Insert views from File* BIM360 to BIM360

[gerry4KN7C]

BIM360 has a bit of a longer process when it comes to using the tool “Insert From File.” A standard tool in Revit, and frequently used, should have the same functionality on BIM360. I should add, this process was quite extensive with trial and error with Autodesk support, so this is where we landed: this feature is currently “unsupported” to seamlessly use from one BIM360 project directly to another.

What I would like to see developed on BIM360 or moved from (“Unsupported”) is the ability to seamlessly insert views from another file without leaving BIM360 platform or duplicating file(s) in other projects in BIM360 docs to pull from. This would save a good bit of download, detach, and upload time.

Standard Workflow “Insert View from File”

• Insert from file.
• Insert views from file.
• Map to desired file that you wish to pull from.
• Select open and the views you’d wish to bring over.
• Select OK.

BIM360 Workflow: “Insert Views from File” 

• *If the desired file that you wish to pull from is on BIM360 then download source file.
  • Create a detached and *discard worksets.
  • Upload file into BIM360 docs into the same folder as your project file.
• If the desired file that you wish to pull from is on your server, desktop, etc then open the file.
• Be sure to create a detached and *discard worksets.
• Upload file into BIM360 docs into the same folder as your project file
• Check that desktop connector is running.
• Insert from file.
• Insert views from file.
• Map to desired file inside the same folder as your project file on BIM360.
• BIM360 should be visible with Desktop connector.
• Select open and the views you’d wish to bring over.
• Select OK.

Similar Threads located here:

My original post: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bim-360-support/desktop-connector-unable-to-access-location-project-s...

Autodesk Support: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/R...  This solution did not work for BIM360 to BIM360 project – must be a “non-workshared” model.

Relevant post from 3+ Years ago: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/insert-view-from-revit-server-file/idi-p/6343626

@patrick.beattie @jared.wilsonHASK 

[ISTUDIOarchitects]

It is ridiculous that this is still not resolved.

[DavidDillonJr]

Are you aware of another work around. Open file you wish to pull from in Revit From BIM360 same as always. Do a save as to your hard drive (This is the same as detach from central). Save to your local drive. You can now load views from said file on your hard drive. But yes it is truly a workaround.

[kristian]

I cannot believe autodesk has not resolved this still, I am just copying and pasting into new views at this point so that I don't have to do this to EVERY SINGLE project I am trying to pull from.   Not very BIM.  Would love to hear other short cuts or work arounds anyone else has.  The AUTOCAD users in our office are never going to convert if we can't make simple things like this work.

[gerry4KN7C]

For clarity, the "Insert view from file" works as it should on projects that are not on BIM360. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a work around that has less steps or requiring additional workflow to keep everything on BIM360.  Working remotely, we have discovered that BIM360 is still the best option for model coordination. As a solution, anyone who sees this post, please smash that "Vote" button and hopefully it will get the attention of Autodesk. 

[Anonymous]

I'd like to copy a link to this thread here: please vote and contact Autodesk if you would find something like this useful.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/drafting-views-as-option-for-linked-view/idi-p/7928406

[rszarowicz]

I just went through this same troubleshooting exercise with Autodesk over the last couple weeks trying to resolve the issue. We use this function extensively in our office, and not being able to utilize in the BIM 360 environment between two BIM 360 projects has really become an issue and interrupted our workflows. I hope Autodesk is able to resolve this in the near future. 

[cdorneyDSNUH]

Cannot believe this is still an issue. I am working on our template and detail container files which means I want to pull in views from multiple projects. Since working remotely most of these exist in BIM 360. Having to download source files every time you need to grab something is very inefficient 

[brown]

Autodesk, please resolve this major issue! BIM360 has streamlined workflow in many ways, but the amount of time required to pull from other files on BIM360 really sets us back.

[chubbard]

Here is another workaround. Still not ideal but maybe easier than some of the others

Open the container file on B360 and saveas... libary-Views. Choose the views to save to a local disk. Then use htat in the insert from views in the destination file. Did that myself because our main file is quite large and downloading detaching opening was going to be a big chore. But the views exported in 30s and into the other file a few minutes later. 

[vcarlson]

As a quick note - if it is only one finished sheet for example - you can right click the sheet in the browser and 'save to new file' and save it locally, then insert from file as normal.

[cgambleTFFSQ]

disregard this comment.

[ChrisGamble]

Insert from view does work for BIM 360 to BIM 360, you must just path through the Desktop Connector location (your C: drive), and the DCA version of the model you are trying to bring the views into must be the save DCA version as the file that has the views you wish to insert. You will get a failed to open error message if the two files were updated with different DCA versions, that for sure is a issue.

[vcarlson]

Thanks, Chris - appreciate it

[jstipanovich]

There is a small trick you can employ using pYRevit...   pyRevit allows you to Copy Sheets to an Open Document

If you can get the drafting views you want from the BIM 360 file compiled onto a sheet, you can then copy the viewports on that sheet to an open document.  Unfortunately the drawback is that if those drafting views already live on sheets, then you must duplicate the views to compile them onto a sheet.

[Ian_H]

@jstipanovich 
Thanks for the tip, Pyrevit has so many useful features!

[dbooze]

Another workaround I've found fairly easy, if the file you're inserting views from is the same version as the file you're inserting views into, is to have both files open in the same Revit session.  Then just simply copy all the views you want to the Clipboard (Copy to Clipboard), go to the other file and "Paste from Clipboard".

[curtisridenour]

Well this was as rude awakening this morning. "Failed to Open Document." Be nice if all the tools not in ACC would also work in ACC.

[noah_berg384J6]

Is this still the recommended workflow for Revit 2026? For simple drafting views, copy and pasting from projects in the same version of Revit works fine... But I would still like the "insert views from file" feature to work with BIM 360 projects!

[curtisridenour]

@noah_berg384J6 Autodesk is pushing the Content Catalog on ACC for drafting views. I have been meaning to spend more time investigating this tool but have failed to as of yet. It does seem like a good workflow for having a repository of details and families for use on all ACC projects. But I cannot speak to it with any personal experience.

[jbrr27]

@dbooze I was not aware you could copy views to the clipboard.  I've never heard of this feature, but I just tried it.  If it's news to anyone else, you find the view in the project browser, right click and "copy to clipboard" is one of the options (it has to be the actual view, not the view listed under the sheet).  I clicked "paste from clipboard" by selecting it from the Paste dropdown in the Modify/Clipboard tab on the ribbon, same as you would typically do going through the ribbon.  (Shift+Control+V did not work, only using the options in the ribbon.)  It appears to work when pasting in any view or sheet.  It creates the view and opens it automatically.  This is pretty handy, and even faster than "Insert Views from File".  I'm not sure how long this has existed, but no one I've worked with has been aware of this to my knowledge.  I tested it in Revit 2024 & 2026, not sure how many prior versions this has worked in.  I wish it would've been better publicized.