit. In some cases Revit
is more accurate due to the way AutoCAD handles rounding of decimal places
in long decimal numbers.

"The Dark Princess" wrote in message
news:6345972@discussion.autodesk.com...

and autocad is more accuarte and precise than any revit model - and therein
lies the trap....
Message 16 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:30:20 -0800, Scott D Davis \(Autodesk\)
wrote:

>Not true. AutoCAD is not any more accurate than Revit. In some cases Revit
>is more accurate due to the way AutoCAD handles rounding of decimal places
>in long decimal numbers.

Okay, but you have to admit the fact that Revit can't draw little line segments
under 3/64" is kind of weird. Not that it matters much in day to day life, but
when importing high-quality CAD detail linework, it is a pain.

Matt
matt@stachoni.com
Message 17 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

I agree with you there. One of the founders posted a while ago on AUGI (i
think?) why the limitation was there for very small line segments. I'll see
if I can find it as it made some sense.

"Matt Stachoni" <...> wrote in message
news:6346817@discussion.autodesk.com...
On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:30:20 -0800, Scott D Davis \(Autodesk\)
wrote:

>Not true. AutoCAD is not any more accurate than Revit. In some cases
>Revit
>is more accurate due to the way AutoCAD handles rounding of decimal places
>in long decimal numbers.

Okay, but you have to admit the fact that Revit can't draw little line
segments
under 3/64" is kind of weird. Not that it matters much in day to day life,
but
when importing high-quality CAD detail linework, it is a pain.

Matt
matt@stachoni.com
Message 18 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

I seem to remember a solar-system-scale AutoCAD dwg with a little plaque on
the moon landing site.
Cheesy though it may have been, I think it was created in order to rub
uStn's nose in it.

Now, next week, I've got to start design work on a Dyson Sphere. Will I be
able to use Revit or will I need to stick with AutoCAD?



"Scott D Davis (Autodesk)" wrote in message
news:6347199@discussion.autodesk.com...
I agree with you there. One of the founders posted a while ago on AUGI (i
think?) why the limitation was there for very small line segments. I'll see
if I can find it as it made some sense.

"Matt Stachoni" <...> wrote in message
news:6346817@discussion.autodesk.com...
On Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:30:20 -0800, Scott D Davis \(Autodesk\)
wrote:

>Not true. AutoCAD is not any more accurate than Revit. In some cases
>Revit
>is more accurate due to the way AutoCAD handles rounding of decimal places
>in long decimal numbers.

Okay, but you have to admit the fact that Revit can't draw little line
segments
under 3/64" is kind of weird. Not that it matters much in day to day life,
but
when importing high-quality CAD detail linework, it is a pain.

Matt
matt@stachoni.com
Message 19 of 24
Anonymous
in reply to: KJFortin

On 3/2/2010 11:25 AM, David Kozina wrote:
> I seem to remember a solar-system-scale AutoCAD dwg with a little plaque on
> the moon landing site.
> Cheesy though it may have been, I think it was created in order to rub
> uStn's nose in it.
>
> Now, next week, I've got to start design work on a Dyson Sphere. Will I be
> able to use Revit or will I need to stick with AutoCAD?
>

I'd use Jupiter as originally planned 🙂

If you need some help let me know...
--
Dave - DDP
Acad and Revit 2010 64 bit
Win 7 Pro
Intel I7-860 @2.8GHz
8GB DDR3 RAM
GeForce GTX260
Message 20 of 24
iamian_at_GHMA
in reply to: vector2

BTW ... Adobe Illustrator will convert a PDF (created by autocad) back into a DWG file.  It's not the greatest DWG file but it remains dimensionally accurate to the original DWG file.  This newly created DWG file can then be LINKED into your model for tracing ...

 

Ian

Ian Shafer
Graham Hoffart Mathiasen Architects
Surrey, BC

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