DWG file from Civil 3D does not display correctly

[azusaa]

We are having a graphic issue linking DWG file, which came from a consultant who uses Civil 3D.

We use "Link CAD" command under Insert tab. (Revit 2017) I use "Current view only", "Black and White", "Layer/Levels" is "Visible Only", "Import Units" is "feet" (whatever reason, it never auto-detects), "Positioning" is "Manual - Center". Then, the DWG comes in like this.

All zigzag and cannot figure out which line is what. Then, if I zoom in/out, the line shifts.

Above are all same inlet...

Civil consultant exploded the items, so these are all lines or polylines. No proxy.

I also tried without "current view only" and same result.

Interestingly, If I print this out, it looks correct. Below is screen shot of the preview.

I thought this could be a graphic card issue (machine is not powerful enough to process the civil data). So I used our rendering machine which is much powerful than my machine, and actually it got worse. I did not see majority of the lines, even though I linked the DWG file using same setting.

We tried everything we can think about (exploding, deleting unneeded object etc.) but cannot figure it out.

We asked around and it sounds like this is an issue specifically to this consultant. We also found out that another architectural firm who works with this consultant has same issue and has not been able to solve it.

Any input will be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Azusa Allard

[cbcarch]

Try setting Proxy Graphics to either 1 or 0 in the Cad file, then reload in Revit.

[azusaa]

We just tried. (Opening the CAD file, used PROXYGRAPHICS command, it was 1, so changed to 0, saved.)
Reloaded the modified file to Revit and Revit gave me warning "Elements Lost on Import" "Some elements were lost during import. ActiveX (r) and some proprietary components cannot be imported. Try exploding the file in AutoCAD(r) or setting PROXYGRAPHICS to 1", when I closed the window, Revit said there is nothing in Model space (which there is) and asked me if I want to import from paper space. I clicked OK, then it gave me same warning as above, and import command was automatically canceled (nothing happened).
Unfortunately, it did not work. Thank you for your input though.

[cbcarch]

Sounds like an "Object Enabler" problem--there is something in the C3D file that Revit can't read ( or normal AutoCad for that matter.)

Try this:

-Save-as a copy of the Civil 3D cad file. Give it a new name like "Civil Cad Link.dwg"

-Now, turn off all layers except what you need to see in Revit.

-Select all, then w-block and create a new separate .dwg.

-Purge All, Save.

-Then in Revit, Reload From the w-blocked .dwg file.

[azusaa]

I just did what you told me on AutoCAD and tried to link back to Revit.
It gave me exact same warning "Elements Lost on Import" (which suggest me to put PROXYGRAPHICS to <1>) and then says "Import detected no valid elements in the file's Model space. Do you want to import from the Paper space?" window. If I say yes to this, go back to same "Elements Lost on Import" warning and command closes. BTW, I checked proxygraphics of the new dwg file that I created with w-block command. It is set on 1.
It is not making sense, but so says Revit...

[Anonymous]

There is an add-on for Autocad called Civil 3D 2019 Object Enabler, there are other versions too if you are  using an earlier version...  Install that then follow @cbcarch's steps...  It helps a bit.  

[azusaa]

Thank you for input. I downloaded and installed Enabler and went through the process cbcarch told me.
Didn’t work. I got same “Elements Lost on Import” warning and following… ☹

[cbcarch]

Ask the Civil engineer to export out a new Cad file--they should have a way to "dumb sown" their Proxy Objects.

I have seen this where all topo comes in as rectangular boxes. Ask them to convert them to 3D Polylines and re-send the topo.

[azusaa]

The dwg file that I am using supposed to be "dumbed down" version.

We asked them to explode and delete what is not needed.

If I open up this file and select all, AutoCAD shows there is no proxy.

Even if I ask them to explode again, I don't think they can do anything different.... 😞

Is there any special command they supposed to use on the Civil 3D to explode?

I have never used Civil 3D, so I am not familiar with their command. 

[cbcarch]

Can you post the .dwg so we can try it on our end?

[azusaa]

Thank you for the offer, but I don’t think I am allowed to share the data at this point. ☹
Any other things we or civil engineers can try?
We sent civil people this link https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2015/ENU/Civi... thinking it might help them, but has not so far. If you know the specific Civil 3D command/procedure that they supposed to use other than listed in the link, that may be helpful.
Thank you!

[SteveKStafford]

Graphic display issues in Revit are also caused by extents that are too large. How far from the origin are the elements in the DWG file? You didn't mention an error message related to extents when you linked the file into Revit, did one appear? If not that doesn't mean the file isn't very far from Revit's origin now.

