I am working in Revit MEP 2013. I am linking in a CAD file from the landscape architect, which I write-block to a new file without the external references due to some crazy extents, and I still had to manually place the file in the (nearly) right location. Couldn't get it to align properly, but I got it close enough. All this was months ago.
Yesterday I opened the file (the one I created) in CAD to add some p-lines and text. I saved as usual. Then I opened Revit and created a new local from the central MEP file. Revit tells me it cannot locate the CAD file. I hit the "Reload From" button, navigated to the file in question, and hit OK (open). Now Revit tells me the "linked file (at the address I specified) cannot be located".
I have tried renaming the file, copying the file to a new name, exiting Revit and restarting my computer. Revit refuses to see this file for some reason.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I have a few questions to start with:
1. What version of AutoCAD was this CAD file opened in and saved to?
2. If you start a new Project in Revit, can you link this CAD file with no errors?
3. Are all of the other users experiencing this same issue?
A1) AutoCAD Mep 2012 (version F.51.0.0)
A2) Haven't tried that yet.
A3) Yes, same problem for other users.
We have experienced this issue - starting in Revit 2012 (I have seen mentions of it occuring back to Revit 2010). We have had this happen with DWG files that have not been touched in years. According to Autodesk support, the issue has been elevated to development.
Quote: "The fix requires the code for Revit to be modified, and as such, we do not have a timeline for when any fix may be released."
The only "workaround" that they have offered is to Remove and Reload the problem DWG links (not real practical since this can really jack up visibility).
brettgatti wrote:"We have experienced this issue - starting in Revit 2012..."
Thank you for sharing this info with us!
I have a hair-brained idea that would require testing. What if instead of directly linking the CAD file, you created an "intermediate" file to link in instead? In other words, create a blank drawing, Xref in the intended CAD file, and then import this host file into Revit. This means that you do not ever have to open the CAD file that is directly linked into Revit, and thus, maybe evading this issue. You can still control the visibility of the layers of the nested Xref in Revit.
I do not currently have time to perform this testing. I have a deadline approaching, so I used ye olde method of knowlegde transfer: paper and pencil. Printed out the CAD with with pertinent details (plines and text of their areas), and transfered this by hand into the Revit project.
Would have been a great deal easier if Revit had a simple area command like CAD. These are outdoor area drains, and thus do not have associated rooms. I know I could place spaces, but this takes a long time - drawing the individual space seperation lines is slow and tedious, and then I have to go back and place the ump-teen dozen spaces. The spaces feature just runs really slow for me.
victoriajohnson5419 wrote:"I do not currently have time to perform this testing. I have a deadline approaching, so I used ye olde method of knowlegde transfer: paper and pencil. Printed out the CAD with with pertinent details (plines and text of their areas), and transfered this by hand into the Revit project..."
Understood, but the suggestion requiring 'testing' was directed more towards brettgatti as I didn't know if this was exactly what you were experiencing as well. Glad you found a way to get to where you want to be. Deadlines and Revit just go oh, so well together, don't they?
victoriajohnson5419 wrote:"...Would have been a great deal easier if Revit had a simple area command like CAD. These are outdoor area drains, and thus do not have associated rooms. I know I could place spaces, but this takes a long time - drawing the individual space seperation lines is slow and tedious, and then I have to go back and place the ump-teen dozen spaces. The spaces feature just runs really slow for me."
Agreed. This may sound a bit silly, but on the occasion that I have to get a quick area calc, I'll just create a Floor or Ceiling. You can quickly draw the boundary lines, finish, see the Area listed under Properties, and just hit Delete (because it's still selected). This even works if you want to get the sum of multiple, separated areas as long as all of the regions you draw are closed.
When the CAD file is first linked into Revit, the view used to place the file acts as a reference point (internally). If this view is later deleted, then you can see the issue you are experiencing (in 2013 and prior versions).