autocad files not showing once imported

[Anonymous]

Once I insert the .dwg file, nothing shows.  I've zoomed out, selected everything, and the autocad file isn't there.  I've changed all of the setting when importing it, tried everything else I can think of.  What am I missing?  I get it fine to work on one file, so I know I'm importing it correctly, but none of the other files I import will work.

[barthbradley]

Are you in the view that it was imported to? Perhaps, you imported with "current view only" selected? Or, perhaps the category is turned off in the view. 

[MostafaElashmawy]

when importing or linkin the cad file follow below steps:

1- In cad file delete any unnecessary items.

2-put your data near to cad 0,0

3- check what's the units used in cad.

4-while importing to Revit, make sure to choose the same units and don't let Revit to auto detect it.

I think it's units problem.

if you want to make sure that the file is imported, zoom extents in the view, select every thing , click filter, then you should see the file name there.

select it only and in type properties change the units to the correct units.

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

Try insert>link CAD instead of Import CAD

Linking CAD files is preferable to importing them into Revit. Linked files can be updated and reloaded, much like a Revit link, whereas imported CAD files cannot be updated and may be "lost" if they are hidden in a view.

Try the below:

DWG with objects too far from 0,0,0 can cause graphics issues in some instances. Open the file in AutoCAD, zoom extent and see if you can get rid of those miscellaneous objects. When linking it in Revit, if Origin to Origin does not make the dwg visible try using Center to Center.

Looking forward to your reply update.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

I made sure that I imported the cad file into all views, and it's visible in all views.  It's still not there.  

[Anonymous]

I don't have the option to link the cad file instead of insert it.  Once the cad file is imported, I need to explode it and use the 3d objects in my revit family.

[Anonymous]

I am doing contract work for a client, they are the ones sending me the cad files.  I don't have the options to manipulate the cad files.  I will ask them to do as you suggest and delete any objects that may be causing a problem.  Thank you for the suggestion.

[barthbradley]

Is it just an issue in one project? If you want to post the dwg file, I'll try it on my end and see what happens.  Also, did you try Linking yet? (I understand)

[Anonymous]

First they sent me one .dwg file and it worked great.  Then they sent me several .dwg files, and I can't get any of those to work.  Here is one of them for you to try.  I'm wondering if a different person exported the group of files, and that is why this set won't work?

[barthbradley]

Explode the content in the AutoCAD Drawing. Then save as a copy and export the exploded copy into Revit. 

...the AutoCAD drawing's content isn't native to AutoCAD. Some third-party application created it. 

I WOULD NOT EXPLODE THIS IN REVIT! 

[Anonymous]

I don't have autocad. 

The client has also sent me .sat files (that is the file they prefer) but when I import those into Revit I lose a lot of the objects once I explode it.  Is there anything else I can do on my end?

[barthbradley]

Like I said: I wouldn't explode this in Revit. Don't know what else to tell you. Can't you trace it? 

...if you still want to try, here's the exploded version for you to import into Revit

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

@barthbradley is right, the file is not native to CAD and your dwg can be linked after it has been exploded in AutoCAD. You can download a trial if you'd prefer.

If your client used rhino, then look at the option HERE that mention preparing the file before exporting to a SAT format.

Saving the CAD file as an IFC is an alternate route, but 3D editing capabilities are questionable.

Regards,

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous

@barthbradley is right, the file is not native to CAD and your dwg can be linked after it has been exploded in AutoCAD. You can download a trial if you'd prefer.

If your client used rhino, then look at the option HERE that mention preparing the file before exporting to a SAT format.

Saving the CAD file as an IFC is an alternate route, but 3D editing capabilities are questionable.

Regards,

[tim.knappSO]

I had a similar problem & it was determined that the the ACAD file linked into the project was by default turned off in every view.  All I could come up with is, that I needed to turn on the specific linked ACAD file under the Visual Graphics settings for  each view.  For some reason it was unchecked by default when linked into a Revit file.

[Anonymous]

Sir under Visual graphics, what is the name of the option to check?

I do have the same problem.

[tim.knappSO]

See the attached screen grab.

[Viveka_CD]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Sir under Visual graphics, what is the name of the option to check?

I do have the same problem.

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Hi @Anonymous 

Let us know if the solution by @tim.knappSO helped resolve your issue?

Regards,

[chrisjones4299]

I'm having almost the same problem, the difference is my cad file was visible when linked in yesterday, but now I can't find it anywhere! Any idea?

[Anonymous]

Did you leave import unit as 'Auto-Detect' by any chance? Sometimes Revit detects the right unit when I first link a dwg in, but it detects another one a few days later, causing the dwg to scale/move.

It's hard to find these files when that happens if you're in a big model though. You may want to use a plug in like Cad Files Explorer or similar ones out there.

If the model is small, try going to 3D & isolate the Imported Categories. See if these files show up.