topic Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements in Revit Architecture Forum

CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:17:05 GMT

Hello all,

I'm currently trying to link a file I got from a civil engineer into my Revit site model. However, when I link the CAD file, it only displays 2D line-work and not the 3D model. I've opened it in ACAD to make sure the 3D model is there and I've also tried exporting IFC. There is definitely a 3D model in the file. Additionally, I've checked the basics like VG, view template, etc. I've attached the file for reference.

Thank you!

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

ToanDN — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:28:48 GMT

When link, uncheck Current View only box.

Also, XREFs are missing. You may want to bind them, or link them in separately.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

barthbradley — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:25:46 GMT

There's no 3D Model in the dwg you posted here.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:25:54 GMT

Sorry for not clarifying. I can see the topo but there should be a pipe network displaying too. It includes MHs, CO's and pipes. None of those elements are showing.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

ToanDN — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:30:00 GMT

See edited post above.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:30:14 GMT

There's definitely a 3D model. This is what it looks like if you open it in Navis.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:32:38 GMT

Current view box was unchecked and still no 3D model. Additionally, I forgot to detach those xrefs. They're unnecessary.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

barthbradley — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:39:03 GMT

All I know is what I see with my own two eyes

Also note that your CAD elements are well over 100 miles from the dwg origin.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

ToanDN — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:35:31 GMT

I do not see any piping when open the file in AutoCAD. If the drawing were created in a vertical (CADMEP) then it needs to be exported to plain DWG prior to bringing in Revit.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:38:36 GMT

Very strange, maybe this is the cause of the issue? I can see the 3D model and see it in Navis no problem. Here's what mine looks like with 2D lines turned off for clarity.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

barthbradley — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:39:52 GMT

@chris-reese wrote:
Very strange, maybe this is the cause of the issue?

Think?

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:42:07 GMT

File was probably created in C3D. Here's an export from C3D.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:45:10 GMT

I can see the 3D geometry now that the file has been exported from C3D. I'll still have to change the pipes to meshes to see them though. Thanks for the help guys!

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

barthbradley — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:48:35 GMT

Are you moving this dwg closer to Revit's Internal Origin after Linking it into Revit?

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:51:28 GMT

I believe so. If I try to import origin to origin, the CAD file is too far away and Revit changes it to center to center.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

ToanDN — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:57:11 GMT

Here is what I see when open in CADMEPl, export to AutoCAD, and link the exported file in revit.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

barthbradley — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:58:34 GMT

Center to Center won't help you either. The dwg needs to be within 10 mile (maximum) of the Internal Origin -- if not right top of it. I would unclip the Survey Point and input the drawing's x and y coordinates directly into the Survey Point before Linking in the drawing. It'll be a lot easier than moving it after the fact.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 18:00:52 GMT

Thanks for the tip. That was going to be my next task.

Re: CAD Link not showing 3D model elements

chris-reese — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 18:05:09 GMT

FYI...Just remembered I have the C3D object enabler installed which was why I could see the 3D model in ACAD but you guys couldn't.