These are the things I typical do/try (I wrote about it on my blog) when I deal with a Survey file and issues in Revit:

• Import multiple Survey files individually (don't nest them as xref's)
• Purge everything you don't need, purge again
• Use Wblock if you can't get Zoom Extents to focus on just the relevant portion of the site
• Remove Named UCS (Revit only wants the World Coordinate System)
• Set UCS (User Coordinate System) to WCS and Plan to WCS
• If the survey isn't oriented to WCS, North is "up", have the civil engineer/surveyor change their file first
• Identify a specific location within the relevant part of the survey, put a marker, identify its coordinates, better still make those coordinates easy to use, even clean numbers.
• Make sure everything actually aligns correctly in AutoCAD first, no point setting it up in Revit if it doesn't work there
• Once you get a working first survey file, pass it back to the surveyor so they know what you need in the future

[azusaa]

I was guessing the extents may be the issue, but the Revit did not give me any warning related to the extent, so that I did not post it here so far.

When I link the DWG file (not "current view only" way) and take a look at it in 3D, it is HUGE vertically. (I am not sure how tall this is, but looks like 6000 +/- feet high)

So I asked our civil people to crash it flat so that it will be within 100feet or so.

He did, and looked flat in AutoCAD.

Then when I link same file to Revit, this is how it looks.

Of course, zigzag line stayed. But I don't know how this disconnect of AutoCAD and Revit graphics is happening, and also I don't know if this is really the cause of the zigzag issue, I did not pursue this path.

Do you think this is the cause? If so, how civil people can smash the CAD so that it will be smashed in Revit also?

[SteveKStafford]

It can be difficult. I recently worked on a file that had a block for playground equipment. Revit complained about that file until the block was eliminated. Examining the block closely revealed it had elements separated vertically by a great distance. In the site file the playground equipment looked fine.

To figure that out I systematically deleted everything in their file until the warning stopped, in your case I'd have done so until the jagged line display issue stops.

It can be a combination of proxygraphic display of AEC elements that require the file being saved with Proxygraphics on (1) as well as sorting out the file extents. The vertical lines going between the upper and lower drawing elements looks like poor snapping awareness. It's quite common that users sketch lines snapping to endpoints of other lines without having any idea that the lines are at different elevations. Quite often they never even look at their work in any orientation other than plan.

If Revit elements are jagged even if the DWG isn't linked (deleted) then the issue is in your project file itself. If elements are farther than 10 miles from the Project Origin it can harm graphic display. If the issue appears as soon as the DWG is linked then elements in that file are too far from Revit's origin and most likely the DWG origin too.

[azusaa]

Thank you for input.
What I am learning here is, there is no easy and quick solution for this…. To make the issue worse, even though I installed Object Enabler (Thank you mpwuzhere!), whenever I modify the original DWG file and save as, Revit even cannot link the file. So, all modification and adjustment needs to be done on civil side. ☹ Autodesk’s Knowledge base article is not helping them either. Maybe I just have to live with it….

[Anonymous]

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@azusaa wrote:
Thank you for input.
What I am learning here is, there is no easy and quick solution for this…. To make the issue worse, even though I installed Object Enabler (Thank you mpwuzhere!), whenever I modify the original DWG file and save as, Revit even cannot link the file. So, all modification and adjustment needs to be done on civil side. ☹ Autodesk’s Knowledge base article is not helping them either. Maybe I just have to live with it….

---

Be sure to save as Autocad 2013 format...Not 2018 if you are using Revit 2017.

[SteveKStafford]

Like Michael suggests try saving in an earlier format. Also try Wblock to save out just what you need to use in your model. That works quite often for me.

If you want to and can share their file privately you can send me a private message (through this forum) and we can decide how to post it so I can take a look at it.

[ToanDN]

The Civil3D DWG must be exported to vanilla AutoCAD before you can link it in Revit.  Yes there is a dedicated Export to CAD command in Civil3D (same as in all other vertical variant of AutoCAD Architecture/MEP/Structure).  Just Save As will not do you any good.  Object Enabler, while lets you view the original Civil3D drawing in AutoCAD, does nothing to let you link it properly in Revit.

[azusaa]

Thank you both mpwuzhere (Michael?) and Steve .

And Michael, you are right. When I saved back to 2013, I can link! Silly of me, not thinking this.... 😞

Steve, I used wblock, only selecting upper parts (i.e. contours), purged all, saved back to v2013, linked to Revit.

It got shorter in height!! 🙂

I brought it down to same level as the other Revit objects.

But still zigzag.... 😞

It seems my guess (depth/height of the DWG file is the cause of zigzag graphics) is wrong...

I am kind of stuck now.

Steve, I would like to share the file and get your help, but I need to check with my PM, which will be Thursday earliest. I will let you know. Thank you!

[azusaa]

Thank you for input! Well, I will double check with our Civil consultant that they are using export command, not save as.
Thanks again!