topic Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project in Revit Architecture Forum

How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Stephm419 — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 14:05:28 GMT

I am working in a Revit 2015 project.

When I went to the Visibility Graphics dialogue box under Imports, there are 15 CAD files.

How do I get rid of them?

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

RDAOU — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 10:51:52 GMT

Hello @Stephm419

There are several solutions depending on how they were brought in to Revit (Import or Link)

If Links...You can go to Manage > Manage Project > Manage Links Then Unload and Remove as desired
If imports
1. Unless they have been exploded, you can simply select the imported dwg and click delete...
2. If they have been exploded, you can use "window select" to select everything in the model and then use the filter option to select only the CAD remains...However; in such case you will still have a lot of cleaning up to do. The imported DWGs might or will leave some Line Patterns, Line Styles, Fill Patterns and other elements. (This is the main reason many resort to LINK DWG, instead of IMPORT.
Additionally Use Purge Unused at least once (if not x2 and x3 times) to make sure all got purged out

Additional solutions:

Go to Autodesk App Store and download/install Model Review and install it. You don't need to set it up to do anything special

use any of the default templates that detect imports.
Export to html or to Excel ...or just copy paste the html to Excel (whichever you are more comfortable with.
Format offending element IDs with ";" separators
Paste into Manage > Select by IDs
That will select all > then click delete.
Use Purge Unused again 2 or 3 times to make sure all got purged out

Another solution with good reviews is the Ideate Explorer.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Stephm419 — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 17:36:41 GMT

As I said they are Imported not links.

I know that the better method is links, but the current situation is imported.

The dwg is not visible in the view. It is just in the Visibility Graphics box.

I will try to find the Model Review

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

RDAOU — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 17:45:04 GMT

I don't have the model in hand to check; in such case the reply is general and gives all solutions possible (at least the ones I know of).

And since this forum aims at helping others rather than just individuals; the info that doesn't apply to your model might work for others who are having the same or similar issues

Good luck with Model Review; it's under subscription enhancements/add-ins but it's free for students

Sent from my iPhone

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

shandapapin — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 15:01:06 GMT

I figured it out sorry if Im wayyyy late, but to help others I will answer. Turns out its very simple. If you haven't deleted the CAD import yet and you can select it please do. Then in the tabs above there is an option to "delete layers", click it. Then select all the layers of your selections and boom all gone.I checked my object styles to be sue, and the layers are all on so is the dwg

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Tue, 09 May 2017 06:51:41 GMT

Since we are spamming this post with ads....and the person posting it has a very funky username.... I totally suggest Ideate Explorer. It does quite a bit unique functions, but killing off imported DWG's has to be my favorite tool.

(BTW, I am not affiliated with Ideate...It's just one of the many add-ins on my ribbon currently...unlike user above that seems to be affiliated with rv-boost or revitboost dot com, answering questions 4 years later on posts)

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Mon, 15 May 2017 14:27:19 GMT

Had the same issue with tracking imported DWGs. In my defence, it’s not my model!

For those still looking for a solution, I’m afraid you will need an addin. This is because Revit will convert each DWG you import into a family instance. To define this instance, it will also generate a family type, which is what we see under VG > Imported Categories and one day will desperately try to delete!

Here’s the issue: to remove the family type of a DWG, we need to find and delete all of its instances in the model, then Purge Unused. This is easier said than done in big models with hundreds of views like mine!

Previous posts suggested addins to speed up this process. The one mpwuzhere mentioned is an extensive set of tools & I was looking for a long term simple solution without paying that much, so tried Model Review instead (Thanks RDAOU!). However, even Model Review didn’t help me much because I wanted to purge SOME, not ALL imported DWGs! I also needed to visually check each DWG in its view before deciding to remove it.

Ended up using DWG Explorer because it does exactly what I need. It also allows directly deleting DWG types from Imported Categories!

https://apps.autodesk.com/RVT/en/Detail/Index?id=3030640795772631843&appLang=en&os=Win64

Does anyone have a better solution?

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:48:48 GMT

Manage> Purge Unused > [Check None] Scowl down to the Dwg's and expand the list. Tick the Dwg's you wish to be removed and OK

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

IAA-SCO — Thu, 02 May 2019 06:24:03 GMT

This is the best sollution!! Thanks for that.... And for the guys how try to trick me on buying (expensive) tools: Keep on trying.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

RobDraw — Thu, 02 May 2019 11:01:14 GMT

@IAA-SCO wrote:

This is the best sollution!!

It should be the first thing to try but what happens if the imported items are still being used?

@IAA-SCO wrote:

And for the guys how try to trick me on buying (expensive) tools: Keep on trying.

Those guys aren't out to get you. They are offering legitimate solutions for an issue that can cause some significant problems.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

IAA-SCO — Thu, 02 May 2019 13:34:31 GMT

Wasn't that just the point?! That when deleted they still show up in the visibilitysettings??

Therefore is this the perfect solution, without spending money.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:45:27 GMT

If you still require any of the Imported Files to remain in the Model, then don't 'Tick' them before you Purge.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:42:23 GMT

Go to 3D view, select the imported file and delete. All files will show up, including 2D files. Turn off all revit links to insure you can select the correct files to be deleted.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:44:24 GMT

In my case, when I run CAD Files Explorer it only detects the CAD Type, not the instance. I can't find any CAD instance in my project, but it shows on VG. If I try to delete the CAD Type on CAD File Explorer, Revit does not allow. Does anyone know how to delete the CAD Type?

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

IAA-SCO — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 06:09:38 GMT

When they are still in use, then you can delete them in the view(s) where they are visible....

My point on the tools: Why spend money, when there is a good en free solution.... 😇

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 12:46:12 GMT

The problem is that I can't see any DWG on Purged Used. I'm all about using free solutions until I have no option. It's really weird what is going on in my project. The consequence of that invisible DWG is that it was way bigger than may project (area, not file size) and it's causing some reference placement issues.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My Revit Project

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:28:01 GMT

So you can see the Dwg and select it ? Is it in a Linked Model ?
Can you not create a new 3D View, turn on Everything, window select and find the Dwg in Filters ?

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My Revit Project

LyleHardin — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:26:59 GMT

Same issues here. There are lots of dwgs imported into our model. I cannot see them in any view, even a 3D view where everything is turned on. They don't show up on the Purge list. They are not linked. I cannot figure out how to get rid of them. These are in our Template. Grrr.

Idea, now... I'll have to check all the Detail Views. Yuck. I bet that's it. I'll let you know.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My revit Project

RobDraw — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:38:07 GMT

When a template gets lousy with imports, it's time to rebuild. It's actually recommended to rebuild your template(s) periodically for a number of reasons. Cleaning out junk not being the least of them.

Re: How do I delete an imported CAD file from My Revit Project

IAA-SCO — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 06:50:39 GMT

.... And don't forget your legends and groupes.... This solved it for me.