Central model CAD links not showing up when linked to sheet model

[claycole]

My central model is in it's infancy.  I'm creating an 18 story building and I'm beginning from existing CAD files.  I've linked 18 CAD files and placed them at their corresponding levels with the intention of tracing over them and eventually unlinking them.  After this I created a separate sheet model to create my master set of sheets.  The problem begins when I link the 18 story model into the sheet model.  Within the 3d view I'm expecting to see all the CAD floors, but I see none.  

[barthbradley]

So, your Linking an RVT containing CAD into another RVT and then another RVT?  

https://help.autodesk.com/view/RVT/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-F8929030-3D77-4F7B-A01F-3C88C600466E

[Alfredo_Medina]

What is the reason for creating a "sheet model"?

[barthbradley]

Imported DWGs in linked Revit files are not showing up in the host Revit file (autodesk.com)

[syman2000 · Accepted solution]

CAD link to 3d will not show up by default. So you have to manually set the link to custom and go to import category and turn on the DWG link.

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

18 stories with 18 Levels/Plan Views?  I would suggest this approach (highlighted).  FWIW.  

[claycole]

I'm doing this because I'm building the model a piece or floor at a time.  I plan on tracing the model using the CAD links.  This could take several years.  Once a model floor is complete, I'll remove the CAD link.  Also,  I have about 3000 CAD drawings I have to convert and these drawings (sheets) have all the as-built information I'll need to import and format.  The general idea is to separate the building model from the sheet models to keep the file sizes down.