Existing drawings: Dwg vs Revit

[XXalessio.amodioXX]

Hi all,

I have to model and consequentily prepare documentation for an Warehouse extension.

The existing documentation is ALL in dwgs (Floor plans, Section, Elevations...).

I am encountering a dilemma.

Usually, When I link dwgs of existing documentation, I map the layer in Revit, but somehow during the process dwg&Revit are not working very well togheter.

So I would prefer to "Trasform" those dwgs in Revit families (Detail Items) or simply Detail Lines.

What about your experience? Have you ever encounteres such a situation?

[RDAOU]

@XXalessio.amodioXX 

It is a little bit vague...How are they not working well together?

Personally I use different workflows depending on the type and quality of the DWG/CAD...example:

• Workflow 1: Import into Generic Model Family (considering that in a Family only Import is possible, that works well for tidy top notch DWG - which these days are pretty much hard to come across)
• Workflow 2: Link into a separate .rvt and do your mapping there. Link that .rvt into your model and set its visibility graphics by link to make use of the mapping you made therein

[XXalessio.amodioXX]

Hi, Thanks for the asnwer.

They are both very interesting way of proceed.

-Worflow1: Do you keep your dwg drawing or use it as underlay for detail line within the family?

-Worklow2: If you prepare those dwg in some external linked model, when linked, they will be visible in all views. How do you cope with it?

EDIT

-Worflow3: Do you think it could be a better way to actual model the existing in rough way?

[Anonymous]

As @RDAOU mentioned before, you should link DWGs file in all the views you need in a separate file, then in the main model, in Visibility/Graphic (hot key VV), there is a tab to control which linked model you can see in your view.
Control what do you want to show by Custom option -> Select specific view that you want it show in the current view.

For examples: In the model with linked DWG files, you link a DWG ground floor to Level 1. In the main model, on your 1st floor, the link model should be turned on and controlled be Custom specific view - Level 1. 

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

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@XXalessio.amodioXX wrote:

Hi, Thanks for the asnwer.

They are both very interesting way of proceed.

-Worflow1: Do you keep your dwg drawing or use it as underlay for detail line within the family? RD: It depends on the type of DWG...is it a floor plan, an Elevation, a detail, a family component from a different software...etc. As previously mentioned, if you are sharing the same CAD standards with the party you received those DWG from, and those DWGs  are neatly set up, you shouldn't need to recreate it in Revit. With the proper Layer mapping you should be able to get the proper graphic output.

Yet again, neatly set up CAD files are a rare find. Back in the day being a draftsman required true skill and AEC knowledge. Nowadays, everyone belittles draftsmen and the title CAD/BIM manager/Expert became a self-proclaimed title rather than earned 🙂

-Worklow2: If you prepare those dwg in some external linked model, when linked, they will be visible in all views. How do you cope with it? RD: Setting the Visual display of the Link to By Link will display them as they are set up in the Link. Additionally, them being in a separate Linked Revit model, you can assign them to a workset and have an additional layer of visibility setting and control

EDIT

-Worflow3: Do you think it could be a better way to actual model the existing in rough way?  RD: Linking/Importing directly into the main model is also a feasible option sometimes.  However, I would only favor one workflow over the other depending on

• the type of CAD in question
• what do I need it for. 
• and I always keep in mind "how am I going to be managing/tracking all the data/info in my model"

Its somewhat similar to asking do you prefer in-place or loadable families, links vs groups, split models or federated ones...etc. Personally, I always look at all possible workflows as viable options/solutions 

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See reply in red

[XXalessio.amodioXX]

Many Thanks. You gave me great tips. Appreciate it

[RDAOU]

@XXalessio.amodioXX 

You're most welcome...